Passing Comments
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THE question as to who is or is not a competent driver has arisen in connection with a case in which a man accompanying a learner was found not to be in possession of a current driving licence. In view of the doubts in the case, he was fined the small sum of 2s. 6d. We think that this case should have been dismissed and any others held over pending a proper definition of the term "competent." The real point is that an unlicensed person accompanying a learner may be a thoroughly skilful driver, but if called upon, even for a few moments, to take control of the vehicle during an emergency he would be performing an illegal act. Consequently, he might be considered as incompetent and of little use as a safety factor; in any case the learner no longer need be accompanied. What is the Correct Definition of "Competent Driver"? . How Radio Inter. TESTS have been carried out fe re n ce Suppressors I by the Research Department Affect Engines . . . of the Institution of Auto mobile Engineers on the effect on engine performance of radio interference suppressors. The results indicate that no effect is obtained at moderate or high speeds or under appreciable load. Side-valve engines appear, in general, to be insensitive to the effect of suppressors. Some overhead-valve engines are, however, affected at the lower speeds, the maximum loss of power observed being 9 per cent., but the effect is usually much smaller than this. Such loss is considered to be due to insufficient turbulence and can be remedied by fitting shrouded inlet valves. An engine previously insensitive might become affected if the sparking plugs be pocketed. Tests of Welding Performed by Five Unskilled Men . . . . EXPERIENCE and training L-iare obviously required to do high-grade welding in all positions and under varying conditions, but tests carried out by the Lincoln Electric Co., Ltd., Welwyn Garden City, indicate that good work of a simple nature can be performed by novices. Pieces of 11-in, by 1-in, mild-steel bar were sheared off in 4i-in. lengths and laid side by side with the sheared edges butted. Five men, without preliminary instruction and no practice, except' for the running of one 5-32-in shielded-arc-type electrode in order to become adjusted to the melting, immediately welded the butts, the completed bars being then broken apart and their 'tensile strength obtained. The welds of three operators exceeded 221 tons per square inch, whilst the poorest result was over 80 per cent. of the tensile strength of average mild steel. Naturally, the welds were not solid and showed lack of experience, but they indicated how, with ki11, welding can be so strong and reliable.
What's In a Name, HE Editor of this journal, Is Asked By the I while chatting recently with Editor a well-known man in the industry, received a sly dig as to the origin of part of his name, which was thought to have a Germanic flavour. Actually, the Editor, who, incidentally, was in the retreat from Mons in August, 1914, is a member of one of the oppressed nations, being a Scot, his family coming from Ross and Cromarty, and his grandfather even receiving the freedom of the important town, of Dingwall for his services as an Elder of the Kirk. According to Dr. Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, Junner was " a giant in Scandinavian mythology, said in the Edda to represent the 'eternal principle.' Its skull forms the heavens; its eyes the sun and moon . . . ." Hence the poets call heaven " Junner's skull," and the rivers "the ichor of old Junner." Although as an Editor he has fallen from the gods, he hopes that he still retains some of the attributes of his worthy ancestor.