A VISIT to THE OLD COUNTRY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 299, 11 September 1908, Page 3

A VISIT to THE OLD COUNTRY.

EDINBURGH EXHIBITION.' MOTORISTS AND POLICE TRAPS. Cby telegraph.—special correspondent.) Christchurch, Septomber 10. After an absence from New Zealand of some seven or eight months, Dr. Thacker and Mrs. Thacker returned to Christchurch yesterday. Speaking to a "Press" interviewer, Dr. Thacker said ho visited ,the Edinburgh Exhibition, which was opened shortly before the Franco-British Exhibition. Its financial success was assured; as it was practically all paid for before the people started to go in,, the' payments for concessions and incidental privileges having given the organisation an assured and sufficient revenue. There were all sorts of amusements, many of them on the lines of those at the New Zealand International Exhibition. The leading feature was the picture gallery, in which were shown splendid productions of the old Scotch masters. Pictures of this description, which were privately owned, were shown by their 'fortunate possessors, and it was generally recognised that the collection was one which might never be equalled again in Scotland. Among the exhibits, was one which; from a medical point of view, especially attracted Dr.' Thacker's attention. This was a display of incubators especially designed to preserve the vital spark in. babes prematurely born. There was a living; exhibit'of the whole process of this branch of infant life preservation, and it was-unquestionably an exhibit of great educational value. Through-the glass front the visitor could see the whole arrangement being carried oh like a surgical operation, thß nurses- at work," and-the lives of-helpless babes 1 being preserved. Dr. Thacker formed the opinion that it would be a good thing to have' one of these incubators in the Christchurch Hospital. _• Another exceptionally interesting and uniquo exhibit .-was sent from South Africa, showing ants at work. After seeing the destructive effect of their operations a New Zealander could only be thankful that his country was spared from thoir presenco. .... Dr. Thacker visited the Argyll Motor Works at Alexandra,- about twenty/ miles out of Glasgow. Tho distance from tho. industrial capital is explained by tho desiro 'of tho employers to got their workmen away from the temptations of the city. A great deal of the delicate machinery in tho works was manipulated by girls, who were practically earning "equal pay for equal work." Ono of tho most interesting things Dr. Thacker came across was the system of "scouting," which motorists had. set up to watch the police "traps." Tho scouts have a way of getting information of tho traps set for tho unwary motorists, and they nave devised a system of signals which, in some eases, includes the Morse code to indicate to the chauffeur the whereabouts of -the "trap." Tho motorists accept the hints, and, by rcgula'ting thoir pace, they are ablo to dofeat tho best laid plot of men. The locality round about Alexandra is described as the most polico infested district' in Great Britain, and the system of scouting is perhaps seen at its best there. Round about London also there are innumerable "traps," but the motorists, bound together in a oomraon bond, ore vory keen' to help one another! J