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By "Me 4X-tractor" The question of insurance of commercial vehicles is full of _interest now that the trade is going ahead. Some insurance companies have been shy of the heavy vehicle, driven oftentimes by .unsuitable men, the risk going six days in the week, instead of week-ends only. Many reasons have operated on insurance minds against the business vehicle. Now, however, things are assuming a new aspect.
I hear in Scotland of a likely association's being formed on cooperative principles by users themselves, but a better idea, it seems to me, comes from London. I was shown the other day an advance prospectus of a company about to be formed ; its sole business will be the insurance of commercial vehicles.
I think that, if this projected company invited one or perhaps two of the leading vehicle manufacturers to join the board, it would strengthen the hands of the directors considerably, because the needs and necessities, to say nothing of the wiles, of the users would be an open book to them. Maybe another week or two will show some develnements.
Australia is, rightly enough, draining this country of many of its capable men. I hear that Mr. C. E. Lewis, whose London address is 27, Noel Street, Wardour Street, W., is leaving for "down under' early in February. He has been connected with W. Searle and Co., and Barimar, Ltd., for some years, and sails early next month. The chief agencies in which he is at present interested are the " 0.S." speedometer, the Mans illier carburetter and the Fallot incandescent acetylene lame. I believe he is open to take one or two other selling lines.
A personal note, which was a little wistful, was struck by that line old friend of motorists, Sir John Macdonald, at the Scottish Motor Exhibition dinner. He hardly expected, he said, to attend many more dinners, and, as he left the room, the English nortion would have sung "For he's a jolly good fellow," but they have their own method in Scotland. They dearly love their Lord Justice-Clerk, and they solemnly chanted "Wall ye no come back again." This is the highest compliment Scotsmen can pay. He had declared in the course of his speech that, if motorists came before him, he would see that they had justice. I suspect that some drivers with fast ears would prefer a large modicum of mercy.
The Marquis of Tullibardine spoke well, and Mr. J. S. Matthew said soothing things about the visitors and the Press. Mr. HarrySmith, of the Rover Co. was the spokesman for the S.M.M.T., and the Scottish Traders did everything possible to make the evening a pleasant one.
Amongst the personalities whom I encountered on the first two days of the Show was Mr. R.. Barry Cole, of Commercial Cars' Ltd. He caught me going over the fine char'a-bancs exhibited by his firm ; this is one of a fleet supplied to the worldknown Scottish firm, David MeBrayne, Ltd. lie tried unsuccessfully to conceal a look of pride which suffused his face. This is a fine foundation stone for the new " Commer-Car " Glasgow depot. Next I saw Mr. Rennie, of Rennie and Prosser, who represents the Dennis, the White, and the Belsize. A good combination this, a keen enterprising Scotsman selling highclass English and American productions. But the Scottish makers are far from dismayed. I saw one of the directors of the Albion concern—one who has selling mostly under his charge. He has a great record of successes to
chronicle. It is always a great pleasure to talk to the Albion principals ; they are so full of ideas, so wonderfully alive to the requirements of the commercial-motor movement that it is no wonder the Albion maintains such a high place amongst the makers.
Mr. G. H. Halley pounced on me. He had just travelled up from London through the night as usual and looked provokingly fresh and alert. I therefore inspected more chars-iibanes. There is, in fact, a very fine display of these vehicles in the Scottish Show. They indicate a great advance in the passengercarrying and sight-seeing ear.
Mr. J. S. Matthew, of the Argyll, was of course much in evidence, looking more military than ever. Like the Albion, Argylls have two separate exhibits in different parts of the building, as they also show pleasure cars.
I just caught sight of Mr. J. S. Crosbie in the distance on the opening day. He is exhibiting the only steam wagon in the Show, the Stowart-Thornyeroft. Mr. Baxter and Mr. Eric Smith were up from Manchester, looking after Belsize interests, and Mr. F. Coleman, of the White Co„ looked in on the Saturday and, as usual, soon made his presence felt.
Amongst the tire people Mr. Kehler of the Continental, Mr. Gelder of the Clincher, and the popular Scottish representative of the Polack, Mr. j. W. Morton, were well occupied. Mr. C. Challiner of Shrewsbury and Challiner was not expected until this week. The Wood-Milne people had a fine exhibit, as also had Peter Union, Connolly and the Dunlop. Mr. Tom Stevenson, of the Faransure, being on his native heath, seemed to know everybody. Mr. Geo. E. Roberts (Simma Magneto) appeared to be popular amongst the Northerners, and that bright particular star of the Vacuum Oil firmament, Mr. Albert Newton, was refulgent.