AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 January 1925, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

COAL BRIQUETTES. SYDNEY, December IS. The first unit of the briquetting plant at Yalloura, in Oippsland. 82 miles from Melbourne, is now in operation. It has been demonstrated that success is assured in producing briquetted fuel from the Valle, ra brown-coni deposits. The various portions of the complex plant are now undergoing a “tuning up,” ami early in the new year, if not before, the factory will lie in a position to undertake conunoreiul suuplies of the new fuel. Brown cod. in briquette form, therefore, will soon lie ready for use, primarily as a domestic fuel, and secondly as an industrial heating source. Prices

have not yet been announced, lint it is exneetod Hint the new fuel will ho much cheaper Lliau the ordinary black coal. The public has waited for a long time for the briquettes, and there lias been much criticism of the whole enterprise. Indeed, the chairman of the Victorian Electricity Commission (Sir John Moiiash), has deemed it desirable to combat statements that the brown coal available is so excessively “wet" that it is useless, lie points out that the activities of the Commission comprise the supply of electric energy at a price materially cheaper than can he accomplished by any other available means, and secondly, the supply of brown coal briquettes. To-day there is available for use, at the Commission’s power-houses, generating plant of 56.600 horse-power. Next year 86,001) horse-power will he ready for service. FIRE BRIGADE HORSES. SYDNEY. December 21. Time was when the clattering lireengine,■ drawn hv swiftly-galloping, high-spirited sheds, excited the youth of Sydney. Brass-helmeted lire n ten mounted on a chimneyed waggon that spat sparks, the. straining horses with flying manes, the clanging hell many a Sydney man recalls with glow of

pleasure the days when he chased then to their destination. But ehungiiq years have replaced equine power will eie.ht.-eyliinlered pel ml motors. Th trails'l ion ha- been finalised m Sw|iinv and I hr.fire-engine driver is a rhaiilleu and not a handler of horses. The I'm brigade horse in Sydney will soon hi as extinct as the men or Hie low cos of living. As a matter of fact, then is hut one of his kind in the metro politan urea, and lie spends his day: and night in well-earned rest. Oh “ Briton.” tin* last of his tribe, i; dreaming awav his days of leisure it the yard of a suburban staLiou. ruminating on his many headlong dashes t< a distant red glare, his training I'm the " service,” and his spills on wot blocks. He joined the brigade as : i'our-yeai-old. He leaves it us an 18 year-old. vigorous. well-conditioned, sound of wind and limb, apparently fit for niauv years of work, like a robust man of sixtv unwillingly retired by a compulsory age limit. Man and horse alike are passed into oblivion by hurrying. relentless Father Time.