I LEDBURY READING ROOM AND I LIBRARY. I The Finanoial Position. ) The quarterly meeting of the members of the Ledbury Reading Room and Library was held at the Reading Room on Friday night last. Mr J J Futcher was voted to the chair, and also present were Messrs T S S Gard ner (hon secretary), F W Wade, G W Suter, R H Wilks, A Stevens, F Morgan, H L Tayler, J Bache, B G Bradley, L Jones, G Henner, W Smith, etc. A letter was read from Mr Hy Morgan, Chairman of the Committee, asking that another Chairman should be appointed, as it was quite impossible for him to attend the meetings owing to his health. It was decided that the matter should be dealt with at a later date. The balance-sheet for the year ended December 31 last was read as follows:— Receipts-Subscriptions £39 19s 10d. sale of papers L5 6s lid, library fines 7s 7d, received towards deficit Y,2 98 6d, interest £ 15 158, Consols dividend £4 14s 4d, refunded income tax 9a lid, a total of £69 3s id. Expenditure—Adverse balance from last year S4 128 3d, newspapers, etc. £ 24 19s 2d. rent, gas, fires and attendance L31 6s 9d, fire insurance 5s, secretary's expenses £10, library and Herefordshire Directory fl 58 Id, incidental 2s, a total of £72 10s 3d, leaving an adverse balance of £ 3 7s 2d. Mr Stevens How much money has the visitors' box brought in altogether? Mr Gardner: X3 19a 4d, and Z3 98 6d the year before, and the year before that 14 79 4d. The Chai rman said he was sorry to see that they bad an ad verse balance and he had collected something like 30s, which would reduce it considerably. He hoped to get something more before he finished. If there were any gentlemen there who would contribute he would be very pleased to receive it. Mr Stevens said it was all very well going round and collecting money to make up the deficiency, but the fact was that £ 3 19s 4d was an absurd sum to receive from visitors during 12 months. The room was abused right and left and he thought it was about time they appointed a vigilance committee, three or four members of the room, who would be willing at any time to enter the room and ask people who were not members if they had got a ticket. Some- thing of the sort could be done, as it was really too bad the way in which the room was abused. The Chairman thought there was no doubt that what Mr Stevens had said was quite right. On Tuesdays, for instance, there were a good many people who came in and j contributed nothing. He was sorry to notice the membership was falling off tremendously, and it was 60 or 70 less than it was ten years ago. ( Mr Stevens asked if there were any arrears of subscriptions ? Mr Gardner said there were a few, and the Chairman added that they numbered ten or a dozen. Mr Jones said there was one item of expenditure that seemed rather heavy, and that was L10 for secretary's expenses. The Chairman That is for the librarian as well. Mr Gardner said L5 4s of that was paid the assistant-2s per -Week. Mr Jones said it was one of the most serious items on the balance-sheet and might be considerably reduced. He thought there were sufficient members to see to the library on Wednesday nights, and he would give one night in his turn himself. As regards collecting subscriptions he thought L5 a year would be ample for the work, and there would be £5 saved straight away. The Chairman That was tried before but it did not answer. If we got four or five members to volunteer to see to the library it would be very nice, but I do not think it would answer. Mr Jones: If Mr Gardner will undertake to do one half I will do the other half. Mr Gardner said he could not accept the offer, as he had quite decided to give up the work and let a younger and more energetic man take it on. He thought it would be better for the institution, Ife had asked the Committee to release him shortly. Mr Jones said what he referred to was the librarian's work. If that expanse was cut off it would keep the inances floating. The Chairman It is not only the librarian's work, but it is the collecting of subscriptions. That is a very important part of the work. The subject then dropped, and the sale of papers for the ensuing quarter was con- ducted.
[Au. RIGHTS RESERVED.] BIBLE STUDIES CONDUCTED BY PASTOR RUSSELL. PROFITABLE TABLE TALKS. The Lesson Luke xiv. 7-24. The Text "Every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled and he that humbleth himself shall be exalt-ed.Verse 11. A considerable number of advanced Chris- tian people, Bible students, have informally adopted the custom of having Bible talks during the meal hour. We know of many who are finding it profitable. To partake of Heavenly food at the same time that we appropriate the natural is quite proper; the lifting of the mind from worldly things to Heavenly things should be advantageous in every way. This was Jesus' custom. To- day's lesson shows our Master as the guest of a prominent Pharisee, and speaking in a manner that would not be appropriate to any but himself. In a parable, he criticised the gathering quests, because he noted that they selfishly choee the chief seats of honotir, and he would have them see that this selfish spirit would have to do with their character- building and with their fitness or unfitness for the honours of the kingdom for which they hoped. When bidden to a public function, they should humbly take inconspicuous places. not knowing how many might be more worthy than thev in the estimation of the host. Then, if the host so desired, he could ask tii forward to a more prominent place. Thus they would be honoured; whereain taking a prominent place unin- vited they ran the risk of displeasing the host or of beiug asked to take an inferior place, the more honoured one being given to one considered more worthy and they would thus be in a measure disgraced. The Master declared that this principle held with the Father, namely, that "whoso- ever xalteth himself shall be humbled, and he tli I humbleth himself shall be exalted. The Apostles set forth the same proposi- tion, saying: "God resisteth the proud, but showeth His favour to the hum ble." "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. "—James iv. 6; 1 Peter v. 6. PRIDE UNFITS FOR GOD'S SERVICE. The thought is that the self-seeking. the proud in spirit. could not be trusted by the Lord in a high position. They might do damage to themselves and to His cause with such a spirit. On the contrary. He will seek those who are of a humble mind and who would not be injured by the exalta- tion. nor be in danger of deflecting in the future work to which the kingdom class are called. turning to his host. Jesus gave him some- thing of a conlpiiment, saying: "When thou niakest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, nor thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neigh bours, lest they bid thee again. and recompense be made thee. But call the poor, the maimed, the lame. the blind, and thou shalt be blessed, for they cannot recompense thee, for thou shalt be recompensed in the resurrection of the just. The Pharisee had done something of the very kind in inviting Jesus and probably his disciples to dinner. He well knew that they would be tillable to ask him in return. Tiie Master's words may have been comfort- ing to him. At all events, they set forth a grand principle, which should be recognized by all, rich and poor alike. If we get our rewards for good deeds in the present life, how will there be anything coming to us in the future? Let us therefore follow the Master's instruction, and seek to do kind- nesses for those who cannot return the favour, assured that God will appreciate such things as done for righteousness' sake, and will give a proper reward. We do not understand the Master to say that it would be wrong to invite those who might invite us in turn, but that in so doing we are not laying up treasure in Heaven. (lOl)'S GREAT FEAST. A guest, after hearing Jesus' comments, remarked that it would be a blessed thing to share in tll," great feast with which the Kingdom of God will be inaugurated. Jesus seized upon this as a text, and pieached another sermon in a parable. As usual, his parable sermon was in respect to the Kiugdom of (lod.* A man made a great supper and bide many guests. When the supper time arrived, he sent his servants to inform them. saying, "Come; for all things are now ready." But these with one accord began to make excuse. When the servant returned and told his experience, the mas- ter of the house was provoked, and said to the servant. Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor, the maimed, the blind and the lame. The meaning of the parable is not far to seek. God had indeed provided a great feast. Long vear, before He had sent word to the Jewish nation that in due time a great blessing would be open to them—the privilege of membership in the Kingdom of God—sharers with Messiah. Yet when the time came for the feast to be spread, those who had been bidden were careless. Jesus and his li,id been going about for some time declaring that the Kingdom was at 1""ld, and that all who believed should ma haste to come to the feast. But those invited were full, covetous, money lovers. When they heard the message of the King- dom they said: I am too busy with my world] v prospects; and so they slighted God's invitation, extended to them through Jesus and the Apostles. The great fea.-t of the parable figuratively represents rich blessings of Gcd s providence for the Church—the knowledge of the truth, justification from sin, the begetting of the Holy Spirit, the privilege of appropriating the exceeding great and precious promises of God's Word. All this is the feast which the Lord has spread for now eighteen hun- dred years and to which he hal-1 been invit- ing certain ones. First the Pharisees, the religious lights, representatives of Moses, and secondly the poor, the sinful, the prodi- gal son class were invited. GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. I Some of the latter class came, but not enough to fill the places already provided. In other words. not enousrh of the Jews were "Israelites indeed," to fill the foreordained number of the elect Church. Hence the Master sent ont his servants the third time, saying that they should go cuts ide the city. and urge the people to come in, that his house might, be filled. This applies, evidently, to the sendinsf of the Gospel to the Gentiles. For eighteen hundred yenrs the message has been going up and down through the highways and hedges, calling such as have hearing ears and responsive hearts. In all. they will not be a great <:om:.I;'¡uv. nor represent very many of the lights of th!' world. The Apostle v.i" l'e see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not, many noble, hath God chosen but "chiefly the poor of this world, rich in faith," to be heirs of the Kiiigdoin.-I Cor. i. 26, 27; James ii. f). Ultimately the full number Tiurposed by the great Householder will have been called, accepted, and found worthy through Christ to share in that great fezisi.. It will be the nuptial feast, in honour of the marriage of the Lamb, after his wife hath made herself ready. (Rev. xix. 7-9.) At that feast, we are assured, will he a secondary company. not worthy to be of the Bride class. These may be figuratively called the bridesmaids, the "great com [Kitty class; for after the account of the gathering of the. Bride we have the Lord 's message to these subse- quently delivered from Babylon, saying, Blessed are they that are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb." Those originally bidden will not taste of that snpper, though, thank God, Divine provision has arranged for another banquet, which through Messiah's Kingdom will be spread for all nations-a, feast of fat things. —Isaiah xxv. 6-8.
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SEQUEL TO TEACHERS' STRIKE. Reinstatement Difficulty. At a meeting of the Herefordshire Educa- tion Committee on Saturday, Mr G Cress- well asked what authority existed outside their Committee to coerce school managers to reinstate old teachers, when it was con- sidered that the reinstatement of such teachers would be destructive to the welfare of the echool. On Wednesday of last week, when he left the building, he saw a crowd of persona collected at the gate in warm discussion. One of them came up to him and said that they were school managers of Burgh ill, farmers and parishioners and parents, and they had just had a most alarming interview with Colonel Decie, who bad informed them that they must part with their new teacher and take back their old one. His friend told him that if this was insisted upon there would be riot and bloodshed in the parish, because the parish would never submit to have the old teacher thrust upon them. Colonel Decie said they were bound to reinstate Mr Bates, because of the agreement the Education Committee had come to with the N.U.T. The Bishop of Hereford said that as a matter of honour they could not go back on their agieement. Mr Hopkins said he failed to see why they should force a master on a parish whom the people did not want. Why should they make life intolerable? The Lord Lieutenant (Sir J R G Cotterell) said the strike had not been a credit to the county or the teachers, and they did not want 9 repetition of it. Col. Decie said If you go back on the agreement and refuse to reinstate, the N.U.T. will reopen the strike to-morrow, and I shall give up all attempts to deal with the matter, and the Board of Education will support the teachers with all the power at their dis- posal. If you start the strike again, the Board of Education will force your hands, and, if necessary, will pass a Bill through the House of Commons, and as they pay two-thirds of the cost of the education of the county under conditions they make them- selves. they have a great power. They can stop the £ 27,000 grants, and as they have stopped £ 50,000 from the City of London, what can we do here ? A vote was taken on the Bishop of Here- ford's proposal to write to the people of Barghill stating that they could not depart from their agreement with the N.U.T. by refusing to reinstate Mr Bates. This was carried by a majority of one-14 votes to 13. The following motion was carried by a large majority That when vacancies occur in the post of head teacher in schools with an average attendance of fifty or under, the Salaries and Staffing Committee shall make arrangements as a rule whenever possible, for their re-staiffng with mistresses instead of masters, except under very special circumstances."
Softool Closed as a Protest Against I Reinstatement. The managers of the Burghill Council School, near Hereford, have defied the County Education Authority as a protest against the reinstatement of the former master, Mr Bates, who took a prominent part in the recent teachers' strike. On Monday the vicar, the Rev T 0 Charteria, on behalf of the managers, attended the school and informed the scholars it was closed. The old master had remained in pos- session of the schoolhouse, and was ready to resume his duties. Several of the farmers refused to send their boys to school. The action of the managers is remarkable in view of the fact that a long discussion took place on the question at Saturday's meeting of the County Education Committee, when it was decided by 14 to 13 votes that the master he reinstated. The Chairman of the County Council and the Bishop of Here- ford then said the committee was in honour bound to reinstate the teacher according to the terms of the strike sattlement. These terms included a clause that the National Union of Teachers could negotiate with new teachers with a view to their places being taken by the former teachers. If this were not adhered to, said Colonel Decie, the members of the National Union of Teachers would come out on strike again, and possibly the Government would stop the grants. Objection to the reinstatement is on the ground that Mr Bates was a striker. On Tuesday the school was still locked, but the Herefordshire education authority has joined in the dispute, and a settlement may be reached in the next few days. On Tuesday the school managers persisted in their resolve to close the school as a protest against the reinstatement of the head- master, Mr Bates. A number of children. some having walked over two miles, arrived at the school in the morning, but as the vicar, the Rev T 0 Charteris, a school manager, bad the key of the locked school they had to return home. The education authority will insist on the reopening of the school. The position is a curious one.. The school when taken over by the county in 1903 was a board school. The education authority have absolute control over the building from 9.45 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., but apart from these times the control of the building rests with the trustees.
NORTH HEREFORD FARMERS AND LAND PURCHASE. At a meeting of the Executive of the North Herefordshire Farmers' Union on Saturday, Mr E T Cave presiding, a letter was read from Mr J L Green, secretary of the Rural League, relative to the position in which the National Farmers' Union stands, so far as enlightening public opinion is concerned, on the question of the position of tenant farmers on the breaking up of estates. The writer suggested that the branch should pass a resolution supporting the report of the Disturbance Committee of the National Farmers' Union, which stated that no other means of redress for the loss to tenant farmers through disturbance on the sale of estates would be as effective as State-aided land purchase. Mr J M Parry said they had undoubtedly agreed with a scheme of land purchase, but that did not commit them hopelessly to the one policy and no other. If some other suggestion were made which they thought might assist the tenant farmers of England, surely they were not to be tied up by any previous action, from adopting or supporting it. He proposed that the letter lie on the table until they had the annual report of the National Farmers' Union before them. Mr G Butters seconded, and the com- mittee agreed. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr F Whiteman, it was decided that a committee should be formed, and that the South Herefordshire Branch should be asked to form a committee, in order that the question of the disturbance of tenants might be discussed at a joint meeting, so that a unanimous expression of opinion may go from that county.
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I ACROSS THE TABLE. Lord Moray's carefully-guarded allusion to the King in the matter of the Curragh oflie-ers in the House of Lords the other night afforded one of the few instances in which t-ho name of the Sovereign may with pro- priety be introduced in debate. Nowadays the resfcson for tlii-s salutary rule lies in the fact that the Sovereign is supposed to have no personal opinion on a controversial matter other than t.hat expressed for him by his responsible advisers, and the rule is carefully maintained to avoid the possibility of the Crown 'being drawn into the arena of controversy. Originally, however, says the IVr:<tmin*f,er Gazette, there was another and very important reason for the rule. In the days when Parliament was struggling to maintain its independence against the Crown one of its difficulties was the use of the King's name to overawe Members. George III. made use of this power in several ways, and in 1783 the House had to declare solemnly that to report any opinion or pretended opinion of his Majesty" upon any measure before the House with a view to influencing the votes of Mem ben; was a "high crime ald misdemeanour." In 1876 Disraeli asked leave before giving to the Commons & statement on a matter in dispute authorised by the Queen. It is no new thing for persons who have made a rather uncomfortable appearance before the Bench to attempt by means of the proffered bribe to get the reports kept out of the papers. A", a rule, however, such efforts fail, the honour of newspaper re- porters in such matters being exceedingly sensitive. And in some proceedings last week a Press meswnger was found to have proved equally incorruptible, and two would- be bribers wore fined £5' apiece. Whereof the moral is: Keep out of the Courts by obeying tb.9 law. This is & comedy of the suburbs. where ]Borne gei-itlemen., in the intervals of following important City avocations, keep li-en-e--and tome do not. One who did not was .harassed by the birds of his neighbour intruding on hit; garden and scratching up the flower-beds. He invested in a dozen new laid eggs, and carefully, by dead of night, planted" them. On the next occasion when the bird fancier was at. work in his garden, the other appeared, and. in sight of the horrified hen- keeper, picked up egg after egg The hen-s roamed no more, says the Daily Citizen. Mr. James Sant, who is retiring from th« Royal Academy, has established a record which will not be easy to break. His first pic- ture was hung; at the Academy Exhibition of 1840, when Mr. Sant was twenty, and since then he has exhibited every year without a break. One of Mr. Sant's most famous pictures, "The Soul's Awakening," was suggested to him during a visit from a niece. The artist came upon her one day in his studio. rapt in thought over a book she had just been read- ing, and straightway tried to convey her ex- pression to canvas. The return of Lord Lonsdale's gold watch, which he "missed" a few weeks ago, is in accordance with the rule of the fraternity or racecourse thieves. Lord Lonsdale is a famous patron of sport, and is also well known as one who is ready to help the families of convicted persons. Probably the enterprising pick- pocket who helped himself to the Earl's watch has been called over the coals. Lord Lonsdale is not the only person who benefits by the respect of thieves, remarks the Manchester Guardian. The same thing has happened to others, even to sporting jour- nalists and telegraphists employed at the racecourses. A certain sporting journalist who is now no more once had his glasses neatly lifted out of their case on a racecourse. At the railway station later on an ex-pugilist came up to him and asked why he looked glum. On hearing of the theft the fighting man remarked: "They shouldn't have done that. They ought to have known you as a sport." The journalist was occasionally a boxing referee and well known. That same night the glasses were left at the newspaper office, wrapped in paper, with a pencilled note bearing the words, "Please excuse mistake." Yes, dear, I went to a whist drive on Thursday evening," the lady was telling her friend, and, of course, I don't know an ace from a spade. But we won the prize." The death of Frederic Mistral, the poet of old Provence and of the sunshine, has re- moved one of the most picturesque figures from the community of European letters. In this country he is perhaps be.-t known, says the Pall Mall Gazette, through his connec- tion with Gounod's delicious opera Mir- eille," in which the composer so marvellously cn ught the sweetness and pathos of Mistral's famous poem and set it to music. But in France he was, loved as a true poet. a true patriot, and a fine representative of much that is best in the French character and genius. A recent newspaper advertisement of a second-hand car pointed out that the flywheel had just been "tuned up." It is not clear why this was done, unless it was to ensure harmonic vibration of the engine. We pre- sume that the flywheel was tuned to the same key as that fitted to hold it to the crankshaft. Don't you take any notice of what he says," said one waitress to another. "I am sure he's married." "Well. he doesn't look married. How do you know?" "He always uses safety matches. Bachelors always use wax or wood vestas. The married men get their matches free from home. It is said that the modern child no longer plays at "horses." The other evening, writes a correspondent. I noted the change in a quiet London square. Two small and dirty chil- dren were engaged over a little box on wheels, which had some means of manual propulsion. They had come to a standstill. The bov- aged about six—begged a match for a bit of candle. It's lighting-up time." he said. Then he started with candle, little sister, and his motor-car round the quiet square. There are beggars, frequently fairly well- dressed, who seem to make a speciality of call- ing at offices to try to interview business men, who are sometimes glad to give these nuisances a tri.fle to get rid of them. I heard a good story recently, says a writer in the Glasgow Newi, about one of the fraternity. who called at a certain place of business with the usual pitiful tale. This victim gave him a few coppers. After he had gone it struck the giver that he should like tQ see where the "sponger" went next. Accordingly he whipped out after the man, and tracked him round the corner-t-o a public-house. In went the man, followed by the now indignant philanthropist. The latter was in time to hear the "starving unemployed order a "half" of whisky. He waited quietly until it was brought and the water put in; then, just as the fraud was going to stretch out his hand to lift the glass, the business man got before him, saying. Thanks. I'll drink my own whisky," and did so. The face of the beggar was a study. To encourage the Earlier Holiday Idea and in order to cater for holiday comfort, the Great Eastern Railway have arranged some important improvements in their train service from April 1st. Among these are a new breakfast car express which will leave Liver- pool-street at 8.23 a.m., and an additional midday express to leave at I.A) p.m. every week-day. Th-e-se new trains will serve Clac- ton. Frinton, Walton-on-Naze, Norwich. Yar- mouth, Lowestoft, Cromer, Mundesley, and Overstrand. The latter train will also give a con- nection with Sheringham during May and June. A story of the wonders of red tape" is told by the Regiment. In giving vent to his feelings on his discharge, an old soldier wrote to his late Colonel: Sir,—After what I have suffered, you can tell the Army to go to-! In due course .fíj. received the following: Sir.-Any suggestions or inquiries as to movements of troops must be entered on Army Form 123 XYZ, a copy of which I enclose.
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I CYCLECAR AND MOTOR CYCLE NOTES. I [BY CELERITER.] I THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR PROBLEM. THE TOURIST TROPHY RACES. My notes of a fortnight ago on the above subject have called for some criticism and a good deal of support from my corres- pondents. I have to thank those who sup- port my views, and those who are my critics I must try and convince that my views on the subject are correct. One correspondent says he is led to believe that I am out with the idea of banishing all heavy motor traffic from the roads. Such an idea never entered my head, and I should indeed have been foolish to have thought of such a thing, for the heavy motor traffic has come to stay, and it is likely to increase by leaps and bounds in the near future. My point is that the roads as a whole are not yet built to with- stand the present heavy traffic, and until they are sufficiently strengthened, as they must ultimately be, the legal speed 6hould be enforced in order to save the roads from the excessive wear which is to such a very great extent due to the excessive speed of these vehicles. I have all along pointed out that the coming of the heavy motor car must be looked upon as a blessing in disguise, for it will hasten the arrival of the perfect road. It is hardly necessary to go into the dynamics of the question as to whether a heavy vehicle travelling at high speed does more harm to the roads than a similar vehicle travelling at a slower speed. Those who have studied the question can only come to one conclusion that the fast vehicle does the most harm. Any reduction in speed which will tend to save the roads must be of advantage to the heavy vehicle owner him- self, as well as to other road users, for a heavy vehicle driven over a pot holey or wave formed road is more likely to be damaged than a lighter and better strung vehicle ridden over the same road. With regard to the speed at which these vehicles may be driven, the figures I quoted for vehicles weighing over 6t tons refers to heavy motor cars drawing trailers, the speed of which must not exceed 5 m.p.h., as I stated. I might have added that if the axle weight exceeds six tons the speed must not exceed 8 m.p.h., and for the heavy motor car weighing more than three tons and having steel shod wheels instead of being rubber tyred, must not travel more than 8 m.p.h.. One correspondent seems inclined to think that the speed I mentioned in connection with the brewer's dray and the motor bus must be inaccurate. I can, however, vouch far the absolutely accurate reading of my speedometer, as I frequently check it against the milestones and the watch. I am informed by the owners of several heavy motor vehicles, weighing well over 5 tons, that they can easily touch 40 m.p.h on the level road and of course more on a slight down grade. Up-to-date steam waggons with rubber tyres can also easily attain 25 m.p.h. on the level and of course still more on a down grade. Heavy motor vehicle owners must re- member that they form only a small pro- portion of the treffic of our roads, and more important that they pay practically nothing towards the upkeep of the roads as compared to the amount paid by private vehicle owners via petrol tax. One correspondent raises the question as to whether the heavy motor car, going at a moderate speed, wears "the roads more than a light pleasure car going at a high speed ? This is a fairly easy question to answer. The light car travelling at a high speed sucks up the dust and loosens the upper surface of the road more than a heavy vehicle by reason of the suction it causes w hen travelling fast, and also the surface is partly loosened by the action of steel studded tyres when these are fitted. This loosening of the upper surface, how- ever, is not nearly so serious nor as expensive to repair as the damage to the foundations caused by the heavy vehicle. When the road is tar grouted or even when the surface is tarred the loosening action on the surface is non-existent so far as the light car is concerned, but here again, the heavy vehicle breaks through and soon destroys both surface and foundation. As proof of these arguments, it is only necessary to go along routes which have for some years had a large amount of ordinary light car traffic, but which now carry a number of heavy vehicles and a motor tbu.. service. A comparison of the road service of to-day with that of the pre-'bus days will soon convince the most doubting critic. There is no shadow of doubt that the heavy vehicle does infinitely more harm to the roads than the light pleasure car, or, of course, the still lighter motor cycle. I take as my authority for this statement suck eminent road engineers as Colonel Crompton. Mr Percy Bulnois, C.E., and others. This being the case, I am firmly of opinion that an open authority should in the interests of all road users, including the owners of heavy commercial vehicles or motor-'buses, and. in the interests of the ratepayers, restrict. these heavy vehicles to the legal speeds, at any rate until such time as the roads are built to withstand the pulverising effect which they at present cannot resist. THE TOURIST TROPHY RACES. The preliminary ru les for the Tourist Trophy Races, which are to be held in the Isle of Man on May 19th and 21st, have now been issued. So far as the private rider is concerned, the most important addition to the rules this year is that which compels manufacturers who intend entering the machines for either race to lodge a specifica- tion of the machine and all its accessories with the A.C.U. not later than April 27th. Makers must also give an undertaking that they will list and sell to the public for at least six mouths after the races machines similar to those which were entered in the races. This rule will have a very far- reaching effect and must add immensely to the value and importance of the race from the private rider's point of view. It has been the practice in the past for makers of accessories, such as tyres, belts, carburetters, etc., to offer bonuses to riders using their accessories, irrespective of whether the standard machines sold to the public were fitted with similar accessories or not. The result of this system was that as a rule riders took ad vantage of the highest offer, and machines were in many cases fitted with accessories made specially for the race, which were not nearly equalled by the standard productions which in themselves were far inferior to the accessories of other makes, fitted as standard by the motor cycle manufacturers. Knowing this, private riders and pros- pective buyers did not attach much import- ance to the winning of the race by any particular machine, because they knew it differed very greatly from the standard machine offered to the public. Now all this is to be altered, and the value of the race as a guide to a prospective buyer will be in- creased tenfold now that he knows practic- ally standard machines with standard fittings will be used by all who enter. Possibly the rule will be rather hard on the riders who will lose their usual" per- quisites," but being good sports the majority will put up with this, knowing that the new ruling must be of benefit, not only to the public, but to the trade as well. The A.C.U. cannot be too highly praised for having adopted this rule. Another useful rule which is framed more particularly in the interests and for the welfare of the riders themselves, is that which stipulates each machine must have at least two security bolts and a bolt valve on each wheel. Many accidents have occurred in the past through tyres blowing off the rims and causing the wheel to jam. The addition of security bolts will considerably minimise the risks. In order to prevent the possibility of any competitor discarding the security bolts when repairing a puncture during the course of the race in order to save time, it is laid down that any machine finishing without the complete security bolts will be disqualified. Another rule in the interests of the rider is that which says no competitor will be allowed to compete unless he has completed at least six laps of the course in practice, and one of these laps must be covered in not more than one hour in the case of the senior race, and in not more than 1 hour and 10 minutes in the case of the junior race. Racing helmets must be worn, and also ear rolls, the matter being necessary to enable the rider to hear the approach of an overtaking machine. The length of the Senior race will be 225 miles, divided into 6 laps of 37 miles each. The Junior race will be 187 miles, divided into 5 laps of 37 miles each. Engine for the Senior race must not exceed 500 cc. capacity and those for the Junior race must not exceed 350 cc. which is the same as last year. It is interesting to note that no restrictions have been imposed on two stroke machines. The Manx Government have just issued some new Bye-laws in connection with the race, which are designed primarily to prevent the rowdyness which was present during the week of the 1912 races. The bye-laws are similar to those enforced last year, which prohibited carrier riding even with a sidecar attached, and which prohibited any riding at all on the Sunday preceding the races without special permission from the Chief Constable. Machines and riders have to be specially registered on entering the Island. In view of the excellent behaviour of all motorists on the Island last year, the regulation might have been slightly relaxed this year with advantage to all concerned including the Islanders themselves.
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