1934-09-08 — Page 2

Page

THE MACHINERY MARKET

And Foreign Competition

The current fasua of the "Bulletin of the British Engi- neers' Association contains some qetailed statistics of the imports

of

into England machinery during the first five months of the current year. These Agures. the preparation of wh.ch must have required considerable deserving amount of work, axe

a

of the closest study. To take May as an example, the tonnage imported was no less than 8,829 tons valued at 1,142,000. These are not only the highest month- ly totals since February, 1932, but represent 85.7 per cent and 89.4 per

cent, respectively, of the

in corresponding imports 1932 before the dut,es were im- posed. As regards the trend of the past few years, the volume of imports in the earller months of 1932, due to "forestalling, was at a considerably higher rate. compared with 1931, than in the later months.

During 1933 Imports decreased generally though the curve turned upward towards the end of the year, s nce" when it bas become steeper. Numerically, while in 1933 the Index numbers for tonnage and value were only 42.5 per cent, and 56 per cent. of those in 1931, the correspond- ng Agures for the first. Ave. months of 1934 were 65.8 per rent. and 744 per cent. Again. taking 1931 as a datum. the of machine tools im- tonnage ported in May, 1934, was 812. and the.r value 146,9461., giving index figures of 90.1 per cent. and no less than 109.2 per cent., respectively.

35

MORE WORK

For The Clyde

Messrs. Lithgows, Limited, Port- Glasgow, have just received an order from Messrs. Kaye, Son and Company, Limited, London, on behalf of one of their shipping companies, for a cargo steamer of 8,500 tons deadweight. This is the eighth vessel ordered during the past eight years by Messrs. Kaye from Messrs. Lithgows, and is the second ordered this year, Messrs. Barclay, Curle and Com- pany Limited, Whiteinch have also been successful in securing the contract to buld a cargo steamer of about 450 ft, in length for British owners. Immediately the workers return after the Fair Holiday stoppage the keel of this 'vessel will be laid down. The propelling machinery will be constructed by the builders ot their engine works at Whiteinch, and they will also, supply cargo- handling gear of the latest type. Messrs. Yarrow and Company, Limited, Scotstoun, have booked an order for a twin-screw motor- "driven yacht of about 90 ft. 10.

length for a "London owner. Messrs. Scott and Sons, Bowling, are reported to have received instructions

Agricultural machinery gives Sgures of 107.5 per cent, and 88 per

refrigerating cent."" and plant the astonishing results of 286.4 per cent. and 223 per cent, As regards the country of origin. 1 imports of machinery from

America aggregated 9,253 tons" As against only 4.125 tons in the Arst five months of 1933 and represented a value of 2,143,0001. against 1,364,0001. During May alone. 2.536 tons were im- ported frorn that source out of a total of 6,829 tons, the value i being 581,0001. out of a total of 1.142.0001, It is no wonder that the Association find the position disturbing. We are glad to hear that it is receiving their close attention with a view, if neces- sary, to putting forward an application to the Import Duties Advisory Committee for increas- ed" duties and thus counter acting the effect of direct and Indirect foreign subsidies.

to build a 'steam

coaster for Glasgow owners. In # addition to these vessels, there" are a number of other contracts how under consideration and in- timation of the placing of these may be forthcoming at any time.

GOLD MINING IN WALES

From time to time gold-mining operations have been carried on in Wales with a considerable amount of success. The mines asually suspend operations, when the pockets of gold discovered be- come

exhausted and further pockets cannot be found to enable work to be carried on continuous- ly. The Romans worked mines at various points, notably in Carmarthenshire and there is every reason to believe that the ancient Britons worked gold be. fore them. Last century, there were periods of considerable suc- cess, but nearly all the mines were eventually thrown idle. Seven mines are to be re-opened *Immediately by Messrs. The Hillside Mining Company, Limit- ed, of London, which has been formed to work noted milnes in the Merionethshire

mountains,

near Barmouth. It is. intended to use the latest plant and equip- ment, and to follow the most scientific methods, with a view to establishing the industry permanent basis.

on &

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1934.

ENGINEERING AND

Railway Versus Road Accidents

The statistics relating to the accidents which occurred on the railways of Great Britain dur- ing 1933 and are contained in the report of Lieut.-Colenel A. H. L. Mount to the Minister of. Transport must inevitably give rise to comparison with those ole: Agutes which concern ac- idents on roads. Putting the position at its worst, and ex- cluding only cases of trespass and suicide, "the total number of persons killed during the year on British railways amounted to 282, while in addition 7,348 were in- jured. During the same period 7,202 persons were killed and 216,238 injured on the roads, while during the week ending July 7, the corresponding figures were 180 and 5,800, results not in- comparable with the total yearly toll of the railways Moreover, no less than 2,087 persons were kiled and 71,298 lajured during the sixteen weeks ending June' 30. Taking still longer periods, while from 1928 to 1933, 110 per- sons were killed and 4.305 injured in train accidents, the, numbers suffering a similar fate on the roads were 50,914 and 1,421,100.

Striking Comparison

Examining the railway fatalities of 1933 in more detall the com- parison is even more striking. It may first be mentioned that they were made up of. 70 passengers, 163 railway servants, and 49 other persons. Of the passengers, 64 suffered death mainly through such careless actions as attempt- ing to enter or alght from trains in motion, falling out of carriages and crossing the line at stations. Of the rallway servants killed, 152 were involved while working. standing or walking on the per- manent way or while engaged In shunting Coupling vehicles accounted for three deaths, and falling off or getting on vehicles in motion for four. Of this class of accident, 66.89 per cent. are: described as due to carelessness, 29.14 per cent, as due to misad- venture, and 3.97 per cent. to defective apparatus. In the case of injuries, a much larger per- centage was due to misadventure, and the proportion that could be ascribed to defedtive apparatus As regards was somewhat lower. passengers, misadventure

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carelessness were necessarily the chief predisposing causes. It is Interesting to note that exclud- ing railway servants, 125 persons who were crossing the line at places other than railway stations were killed and 43 were injured, figures which may be compared with the 100 pedestrians killed last year owing to cars mounting pavements. In addition, 276 persons committed suicide and. another. 16 attempted to do so but failed, a type of fatality which for some reason or other does not figure prominently in the road returns. As the passen- ger and

freight train mileage amounted to 411,800,000, the total number of all classes killed and injured per million train miles run worked out at 0.7 and 18 res- pectively results that cannot be considered excessive.

PASSENGERS CONTROL

ESCALATORS

BUILDING

The heavy wear and-tear on the mechanical parts of escalators can be reduced by running them at much less than normal speeds when no one is using them and speeding them up as soon as pas sengers arrive. Provision, Pas been made for this at Manor House station on the Piccadilly Hallway, London, by installing photo-electric equipment, manu- factured by the General, Electric Company, Limited, Magnet House, Kingsway, London, W.0.2. This enables the speed to be increased by six smooth steps as soon as the ̈ intending passenger

the controlling beam and to be rhain › ̈ tained at full volume by a time switch until he has reached his destination. The arrival of 3 second passenger before the end of this period re-sets the time switch, so that the escalator con- tinues to run at high speed as long as anyone is using it.

い

crosses

EMPIRE WOOD ·

A "SCIENCE"

MUSEUM

In Newcastle

Due to a movement started early in 1939 by the late Hon. Sir Charles Parsons, Dr. Wütred Hall and others, who, in con- junction with the North-East Coast Institution of Engineers and Shipbudders approached the Corporation; it was finally de- cided to install a permanent ex- hibition in the Palace of Arts which was part of the old ex- hibition buildings on the Town Moor. This Museum was open- ed on the 20th inst. by Mr. R. J. Walker, President of the North- East Coast Institution of Engi

The and Shipbuilders, exhibits relate essentially to the industries of the district, pecially engineering, shipbuilding and other allied industries, and.. already a large collection of his- toric and other matter has been made. Thus there is a model of "the Comet, one of the Arst 10- comotives made about 1834 by Messrs. H. and W. Hawthorn, Leslie and Company and along- side is a model, to the same scale," of one of this fum's modern lo- comotives.

The Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Canadian" Depart- ment of Trade and Commerce, Ottawa, has recently published a pamphlet entitled Canadian Ex- port Timbers-Their Properties. and Uses, copies of which can be cbtained from the Chief Cana- dian, Government Trade Com. missioner in the United Kingdom, Canada House, Trafalgar-square, London, S.W.1. It appears that slightly over 1,153,000 square miles in the Dominion are forested, of which 791,670 square miles are ac-. cessible and productive. Canada has over 100 tree species and the particular classes available for ex- port are reviewed in detail.

WHERE WAGES INCREASE

AND DECREASE

neers

" Models of Ships

es-

There is also a most complete set of models of ships from early times to the present day, includ- ing one of the "Great Britain," the first steamship to cross the Atlantic. There is also a model of the Turbinta, and alongside is the original model, about 2 It. long, by which Sir Charles Par sons determined the best form of hull and the power required to drive it. A number of early Parsons turbines are also, shown. Another exhibit 15 the first breech-loading gun, made by the late Lord Armstrong, as well as his first hydraulic engine. What is probably one of the most-com- plete collections of early incan- descent electric lamps in exta- tence. has been made by Mr. J. H. Holmes, and among the many notable lamps is one of the first, made by the late Sir Joseph Swan. Early switches, instru- ments and dynamos are also ex“ hibited. Not only are early en- gineering products shown but many recent ones, such as a Rey- rolle ironclad switchgear, a model of a modern telephone exchange, a model of a grid sub-station, and many others. A large model

of the River Tyne from the mouth to above Newcastle is also on view. There is little doubt that this exhibition will prove of immense advantage to the district not only by illustrating the part it has taken, and is taking, in engineering development, but also by serving as an Indication of what may be expected of it in the future. Mr. E. W. Swan has been. Hon. Curator since the in- auguration of the schemes ..

DEFEATING DROUGHT

AERONAUTICAL WORK

Pioneer Experiments In Australia

In 1858 John Fletcher Ear-

lawyer practising in grave, a London, salled for Australia where he soon became New South Wales, district judge,, and in 1885 a judge of the Supreme" Court. He had left behind him In England a son Lawrence, who in 1866, at the age of sixteen, Joined his father in Australia and after serving an appretice- ship in an engineerg firm, be- came a assistant in Sydney Ob- servatory, Possessing consider- [able inventive powers and ferti

lity of ideas, young Hargrëve in his work at the Observatory was led through the study of air cur- rents to the problem of human fight then attracting more and more attention, and in 1883 con- tributed a paper to the Royal Society of New South Wales en- titled "The Trocholded Plane." In this there was theoretical discussion of the movements of animals such

The recent drought in England has only accentuated and not primarily caused the unsatisfac- tory water supply in many rural districts, so that even when rejlef comes, the inadequacy of the pre- zent arrangements will not really have been eliminated. Believing that the main obstacle to be in- provement of these conditions is the cost of pumping; the British Electric Development Association, 2. Savoyhill, London, W.C.2. have

In the Industriestor which statistics are regularly compiled by the Ministry of Labour, the changes in rates of wages report- ed to have come into óperation in June resulted in a decrease of nearly 2,3001, in the weekly full- time wages of about 44,500 work-issued a pamphlet entitled Water.

Supplies and Sewage Disposal in Rural and Small Urban Districts. This gives full details, both prae- tical and economic, of a variety of systems of supply and methods- of pumping and, as it is accom... panied by information about schemes that have actually been carried out, its study may be re- commended to all those concerned with this matter at the present time.

people, and in an increase of about 2,2001. in the those of 31,500 workpeople. The principal groups of workpeople whose wages were reduced were coal-miners in North Stafordshire and workpeople in the electrical cable-making indus try. Those whose wages were in creased included men employed at 'fron-padding furnaces and, in iron and steel rolling mills in the Midlands, men employed in steel- sheet rolling mills in various disë. tricts, and manual workers em- ployed in the nonetrading depart vents, of local authorities in the West Midlands. The changes 50 for reported in the six completed months of 1934 have resulted in a phone."

What do you mean?" thunder- net increase of nearly 25,0001. per week in the full-time rates of ed the manager. "What's the use wages of 318,000 workpeople, and of saying you think I'm wanted?

in a net decrease of about 12,3001.

in those of over 191,000 workpea-

ple.

The Only Idiot

Please, sir," said the new office boy, entering timidly, "I think somebody wants you on the "tele-

Am I wanted or not?"

“Well, sif, somebody rang up and said: Is that you, you idiot?”

with model aeroplanes, flapping - wings.

motor-driven gilders.. screws and Kiles, His contribu- tions to progress, which included the dihedral angle and the divis- lon of the supporting surfaces into fore and aft units, were of no mean order and they entitle him to a place beside such plone- ers as Lilienthal. Chanute and Maxim. He WBS in the

true sense of the term a pioneer and at the same time one of those rare individuals, who care noth- ing for any pecuniary gain which may result from their labours. Some of his models are now pre- served in Germany; others in the Technological Museum, Sydney, where, an effort is being made to show the various stages in the development of the aeroplane"

The papers Hargrave wrote have not so far been published separately, but in, the Technical Gazette of New South Wales in

two articles sp-

1923 and 1924 d's worms, slugs,

Jelly Ash and fishes and the mo tion of waves. The trocholdal action of fins, muscles, and legs seemed so plain." he said, "that I could not help being led to theorise on the action of wings in fight; I say theorise simply because I have not a flying ma- chine to show you, but the chain of evidence seems so complete, that I have no doubt it will soon be accomplished without the aid of the screw or gasbag."

Mechanical flight when It.camè was not achieved acording to Hargrave's views of 1884, but by 1909, six years after the epoch- making flights of the brothers United States, Wright in the Hargrave had contributed 19, pa- pers to the Royal Society of New South Wales on various aspects of aeronautics. Our columns of those years

bore considerable witness to his work, but it is safe to say that very few in this have an country

tiitmate knowledge of his experiments

peared describing. Arat, his ex- periments with monoplanes "and, secondly, his experiments with curved surfaces and box-kites. Both were published under the title "Lawrence Hargrave- Australia's Pioneer in Aviatiön,” but arè now out print. To satisfy A demand for these articles Mr. T. C. Roughley, B.SC... has recently written a pamphlet 'embodying them, with slight alterations, and a preface, and this has been published as Bul- letin No. 19 of the Technological Museum, Sydney, and may be. purchased at a price of 1s

The publication is an "accept- able addition to the literature of aeronautical history. Each of the papers of Hargrave's is briedy dealt with, and there are many Illustrationsind a portrait of Hargrave towards the end of his life. His dealth took place on July 8, 1915, ahortly after he had had the misfortune to lose a son in the Great War--Engineering.

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