Tri7ra was . a L young lady of Niger. Who smiled as
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she rode on a tiger ; They finished the ride with the lad)
inside Lid the smile on the face of the tiger.
This famous stanza was never more applicable than in connection with last Friday's opening of the North of England Show. The Manchester Motor Association has been completely gulped down. and "a vast substantial smile " illuminates the features of the S.M.M.T. I do think that more important seats at the dinner and luncheon, and some words of recognition in the speeches, were due to those untiring members of the Manchester Association by whose persistency and pertinacity the holding of the Manchester show was practically enforced. Apart from this omission to give credit where credit is due, the dinner at the Midland Hotel, on the night preceding the opening, and the luncheon next day, in the show building, were admirably carried out; the allpervading influence of the S.M.M.T, was never better exemplified. Not even at Olympia has there been a more-representative automobile gathering. The majority of the big-wigs were down, not so many on the commercial-vehicle side, because too little space has been allotted for our section of the industry, but Mr. Manville was there genially presiding at the luncheon. and as popular as ever it was interesting to find him specially singling out our Editor, Mr. E Shrapnel] Smith, for mention in connection with his pioneer work in the Liverpool trials. Quite an excellent and sound speech was given by Mr. Harenart E. Clare, the Clerk to the Lancashire County Council, dealing with the road question. and which will probably be reported in a later issue Of THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR. The Ea rl of Derby proposed the principal toast, and Mr. Hubert Woods, of Crossley's. Ltd.. although obviously in great pain through an attack of lumbago, made an excellent impression.
At the Nlidland Hotel it realty looked as if no prominent person in motorine WAR absent. Here was Mr. Albert Brown, of Brown Bros., Ltd.. always in the centre of a knot of people, always eager and much in earnest here, also, in the same group. was Mr. H. Cr. Burford, and not far off Mr. T. C. Pellinger, of the New Arrol-Johnston, in friendly converse with Mr. Belcher. his successor at the Humber Co. Mr. Rey. Dennis was touch to the fore, and Mr. S. F. Edge,
Mr. E. Instone, of the Daimler, and Mr. J. D. Siddeley were prominent in respective gronps, and, of course, Mr. F. Coleman, of the White Co., was, a,s al e-ays, a pervading personrtlily. Mr. Harry Smith, of the Rover. Stâ– 011 to be teckoned with in the business-vehicle section, was looking very fit, awl I saw representatives, but not the principals, from Belsize, Foclen's. and Clayton's (of Huddersfield), Mr. 'hunt Garner (the local agent for Albions, who is rapidly extending his business), Mr. Cole, of Commercial Cars, lad., and Mr. Percy Liversidge, of the de Nevers tires, were busy with t lair respective friends, and I caught s ght of Mr. A. J. Foster, of Halley
Motors, although they were not exhibiting. A " prominent " absentee was Mr. H. Spurrier, jun., of Leyland Motors, Ltd., who is expected back from a business trip to the Continent before these desultory notes find their way into print. The Show is a brave display, much exceeding any provincial exhibition I have seen, and should attract great crowds.
It was Mr. W. M. Letts, at the Thursday's dinner, who occasioned a roar of laughter when he made some quotation and attributed it to Shakespeare, and then added: "Well, if not, it was the Daily Mail.' " Letts has been putting in about two days a week at Manchester for some time past in connection with Crossley Motors, Ltd., and in his speech he referred to " we Manchester men," and was rewarded with a burst of merriment, as I suspect he anticipated. What an excellent after-dinner speaker Stenson Cooke, of the A.A. and MX. is becoming ; he made a most-entertaining speech, the manner and enunciation being perfect.
One satisfactory stroke of business was completed on the opening day, though probably not at the Show, was the sale of 25 Dine cabs to the Midland Garage, Manchester. This was communicated to me by Mr. Middleton, of Mann and Overton's, and I was sincerely delighted to congratulate them.