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ONE can spend a very interesting day at the Dennis works at Guildford and there, in the Surrey hills, the air is as good as a tonic. The works are a hive of industry, for the order books, so we were assured, have never been fuller. Sir Raymond .Dennis took us to see the new shop which was being erected at the far end of the present line of buildings, and we had to stand aghast at the size of the extension, which must have a floor space of about 120,000 square feet —a-factory in itself! It is a light and airy shop of ample height, with a railway siding throughout its whole length taken down so that the platform on each side is at general floor level. Sir Raymond, in discussing the 30-cwt. Dennis 'chassis with us, reminded us of our verdict upon it and prophecy concerning it made after we had examined it just a couple of years ago. We confess to have forgotten our prophecy, but Sir Raymond reminded us that we had said the 30-cwt, chassis was the best thing that the Dennis works bad produced and, being clear of the War Department subsidy and its requirements, it would be their " best seller." The forecast seems to. have been justified by events, for the output for the model is just 50 per week and, with the new shop (which will be devoted to chassis erection), the output of 30-cwt. goods chassis and the G-type passenger chassis, which is the latest modification a it, will go up to a hundred per week. We look for very striking figures when the balancesheet is published next month.
WE had the pleasure at Guildford of again meeting Roy Dennis (the only son of Mr.John Dennis), whom we last saw as a schoolboy. After leaving Harrow he went to Trinity College, and when he caine down from Cambridge he went to Mr. Ricardo's experimental works at Shoreham and there put in two useful years of hard work. Under Mr. Ricardo and Mr. 0. Thornycroft he has had a very valuable training and has now taken up his position at the Dennis works.
ONE hears with intense regret that Mrs. Tom rl'hornycroft has died after only two days' illness following a slight accident, blood-poisoning supervening with fatal results. Mrs. Thornycroft has been very helpful to the business, for she took a very active part in motor boat racing and in some of the development and social work at the Basingstoke factory. Mrs. Thornycroft was elected to the council of the borough of Basingstoke at the last election, being at the top of the poll for her ward, which was a testimonial to her personality, for in a factory district such a result would scarcely be expected. We extend our sincere sympathy to Mr. Thornycroft.. WE recently had a brief chat at Lincoln with Mr.
C. T. Blacklock, The managing director of Clayton Wagons, Ltd., and we were particularly interested in his remarks upon the progress which is being made by the company, -especially in connection with the wellknown servo-brake mechanism which it manufactures and which is likely to be seen on the great majority of heavy vehicles at the November exhibition. Mr. Blacklock is an indefatigable worker, both at his office and home, and it is primarily due to his efforts and the stimulus which they give to his staff that the position of the company has been so much improved. Mr. Blacklock is a goodgolfer, bnt he is, unfortunately, unable to devote much time to the game. When he does play, however, he is apt to .surprise those who consider that to play anything over a moderate game it is necessary to have constant practice..
SIR WILLIAM JOYNSON-HICKS, at the Society of
Motor Manufacturers and Traders' dinner, made his most interesting speech in connection with motors and the-development of the motor movement but then, to twist Sir Frederick Burnand's famous retort to the lady who criticised Punch, he,always did! He has made an amazingly.popular Home Secretary, applying the strong hand in a way which has always gained public commendation. His remark about the forthcoming railway proposals to acquire road powers, suggested that the Government considers that the railways should be accorded more facilitien for road transport. It is. not possible to discuss measures or which the terms are not known, and we are very glad to learn that Mr. Shrapnell-Smith will not allow himself to be drawn on the subject at Sir John Eaglesome's discussion at Leeds next, month,