LIGHT CAR RECORDS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14985, 4 June 1914, Page 3

LIGHT CAR RECORDS.

MOTOR WAGGONS AND MOTOR BUSES. . (snxnAt, TO "th.. press.") INVERCAItGILL, June 3. Mr J. B. Clarkson, of Christchurch, ou his way back from Melbourno. gave a ''Southland Times" reporter an account of the record which he had established in a light car from Sydtiey to Adelaide and hack to Melbourne (1800 miles), running at tho average speed of twenty-three miies an hour on a gallon of petrol, or forty-three miles at an averago cost of one penny per milo. Tne run occupied eigmceu days, of which nine days woro actually dovoted to travelling. On one occasion the little car did two hundred and seventy-ono miles in one day, and on tho last day, whon running into Sydney on tho return, it did one hundred and threo miles in three hours. On another occasion several mik-s of alkali plains covered six inches of water had to be crossed, and Mr Clarkson thinks that no heavy car could havo done it. The performance had aroused considerable interest iv the Australian motoring world, and opened the eyes of Australians to the possibilities oi light cars. Regarding tho motor in general traffic, Mr Clarkson said there is to be an enormous development in motor traction all over the world. The need in Australia, New Zealand, and tho United States is for roads, more than for railwnvs. Good roads are more essential .thau railways in forwarding closer settlement. As there is a great future for motor tracks as feeders for railways, in the more progresive countries good roads will be laid down instead of railway*. In tho United States great arterial roads aro being laid down, and the motor traction of farm products is extending enormously; in fact, tho system of conveying farm produce to the markets my means of j motor trucks is likely to have an effect upon the Railways Trust. All over the world the motor bug is taking the place of electric street tramways. People who object that the motor bus is always breaking down can only have had. experience of converted vehicles, and no knowledge of the latest pattern vehicles specially designed for the purpose. In London, Paris, and Berlin there is no talk of tramway extension, but in all tho great contros motor buses are being used as feeders to the tramways system. their immense advantage being the flexibility of tho service whirl, can be deviated in any direction required br special traffic.