IN PASSING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 244, 15 October 1929, Page 19

IN PASSING.

SPARKS FROM THE WORLD'S ANVIL

Tie use of rubber superimposed upon the usual wood flooring of lorries has now been adopted by many commercial vehicle users in England. They find that sheet rubber can be.readily ob tained, and the advantage gained by its use is that little wear takes place on the rubber, and at the same time barrels or crates are provided with a foundation which prevents slipping. In addition to this, noise and vibration are reduced to a minimum. Whilst rubber flooring is more expensive than wood, this fact is vfoutweighed owing to its better wearing properties, as it is said to last at least nine years. A large brewing company in England has adopted this flooring for their lorries, and they have found it to be superior to wood flooring where heavy barrels have.to be transported. Soft ■wood flooring has. been found to wear excessively, whilst hard wood, although having better wearing properties, does not provide sufficient grip for barrels or crates.

Following the recent suggestion that 'elderly applicants for driving licenses be required to pass-a medical examination, it is interestingto note that doctors, the motoring organisations, and the Ministry of Transport in England have arranged an inquiry into the need for medical tests for applicants for motor driving licenses. Dr. Alfred Cox, medical secretary of the British Medical Association, has stated that the council has deeded to set up a committee to consider the question. It will consist of 12 or 15 practitioners. Those who have been invited to serve are specialists in all forms of diseases that might make a person unfit to drive a car. They include, for example, experts on eyesight and on nerves.