THE “CAT’S EYE” SIGNS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 758, 3 September 1929, Page 7

THE “CAT’S EYE” SIGNS

A number of motorists have commented on the “cats-eye” warning; ; notice erected in connection with the j tram-rail repairs at the intersection , of Queen Street and Wellesley Street, j Oil lamps were also placed at night, j but the lettering of the reflection sign j proved very conspicuous in ordinary Headlights. The sign was made up of ! ruby buttons similar to those used on , the hairpin bend sign in the Domain, j i These warnings might be used more ; liberally about the city, and often where it is impracticable to maintain a light they prove effective. Unfortunately, the signboard section of the Motor Vehicles Regulations, 1928, does not recognise these patent signs, and apparently they are not strictly legal for local body use. The Ministry of Transport is engaged in revising and consolidating motor legislation and it is expected that some official notice will be taken of these effective warnings. In England the transport authori* I ties have endorsed the use of safety j posts and reflecting signs and local i bodies and automobile organisations have been recommended to employ j them. DISCOVERY OF VULCANISING ; Vulcanisation first made possible j i the manufacture of rubber tyres, and j [ on this account it is interesting to | i know just how this process was dis|covered. i Charles Goodyear spent many years i in experimenting with gum trying to j discover a method of treating it so j that it would not stiffen with cold ! and melt with heat. He was only I partially successful, however, until ! 1539, when, while talking and demon- ! strating to some friends in the kit- j chen of his home, he dropped a piece I of rubber mixed with sulphur on the j stove. It charred like, leather. This j was the discovery of vulcanisation.