Page:Motors and motor-driving (1902).djvu/409

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REMINISCENCES
365

round by Fareham; had lovely drive; police spotted us; awful crowd followed us at Cosham; had to beat them off with umbrella.

December 10.—Policeman called at 1.30, took our names re driving through Fareham without red flag ahead.

December 13.—Went drive round common; tyre came off; sent her to Penning.

December 16.—Took train to Fareham; met Hobbs (Hide and Hobbs, solicitors) and Mr. Heckett, and proceeded to Court House; filthy place; Hobbs spoke up well for motors (see police reports). Silly old magistrate fined us one shilling and costs, 15s. 1d.

December 27.—Frightened an unattended horse attached to a milk-cart, which bolted and sent the milk-cans flying in all directions.

December 31.—Straps slipped badly, had to get them tightened.

January 4, 1896.—Lost nut off air valve; pushed home.

January 6.—Stuck again, small tube supplying petrol to carburetter choked.

January 14.—Motor got stuck; made noises; sent her to Penning's.

January 19.—Moted to Eastney Lock; Jack got out to hold unattended horses, and I drove the car into the curb and smashed frame. Shoved into a stable close by.

April 14.—Accumulators gave out, bumped them into Penning's to get charged.

April 19.—Took fresh accumulators out to Lee, but they would not make the engine go, so took them back again.

April 22.—Took accumulators out again and started at once; did 30 miles for first time in 31/2 hours.

April 28.—Heard they wanted motor-cars at the Imperial Institute, so sent our car there.

May 11.—Drove different people about all day in the Imperial Institute.

May 14.—Took Cummins for a drive at Imperial Institute, blew out the asbestos joint of exhaust-box, made frightful explosion noises, and frightened Cummins into fits.

July 18.—By special permission all the cars were allowed to drive to Hurlingham, where we had an excellent lunch and drove round the grounds all the afternoon. On the way back something went wrong with the works, so we took a hansom; car was shoved back to Institute. Awful!