Passing Comments
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Arms and the Man
HANDSOME though it is, we cannot help feeling
that a certain element of punning humour crept into the design of the armorial bearings newly granted to' the Institute of the Motor Industry. The blazon of the coat of arms is described as follows: "Per fesse or and gules in chief a representation of Boadicea's chariot of the second, and in base six bees volant of the field. Crest, a daw proper supporting an open book also proper. Supporters, dexter a lion guardant gules semee of bees as M the arms, sinister a like lion or semee of bees gules."
Boadicea's chariot is included as the oldest vehicle in British history. The bees represent industry and team spirit, and the lions strength and courage. Knowledge and education are symbolized by the book, and the daw " is an allusion to the name of the president of the Institute "—Mr. Stanley S. Dawes.
But at least the daw is " proper " and the book " open " and "proper."
Street Washing in N.S.W.
WRITING recently to a member of the staff of " Temple Press Ltd., Mr. H. Stevens of New South Wales made some amusing comments on many matters, of which some referred to those with which this journal is concerned:
For example, he said that in his neighbourhood there had been no fain and, in town, it was familiar to see the water wagons in action. He asked if we had water carts in London and suggested that no civilized community could afford to be without them.
His local vehicles are huge tankers, like those for petrol, and they wash the roadway by travelling some 10 ft. from the kerb and directing the water towards
the gutter. Many and varied, however, are the objects which receive a washing; they include newly polished cars, motorcycles (with a special jet for carburetters and magnetos), and fruit barrows, except those particularly favoured.
A "neatly turned" ankle may cause the water to be turned off for a second while a Iink or wave is given by the driver, for these folk are essentially friendly. Not even policemen on point duty are immune, although possibly some may appreciate the foot-cooling treatment, but the majority does not.
Unfortunate drivers, wriggling under their vehicles to effect urgent repairs while in the town, are sometimes caught and there have been several cases of washed, but not .clean, furious individuals emerging after a street washer has passed.
Amber Paint for Lamps MANY drivers prefer an amber-tinted lamp beam for driving in fog, and a new preparation is now on sale for imparting a coating of the requisite colour to lamp glasses. Known as Mortifog, it is produced by Spax, Ltd., 61 Fortess Road, London,
N.W.6, and sold in bottles priced at 3s. A brush is provided and a bottle contains 'sufficient fluid to paint a pair of average-sized lamps, 18. times. .After use the M.ortifog Coating can be removed with a wet cloth, • It does not harm'ehrOmium plating or rubber gaskets. Tested by a representative of The Commercial Motor, The, preparation produced beams of a deeper amber :hue than 'offered by a normal foglamp of this colour, but as only moderately misty .conditions Were encountered, its full effective ness could not be judged. .
If left on the glass for a few days, the coating pales and crazes, but it is presumably intended for use only for the duration of a spell of driving through fog. Even greater fog penetration could be obtained, it is felt, if some form of hood could be attached to the lamps to Cut out upward deflection of light.
Nuclear Energy May .Help Oil AN interesting feature in the current issue of the Esso Magazine is a discussion of the possible development of an economic partnership between oil, and atomic energy.
It points out that it would be a. mistake to think that blessings that „could stem from the peaceful uses of nuclear power are "just around the corner." It iS claimed that it wilt be many years before this source of power will make more than a 2 per cent. ccntribution to the energy needs of this, or any other, country.
Facts on the costs of the power stations are almost startling. For example, a lump of uranium the size of a ping-pong ball and costing .E7 can, if the
breeder" principle is used; generate as much electricity as other fuels costing £5,000, but the expected outlay for the 12 stations in Britain will be some f300m.. and the cost of electricity thus generated is estimated at 0.6d. a unit, which is much the same as that for the electricity developed from the new oil-fired power stations.
As regards its use for road transport, this seems inipossible, unless friuch further research reveals some new method, for a 75 b.h.p. reactor for a -private car would need. shielding weighing 20 Cons. -, It is -believed that atomic energy will rapidly
promote industrialization, and -thatwill then be an added call for oil rather than any reduction'. New oil products will also emerge, including special ;qualities for atomic engines.
Ledving the Hands Clean
SOMETHING-novel, at least so far as the staff ot this jouinal. are concerned, arrived at The Commercial Motor offices recently, in. a communication from Keith and Boyle. (London), Ltd. It consisted of a neat packet of soap leaves Supplied by Safodik (Gt. Britain), Ltd., Leeds, 2, and in this case bore the names of Wakefield oils on the cover. Small enough to slip into a waistcoat pocket, they are useful for washing'the hands when normal soaps are not available.