HINTS FOR NEW ZEALAND MOTORISTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 246, 18 October 1927, Page 16

HINTS FOR NEW ZEALAND MOTORISTS.

EXPERIENCES 0* MR. BUTCHER. Mr. H. Butcher, of Epsom, who recently returned from an extended tour of Great Britain and all Continental countries, has frequently been asked for advice by friends contemplating a similar trip. In the hope that they may be useful to our readers, Mr. Butcher has kindly sent answers to the most usual questions. Question: I am shortly taking a trip abroad. Is it advisable to buy a car in I England or travel by charabanc, or go with a big party?

By all means purchase a car. If not wishing to invest too much capital, a good reconditioned car can be purchased from £75 to £100, or for a little more a better grade can be obtained, and as 90 per cent of the cars sold in England have a good luggage carrier on the back, four people can tour in comfort in a car of this description. The first and most important thing to do is, to join the A.A. in London, our own A.A.A. being affiliated you can enrol at a reduced rate. Obtain a card of introduction | from the A.A.A. before you leave Auckj land. The A.A. engineer in London gives free advice as to purchasing a car. Do not travel by charabanc. It is I cheaper and better to drive your own car and go where you wish. Charabancs mostly keep to the main highways, and the beauty of England and Scotland is off the main roads. The secondary and other roads make more pleasant touring. Do not travel with a large party. Different people have different views. Some wish to go one way, and some another, and it generally ends with the party breaking up, with the usual misgivings. Question: Which are the best routes to take in England or on the Continent? The A.A. supply any itinerary you wish to ask for, and will direct you over the most interesting routes. I was supplied with itineraries extending over about 3000 miles in England and Scotland, and about 10,000 miles on the Continent and several maps, all free. Question: Can you recommend any hotels ? The A.A. Handbook contains, besides a lot of other information, the names of hotels recommended in all towns and cities, complete with all the tariffs. Leaflets are eupplied with a list of recommended hotels on the Continent, but I would recommend the Michelin Guide for Belgium, France and Switzerland. Although this is printed in French, the names of the hotels, the number of rooms they contain and the tariff is easily understood. These books have the population and elevation of all towns, a number of maps, and lots of other useful information, and cost about 2/6 each. One for Italy and one for Germany were being prepared and no doubt are on the market by now. The A.A. have agents all over Europe where these books can be obtained. When you arrive at any hotel, whethei in England or on the Continent, always insist on seeing youf room before you take your baggage off the car, and if il does not suit go to the next. There are always plenty. Question: Is there any difficulty ii touring foreign countries? It is just as easy to tour the whoh of Europe (excepting Turkey) as it is to take a trip from Auckland t< Dunedin. The AA, supplies all docu ments that are necessary. Question: Is it necessary to know anj foreign language? There is no need to have any know ledge of either French, Italian or Germai as English is spoken in every hotel nearly every garage, and a large num ber of the larger shops. Question: Is it very expensive t< travel by car in Europe ? It costs less to transport your ca: across the English Channel than what i costs to take it from Wellington t< Christchurch or Picton. It costs less t< tour the Continent than it does to ton; England, using about the same grad< of hotel. This is due to the depreciate< foreign currency and general lower cos of living. Question: Does tt pay to*bring a ca back to New Zealand? Most certainly "yea-" On* point ttia is not generally known is that a residen o>f New Zealand is entitled to bring bad duty free goods to the value of £100 fo each member of the family if they hav been for personal use and been in th owner's possession for a reasonable tint* and according to New Zealand la\ m meter cars erf included in this epecii "lOOJPfseskffl* 1 bj-U w-j, LM. A **- aa»