HERE and THERE, April 1930

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THE Maidstone Show which is organised annually by Rootes, Ltd., was this year open for the week beginning March 17th. This is the tenth occasion on which the Show has been held, and it can truthfully be described as an Olympia in miniature.

It is also a strictly British affair, for all the cars exhibited were of British manufacture. The cars on view included Austin, Bentley, Hillman, Humber, RollsRoyce, Standard and Sunbeam, a full range of each make being exhibited.

The Maidstone Show, which is held in Rootes’ Showrooms, was this year more interesting than ever, for many new body designs, etc., which have been introduced since Olympia, were on view. There was also a ” daylight ” cinema depicting cars in process of manufacture, on test, and, finally, competing in exciting races.

1930 Scholarships for Inventors.

In co-operation with the Polytechnic and Association of Principals of Technical Institutions, a scholarship foundation of far-reaching importance has been inaugurated by the Institute of Patentees (Inc.). With the object of encouraging inventive talent amongst those whose circumstances do not permit them to undergo the ordinary courses of technical training, the Institute has decided to found a series of Presentation Courses at one or more of the recognised technical schools and Polytechnics which exist throughout the country.

The Scholarships are open to candidates of both sexes of all nationalities and in general of any age over 16. They entail about three evenings work a week in addition to home work.

Successful candidates will have the necessary fees paid for them which will include Associate Membership of the Institute of Patentees (Inc.), and a grant of 21 towards the cost of books.

Further information may be obtained together with forms of application, from the Hon. Secretary, Scholarship Committee, Institute of Patentees (Inc.), 39, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1.

Dunelt’s 42 T.T. Races.

I learn from the I.O.M. that the 500 c.c. Dunelt machine which is attempting to cover a distance equivalent to 50 Tourist Trophy races on the Isle of Man course, under A.C.U. observation, had completed 293 laps—nearly 42 complete races–by the end of the 13th riding day. The speed over the distance-11,095 miles—has averaged 35/k miles per hour. As compared with the speeds of the T.T. races themselves this may not seem very great. The excellence of the performance, however, will be appreciated when it is remembered that the roads are not closed, that speeding is forbidden,

that the riders have to drive extremely carefully through the many villages on the course and that, since the machine is carrying on night and day, nearly half the riding has taken place in darkness.

In addition to these handicaps, the weather has been, for the main part, appalling. For several days the road over Snaefell Mountain was covered in snow and at other times fog or heavy rain have been encountered. The variations of temperature on certain days have been such that whilst it has been raining in the valleys there has been severe frost on the mountain. As a result, ice an inch thick has formed on the lamp glass.

For the Facia.

Known as the Car-Thermo Safety Gauge, a new instrument has been placed on the market recently by the British Instrument Co., Ltd., of Hendon. This comprises a combined oil gauge and radiator thermometer. The two calibrated dials are contained in the same head, and readings are registered by revolving scales, the indications being read over a fixed index mark. The whole unit is very neat and compact and well in line with the present day ideas of simplicity infaciaboard equipment. It has been designed so that it fits in place of the existing oil gauge and needs no further holes in the instrument board, thus obviating any drilling, cutting or soldering. A commendable feature is the supply of a special tool with the instrument, for cutting a hole in the radiator hose into which the thermometer is fixed. The oil gauge, of course, is connected to the usual pipe. A MOTOR SPORT staff car has been fitted with the device and it has been found to function admirably. Made in two sizes and different finishes, it is marketed complete at 37/6. The makers guarantee it for 12 months.

A Motoring Boxer.

Mr. Phil Sparling, the well known boxing referee, who is a keen motorist owning several sports cars, has now added a Le Mans Schneider to his stable. This car was supplied by Schneider Automobiles (Eng.), 138, Long Acre, W.C.2.

Changes of Address.

The new works of the Frazer Nash Cars at Isleworth are now completed and in future all communications to this firm should be.addressed to A.F.N. Ltd., Falcon Works, London Road, Isleworth, Middlesex.

The Birmingham branch of David Moseley sc Sons, Ltd., manufacturers amongst other things of the famous air cushions fitted to nearly all racing cars including Kay Don’s Sunbeam “Silver Bullet,” have changed their address to 17, Ombersley Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham. Telephone Calthorpe 1285.