one hears of amusing little incidents which occur in the
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trade, some to the credit and a few to the discredit of the individuals concerned. Amongst the latter class is the case of an agent for solid tyres who possessed a stock of clearance tyres. One day a farmer sent his lorry for re-tyring, and the agent, • thinking that he could safely make an extra profit, decided to fit clearance tyres and charge them at list price. While the fitting was being done the driver of the vehicle remarked, "Here! What's this • clearance' stamped on the tyres?" Thinking with great rapidity, the agent's foreman replied, Oh! That's all right, it means that when there are twin tyres there must be clearance between them." licity value of a clean van, especially for the delivery of foodstuffs; such as bread, was' emphasized at a recent luncheon which was held on the occasion of the Hovis Bread National Baking Competition finals. Bakers were urged to pay more attention to the . transport side of their businesses. A delivery 'van figured among the prizes, most of which were of a utilitarian character.
RECENTLY one of our staff had to compress a
good many calls into one day in Birmingham and Coventry, his plan being to charter a taxi in 'each town. For about 2i hours in Birmingham the bill amounted to 14s.; later on in the day, at the city of the "Three Spires," he was calling for about an 'hour and .20 minutes and the demand was for 12s. 3d., which was actually shown on the meter.
Ont representative has had, we should judge, a very strict bringing up, but although he did not have recourse to profanity, nor offer to fight the driver, his objurgations produced a wonderful effect, as shown by the driver saying: "Of course, there is this about it, sir, you are entitled to a discount of 20 per cent." Which he computed at 3s. 3d.
Can any of our readers in Coventry throw some light on this curious method of computing a fare?
A REMARKABLE electrically driven clockhas been built by the proprietor of the Beech Lanes Garage, Hagley Road, West Birmingham. One of its most interesting features is that it consists almost entirely of old motor parts, amongst those employed being two Exide starter batteries, the motor from a Klaxon horn, certain parts from gearboxes and a set of chimes composed of five brake drums of different sizes. Externally the clock is quite normal, and it keeps excellent time. AT a recent meeting at the Royal Society of Arts, London, it was stated that in another decade we may have practically abolished the need for paint and other finishing media on account of the development of stainless or non-corroding metals. Although the prices of such metals may be somewhat higher than those for the present classes of material, the abolition of the need for finishing with protective coats and of maintenance later may actually effect an economy.
IN a recent issue of the Continental edition of the Daily Mail there was a reference to motor camping tours in Africa, and the statement was made that campers will pitch their tents in Carthage, El Kantara, Constantine, and Algiers, seven hours by tractor-motor from Timbuctoo.
As the distance between Algiers and Timbuctoo, by way of the Sahara Desert, is about 1,600 miles, the vehicle in question must be of a very special type, and it indicates what progress has been made across the Channel in the development of fast tractors.