NEWS IN BRIEF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3512, 17 July 1926, Page 1

NEWS IN BRIEF.

A new mein] called tantalum, expected to replace platinum in engineering', shows far greater resistance lo heat and acids than platinum, and is cheaper. With assets amouting to over 600 million pounds, the American Telegraph and Telephone Company now lakes rank as the biggest corporation in (he world. The British Ministry of Transport has given permission for the maximum speed of the Metropolitan Electric Tramcars to he increased from 16 to 20 miles an hour. The Rckfeller Foundation has presented £15,000 for the building of new laboratories for the students of St. Thomas’ Hospital Medical School in London.

A new sound-absorbing • plaster with great noise-deadening properties has been invented and is said to absorb seven times as much sound as ordinary plaster absorbs.

A new method of pumping up car tyres has been shown at the Institute of Patentees. To the starting handle is attached an air compressor, and the engine docs the inflating.

The King having suggested the habits of tidiness to school children, the London County Council has adopted lessons including orderliness, especially when visiting public- parks. A bricklayer who appeared at the Hastings Court on a judgment summons recently caused a mild surprise with some of his answers to counsel’s questions. After explaining that he earned 245. a day, he said he paid no rent, but had to pay interest amounting to 10s a week. But on being questioned, the debtor confessed that the payments of interest were six months in arrear. Asked which hotel he patronised, he nonchalantly replied that he patronised all of them, and after having said'that-he had no regular work, but took just what he could get he was asked by the magistrate how long he had been earning 245. a day. “For about four years,” was the reply. The magistrate had little hesitation in making an order.