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Early Use of Light Oils
AAANY operators are inclined to consider the "'employment of "thin " oils for engines and other units as being something of a novelty. Consequently it is interesting to learn that four Beeston Humber cars which took part in an Isle of Man race in 1908 used spindle oil in their engines. This was not for the reason that the thick oil might give less friction, but because the sparking plugs had the habit of oiling-up quickly and to change them it was necessary to remove the camshaft!
Incidentally, it has been alleged that the famous Gardner oil engine was originally designed and built to employ Price's gas-engine oil as a lubricant.
Lessons from the Screen
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DUCAT1ON through the film medium was intro
duced recently to transport students of Clapham Junction College of Commerce, when five films were shown by arrangement with British Transport Films, 25 Savile Row, London, W.1. After the display, the principal expressed the hope that films might become a regular feature of transport courses in future years.
About 14 students in the road transport (goods) class of Mr. H. George-Sweetland—a popular lecturer—attend from 6.30 to 9.30 pm. every Thursday throughout the session. This starts in September and culminates in examinations in May. The-threeyear course is devised to prepare students for the examinations of the Royal Society of Arts, the Institute of Transport and the Industrial Transport Association. In addition to classwork, students visit London docks, the Metropolitan traffic court and a large motor works.
This was the first time that films were shown as part of the course. Among them, "Dodging the Column" showed how a 137-ft-long distillation column was carried from London to Scotland; "The Heart is Highland " dealt with the Highlands' dependence upon road transport; and "Journey to the Sea" told how a screw for a trawler was delivered to a Welsh port and illustrated the working of British Road Services' emergency breakdown procedure. The lorry carrying the screw broke a spring, but it was repaired in time for delivery without delay.
Last year, 90 per cent. of students gained examination passes. Some students take firstand second-year courses at the same time, and one took all three simultaneously with sucess. Many employers recognize the value of the courses and give assistance to employees who avail themselves of them.
Lost and Found on Buses
MANY curious things are left in buses, and iva amongst the 10,000 articles forgotten last year by passengers on those of East Yorkshire Motor Services were a Sunday joint, a fireguard and a top hat. There are, however, more applications to the company's lost property office for umbrellas than for any other article. Of the 1,000 or so left, almost all were restored to their owners. Curiously enough, few of the 1,000 odd gloves were wanted, but most of the 2,500 pairs were retrieved.
When spectacles were free, large consignments reached the office and few inquiries were made about them. Last year, however, the number dropped considerably and there was great eagerness for their return. The bulk of the 1,000 lost scarves belonged to school children, who soon staked their claims. An inquiry for a lost wristlet watch was stopped when the article was found on the lady's other wrist.
There are indications that the public are more careful now than in earlier days and particularly after the post-war flush of spending.