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A rgylls, Ltd., exhibited a 12-15 lep. taxieab on its stand No. 34 at the Edinburgh Show, and we are glad to bear that a very-considerable number of orders was secured as a result.
An Easy Task.
A motor cabman recently, owing to a complaint, had to attend at Scotland Yard to be re-examined with regard to his " Knowledge of London." During his first day or two out on the streets as a licensed cabman, one of the problems with which he was confronted was to drive a fare from the West End to Thornton Heath.
Not the "CM." This Time.
The South London branch of the London Cabdrivers' Trade Uninn held a mass meeting in Walworth on Sunday last, with the object, as stated in preliminary handbill " To protest against the scurrilous statements published in the recent issues " of a certain newspaper. The handbill concludes: " Be just and fear not, but attend.'' Some Taximeter Suggestions.
Amongst recent suggestions that we have received for the improvement of iaximeter-registration methods, we note that one correspondent proposes to employ a timing stamp to be operated inside the taximeter case on to a clockwork-propelled paper band every Lime the flag is depressed. Another suggestion is that two-fare instruments should he authorized in Lendon. A useful proposal for the fixing of taximeter-driving gear, without seals or other complications, is that the necessary brackets should be welded or brazed into position.
More Bonuses.
The St. Pancras Ironworks Co., Ltd., which runs 50 de Dion cabs, is now giving a bonus to its drivers at the rate of 3d. per day for an average of
4s. (hi. for six days, and 3d. per day for every additional 2s. ad. The company stipulates that the takings shall not be less than 6d. per mile, and it also demands that it shall receive 50 per cent, of the extras. If a driver works for seven days, the gross earnings are treated as the result of six days' service, so that he gets the lopes accordinty, to an average calculated en that basis.
A small proprietor of Erik cobs in North London allows his drivers 25 per cent, of the first 421 and 33-1j per cent, of anything over this amount, and all extras; it is understood that he finds this arrangement satisfactory.
On Special Service.
On the first page if this issue, we have something to say with regard to certain special uses which have tiowadays arisen for motorcabs. We particularly note -the emergency use of taxicalus by tradesmen who have urgent orders to complete. and the delivery of special editiims of London nee spa laws by the same agency.
In Country Towns.
:Many smaller towns all over the country are coming into line in the mat tin' of hackney-carriage services, and one of the latest, of which we hear in this respect, is ClevedM11, iii
1111 rset. a grtlall seaside resort not tar hunt Westen-super-Mare. Mr. E. Vernon. the proprietor of a local motor garage in thattown, has started the hall rolling, by taking out a single licece for a -Ea xir-ii Ii.
For Moszow and St. Petersburg.
Wt. recently recorded the fact that the Cleurron works in Paris were busy with the carrying cult of a large order for tut xieabs tor Russia. We are now in that the complete order consists of 500 Chevron foureeylinder 15 11.p. cab chassis fitted with landaulet bodies. These vehicles are destined for service in St. Petersburg and Moscow : 11-.111 of them are to be delivered at once, and further deliveries aro expected to take place at the rate of 100 a year for three years. The company whieli is to operate these machines has at the present time 150 Panhards. as well as a number of single-cvlinder vehicles of various makes.
Blackpool Preparing.
Itlaol;pool, whose muniCipal authorities so long refused to authorize the custahli.shment of public-service motor vehicles within its boundaries, it will be remembered, in the fall of last year dceided to authorize the licensing of a number of taxicabs. The Watch Committee of that town has already receive:I a number of applications for motorbus aml taxicab licences, find it has now been decided that all those who desire to take out taxi licences must apply within a specified time, and must already be using hackneycarriage licenees. Provisional regulations and by-laws have been prepared by the town clerk and the chief constable, and a special meeting of the committee is shortly to debate these and other questions arising with regard to the new vehicles. Applications for new permits all have to be lodged before the 1ith inst.
When the Light Went Out.
The General Motor Cal) Co.. Ltd., on 'Thursday of lastweek, recovered, at Marylebone County Court, the sum 18s. 6d. with costs against the :Paddington Borough Council, as a sequel to a collision between one of its taxicabs and an unlighted electric; standard in the Bayswater Road. Allegations on the part of tho defendantsof careless driving, excessive speed and intoxication of the chauffeur were not proved. The Borough Council contended that the road wa.s adequately illuminated, even if the electric light standard were not lighted.
Heavy Damages.
On Thursday of last week, heavy damages were awarded against theCoupe Co. and Motor Cab Co. of Great Britain, the company which operatesthe " W. and C." taxicabs in London. A lady, who carried on lousiness as a masseuse, and who is stated to haveearned 4.525 a year, was severely injured, and two gentlemen passengers, who were travelling with her, also sustained injuries in the smash whir-It was the cause of the action. It was stated that the driver of the cab drove at an excessive speed and crashed into a refuge in the middle of the road. Negligence was not denied by the defendants, and the jury, who were left with the question of damages to decide, awarded the lady masseuse £600 and one of the other passengers
Eastbourne Enterprise.
The Ea-stbourne and District Motor Cab Co. (19)9), Ltd., recently held its second annual dinner. This concern, Whose manager is Mr. A. W. Mansfield, has extensive garages at 21a, Commercial Road, and offices at 1, Terminus Buildings, Eastbourne, A POn`prehensive fleet of hire ears is maintained, and these comprise 10 licensed tabs, two touring cars and a private landaulet. At present the vehides in service consist of Chenard-Walcker, Unic, Itala, other makes, but we are given to understand that the F.T.A.T. ma-chine is to be adopted as a standard by the company in future. Five additional licences have re• cently been sanctioned, and it is proposed to take these up during the coming season. The operations of this company are characterized by eonsirlerable enterprise, and its small works are well equipped with plant to allow the carrying out of all kinds of repairs. and maintenance contracts.