The Edinburgh Show.
Page 13
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Waverley Market, whose covered area in a single hall is unrivalled out of London, has previously given proof of its attractions for the purposes of a motor show, but this year's exhibition is far and away ahead of any previous effort, whether at the same place or in Glasgow. The space is considerably in excess of that of the large hall at Islington, yet, with the accessory and sundry exhibits ranged round the walls, there is a compactness which can only be properly realised by a visit. Friday last, the 241h instant, wit nessed two interesting functions of a send-off character : the first, the opening ceremony itself ; the second, the annual dinner of the Scottish Automobile Club. As might have been expected, Sir J. H. A. Macdonald, K.C.B., dis, charged the first duty in his accustomed style—every one Of his hearers learnt something, and those who needed it took away the lesson that motoring is rapidly helping to perfect means of internal transport for both passengers and goods in Great Britain. At the dinner too, when some 200 members and guests sat down together at the North British Hotel, the Lord JusticeClerk was again in trenchant vein. There were other speeches of interest, and the majority were post-prandial efforts of a high order.
The commercial-vehicle exhibits are of types and makes that require only brief references in this journal. All are well known to our readers. We are glad to note that the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., is fitting oil-retaining covers to the side chains upon some of its vehicles, as this addition cannot but reduce maintenance, by increasing the life of the chains, and diminish noise. The company itself, on stands Nos. 24 and 25, shows a 3ocwt. van, with large cover in a waterproofed canvas of stout quality, and an excellent shooting brake, each upon a t6h.p. chassis, and both with enclosed chains. This 30
cwt. model is the first of its type : the frame is the standard for two-ton loads, and the gear ratios have been carefully selected, whilst its design, in fundamental respects, is that which has proved so remarkably successful in all parts of the world. The shooting brake has seats for eight persons as well as the driver, whilst four guns, a large supply of cartridges, provision baskets, and a good " bag " can be carried.
The New Arrol Johnston Company, Limited, at stand No. 28, has on view a 12-15h.p., i8-seated char-a-banes. This vehicle is one of four which have been sold as a repeat order to the Central Engine Works, Singapore, and numbers of this model have yielded good results in the hands of users.
A toh.p. Adams van, with its "pedals
to push " system of control, attracts much notice on stand No. 40, where it is given a prominent place bY Messrs. King and Company, of Edinburgh, Leith, Glasgow, and Aberdeen.
Messrs. Durham, Churchill and Company are represented by a single lorry, this being of the firm's two-ton pattern with 24h, p. engine. Visitors should examine the ingenious changespeed gear, and the " Champion " friction clutch, Another good point is the adequate protection for die driver. The only steam lorry on view is staged by D. Stewart and Co. (902), Ltd., and is according to the StewartThornycroft patents, with loco.-type boiler, flexible countershaft, and live axle : the boiler is centrally fired. A tipping body is fitted, and its sides are adorned by photographs of various sister vehicles.
Halley's Industrial Motors, Ltd., is content, so far as the interior of the building goes, with a sign dependent from the larger one of its agents, the Peebles Motor Co., Ltd., of 89, Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, plus the close attendance of Mr. George H. Halley or Mr. D. McN. Sharp. There is outside the building, however, a 2oh.p. lorry for demonstration purposes, this being the model which was so highly successful in the recent R.A.C. trials.
The accessory, stores and tire exhibits are numerous and good, the best stand of all being that of the North British Rubber Company, Limited, but there are very few component exhibits. Probably one of the most interesting details is the magnetic clutch of Messrs. Ravenshaw, Middleton, 'and Townshend, which is shown on stand No. 14. Sonic particulars of this clutch, in which the inventors and patentees have practically overcome the difficulties of residual magnetism and high first cost, were given in our issue of the 29th November, x906 (Vol. IV, No. 90, pages 261 and 290).