From Our Correspondent in Toronto.
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Motor Mails.
The Motor Transit Co., Ltd., of Ottawa, Ont., has secured from the Government the contract for the carriage of mails to and from the post office to the railways and wharves. The Ottawa Electric Railway Co., Ltd., at present has the contract, having held it for the past 16 or 17 years. The change will take place on the 1st September. The Motor Transit Co. has ordered four new special cars for the purpose.
Windsor (Ont.) Ratepayers Oppose Auto Fire Apparatus.
Considerable opposition in certain quarters of Windsor, Ont., is meeting the movement set on foot in the City Council to substitute auto-driven fire-apparatus for the present system of horse machines at a cost of 17,000 dolars. Although the by-laws have been approved by the councillors, it is not at all certain that, when the question comes before the ratepayers at an early date for their approval, it will go through. It has been pointed out that. the use of new motor machines would affect a saving of several thousand dollars annually to the City, but it is believed the time is not ripe for the installation, and those opposed to the new plan say it will not carry. Mr. Eamsor is Chairman of the Fire Committee.
Auto Trucks on the Farm.
Alertness of farmers in adopting improved machinery or new ways of saving time and labour promise well for the future of the motor truck in agricultural work. Mr. D. C. Fenner, whose experience has given him opportunity to study the trend of transportation on the farm, says the farmer is quick to seize every aid to production and greater efficiency " It is surprising," said Mr. Fenner recently, " to see the farmer, like the business man in the city, abandoning his horses to use motor trucks. It is a reliable sign, because the man on the farm is conservative. He has always given the time to arrive at a sound decision. Now that the motor truck has received a favourable verdict from the farmer, it is well to seek the reason. Performance is the measure of a motor truck's efficiency. The farmer takes it up when he sees its advantages over the horse. At the same time it must be admitted that builders of motor trucks have had all they could do to supply the business men in the cities. But the farmer is making his needs felt, and truck manufacturers realize that the horse must be routed from his last stronghold, the farm." A cardinal principle with the farmer is not to allow his competitor to get ahead of him. The leaders have seen the advantage of motor delivery. The modern method actually will get the business. Other considerations equal, the man who can deliver the goods first gets the trade. In buying a freight or delivery motor, the farmer is taking no chances, provided he purchases from a responsible firm which has proved the efficiency of its trucks and its business integrity. There is a splendid opportunity for a British manufacturer of motor trucks to capture the Canadian agricultural business. It 18 to be hoped he will not wait until it is too late.
Ottawa Speeds Up.
Ottawa, Ont., is another city to place itself on the list of owners of fire-fighting motorcars. It recently purchased a six-cylinder 42 h.p. car for the use of Fire Chief John Graham. The ciic authorities for sonic time felt the need of a more-rapid conveyance for the head of their fire department, as he has a large territory to cover, and authorized him to investigate and recommend the car he thought best for the purpose. The aircooled motor appealed to him, as he believed it would give best results during both hot and cold weather. The car is to be painted a bright red, and is to bear, upon the side of the seat, lettering indieating that it is the Fire Chief's ear Fire chiefs in a number of other towns and cities are using specially-constructed motorcars.
Chatham (Ont.) Wants Automobile Fire Department.
From what I can learn, the motor-driven trucks would not only be more efficient than horses, but they would also mean a great annual saving to the city," said Mr. Wm. Potter, of Chatham, Ont., recently. Mr. Potter is recognized as one of the most-progressive and active property-committee chairmen who ever sat on the Chatham city council. He believes that the time is coming when Chatham will find it necessary to install motordriven apparatus at the local fire hall. " It would mean a big investment in the first place," said Mr. Potter. "hut the saving made would go a long way towards paying off the necessary debentures. As I understand it, Chatham will soon have to buy new horses for the department. Horses nowadays cost money, and it costs money to feed them. While the motor-driven trucks are standing in the fire hall, they cost nothing. We do not have many fires in Chatham, and the wear and tear of the motor apparatus would not be great. While I would not say that I am in favour of buying much equipment right away, it is my opinion that the matter is entitled to serious consideration before money is spent on buying new horses or apparatus." It is to be hoped that the Chatham City Council will seriously act upon the idea of installing a motor-driven fire-fighting apparatus.
Another Motor Ambulance for Calgary.
Another motor ambulance has just made its appearance in Calgary, Alta., its sponsors this time being the enterprising firm of funeral directors and embalmers, Messrs. Harrison and Foster, of Seventh Avenue and First Street, West. Painted a beautiful battleship grey and equipped with all the latest devices for ensuring swift and easy transportation, this ambulance took part in the recent big Coronation procession to Victoria Park, Calgary, and was much admired by the crowds who saw it pass. It has emergency fittings, and is lighted by electricity, both inside and out.
Much Rail road Construction.
Seventeen million dollars is being spent by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, during 1911, in constructing new lines and erecting station buildings throughout Western Canada. There will be 619 miles of work completed on the branch lines and opened during the present season. This will include Calgary 'branch, Battleford branch, Melville-Regina branch, Alberta coal branch, Regina boundary branch, Moose :raw branch, Prince Albert branch, and Biggar to Calgary. There will also be 265 miles of main-line track laid, as well as 200 miles further grading on the branch lines. Arrangements are also being made for the erection of 140 station buildings. This is the largest and most-expensive year's work that the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway has undertaken. The majority of new branch lines to be constructed will be laid in districts hitherto totally untouched by rail road development and auxiliary motor transnort, is certain to be encouraged. The railway officials are themselves favourably disposed.