Power Alcohol from Straw.
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Dr. W. A. Hargreaves, the Commonwealth Government Director of Chemistry, giving evidence before the Australian Royal Commission which is investigating the development of secondary industries, recently emphasized the great possibilities of manufacturing power alcohol from straw. In a Departmental test, he stated that one ton of straw had yielded 50 gallons, but a much higher return was possible if the industry were established on a permanent commercial basis. So much straw was wasted in South *Australia that, if turned to account for the manufacture of alcohol, it would enable sufficient supplies to be produced to take the place of all the petrol. imported.
A Successful Potteries Appeal.
The Ministry of Transport has announced its decision in the case of the recent appeal by the Potteries Electric Traction Co., Ltd., against the decision
of the Stoke Corporation in licensing thirteen buses on condition that they were restricted to country and suburban routes. The company claimed that the vehicles should be• allowed to run also on the main city route between Longton and Goldenhill, and this contention the Ministry has upheld. In so far as the vehicles will be replacing a number of tramcars, which the company intend to withdraw, the decision will undoubtedly be welcomed by a large number of residents.
Record Easter Traffic,
The London Underground and its allied undertakings dealt with a record volume of traffic during the recent Easter holiday, and the number of hgseri gers carried on buses, tramways and railways operated by them totalled 21,600,000 for the four days. This total is 2,600,000 in advance of the previous Easter record. The special summer country bus services introduced for the heliday by the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., proved very
popular, and large numbers of passengers were taken, in particular, to Farnborough, Godstone, Dorking and Hampton Court. The Bank Holiday Monday was easily the busiest day for the buses, when they dealt with 5,037,500 passengers, the total number of people which they carried for the four days being 17,160,000.
A Booklet on Coil Ignition. Delco-Remy and Hyatt, La, 111, Grosvenor Road, London, S.W.1, have just published a little booklet under the title "Specifications Do Count," which is really an interesting and informative treatise on the subject of coil ignition. It contains a number of statements which are put forward to prove that this class of ignition system is as reliable as other forms of ignition. An idea prevails in some quarters that coil ignition is a drain on the battery and several pages are devoted to a consideration of this question. Apart from its recognized reliability, details of
various advantages claimed for coil ignition are given. Moreover, stress is laid on the fact that easier starting is secured. Those who are interested in the subject of coil ignition can obtain a copy of the booklet from the address given above.
Military Vehicles for the Irish Free State.
We learn that the Irish Free State Government has lately placed an order with Clanwilliam Motors, Ltd., Lower Mount Street, Dublin, for the supply of 20 Lancia Pentaiota chassis for military purposes.
A Report on the Helsingfors Show.
A report of the Motor Show held at HeIsingfors from February 20th to 28th has been furnished by His Majesty's Consul in that city and is being issued by the Department of Overseas Trade. United Kingdom firms who are interested can obtain a copy of it by writing to 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, quoting reference A.X. 2989,