TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 21773, 30 July 1932, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Coal-Oil Fuel. Satisfactory results have been reported of tests on Cunard vessels of the new patent fuel invented by the company’s assistant superintendent engineer, Mr R. A. Adam, in association with two others of the company’s technical staff, Mr F. C. Holmes, chemist, and Mr A. W. Perrins, combustion engineer. This fuel is a mixture of crude oil of a kind similar to that normally used in the company’s oilfired vessels, and pulverized coal of so fine a grade that the mixture is spoken of as colloidal. The fuel at ordinary temperature is a very dark brown viscid substance of about the consistency of treacle, with a specific gravity said to be 1.1. It runs freely with a slight rise of temperature, and the inventors claim that its use with the ordinary tanks and pumps of an oil-fired vessel will present no difficulty. It has a slightly higher temperature of combustion than the oil alone. The proportions of crude oil and coal in the mixture were said to be 60 and 40. respectively in 100 parts by weight. Under experimental conditions, Mr Adam stated, the ash residue of the fuel created no difficulties, and one of his coadjutors added that the ash was almost inpalpable, and that it passed out of the smoke-stacks with the gases and left no deposit that would soil a ship’s deck or fittings. The outstanding claim made for this fuel is that it seems to offer new hope to the British coal industry. The Mass Mind. “The characteristic of the hour is that the commonplace mind, knowing itself to be commonplace, has the assurance to proclaim the rights of the commonplace and to impose them wherever it will,” says Professor Ortega y Gasset, in “The Revolt of the Masses.” As they say in the United States, ‘to be different is to be indecent.’ The mass crushes beneath it everything that is different, everything that is excellent, individual, qualified and select. Anybody who is not like everybody, who does not think like everybody, runs the risk of being eliminated. And it is clear, of course, that this ‘everybody’ is not ‘everybody.’ ‘Everybody’ was normally the complex unity of the mass and the divergent, specialized minorities. Nowadays, ‘everybody’ is the mass alone. Here we have the formidable fact of our times, described without any concealment of the brutality of its features.” “What would be the sincere reply of any representative man of to-day if a question were put to him—‘at what period of history would you have liked to live?”’ he asks. “I think there can be no doubt about it; any past time, without exception, would give him the feeling of a restricted space in which he could not breathe. That is to say, the man of to-day feels that his life is more a life than any other past one, or, to put it the other way about, the entirety of past time seems small to actual humanity. This intuition as regards present-day existence renders null by its stark clarity any consideration about decadence that is not very cautiously thought out.” The author doubts the capacity of the mass mind to solve present problems. “It is necessary,” he writes, “that some mind or other should hold and exercise authority, so that the people without opinions—the majority—can start having opinions. For without these, the common life of humanity would be a chaos, a historic void, lacking in any organic structure. Consequently, without a spiritual power, without someone to command, and in proportion as this, is lacking chaos reigns over mankind.

Last evening the Government Meteorologist issued the following weather report and forecast: The recent depression passed away eastwards and an anti-cyclone is advancing over the Tasman Sea, with its centre to the north. A depression is now moving on to southern Australia. Forecasts: Winds, moderate to fresh, southerly north of Westport and Kaikoura, elsewhere variable, tending westerly and later north-westerly in and south of Cook Strait; seas, New Zealand waters, considerable southerly swell north of Farewell Spit and Akaroa, otherwise smooth to moderate, eastern Tasman Sea moderate south to west winds and moderate seas; weather, still some passing showers between East Cape and Kaikoura, but improving and otherwise fair to fine, cold to-night with many frosts.

In the Police Court yesterday morning, before Mr E. C. Lewey, S.M., a first offender for drunkenness was convicted and discharged.

Praise for the service given by the territorials under the volunteer system was expressed by Major T. P. Halpin at a meeting at Auckland of the South African War Veterans’ Association, Major Halpin said the old volunteer system trained New Zealanders who went to the South African war, and he was entirely in accord with the present methods of military training in the Dominion. Those who volunteered for service were deserving of every encouragement.

Acceding to numerous requests from its supporters, the Battalion Band has decided to give a series of concerts in the theatres on Sunday evenings after church service hours. This movement will be inaugurated to-morrow evening by a grand concert in the Civic Theatre, for which a first class programme has been arranged. The band has been practising assiduously for the past few months, and patrons will notice considerable improvement. Chief among the items for the band will be a selection from the opera "Mignon,” comprising some of the most tuneful and intricate melodies of this beautiful opera. Another item worthy of mention is a soprano comet solo, “lona,” with band accompaniment, played by Mr M. Unwin. These are just two of a number of pieces which the band will play. The inclusion in the programme of the Ambassadors’ Orchestra will be sure to please lovers of orchestral music. Other instrumentalists include Messrs Le Petit (flute and violin ’cello). Also assisting are the “Donovan Family,” famous for their Hawaiian guitar selections. The vocalists are Miss D. Pearce, Miss Winifred Sanderson and Mr Albert Bruce, of London. Mr Robert Henry will officiate at the piano. As the band is in urgent need of financial assistance and as the admission is by silver coin, the management is hoping to be favoured by a full house.

A Press Association message from Dunedin states that in the Supreme Court, Roland Seymour was acquitted on a charge of false pretences m attempting to obtain £l5O from the Eagle, Star and British Dominions Insurance Company, in respect to property on the Taieri. At 2.45 yesterday morning, the City Fire Brigade was summoned to suppress an outbreak of fire in a threeroomed wooden dwelling in Fox street, Avenal. On arrival at the scene it was found that the flames had a strong hold, particularly in the rear portion, which was practically gutted. The owner of the property, which was unoccupied, is Mr Jonathan Barrett, of Christchurch. An interesting address on “Gems” was given by Mr B. C. Galloway at a well-attended meeting of the Natural Philosophy Club of the Southland Boys’ High School last night. Mr Galloway, after prefacing his remarks by referring to the fact that the love of precious stones was deeply implanted in human hearts, proceeded to discuss, in an illuminating manner, the nature of the different gems, their durability and the superstitious views existing in respect to several of them. At the conclusion of his lecture, Mr Galloway was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. As a result of a collision which occurred between two motor cars travelling in the same direction on a public road near Otahuti on May 8, 1932, Charles William Donald, of Otahuti, farmer, claimed in the Magistrate s Court yesterday, before Mr E. C. Leyvey, S.M., to recover from Leslie Miller, of Thornbury, farmer, the sum of £24 16/6, the amount of damage sustained to his vehicle, the plaintiff alleging that the accident had arisen through the negligence of the defendant. Ellen Brown Miller, of Wrights Bush, widow, the owner of the car driven by the defendant, in her turn alleged negligence on the part of Donald, from whom, by separate action, she claimed £6 15/-, the cost of repairs. After hearing lengthy evidence tendered by the plaintiff and his witnesses and the defendant’s version of the collision, his Worship, in giving his verdict, said the real question was, who had the last opportunity? The weight of evidence and the probabilities were against the defendant and it seemed that the real cause of the accident was due to his speeding and attempting to pass the plaintiff. The Magistrate considered that the sum of £lB would be ample reinstatement to the plaintiff for the damage incurred and judgment was given accordingly. The claim by Mrs Miller, which rested on the same set of evidence, was not sustained by his Worship. You will find both boquet and flavour, the true characteristics of quality, in “DEWAR’S WHISKY.” (Advt.) MCDONALD’S FOOTWEAR TALK. Increasing public interest in our sales method for July is the report of our selling staff. We will to-day sell and every day till the 31st of this month at a discount of 15 per cent, off ordin? ary prices. Ask the assistant the ordinary price and claim your 15 per cent. Hundreds are doing it.—CITY BOOT PALACE.—Advt. There’s learning for distinction, Business or investment for wealth, But remember there’s nothing better, Than Hitchon’s Ham for health.—Advt. We specialize in Ladies’ Hose and Underclothing—See Our Values First — no one asked to buy. Come in and inspect. Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Ltd., Dee street. (Advt.)

A few only velveteen frocks to clear. 16 to 32 inch, priced to clear from 5/11 to 15/6 at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee street. —Advt.

Health malt toffee with over 12 per cent. malt. Special price this week 1/- per lb at Ayson’s two shops.—Advt.

Biggest Bargains since 1914. Carters were fortunate in securing manufacturer’s surplus stock at 33 1-3 per cent, discount. Men’s Lumbers 25/-, now half-price 12/6. All Wool Crimean Shirts 14/6, reduced to 8/6. See Carter’s Advertisement front page.—Advt.

Now that the whole world is radiominded the sale of Wireless publications is steadily growing. The best sellers are: N.Z. Radio Times (9d monthly); Radio Record (3d weekly); Wireless Weekly (Australian programmes) 3d; Official Radio Cail Book 3rd edition 1/-; Radio Handbook Annual 2/6; N.Z. Radio Call Book (Radio Record publication) 9d; 1932 Radio Guide and Call Book 2/6; American Radio Amateur Handbook 7/-. N.Z. BOOK DEPOT, LTD., Esk street, for Radio publications.—Advt.

■ During Thomson and Beattie’s Sale Wire Lamp Shades are offered at 1/3 each. These Shades are strongly made of smooth wire, and contain six panels. Gimp is offered for trimming in Gold, Orange, Pink, Rose, Vieux Rose, and Helio, at 8 yards for 1/-. Make your rooms attractive with ornamental lights. (Advt.)

Black Russian Cony Coats are very hard wearing and look exceptionally smart. We have two English Cut Samples which were £4O each. Our Annual Sale Price to-day is £25. This is many pounds less than the same coat would cost to make to-day. The sizes are 42 bust 44 length,, 40 bust 42 length, and they carry our guarantee. This is a bargain—THE MUTUAL FUR COY., Tay Street.—Advt.

RADIO MALT FOR RADIANT HEALTH. THE VITAMIN MALT FOOD.

Radio Malt is a unique product. By virtue of its vitamin content —correctly balanced and standardized—it forms an ideal tonic food. It is important to note that Radio Malt contains Vitamin D., the sunshine vitamin, so necessary to proper growth and which, owing to the lack of natural sunshine is generally deficient at this time of year. Radio Malt is most pleasant to take. Sold in jars at 3/6 and 5/6 at STEWART’S PHARMACY, Comer Dee and Don streets.—Advt.

KEEP YOUR EYES in working order. Our lenses are true and will give comfort. They help to preserve the sight. We make NO CHARGE for testing your eyes. Sensible people come here to have their eyes examined. If you want glasses, let us fit them for you. We give you the best expert attention. Glasses that do not fit are very injurious to the eyes. All risk of errors in fitting is avoided if you consult us. We are qualified to treat the most difficult cases where glasses will be of use. GEO. H. BROWN, Chemist-Opti-cian, Brown's Pharmacy, 125 Dee street. (Over twenty-one years practical service.)—Advt "GOING—GOING—GOING” “Gone—4/6 —it’s yours Mrs White, and good buying I assure you.” But Mrs White didn’t want a birdcage. She just raised her hand as she was going to cough and the auctioneer thought she was bidding. Good manners but bad luck. Going home she called at her chemist for a large bottle of Baxter’s Lung Preserver. “4/6, Mrs White,” said the chemist, “and good buying I assure you.” “Baxter’s” is worth many times its modest price. 1/6, 2/6 and 4/6.—Advt.