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The Better the Way WE have recently been the Better the Speed. " watching with interest the Where Tractors Win, harvesting operations of two
Sussex farmers whose lands adjoin. The one tries to do everything with the help of a single horse, the other swears by his tractor. Last week we saw the horse user still struggling with the cutting of a storm-tangled field of oats, whilst his neighbour, who began operations at the same time on a field of equal acreage, was hauling the sheaves home, two wagons at a time being hauled behind his tractor.
Another Warning I T was stated in a recent issue Against Exhaust -gas of the C.M.U.A. Journal, of Poison Dangers . . Victoria, that carbon mon
oxide has claimed more victims than any other gas known to man, the chief danger being due to the fact that, whilst being poisonous, it is colourless, tasteless and odourless, whilst the exhaust gas from many motor engines contains enough to kill a person in 10 minutes. Normally, it is quickly dissipated and rendered harmless, but cases are constantly occurring where people have been overcome by the fumes from engines running in Confined spaces. Its action is that of forming a new compound with the red corpuscles of the blood and driving out the oxygen. In the event of a poisoned person being rescued in time and where the expert administration of oxygen is not possible and natural breathing has ceased, artificial respiration should be applied. Special precautions are: never to work under a vehicle when the engine is running, or allow it to run in an enclosed garage. It is even suggested that it is inadvisable to back a vehicle into a small covered space; if driven straight in, the exhaust gases can escape at the open end.
Interesting the Public THOSE responsible for the in London's Transport publicity side of the activi Problems ties of the London Transport
Board are to be congratulated on the excellent copy and layout of advertisements that have appeared recently in the National Dailies. Now we notice that, in addition to drawing the attention of Londoners to the beauties of the countryside surrounding the city, the Board is taking the public into its confidence and presenting, in an interesting manner, some of the problems with which it has to deal. The question of the peak period is one that affects the ,majority of travellers, and The advertisements explaining this matter should' give habitual grumblers food for thought. The Importance of Using Suitable Spark ing Plugs The Importance of Using Suitable Spark ing Plugs
ANimportant factor in the efficient working of a petrol engine is the selection of sparking plugs of suitable pattern. For easy starting and smooth running it is essential for them to have the correct reach and, as a general rule, it may be said that this is correct when the points are flush with the wall of the combustion chamber or cylinder head. The Lodge concern points out that, if the points be recessed, difficult starting and erratic running at low speeds may result, because the firing takes place in a pocket of dead gas. If the reach be too long, the points will soon become overheated and may cause pre-ignition and loss of power. Incidentally, the normal gap is about .018 in. and, if this be increased to any considerable degree, exceptional strain will be thrown on to the coil or magneto_ The need for a wide spark gap usually indicates that carburation or distribution of the mixture being supplied to the cylinders is faulty.
A Remarkable Machine for Roiling Cold Steel Sections
AREMARKABLE machine for rolling heavy-gauge steel strip has been designed and built specially for J. Brockhouse and Co., Ltd., by Tangye, Ltd. It is said that it will revolutionize the process of cold rolling, and it is intended to produce articles so far obtained only by the hot process. It can handle sections up to 18 ins, wide and * in. thick, in lengths up to 90 ft. As it will be seen from our illustration, there are 15 main pairs of spindles, each 4 ins. in diameter, and 14 intermediate pairs, giving either vertical or horizontal pressure and rendering possible a total of 29 operations in one pass. The spindles are of 3 per cent. nickel steel running in gunmetal bearings carried on cast-iron housings, the units of each pair being geared together and the lower unit driven by enclosed worm gearing from a common shaft. The number of spindles can be increased to 41 pairs should the need arise, for example, in forming an intricate section.
A Remarkable Machine for Roiling Cold Steel Sections
SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION WITH 10,000 MEMBERS.
The annual conference of the Scottish Horse and Motormen's Association was held in Aberdeen on September 5, Mr. Ernest Hammett, Glasgow, presiding. It was reported that 1,675 new members had been added during the year, the total membership now approaching 10,000, while accumulated funds were £146,000. Mr. P. Webster, assistant general secretary, acted in place of Mr. Hugh Lyon, secretary, who is to retire after 35 years' service.
Attention was drawn to the severesentences imposed by certain sheriffs on commeroial-vehicle drivers, as compared with their treatment of drivers of other
vehicles for similar offences. It was pointed out that co-ordinated effort was necessary to check the accuracy of the police. Next year's conference is to be held at Dunfermline.
When Records Are Not Evidence.
When Mr. G. C. Wadsworth, Newport Road, Cardiff, was summoned for alleged use of vehicles without having the required licences, it was submitted on his behalf that the evidence for the prosecution was inadmissible. It appeared that it was based on details taken from the drivers' records for certain specified dates, and it was claimed that, if the vehicles were not licensed on those dates these records were not admissible as evidence.
The defendant was fined £2 and costs and ordered to pay £2 2s. advocate's fee.
Pickfords Faces Hours Charges.
A total of 54 summonses for offences in connection with driving hours was brought against Pickfords, Ltd., and 10 of the concern's drivers at Cardiff police court, last week.
Mr. a T. A. Williams, traffic examiner, said that he had called at the office of the Pickford concern in Queea Street, Cardiff, on June 11 and examined records, and, as, a result, these summonses were brought.
Mr. G. Thessiger, for Pickfords, B18