Information Service

Cue (NZERS), Issue 6, 31 August 1944, Page 18

Information Service

Q: Please give examples of ' what has been done in other countries to combat soil erosion, eg. Palestine and the Oklahoma Dust Bowl. A. In Palestine erosion is being checked by the method of terrace farming and the afforestation of the areas, under cultivation. In the Oklahoma Dust Bowl many methods were used to check erosion, the principal being the building of terraces on hillsides and the use of catchment areas. On the lower country, erosion dams were constructed and trees were planted as - shelter belts. Poplars and ■. other quick growing species, which matured within a few years, ; were found to be the most suitable. # # # Q: What is the order of succes- . sion to the British Throne ? A:. Princess Elizabeth, Princess Margaret Rose, Duke of Gloucester, and his son. Then follow the three children of the Duke of Kent and the Princess Royal and her two children.

Q: Has the Beyer-Garratt ‘ locomotive been used during a ; military campaign in this war? A: Yes. —In North Africa. It is an austerity engine, but remains .one of the finest in the world. Although built to run' on 3ft 6in gauge, it is more powerful and wider than British engines used on the 4ft B%iri gauge. It has a flexible chassis which enables it to negotiate short sharp curves - which are a feature of nar- . row gauge railways. Capable of hauling 500 tons on a l-in-40 grade or 2000 tons on a l-in-100 grade, it can attain a speed of 50" miles an hour while the engine, which is 80ft long and weighs 150 tons, can be driven in either direction £ without being turned round. « « ¥ Q: Is the « Shattered Visage » the Sphinx ? A: The statue and «Legs of Stone» stand at Meteriyeh, i near Heliopolis. «The Shattered Visage» does not refer to the Sphinx but is part of the statue.