AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1924, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

[Reutkks TeLEGKAMB.]

UTILITY OF BUSSES. NEW YORK, June 19. In view of the discussions on trnsit problems in various Australian cities , especially Adelaide, and Alelbonrne, with reference to the practiealility of the motor bus, R. E. Felder (General .Manager of Fifth Avenue Bus Co) and a loading American authority on this question, was interviewed. Air Felder said—“l understand Australian highways especially in the suburbs are inferior to those of United States in the finish of surfaces, but this is easily conn ter-bulaneed by tlieir width, which assured a reduced running time. The .successful operation of busses depends principally upon the use of a standard type of vochilo and any of a dozen reputable types sire likely to give •a good result on Australian roads, provided they have a sufficiently long wheel base to distribute shocks more evenly. It is more important to employ a standardised type even at the risk of being imperfectly adapted to colonial roads, than to use a variety of busses of relatively higher quality. The latter require tbe maintenance of a multiplicity of repair stocks which eat ruinously into Hie profits. Mixed types moreover necessitate , the instruction of drivers to operate the different busses while the employment of a standard type permits a driver to quickly grow accustomed to the operating, eventually enabling him often to make his own repairs en route, and increasing the active earning power of the vehicle.

AAIEIUCAX WOAIAX’S GIFT. NEW YORK. Juno 21. The Association of Addubon Societies, a pioneer organisation in the protection of bird life, announces the receipt of an unusual gift* of twenty-six thousand acres of land in Louisiana, as a memorial to the late Paul llamy l>> his sister. Airs Grace Rogers, who has also provided a large endowment to keep the land perpetually planted with cereals sufficient to feed one hundred millions of wild ducks every winter. Tho territory will lie carefully guarded against hunters iti order that it may become a truly wild life sanctuary. The announcement states that the continued abundance of wild fowl must depend largely upon cultivated sane - utirieS. The reclamation of seventy-sev-en million acres of swamp land for the purposes of agriculture has apuallinglv restricted the areas upon which wild ,1 ticks feed. The plans provide for the planting of eight different cereals affordin''' the ducks a varied diet. Once attracted hither, the ducks will never be frightened by the sound of a gun, and, under such conditions, they Mill grow tamer than domestic pigeons.

BRITISH COLUMBIA. VANCOUVER, June 21. To-day’s Provincial elections have resulted in the return of nineteen Liberals. fifteen Conservatives, three.Labourites. three Provincials, and two Independents.

Six seats are doubtful. , '■A plebiscite was taken at tbe same time on the proposed sale of l>eer by the glass. This apparently lias boon defeated an Vancouver and Victoria, while other cities voted dodiLively* against it.

FOR DEMOCRATIC PARTY. NKAY YORK, Juno 21

A copyrighted despatch from New York to tho Baltimore “Sun” says the Into Wonilroiv Wilson’s hist political will and testament is a document of party principle and policy to ho laid by a group of bis followers before the members of tho Resolutions Committee whop the time conics to write the Democratic Party’s platform. Ex-Presi-dont Wilson took up a position, on foreign relaionships. for the straightuut ami straightforward membership of t.lic United Stales in the League of Nations. the abandonment of tbe farcical policy of unofficial observation, and tlie adherence of tbe nation to a iiermanont Tntermitinnal Court of Justice under tin* 1-engut* of Nations, with no nullifying reservations, lie took op a liberal attitude towards pro’iibiti in.