NEW CAR SALES.

INDIVIDUAL TOTALS. An analysis of the 8883 new cars sold in New Zealand during the first nine months tif 1927 reveals that most of the popular makes have suffered decreased sales as compared with tho corresponding three quarters of 1926. Only three or four American makes recorded increases on their totals for last year, and six British cars managed to improve their position in tho list. It is expected that the concluding quarter of tho year will bring somewhat better business. Many cars are cheaper than they were at this time last year, and, since most factories are concentrating on improved tried designs rather than evolving something radical, there is less reason for procrastination. A few years ago the potential motorist became restless toward tho end of the year in the expectation of seeing something revolutionary early in tho new year. Often ho was gratified. Tho announcements of certain American manufacturers and tho 1928 programmes of British factories as disclosed at the jjUlympia Show last month suggest that tho "yearly model policy" is losing its followers. When manufacturers adopt the plan of introducing a refinement as soon as it is proved,, less fluctuation in car 6a!es may be expected. Following, are details of the sales in New Zealand during the nine months, January-September:—

Ford IGSI Erskine .... 62 Chevrolet . . . . HOC Rover .... 55 Essex 898 Paige .... 47 Dodge -. . . 486 Armstrong-Sidd-Chrysler .. .. 471 ley .... 40 Movris .. . • 449 Citroen .. •. 37 Austin .. . . 387 Ilumber .. .. 33 Buick . . . . 879 Cadillac .< .. 27 Overland - Whip- Packard .. ». 22 pet . . . . 359 Chandler .... 19 Rugby .. .. 297 Sunbeam .... " Studebaker . . 252 Betm .• .. 17 Hudson .. . . 206 Talbot »%. , . 13 Fiat . . .. 182 Hillninn k . ■.. 10 Oldsniobilo . . 165 Reo .... 9 Nash . . . . 157 Vauxhall .... 9 Willys-Knight . 1'52 Velio .. .. ft Hupmoinle .. 108 Flint .... 8 Oakland .. . . 105 Wr.lseley ~ .. 8 Pontiao .... 93 Swift . i .. 8 Ciyno *. .... 78 Ansaldo .... 0 Singer " . . 77 Star .. 5 Standard . 67 Arrol-Johnson . 1 C'rossley * .. ■ 63 Other Makes 257 Total, nine niorftha .. ..8888 ; A.A.A. ACTIVITIES. The Auckland Automobile Association proposes to celebrate the completion of tha Great South Road by holding a gymkhana on December 3. * Tho Hamilton agency of the A.A.A. will be open over the Christmas holidays. Mr. Champtaloup* will bo in attendance to deal with. tourists' enquiries. Tho service officer has chosen Hamilton as his station on account of its proximity to highways which are likely to give trouble in wet weather. In the event of rain, Mr. Champtaloup will be able to make a rush visit to cither the Kaimai Hills or the Mamuku Bush. Arrangements have been made for reports regarding tho road at Silvcrdale to be available at the Auckland bureau.

iTlia : association has„_.asked the Main Highways Board to place the highway to Helensville under the jurisdiction of tiie No. I District Council. At present the maintenance of this road is supervised bv the Whangarej office of the Public" Works Department. The A.A.A. points out that parts of Lincoln Road are very bad, and it suggests that faster work would ho assured if tho highway was controlled from Auckland.

The service officer will complete the 3928 sectional map of the North Island next week, and tho complete set will be available to members on December I.

POPULAR BEACHES. Tho week-end rush to the beaches has commenced. Beachlands, Maraetai, and Buckland's Beach attracted scores of motorists last Sunday.' The roads have been put in creditable order for the summer.

The surface to Buckland's Beach has hecti dressed with sand for the greater part of the distance from the junction with the Howick road. The use of sand might well be extended in places where supplies are available. Experience with sand on some of the secondary roads in the Franklin County has proved that a very good all-weather road can be provided at a fraction of the cost of metalling. The sand on the Buckland's Beach road will require periodic attention if it is Jo save the metal frtfcß.tho effects of hesvv traffic Too often is a road expected to maintain itself.

AUCKLAND OVERLOOKED. The North Island Motor Union rather ignored tho Auckland Automobile Association in representations which it made concerning the petrol tax. Although the A.A.A. is always ready to send a delegate to the Union, the petrol question was debated in Wellington without official reference to the A.A.A. The A.A.A. pays a levy of £65 a year for membership of the Union, and it must be acknowledged that it is the most progressive association in the affiliation. The council of the A.A.A. is far from pleased with tho Union's recent action. *

A BUSY HIGHWAY. Tallies taken by the Franklin: County Council on the Great South Iloa-i 'show a striking increase in traffic during the-last few years. Part of tho increaso is due to the service cars which run to the Waikato and through the Hauraki Plains. In March 1924 tallies- were taken on the highway for six days over a period of 12 hours a day. It was found that an average of 139 cars a day passed over tho. road. During last month tallies 'were taken for 11 days and they disclosed an average of 727 vehicles per day. On an exceptionally busy day 1700 motor vehicles including 1400 cars were counted.