NOTES.

Progress, Volume III, Issue 9, 1 July 1908, Page 307

NOTES.

All motorists will need to take warning from an accident which recently befell the chauffeur in the employ of Mr. John Duthie, of Wellington, who somehow endeavoured to fill his petrol tank by the light of an ordinary oil car -lamp. After having placed the lamp within about six inches of the petrol tank opening, he proceededjto fill up, and when the task had been almost completed the fumes arose, and the whole tank immediatly ignited. The chauffeur was instantly overcome by the fumes, and remained unconscious for two

hours ; while the car, which was a 14-16 h.p., continued to burn merrily for some time. After recourse had been had to liberal applications of water, brought in buckets and other suitable vessels at hand, the owner of the car contemplated with mixed feelings the entire destruction of the body, wiring, and capecart hood, which will involve him in a repair bill of over £100. ****** An English automobile company (Daimler) has established a scholarship system at its works. The scholarships are to be awarded to successful candidates at an examination that is to be held in July of next year. A two years' course of instruction at the Coventry works is to be provided for the holders of the scholarships, and this privilege will be accompanied by maintenance grants of ,£lOO in one case and £20 in four other cases. There is also a clause entitling the company to retain the services of the recipients of the grants for a subsequent period of two years at a salary of not less than £ 150 a year The examiners will be ProfessorJSylvanus Thompson and Dr. Hele-Shaw.

The new Bntish patents and designs acts became operative on Ist January, 1908. Ihis act makes compulsory the]woiking " to an^adequate extent " m the United Kingdom of patents having the benefit of the protection of the British patent laws, and will force, it is claimed, the manufacture in the United Kingdom of many articles now made m the United States ior export to the United Kingdom. The motor trade is consequently expectant ****** In Germany automobiles used for commercial purposes are exempt trom the heavy taxation imposed on pleasure vehicles, but it seems that the tax collectors are not always easily convinced that a car is used mainly for commercial work. It is reported that a butcher in Wiesbaden, who owns a convertible goods and passenger vehicle, has had the collector fasten the delivery body to the frame with a seal, so as to quiet all suspicions of the tax department.