Passing Comments
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Encouraging Higher Education
MANY are the comments on the urgent need for well-trained personnel. The deficiency in this respect is not confined to Britain but is almost worldwide.
An example of what is being done to help in this direction is an important programme for aid to higher education in Canada, inaugurated by the International Nickel Co. of Canada, Ltd. Started in a small way in 1940, this has grown year by year and the latest grant amounts to nearly flm., which will be paid over a five-year period. About 80 per cent. is for unrestricted use by universities and colleges, the remainder being for fellowships, scholarships and special projects, including assistance to teachers of science and mathematics.
One object is to establish a fellowship in each of the 13 major universities where equipment and personnel are adequate, and many scholarships will be awarded by colleges to outstanding graduates.
Some of the larger concerns in Britain are helping in this direction, but this important contribution should encourage others.
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From Filters to Tin Legs
NOT all equipment manufacturers in our industry are content to produce for it alone. No doubt that is wise, as a spreading of activities can cushion any serious effects which might otherwise be caused by fluctuations in the demand from the motor trade.
A typical example of such a concern is Vokes, Ltd., known by most people for their efficient filters. They have, 'however, other activities, curious in their variety and mostly manufactured by subsidiary or associated companies.
One branch company, known as Vokes Ernst Scientific Surgical Appliances, Ltd., produce such articles as artificial limbs; Vokes Genspring, Ltd., make constant-support hangers for heavy conduits, such as those used at Calder Hall, where between 80 and 90 are employed. These supports, which are about three yards in length, consist of a heavy centre carrier or rest, carried at each side by a pair of enormous coil springs, one within the other.
A device of a similar nature is supplied, largely to oil companies abroad, for supporting pipes subject to thermal expansion and contraction.
Economy For Catseyes
THERE is probably no driver who has not had I cause to appreciate the remarkable value of Catseye road studs when travelling by night, or by day under conditions of severe fog. Few realize, however, that they were first introduced as late as 1935 and although their value was quickly realized by many road authorities, it may be said that officialdom did not really give them full approbation until the blackout conditions of the last war showed that those studs greatly expedited transport by night. In fact, it is claimed that regular convoys could not have been maintained without them.
It says something for the cleverness of the design that the reflex rubber pad has been altered only in materials and detail, and although the cast base portion has undergone three complete changes, the new pad fits all types.
Many of the obsolete bases, 20 years old, are still in the roads and in these are often inserted new pads which, however, wear rapidly. For the sake of efficiency and making for economy, it is therefore desirable that the pads should be properly housed in modern bases.
There arc two types of base, designed according to traffic conditions, but in each the life of the pad is over four years, as compared with lf-24 years when in the old bases, whilst that of the cast-iron bases is likely to be more than 12 years, depending largely upon the volume of traffic likely to be using the roads in the future.
In the view of many, the main feature of the Cats. eyesis that they are self-cleaning, for when the pad is depressed by traffic, the reflecting "eyes" are forced down between what might be termed "lids." which remove any dirt and dust.
The makers are Reflecting Roadstuds Ltd., Booth • town, Halifax. Yorkshire.
Hints For Christmas Gips
A NUMBER ofhandsome calendars has been rm. received from Country Life, Ltd., 2-10 Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, London, W.C.2. Of these, perhaps the most attractive is " Beautiful'Britain " in colour. There is a second with the same title in black and white, whilst another is " Hills of Britain." These should make a particular appeal to coaching enthusiasts.
Golfers in the industry, as well as out of it, are catered for by calendars for "Golf Addicts" and "The Golfer." These retail at 6s. each, except " Beautiful Britain" in colour, which is 12s.