Yesterday, at Messrs Harris and Co's auction rooms, an up-to-date 30hp five-seated Beeston-Humber motor car, fitted with practically new outer covers, a new hood, new set of gears, electric side lights and acetylene head lights, and all the other multifarious accessories which make up a comfortable machine, was bought under the hammer, to be sold without reserve.
There was only a small number of people present, however, and bids were not numerous, the car being ultimately knocked down for the ridiculously low price of 90 to Mr C. Alexander, tramways manager.
The cheapness of the car is further shown by the fact that it costs as much as 75 to purchase a new motorcycle.
The car again changed hands during the afternoon at a substantial advance on the price given by Mr Alexander.
• Mr W. Hudson, of Wanganui, has been experimenting for some time past (says the Wanganui Chronicle) on an improved railway crossing signal, which shall send out a warning of a train's approach.
When in a very elementary stage, the apparatus was inspected by the then Minister of Railways (the Hon. Mr Millar), and some three years ago its working was described in the Herald.
Since then, however, Mr Hudson has been working hard at his invention, the possibilities of which were brought under the notice of Messrs Boyd and Brennan, who, with the assistance of one of their workmen (Mr J. Williams) soon had the alarm in practical working order.
It was installed at the Imlay crossing on the Castlecliff Railway Company's line, and has proved quite successful.
The apparatus was inspected by Messrs W. A. Veitch and G.V. Pearce, M.P.s, recently, and both gentlemen expressed themselves as highly satisfied with its capabilities.
Stated briefly, the alarm consists of a "depression bar" attached to the rail, which, on bearing the weight of an approaching engine, sets a bell ringing furiously at the crossing some 200 yards distant, while an arm on which the word "Danger" is painted is also displayed in the day time; at night a red light will serve the same purpose in addition to the warning bell.
After the train has passed the crossing, a powerful lever adjusts the mechanism which "winds up" the alarm for the next occasion.
• With all the precautions taken by the state to ensure that people coming to the Dominion from abroad shall be of a class that will be a benefit to the country instead of a menace, there is still one avenue through which a considerable number of undesirables gain admission.
The avenue (says the Lyttelton Times) is provided by the ships trading to New Zealand from British and American ports.
When a Home line is in New Zealand waters there is always anxiety regarding the members of her crew and her stokehold staff.
It is well known that criminals, desirous of evading the punishment consequent to a breach of the law, often take to the stokehold as a means of eluding the police.
Once in New Zealand they seek an opportunity to desert, so as to avoid returning to the country where arrest is waiting them.
In most of the ports of the dominion desertions take place, and the police are frequently unable to trace these men.
Speaking to a reporter, a detective with considerable experience stated that the desertions of sailors and firemen admitted more undesirables to the country than the public thought.
Wellington and Auckland were the worst ports for the traffic.
- ODT, 10.5.1912.
