MOTOR CARS IN LONDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2240, 4 February 1897, Page 55

MOTOR CARS IN LONDON.

Now that Dunedin it considering the utility of electric can, it may be interesting to note (writes a correspondent) the sudden advance in motor car locomotion in the mother country. Tbe repeal of the acts which virtually made these cars an impossibility js beginning to have its result ; the '\red flag of slavery" decreed to be borne by a horseman in front of every such car has been ceremoniously burnt ; and in a short space of time Britain may be expected to leap abreast of the more fortunate countries, who.«e efforts in new forms of locomotion have I not been hindered by obnoxious <md ridiculous j legislation. ! The scene in the metropolis some weeks ago must have been an interesting one, as was proved by the vast throngs assembled to witness tbe motor cars start on their journey to Brighton, as free aud unhampered (s&,ve by some limit ss to speed) as any more common- ', place vehicle. Fifty-four of tha new convey- ' ances wexo drawn up in Northumberland street.

though all did not take part in the now famoua run. The motor principle w*e reprw&nted in every time of vnhicle — phaetons, 'busses, vans, waggonettes of the Daimler typr, including the private landau of Mr J. Lawcou, the president of the Motor Car Club, »ud tho private carriage of tho ll ou. Evelyn Ellis, fresh from a 2000 mile xun. In fact, no kind of vehicle was unrepreseuted. In the scene that followed, aged veterans must b/*ve been irresistibly reminded of tbe day wbeu the first steam engine tlowly steamed out vi the station. The pace of the motor car was likewise slow, owing, not to its own imperfection, however, bub to the presence of the largo assemblage that bad gathered together to witnets the scene. Once out in the country, however, the full pace as allowed by law was put on. The few persons privileged i to take seat! in the cars describe the motion as I agreeable, and the sensation of whirling pant horse carriages and even bioyolos as pleasant in the extreme. Au occasional whiff of petroleum is the only drawbaok to a motor car ride, as far at the Bense of smell is concerned. A more serious defect, however, wan evinced by tbe mud-bespattered condition of the paseongers long before they had reached their journey's end. At Jthe Saotsman remarks, " The motor car has yet to be perfected in its ability to run through mud without covering itself and its passengers with heavy coats of it." Improvement, however, will no doubt be but a matter of time. As yet the motor car is regarded chiefly as * now- luxury and a pleasant toy, but there is no doubt that it will be useful as a means of traffic between town and country, as Mr Lawson in tbe above-mentioned paper observed, "Even with the 12 miles an hour limit they had shown ' it to be possible to leave London with goods at 5 o'olook in the morning, to roach Brighton at 9, to reCurn again to London by 1, to make a > iccond delivery at Brighton by 5 o'clock, getting back to London again by 9 o'clock »b j eight." The Motor Car- Club seem still ratber j restive concerning tlie 12 miles an hour limit, | which is now the only embargo put on their pursuit ; " bur, " as the Scotsman wisely observes, "those who saw tbo cars from the roadside were commouly of opinion that the j pace was quite, fast enougb. At present any- i thing beyond 12 miles would be resented by the ' public, especially in the suburbs of LondoD, aud, indeed, quite enough ha.i br.an done to give motor carriages a promi-wig ntart." x communistic college farm. EDUCATION FOR WORK. (New York Herald, November 1.) They are making a Communistic educational experiment near the little town of St. Anne (Illinois), some 60 miles south of Chicago, that has already^attracted a good deal of attention, and is sure to be talked of tbe world over if anything like Buocefl3 ie accomplished. This experimont is known ar the People's University. St. Anne ia far ! removed from the railroad, iv a regioi. Hutis strictly rural, and the university owns an entire section of laud— G4o sores. Upon this tract Btand not only tbe university buildings, but also the homes, for the time being, of all tbe students aud teachers. The iand is cultivated co-operatively by all, the proceeds are sold for the benefit; of all, and tbe property of the commnity is kept in a common storehouse. The community started with a capital of 4500d01, invested in tools, machinery, and live stock. The school has asked for no gtfts, does not expect to secure any endowments, and will appeal neither to the charity nor the beneflcenca of the public in any way. The students and teaohers who are on tbe gronnd are working with their own hands at the construction of the buildings, and are j carrying on the agricultural work of the ' school, all of which is done without compensation. Their labour is employed directly in producing tbe food, clocbing, fuel, avnd shelter necessary for thoir own comfortable existence. When this labour has provided these necessities the balance of their time is devoted to study. The educational workers are building up their own city, including houses, school, and farm. The dwellings are cottage! 12ft .by«3ft on- the ground and a story and.a-half higb, with first-class cedar shiogle roof*. They have built five miles of fepoei; planted fruit trees and 500 grape vines; have set out an immense garden of about 10 acres ;' have fields containing about 20,000 sweet potato plants, 21 acres of Irish potatoes, 80 acres of pats, 250 acres of corn, i 40 acres of sorghum, 20 aores of millet, and j ' 20 aores of buckwheat, all of which are in j very fine condition. | It is the unanimous verdict of the large number of visltrr«r"* u *t-jio finer crop nor . better farming is anyv ,cc to be found than ! there. The cottages aro built^tf% sort of Bemt-circle, followiag & oligh'.jprof ground ! which is everywhere oveuO&with blue ' grata. It would \t\ -t~ BIHR find or to j . produce, even with < \ uslTKrablo expend!- j I ture of money, a -more frv.-miif.ttl location for j the home than this little (?>•:■:■-<., has furnished' i ready made. Tbe form In ffhioh tho buildings arc constructed Is that of a small village, but there if no subdi- I vision of land and no brls of lots. The school \ will bold, in its own name and for its ; own use, all land, houses, shops, .and impln- j ments of every kind. There is do way in , which any person can secure a speculative or ! even legitimate business interest in any of the j work of this school. There is no plan for j admitting for residence in this village, any . one who does not come solely "for an educa- ; tional pnrpose. The school simply provides ! an opportunity for study for those who are I willing by their own toil, to take advantage of \ inch opportunity ; and the only return offered j for labour is mental training. The man who j does not want to study has no reason for go- j ing there, and will not be admitted, or if : admitted by mistake, will not ba permitted to I remain. All who are not willing to labour with their own bands at tasks necessary to comfortable existence are also excluded. In fact, this unique community oombine* the elements of Socialism and Communism, and, it is Jko be hoped, without any of their evils. The aim of the students of the People's University 1b to sink individualism and accomplish the greatest good for all. Here is the order of the day's work : — Tbe rising bell rings at 4t J o'clock, breakfast is at G, chapel at 6.30, and | all hands attend this morning service in i their working clothes. They go direct from this service to their work in the field. At 11.45 the bell rings a field call to dinner. Dinner is at 12 10, and the. classes begin at 1.30. At 5.80 the classroom work is over; supper is at 6. From 6.30 to 8 the time ii spent in rest and play, and from 8 to 9 in 1 study, after which the day is done and all 2 retire. Sunday forenoon it one* own tot

rssding and res'°, and at, 3 in the afternoon"* «er?ice of publio worship is held, The ns*ej of tobacco, intoxicants, and opiates is not' i permitted within the university's precincts. The work of building this community waf undertaken by Walter Thomas Mills, who, aa field secretary for the organisation, Is entirely' responsible for its management. The api pointmont of teaohers, securing of students'; direction of discipline, in faot the complete management of the school in its industrial and olasßroom work Is, for the present, in his hands. It is an old idea of his. Mr Mills U known as a lecturer on temperance and other social and economics topics. The wonderful growth of- ths oropi of the little colony, and the very satisfactory , returns which the immediate future pro"* I mlses are held to justify the expectation that, in a very short time, the fruits of its own toll will 0 entirely provide fßr Its suppbrfcj.

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