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An exquisite little brochure was put in my hands the

18th May 1911, Page 15
18th May 1911
Page 15
Page 15, 18th May 1911 — An exquisite little brochure was put in my hands the
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other day by Wilhnott, of McNamara and Co., Ltd. It is entitled "Concerning the Hiring of Motor Vans." The booklet embodies much valuable information, flanked by a pair of dainty pictures, one representing the Royal Mail leaving the G.P.O. in the year 1820, and the other depicting the fleet of motor mail vans starting out from the corresponding • spot 00 years later.

An important change has recently taken place in the control of the Glasgow Assurance Corporation Limited. Mr. A. Reginald Pole, whom I know very well and have reason to esteem most highly, has resigned his position as general manager and secretary, and the d rec tors have appointed Mr. Lewis C. Gray as secretary ; the vacant general managership arising through the resignation of Mr. Pole is to be filled at an early date. I congratulate Mr. Gray on [Lis advancement.

Not, long ago, on one of my journeys to Scotland, I joined the train about half-way there, and, on the evening in question, the train was packed ; at any rate, there was not a vestige of room in the third-class carriages, not even amongst the women and children, so I desperately directed my luggage to be put into a first smoking. My neighbour started up conversation, offered a telegram form to wire for a room, and was generally helpful and

genial. Presently, the travelling ticket inspector interrupted our talk, and I was told that the excess would be " sixteen and a penny :"

I demurred, and explained the cir. cumstances, to which he responded with a severe air, " Come with me, sir, I'll soon find you a seat." I mildly suggested that he had hotter find the seat and then come for me. An hour la ter he passed through the dining car, and I asked if he had found that seatyet ; the severe air had mostly disappeared, and his reply was, " You had better stop where you are now, sir ; that gentleman you were talking to is the Marquis of —, a director of this company, so I had to make a show."

It is amongst my little plans to get a glimpse, shortly, of the new premises of the Continental Tyre and Rubber Co. ((reatBritain), Ltd. I hear glowing accounts of this new

Pfogress in motor circles is the order of the day, and arrangements are now completed, I understand, which will be a boon to users of commercial vehicles, so that Continental solid tires can he fitted at any of the company's depots— Glasgow, Bristol, Newcastle, Birmingham. Dublin and Manchester.

It was interesting but depressing to hear, lately, one of the principals of a large motored) concern positively assert that it was impossible to get cab bodies made, in any quantities, in this country. Coachbuilders can naturally turn out excellent work, but when it comes to quantity, quality, price and expedition, London cab companies have to go to France, and a very large proportion of the London cab bodies has been made across the water. It. will be instructive to hear what the English body makers have to :iay on this point.

"£100,000,000 is employed in this country in the hire-purchase trade a.nd then by a yearly turnover of £1,000,000." These big figures were used by the secretary of the Hire Traders' Protection Association, at their annual dinner, at the Frascati, on Thursday, the 11th inst. I Wah bidden to the feast because I helped to found this association years ago, and was one of its early presidents. I was for years keenly interested in the hire-purchase system, and in all that went to make that system more secure. for those with capital invested. This association, with its permanent officials—the secretary and solicitor • • has placed hire trading on a thoroughly sound basis, and it was interesting to me to learn the progress that had been made in recent years, and the new trades now allied with the movement. Glancing through its list of members now, I find motor manufacturers, tool manufacturers, gasengine people, van and carriage builders, several of the great London stores, laundry and dairy engineers, and Iinotype companies, in addition to the cycle companies, house furnishers, piano and sewing machine concerns. The point that interests me is : Lorries, motorvans, chars-h banes and cabs are now largely disposed of on the hire. purchase system, and here is an Association of Traders, with a solicitor, the authority of the country on hire-trade law, specially retained. I strongly urge all in the motor and allied trades who are interested in this branch of business to write for the annual report, just issued, to the Secretary, Hire Traders' Protection Association, 27, rhaneery Lane. London, W C.


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