ROBOT PILOT IN NEW MACHINE .sx LONG DISTANCE EFFORT .sx Two officers of the R.A.F. , Squadron-Leader Gayford and Flt .sx Lt .sx Bett , who are to attempt to break the present world long-distance air record , held by America , of nearly 5,000 land miles , are shortly to make a test flight from England to Khartoum .sx They will leave Cranwell on Sept .sx 24 and fly to Cairo , a journey of about 2,000 miles .sx They will then proceed to Khartoum , another " hop " of 1,200 miles .sx The machine they will use was constructed following the disaster which befell Squadron-Leader Jones-Williams and Flt .sx Lt .sx Jenkins when they crashed in 1929 on their way to the Cape .sx It is almost an exact replica of the former machine , but there is a novel innovation .sx For the first time a robot pilot has been fitted in a long-distance machine .sx This will considerably relieve the pilots during the sixty or seventy hours they will be in the air .sx Once the machine has been set on its course , the automatic pilot can take complete control .sx The engine to be used has an extraordinary low petrol consumption , but even so over 1,000 gallons of fuel will have to be carried for the record-breaking attempt .sx THIS WEEK IN THE SHOPS .sx Dresses To Suit Modest Allowance .sx FURNISHING THE NEW HOME .sx Smart And Practical Golf Clothes .sx The task of choosing the school outfit will be completed by the majority of mothers this week .sx Many a young girl who contrives to follow the lead of fashion on a modest dress allowance has discovered the extremely good value to be had in the Inexpensive Gown Department at DEBENHAM AND FREEBODY'S , Wigmore-street .sx A youthful evening frock in chiffon is only 98s 6d , despite intricacies such as the cape and godet skirt , and the fact that it was beautifully cut and made in the work rooms of this leading house .sx Uncrushable net composes a very practical evening dress worn with a satin coatee .sx Evening sandals are the latest vogue and can be dyed here to match any scheme .sx It is a lengthy task to choose furniture for the new home and one on which it is impossible to economise in the matter of time .sx A financial saving , however , may be effected by going now to DRAGE'S , at Everyman House , 73-77 , Oxford-street .sx " Birthday " Gifts .sx The twenty-third birthday anniversary of this firm is being celebrated by special gifts to customers , which vary according to the value of the order .sx The young couple who come here to equip their home throughout may find that they are the recipients of a grand piano or suite of furniture , while other " birthday " gifts to the customer are gramophones , solid silver tea services , and canteens of cutlery .sx A very helpful arrangement is that the building is remaining open for an additional two hours , up to eight o'clock each evening .sx A visit to GORRINGE'S , of Buckingham Palace-road , will afford a wide selection of garments of good quality , cut , and finish .sx Shopping here should be a real pleasure , in view of the excellent value to be obtained and of the fact that all sizes are priced at the same figure .sx All turnings are very generous , so that the garments can be adjusted as the youngster grows .sx Whatever her " handicap , " every woman who plays golf must have smart , practical clothes .sx To know that one is well-turned out , and then to be able to forget clothes , gives that degree of confidence which helps the championship player to be at the top of her form , and the novice to rise to the first ranks .sx HARVEY NICHOLS , of Knightsbridge , are showing at most reasonable figures all-wool three-piece knitted suits which cannot fail to please .sx Freedom of Movement .sx Workmanlike and trim , these suits maintain the fashionable slim silhouette while giving that perfect freedom essential to good play .sx This is achieved by the clever introduction of either godets or side pleats in the skirts .sx The suits are available in delightful colour combinations - black allied with either white , grey , pink , or " dawn , " brown with honey or beige , and red with " dawn .sx " They are in a good range of sizes , including out-size .sx Advance fashion displays showing the return to old-world femininity and period modes make it evident that jewellery will take an increasingly important place in the dress of the woman of fashion this season .sx An inspection of MAPPIN AND WEBB'S choice collection of pieces should make the selection comparatively easy .sx If the purchaser , however , is lacking in an expert knowledge of precious stones , complete confidence may be placed in the judgment of so reputable an establishment with regard to both design and value .sx The autumn hostess will require her dining table to be in keeping with the period gowns that are now again the vogue .sx Mappin and Webb's comprehensive array of Prince's Plate - a really lasting substitute for sterling silver - should enable a choice to be made without difficulty .sx Clothes for the Young .sx The Juvenile Department of MARSHALL AND SNELGROVE'S should make a strong appeal to the discriminating mother and her daughter in the 'teens .sx Here they will find a choice assortment of well-made garments which , while conforming to the ruling order of economy , are the very acme of good taste .sx Fine quality velour coats , lined and interlined throughout , well fitting and with adaptable fur collars , may be had in many pleasing shades , and in a good range of sizes , for five to five-and-a-half guineas .sx For the young lady of 16 to 18 there are delightful ensembles in which the velour coat is lined throughout and finished with a large collar of dyed squirrel .sx The frock is daintily trimmed with lingerie at the neck , and the complete suit is priced at 7gs .sx It is recognised that AUSTIN REED'S " New Tailoring " has long established itself as a great sartorial service to the busy man , but the coming week offers a unique opportunity of investigating , at the expense of the originators , this modern method of " choosing clothes instead of cloth .sx " For a further week one guinea will be taken off the price of all suits and overcoats , with corresponding reductions through the complete tailoring service .sx During this " Guinea Off " period the Regent-street and all tailoring branches will remain open until 7 p.m. .sx Lower prices have come into operation at WARING AND GILLOW'S , of Oxford-street , just at the time when thoughts are turning in this direction of refurnishing sitting-rooms for the winter .sx Both furnishings and furniture are being offered at reduced prices as a result of the lower prices of raw materials , the reorganisastion of factories , and reduction of overhead charges .sx This week the new designs in autumn fabrics will be displayed , so that women can see for themselves the latest colour effects in cretonnes , damasks , tapestries , brocades , and many another modern furnishing material .sx Men can make a saving of 2gs on each lounge suit tailored to measure which they order now at H. J. NICOLL'S of Regent-street .sx This offer only holds good while existing stocks of cloth last , and is prompted by the falling market prices .sx Those ordering a type of suit for which they have hitherto paid 7gs will find that it is tailored to measure for 5gs .sx CLASH OF OPERA SEASONS .sx SIR THOMAS BEECHAM OPTIMISTIC .sx " ALL TO THE GOOD " .sx Sir Thomas Beecham , who returned to London on Saturday from Rome , will be engaged for the next few weeks in perfecting his plans for the season of Russian opera and ballet which begins at the Lyceum on May 18 .sx In an interview with a representative of THE DAILY TELEGRAPH yesterday Sir Thomas expressed himself as confident that the season would be a great artistic as well as financial success , and hinted at the possibility of taking the company on a provincial tour at the conclusion of the London season .sx Several provincial cities , he said , were already keenly interested , and an offer from Liverpool was under consideration .sx The fact that the Russian opera and ballet will for part of the time run concurrently with the Covent Garden season does not disturb Sir Thomas at all .sx " It would not make the slightest difference , " he said , " if there were three operas all running at the same time ; in fact , it would be all to the good .sx Competing operas , by stimulating curiosity , would create a desire on the part of the public to hear them and to compare one with the other .sx " BRAND-NEW REPERTOIRE .sx Sir Thomas's interest in opera dates back many years .sx " Between 1909 and 1920 , when I produced opera constantly , I introduced in this country seventy-three new operas and ballets , " he said .sx " During the last ten years there have been introduced here only three new operas .sx " On a dozen different occasions I have declined to associate myself with any particular opera enterprise , as I wished to give other people a chance of doing what they could .sx But ten years have passed , and I now have reluctantly to face the fact that nobody else is disposed to introduce new opera into this country .sx Therefore , I am associating myself with a company which has a brand-new repertoire .sx " The Lyceum , has been chosen for the Russian season because of its size and ample seating .sx Something over 3,000 people can be accommodated at each performance , and the prices will range from the " very high " to the " very moderate " paid by the ordinary theatre goer .sx Sir Thomas could not refrain from a sly dig at the regular patrons of the opera .sx " It is necessary to have some high-priced seats , " he said , " because there are still many people in this country who would not think the show as any good unless they paid a big price for it .sx And if they are willing to do so why should we not take their money ?sx " LEWES MUSIC FESTIVAL .sx FIVE DAYS' PROGRAMME .sx From a Special Representative .sx LEWES , Monday .sx To-morrow , under the aegis of the East Sussex Federation of Women's Institutes , the Lewes Musical Festival opens .sx This annual tournament of music is now in its eleventh year , a thing of steady growth , entirely rural in character and in scope .sx For five days there will be intensive music-making in the Town Hall and Corn Exchange of this old Sussex town .sx Tomorrow and Wednesday are to be given over to children's competitions , beginning at nine o'clock in the morning .sx Combined rehearsals take place in the early afternoon , and at 4.30 each day there will be concerts , at which Miss Jean Stirling Mackinlay will be soloist .sx On Thursday the women's choirs will be competing against each other with the same procedure of competitions , in the morning , combined rehearsal in the afternoon , and an evening concert - this time Miss Antonia Butler , the 'cellist , as soloist .sx On Friday choirs of mixed voices will be found competing , rehearsing en masse , and in the evening taking part with orchestra in Stanford's " Songs of the Fleet " - in which Mr. Keith Falkner will be the solo singer .sx Saturday will be the grand field day , when the mixed choirs ( advanced ) compete and rehearse , and in the evening give a combined performance , complete with orchestra , of " Acis and Galatea .sx " On this occasion the soloists will be Miss Dorothy Silk and Mr. Bruce Flegg , and the conductor Mr. Armstrong Gibbs .sx Last year over 2,000 singers took part in this country festival , and it is expected that this year some of the competitions will be unusually close .sx The adjudicators are Messrs .sx Mervyn Bruxner , Armstrong Gibbs , T.F. Dunhill , and Cyril Winn .sx LONDON DAY BY DAY .sx Only a strong sense of duty and a resolve not leave anything undone which might conceivably produce the working understanding with the Liberal leader , for which the Prime Minister has striven so indefatigably , can have induced him to motor down to Churt yesterday for a personal interview with Mr. Lloyd George and a last effort at persuasion .sx It took valuable time , and it added another strain .sx Had it succeeded the effort would have been more than repaid .sx But it failed .sx The Liberal leader has hardened a heart already hard set against an election - to him the chief stumbling-block .sx Nor has the news of Sir John Simon in full revolt and the prospect of certain disruption in the Liberal ranks made him more placable .sx