An Interesting Soup Kitchen.
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Most of our readers are no doubt more than familiar with the very numerous motor ambulances which have been illustrated and described in other columns than ours. A large proportion of these machines, of course, has been fitted up on adapted pleasure-car chassis. There is such similarity about their appearance and equipment that we ourselves have perforce with regret had to withhold a large number of photographs of this kind which have been submitted to us.
We are able to submit to our readers herewith photographic and other particulars of an interesting variation of the work of the St. John Ambulance Association in the form of a very finely fitted up motor kitchen which has been presented to that Association by the Ladies Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland.
The Hon. Mrs. Assheton liarherd, who is the President, and Miss K. d'Esterre Hughes, the energetic Secretary of the Club, wisely sought the advice of a competent engineer in order to solve the problem in these hard times of getting the best value for the money which they intended to expend. The results appear fully to have justified their caution and foresight. The photographs show quite clearly the general outline of the machine and its very fullyequipped interior. The outlying feature upon which the ladies in question, on behalf of their Club, insisted, was the side opening of the coachwork in preference to one with service arrangements at the rear, and this detail commends itself to us as a very practical one.
The chassis itself is a powerful Crossley which had previously done service with a very heavy limousine body aboard ; it is a very fine example of that companys sturdy construction and trustworthy design and quality of material. These points were fully considered at the time of its purchase. It was above all necessary to have a high-grade
machine, one with plenty of power, and one in which the material had in no way been skimped, and yet it was necessary, of course, to keep a careful eye on the expenditure. This appears to have been effectually accomplished with the selection of this particular chassis_ We may add a few words with regard to the equipment of the
interesting kitchen itself, which was constructed by Barker and Co. -(Coachbuilders), Ltd., • the wellknown concern of 66-68, South Audley Street, London, W. A similar body and equipment can be supplied to fit any other suitable type of chassis. It will be seen that the body consists in the main of a square box-built construction, suitably paddle-boxed for the driving wheels, with the side npening to which We have already drawn attention, and a light canvas hood for the driver. There is a pair of long side platform steps fitted to fold up right along the side of the body. The interior cif the body is lined with zinc throughout, and each side is fitted with three deep pull
.out draavers.fnr stores. There are cupboards underneath, and a receptaole with trays to take mugs, each tray accommodating 20 of these. A further cupboard is provided in the top rear corners for jugs, feeders, etc., and the outside of this cupboard is fitted with straps to carry plates, knives, choppers, etc. The special boilers, with ovens and urns, which are fitted in the front part of the interior, are also shOwn in one of our illustrations. There is a spare tank of paraffin at the side of the driver, and a large water tank fitted to the front near side of the interior. There are also lockers on each side of the driver's seat.
The following utensils are supplied as 1)art, of the equipment : 200 enamel pint mugs, 2 enamel jugs, .2 soup strainers, 3 enamel sauce pans, 2 stew pans, 2 galvanized bread baskets, 1 chopper, 2 cook's knives, 1 scrubbing brush, 12 dish cloths, 12 tea cloths, 6 roller towels, 12 spoons, 6 enamel kitchen spoons, 2 frying pans, 2 large salt Jars, 2 large pepper boxes, 2 enamel feeding cups, 2 ditch planks forming ladders carried on each side of the body, one spade fastened to the rear of the coachwork, and 2 lamps to illuminate the interior.
The foregoing specification of details will, we feel sure, prove useful to anybody who is contemplating fitting up a similar class of machines, and assistance and advice we feel confident would willingly be furnished on application to the secretary of the club, Miss K. d'Esterre Hughes, or to the Hon. Mrs. Assheton narbord, the president of the club.