Ready Tor the "Royal."
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The Locale for 1913 is on the Picturesque Durdham Downs, Known to All Visitors to Bristol. It is Hoped to Beat Newcastle's Record of 1908.
With the promptitude that is characteristic of its organization, the R.A.S.E. already has the show yard at Bristol practically ready for exhibitors. It was shown to the Press last Monday.
A Well-chosen City.
If ono were asked, as an ordinary man of the world, to suggest those cities in England which would he likely to form the most suitable locale for the annual display of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, one would as likely as not make an early choice of Bristol, that aptly-situated city seaport of the West Country. It is within easy reach, owing to its remarkable cross-country railway facilities, of manufacturing and agricultural sections of the community alike.
At a Great Railway Centre, We learn that within two hours' journey by train from the city there are 17,000,000 inhabitants, so that the decision, following the initial meeting of citizens of Bristol, in September, 1910, and' the subsequent communication of its invitation to the Committee of the R.A.S.E., to hold the 1913 " Royal" on Durdham Downs, was certain to be cordially approved both by those who have business interests in these annual gatherings, and those who watch their Periodic displays, regarding them impersonally as a national asset.
0! Respectable Antiquity.
It is not for us. on the present occasion, or, indeed, at any time, to write, however briefly, of the history of Bristol as a city. There is legendary authority for ascribing the foundation of this great centre to two brothers who lived in the fourth century B.C. It is sufficient for us to know that it is, even for an English city, of more than respectable antiquity. We are more properly concerned with the prosperity of the town in this year of grace.
Amidst Agricultural Surroundings
We need not remind those who can remember " Royals " during the last decade that, as a rule. tha chosen Ditch for these great annual shows is primarily the centre of great agricultural districts. Not 'Doncaster, Norwich. Liverpool. or Derby lay claim to any annreciable. extent to intimate association with the industry with which we are particularly concerned, though some of them have established within their boundaries great engineering factories. A Great Motor Centre.
At Lincoln a,/ici Newcastle, of course, there are prosperous branches of the commercial-motorvehicle trade. But Bristol has particular interest for us in this respect. it has, for a while past, been a great centre of activity in respect of motor-vehicle operation, and, as a matter of fact, a powerful local corporation—the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd.—has developed the possibilities of public-service motor haulage to such an extent, that, at the present time, it controls, we believe, something like 600 machines of the motorbus, motorcab and motor
lorry types. This in itself is enough to make this city of special interest to the majority of our readers. The well-known Straker-Squire industrial models are, of course, manufactured at Fishponds, and we are letting no cat out of the bag when we record the imminent opening of a large new factory, which has been erected by the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., to produce complete motor vehicles and their bodies.
The Bristol Wagon and Carriage Co., Ltd., is another great concern which is taking itt, share in thi.4 advancement, particularly in respect of the building of all types
of industrial coachwork. Yet another of Bristol's old-established engineering undertakings has recently commenced the construction of various types of industrial motors; we refer to the Avonside Engine Co., Ltd. It is obvious, therefore, that this " Royal" of 1913, at Bristol, makes special clams upon our attention. That the city possesses facilities which before long will be increasingly turned to account by prospectiVe builders of chassis and manufacturers of components is assured The Press View.
On Monday last, the 16th inst.. a full fortnight before the official opening, the customary Press invitation visit took place to the showgrounds, and in weather which, in Bristol itself, was almost
tropical in its fineness. A goodly company of Pressmen and other interested people were the guests for the day of the Society, the High Sheriff of Bristol, the Bristol local committee, and the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., and it
was a wonderful programme which was prepared for the pleasure and instruction of these guests. A special saloon was attached to the 9 o'clock train out of Paddington, and a fleet of the Bristol T. and C. Co.'s grey-painted torpedo chars-a, banes conveyed the party to the Royal Hotel, and there Lord Northbrook presided over a luncheon excellently devised—and served—for the hot weather.
The Luncheon Speeches.
After the loyal toasts had been proposed by the Chairman. Lord Northbrook, who is the President of the Society for this year, in a commendably short speech, welcomed his guests. He trusted that Newcastle's record would be broken. Representatives of "The Times," "The Bristol Times and Mirror," and " The Western Daily Press" responded. Quite an ovation awaited Sir Gilbert Oreenall, Bart., C.V.O., who, for seven years, has. with infinite tact and unvarying courtesy, fulfilled the office of director of the showyard at these annual displays. He spoke warmly of the enormous amount of work devolving upon the local committees, work which, for many months previous even to the taking over of the showground, was voluntarily undertaken by the local gentlemen, and his and other speakers' references to Mr. Thomas Mellow, the indefatigable secretary of the Society, were received with acclamation. The Lord Mayor of Bristol replied. Mr. Alderman C. A. Hayes proposed "Success to the Bristol Show," and the Earl of Northbrook, making special reference to the establishment this year of the new Overseas Section and to Mr. H. L. Riseley's able furtherance of the scheme, said that he was sure that, so far as organization was concerned, the success of the 1913 " Royal " was certain ; it only needed a continuance of the then existing fine weather.
To Durdham.
The arrival at Bristol had been unfortunately somewhat delayed, and, therefore, no time was lost after the luncheon in getting aboard the chars-it-banes again, and these —all of them Dennis machines, tackling the steep hills out to the Clifton district, soon took the visitors to the beautifully-situated showground. Durdham Downs are famed wherever Bristol is known, and it is certain that the location of the showyard this year is as prettily situated as any in previous years in other towns. Not inconsiderable difficulties have had to be surmounted in negamd to the existence of so much timber and vegetation, as well as to the public rights-of-way which cross the grounds. Perhaps the visit to the show itself was a little curtailed, but this was necessary, in order that the further enjoyable programme should be carried out in time for the members of the Press and others to catch the 7.50 train
back to town. A delightful run. out to Cheddar and back, where tea was served, brought an interesting and propitious private view to its conclusion.