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_ A Knot in his Handkerchief. 'yr The Extractor." Fairy" and the Plugs,
East Anglia is a little backward Sc tar as commercial-motor vehicles are concerned, with the exception of steam wagons and tractors, se,,cral good makers of these being located in that country. But the pettol can or lorry is as yet somewhat scarce. It will come, however, and before long, because the pleasure motor is well established th,tre. It is surprising to find perhaps the ,largest garage in the country situated in Norwich. I was down last week at a celebration in connection with the extended works and garage of Mann, Egerton and Co., Ltd. Many leading men in the pleasure-vehicle trade went down, together with representatives of the technical and daily Press. We breakfasted in the train and we inspected the works. I was interested to see body building being carried on in all its branches—from the lordly limousine to the carrier-cart body. I learnt that the latter class of work has been much developed
latterly in Norfolk, old pleasure chassis are principally made use of, and market day at Norwich witnesses the entry of many. motor Ca rriercarts. Further, in this huge garage, I found a special department for trade vehicles, and there a.high doorway capable of admitting a bus or even a tower wagon. That is often a difficulty in provincial towns to find a. covered garage in which a lorry, piled up N% jib ft, rniture or the like can enter. Then iliere is a good welding plant, smpplied, I noticed, by the Acetyleee Illuminating Co., Ltd., and when I mention that there is garage aceomModation for 100 vehicles which on market days is filled to overflowing an idea will be gained of the stains of the resoureend Mann, Egerton and Co., Ltd. The inevitable luneheon formed part of the celebration, and Mr. G. C. N. Mann briefly acknowledged many sincere words of praise, Over WO people are engaged in these various departments and branches.
Two quaint incidents occur to me in connection with my Norwich visit._ Mr. Paul 13rodtmann, of Continental tires, was assailed in the train by two or three enthusiastic golfers, and he began to realize that it was positively craninal on his part to have neglected that noble game so long, tie explained at first that he had no tune, just ae every busy man does. But ho wa only laughed to scorn. There are always Saturdays earl Sundaes, they told him. So at last out came his pocket hook. " Must learn to play gob " he entered—the. only way, lie laughingly explained, to boar it in maid. Atter in neileon group photograph was taken, and the local photographer officiated. He was probably more accustomed to grouping church dignitaries, because the usual high-spirited banter of motor people got on his nerves at last, and his unconscious appeal, " Now do try and be gentlemen for a few moments," caused a shriek of laughter.
In the car which I employ partly for business purposes, I have had only one set of Bosch plugs in use for quite 7000 miles, and I do not remember a misfire. I have had them out once in seven months, not because anything was wrong, but use benzole all the time, and thought any soot might as well be cleared off. It has brought to my mind that coming back from the Royal Show at Bristol I had at that time difficulty in starting up the. engine, this being apparent in the hotel yard at Newbury. Some local man suggested that "Fairy," the ostler, shonid be allowed to test them, One man took the starting handle well insulated with cloths and the indomitable " Fairy " grasped each plug in turn between bare thumb and finger, and took the shocks without moving an eyelid. His verdict was that they were " yery weak," so on my return T installed the Bosch, since when, like Harry Furness's tramp giving a testimonial, "I have used no other."
Notable designers are changing over from one prominent concern. to another. I hear on the best authority that Mr. Rose, formerly identiatinvith the Sunbeam Co. at Wolverhampton, has now joined the Belsize staff at Manchester.