ORGANISED MOTORING GAINS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 96, 24 April 1928, Page 18

ORGANISED MOTORING GAINS.

An increase of 20 per cent in 1927 in the number of new motor clubs affiliated under the American Automobile Association's emblem may be taken as an indication of the motor-minded public toiurd organisation. During the last year there was a total of 199 new clubs admitted to membership, compared with 165 in 1926.

It will be found that the headlights on most cars are out of focus, and also out of adjustment. 'With the average car it is not difficult to correct these faults and make the lights comply with the regulations. j Tail Light. j Every motor vehicle must be equip-1 pad with a tail light wfaich must be attached at the rear of the car and at or near the right-haqd side. Many cars have the tail lights in the centre, and some on the left side. Under the regulations it is necessary for all to be altered to the right side, and as the rear number-plate requires to be illuminated it will be necessary that this should be moved with the tail light. Spotlights. The regulation concerning spotlights prohibits the use of spotlights of which the main beams of light are capable of being raised which at a distance of 75 feet from the lamp are more than 3ft 6in above the horizontal surface at any point in a line directly ahead of the vehicle or within an arc of 45 degrees on either side of such line.

Very few spotlights at present in use comply with the regulation. When it is necessary to make some addition or alienation to a car to make it comply with the regulations the owner is given until June 1, 1928, to have such alterations made. Left-hand Drive.

The use of a motor vehicle with steering wheel on left side is forbidden by tlie regulations, unless such vehicle was registered before March 31, 1928. Exemption is provided for persons not domiciled in New Zealand bringing lefthand drive cars for use during their stay in this country. In such cases special permission to use such cars may be obtained from the Under-Secretary of Public Works. It will be seen from the above that quite a number of miner alterations will be required to bring many motor vehicles into compliance with the regulations, and it should be the object of every garage proprietor to notify his clients what is required in respect to their cars. Motorists will appreciate this service, and will gladly pay any reasonable charge which is necessary. A elose study of the regulations by motorists and motor traders will be to their advantage.