Out and Home.Nlore About the H.T.J.
Page 15
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"The Extractor."
The All-British Fuel.
Another twist of the kaleidoscope in the matter of the motor fuel about which we wrote on page 230 on the 17th May. We stated in a later issue that the fuel was withheld from public sale by order of the authorities; we now learn that sales can be made provided that each aeoarate transaction is daly
entered on the petrol licence card. I personally tried this H.T.B. fuel for about 100 miles and found it excellent, better in fact than the ordinary motor spirit I had been using. The address and particulars of cost, etc., will be found in our advertisement columns.
"Twenty Years Alter."
An important position is now held in the Shrewsbury and Challiner tire concern by Mr. H. Shankland. I often meet him en route between Manahester and London, sometimes get a few words with him, and lately I learned from him that he has just completed his first twenty years' service in the tire industry, and further, is looking forward confidently to the completion of a second twenty years. That is, I think, the proper spirit. One meets so many men who think that other professions or trades are so much better than their own that it does one good to find this hopefulness and feeling of security. It says something, too, for his belief in the Shrewsbury and Challiner products.
A Perpetual Calendar.
, When I was a schoolboy about umpty -years ago .1 remember a shabby, dismal man who had invented a perpetual calendar: It was very intricate and elaborate, was evidently the •man's life-work, and there were indications of frequent intervals for refreshment ; it, however, "faired to attract," as the candid theatrical managgrs say in these days. I am reminded of this by an ingenious little calendar in the form of a Raper weight sent to us by Mi. E. G. Brown, the commercial vehicle agent of Birmingham. The calendar occupies the space of two postage stamps side by side ; it requires the slightest adjustment, one movement each month, and there you are.
From an Ex-Hun Dugout.
A cheery letter has reached me from my friend See.-Lieut. J. C. Moth, well known as managing director of Commercial Car Hirers, Ltd. It will be -seen that he is engaged on a Light Railway Operating Co. I think it interesting enough_ to give copious txtracts.
29th April, 1917;
"For the first four weeks or so we had a most Godless time • owing to the advance, the existing systems of light railways were a washout and we were shunted about all over the country. The weather, too, has been frightful, as our quarters were usually in the old " Man's Land," and a perfect sea of mud' you can imagine our -plight. We are now in the midst of the country recently evacuated by Jerry (the Huns) busy putting down our lines to our Front, and it's some job, too. The country is one maze of trenches and shell holes by the thousand, average size 20 ft. by 20 ft. deep. All villages are like a builder's rubbish heap, and you cannot imagine the general chaotic and deplorable condition of everywhere, heaps of brick, tottering walls, road simply non-existent, and thousands of rats. It's some picnic, I can give you my word. We are living in dugouts (German) about 20 and some 40 ft below the ground, and but for the rats would be quite comfy. The latter are a pest, and although we kill hundreds we make no impression at all. Last night when walking back
to my quarters I shot six right off the reel—they go along in shoals like fish. 'We live entirely on rations, which are quite good, and as them are no shops within 20 miles cannot spend money. Have not tasted beer since I left Havre, siA weeks back. We have a la-cwt. Napier box van, and 1 had a trip into Amiens awhile back, and had a real good bust up ; that, however, is the only civ,ilization I have had. You would scream if you saw our rolling stock. The track is invariably laid in a day ; it is like a switchback, and the engines come along like prancing elephants; • we call them ' mechanical footballs.' Although soakedithrough and throngb, frozen up and pigging it in the most Hunnish manner, I am feeling as fit as a jack-in-the-box, and have not had the alightest ailment. Our fellows too, are fine, and as cheery as birds. • By Jupiter, you should hear the guns each night—just like the most terrific thunderstorm you could imagine!
"Gad It makes one see red whe'n we pass a village and see,the wanton damage that has been dope. Churches smashed up, and the interior turned into latrines pictures and images deliberately torn and ril5ped up, and the refugees with their kids and bundles of goods. "We see any amount of air strafes, and when they get busy it's a hundred. yards sprint to the nearest.dugout. Up to now we have had a dozen fellows sent to hospital for minor blighties,' but if the Hun sits don we then push our rail right up. I am afraid we.shall get a good crop now and again. Some of the earlier companies have been badly strafed, and I am not so sorry that my job will be control officer and that it is at the far end of the line. The only danger there is from air raids at night, and dugouts are fairly safe from these. Awful row going on outside -now ; twelve of our aeroplanes going over quite low down."
Olin Podrida.
J. Lyons and Co., Ltd., has decided to expend E80,41.00 on electric vehicles, being tired of reduced
petrol allowances. A manufacturer required 2000 gallons of petrol for testing lorries and car for Russia. Thc test was to be leo miles ; he was allowed one tin per vehicle.-
The British Petroleum Co., Ltd., will very likely discontinue the sale of petrol for the period of the war ;. its sale of kerosene is extremely large.--- Mr. George A. O'Hanlon, of British 13erna Motor Lorries, Ltd., has just received the freedom of the City of London as Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers.
Our sympathy goes out to Mr. Leo Harris, of Wolverhampton from whom I learn that his son Douglas M. IL Harris was killed in action on the " Adriatic" on •15th May. He was attached to the R.N.V.R.— One of the directors of the Russell Oil Co,, -Ltd., Captain Archibald Russell, after Being in France .for two years has,won -the Military Cross. This concern is Making headway. It has taken works in Stratford, London, with railway siding and watersidefacilities, and are now able to manufacture all kinds of yellow maChinery and cup greases similar to those previously imported from Hamburg and Antwerp.