Open House
Page 67
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
By The Hatvk
WHAT goes on at the Atkinson factory was amply demonstrated to trade friends (and some competitors!) last week when Mr. Alan Green, 1VI.P. for Preston South. opened a new social centre and some works extensions. Among the party I noticed Mr. Herbert Seddon and Mr. Robert Seddon, of the Seddon organization, and Mr. G. Healey, of E.R.F.
As Mr. Green pointed out, this is the 50th year in which the name of Atkinson has been prominent in the road transport industry and it was not surprising that talk at luncheon turned to the early days of the century when steam and petrol strove for mastery. Just about a quarter-century has elapsed since Atkinson began on the oil-engine side.
Mr. W. G. Allen, chairman of Atkinson Vehicles, Ltd., said they had one employee with 50 years' service, b_ut Mr. W. C. Park, director and secretary, went back 45 years. The work of Mr. F. Richardson and Mr. H. B. Fielding was recalled and, of course, that of Mr. B. Francis Caunt, the present managing director, who undoubtedly regarded the day as a fitting climax to around 40 years' work in the commercial-vehicle industry.
Numerically, Atkinson vehicle turnover has increased by 41 times during the past nine yearS and the financial turnover by almost six times. Having now extended right up to the old limits, the company have acquired a further 14 acres of land for future development.
Peaceful End
WHAT has happened to the Gifford coaches that were so popular in the 'thirties? One of them, at least, is browsing contentedly in the fields of Gloucestershire. It was bought by Mr. W. E. Hughes, of RaseIton, for £30„ to house his Light Sussex and Rhode Island Red chickens.
Apart from being cheaper than the ordinary hen house. the Gifford can be driven, complete with chickens, from field to field, where the birds feed on the stray corn left by the combine harvesters, Nowadays, even chickens are too lazy to walk.
Petrified
A'American optimist is claiming $125 from a haulier for concealed damage to a piece of petrified wood. The Federal Government have taken control of all petrified timber in the National Forest and the souvenir is almost irreplaceable, except by illegal means. History does not record whether the haulier is more petrified than the wood.
No Holiday for Polish
QHOWERY weather last Saturday mornine did nothing to dim the brightness of Manchester's cleansing fleet, which was concentrating in the city centre for its annual inspection. In order to keep traffic congestion to a minimum, vehicles from the outer depots reported with military precision at short intervals from 7.30 a.m. to 9.45 a.m., only a dozen being left on duty and half that number in workshops.
The men were competing for 12 cash awards, with a £6 premier. and were also to see the presentation of the £10 championship prize, based on the accumulated results of the past year.
Giant mirrors were employed to demonstrate that even the underneath of the power unit could be maintained in a slate of sparkling brightness. The general state of the vehicles was testimony to the fact that this was no highlight of super-cleanliness solely for the occasion, but the product of work over the year.
Champion of the Fleet
AANCHESTER'S Lord Mayor, Aid. Leslie Lever, M.P., IVI thought that the Champion of the Fleet, E. Culloden, ought to be presented with headgear in the naval tradition, but he gave him the money instead. Culloden won by a mere 0.1 of a mark. There was a triple tie for the first inspection placing, which was shared by Culloden, E. E. Johnson (who was also third in the championship) and E. Bagnall. It was certainly a tight finish, for 24 marks covered the dozen award winners.
Days of Dignity
THERE were apparently times when horns were designed to be mellifluous rather than to frighten people to death. am touched by a description of Bailey's Motophone, a horn for operation by bellows or exhaust, "the whole blending together into a most beautiful and far-reaching sound that will not irritate the most sensitive person." I have come across this prize piece in—of all things—" A Guide to Valve Practice," a book issued to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Sir W. H. Bailey and Co., Ltd. Turning over the page, however, I encountered " Bailey's bell-chiming machine, a device which rang for half-an-hour on one winding." This, I feel, cancels out the considerate intentions of the MotophOne.
I am drawn also to "Bailey and Fogarty's patent beer raiser and aerater." Says the catalogue: "When the town's water pressure is convenient of application, we make a modification of this invention, which works automatically by the water pressure, similar to Bailey's patent hydraulic organ blower." I hope the machine knew when it was required to suck or blow.
Theory and Practice
THE chief goods clerk was about to retire. A lifetime's knowledge gained among the intricacies of the general railway classification of merchandise was being applied to the last consignment—his own furniture. After much cogitation the attractions of rates applicable to " timber and returned „empties" determined the question.
The theory was excellent, and, alas, so was the practice. That was just how the furniture arrived!
Superious
A LONDON builder, who apparently speaks fluent Chinese, advertises for sale a " superiously fitted house. I offer the word gratis to any exhibitor at the Scottish Show. c29