Out and H011142.-3y " The Extractor."
Page 21
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" Royall:Fodens."
.1 was not present when their Majesties visited the 13irchenwood Colliery recently. A friend of mine, however, who travelled up North, tells me that. the King and Queen took the greatest interest in many industrial details which would escape the eye of the ordinary . observer. The Foden band played before their Majesties during their stay at Crewe Hall, and Lord Crewe came out and requested that the musicians should again perform on the following morning, so pleased were they with the performance. The King queried : " Are these really all working men ? " Yes, your Majesty, they are," replied Mr. Halliwell, the conductor, and, further, the King was told that the bandsmenpractised in their own time and so arrived at their present state of proficiency. King George remarked on the beauty of the brass instruments, and was informed that they were of the best quality that could possibly be procured. Their Majesties then requested that the members of the band should be informed personally of the great pleasure they had given. After this, I would suggest that this famous band should be known by the title which heads this article, namely, "Royal Fodens." I have often heard them perform, and an assure some of my southern friends that the exceilence of the playing cannot be surpassed.
Cost Per Thousand.
I am well acquainted with two men who are
lent friends, one representing the advertising side of a great progressive daily paper, and the other the head of the publicity department of a popular article, which, unfortunately, does not come within the 'scope of this journal, but which takes up abnormal space in the advertising columns of the daily Press. I met the latter gentleman, and inquired after our mutual friend. "We met the other day, and we were both extremely cross with each other," was his reply. This made me smile, and he went on : "We were arranging our yearly advertising contract." Then it transpired that the rates had been advanced again, and I could imagine the conflict and the clash of steel. I told him it reminded me of Mr. Justice Darling's remarks a few days ago in the Law Courts, when he explained that people must not imagine that counsel in court were nearly as angry as they appeared to be. Wly friend said: " After all, I think that circulation is the thing, and what it costs you per thousand is the only satisfactory way of reckoning up your advertising." To which I respond fervently "Amen." N.B. —This points a moral and adorns a tale.
More About Reminders.
Mahomet had to go to the mountain, and many of us have to go forth each day in search of our business, but a proportion of time has to be spent at the office desk, and one adopts all sorts of devices to keep business inquiries, etc., in nicely tabulated form, so that one misses no possible opportunities. Nests of drawers, appropriately labelled, give way to elaborate card systems ; Steam and
tablet diaries are excellent, but if you crowd them with names the whole thing gets overlooked. I always envy the men who are precise enough to keep their desks clear of paper. I never know how they manage to keep track of things which remain sub judice. t'erhaps that is why some otherwise very excellent people acquire a reputation for " sitting on" matters needing immediate attention for the excellent reason " out of sight, out of mind." When in the sanctum of one of our principal vehicle makers the other day, I noticed one drawer in front of the desk labelled HOT and its immediate neighbour designated COLD. The scheme needed no explanation. I expect I shall give it a trial, but I keep wondering how one is to revivify the inmates of the cold storage.
Latest from Leyland
Each time I visit the works of Leyland Motors, Ltd., there is sonic new development to show me. £40,000 has been expended on fresh tools and buildings within the last few months, and there is quite a lot to show for it, for have they not put up a, fresh building for the strain vehicles. Altogether there is an air of steady progress about the Leyland works which is observable from the moment you arrive, making your entrance ii'W through imposing iron gates, as you pass throuL,.._ .hops and finally give a critical look in the paint Shop at the various machines just upou ready for dispatch. And what a cheery personality Mr. Henry Spurrier, Jun., is. At first glance you would assess him as a landed proprietor with a bent for farming. He has the country air about him, and you could so well picture him getting across ihe land in the saddle.
recollection comes across my mind that, when I gathered some details of his early career for this page some years ago, I found that he had worked on a ranch in Canada, which perhaps explains why he still remains redolent of the agricultural life.
The better you become acquainted with Henry Spurrier, the more you learn of his undoubted engineering ability. This was mostly acquired while he was in the shops of the Florida Central and Peninsular Railway Co. at Fernandina. He returned to England in /896, acquired an interest in the Leyland works, which were practically devoted at that time to making steam lawn-mowers. How he put a steam van into the R.A.S.E. trials at Crewe in 1897 and won the Society's silver medal followed by more than one £100 nrize, has been mentioned on this page previously. I understand it is a lasting regret with Mr. Spurrier that the 1897 prize winner was broken up a few years ago. It would have doubtless been selected for an honoured place in the Motor Museum along with the other early types.
Leyland Motors, Ltd., has taken a most prominent place in the commercial-vehicle movement, mainly because of the industry the knowledge and utility of its chief. Some men are more praised than liked, but there is no man more welcome. in trade circles than Henry Spurner, Jun., for his counsel is valued, he is regarded as a man worth knowing and he is above all things a staunch friend and a good sportsman.