NOTES.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17940, 7 December 1923, Page 4

NOTES.

"Roadster" invites articles and paragraphs of Interest to motorists for this page.

A number of enquiries as to tho stats of the South Island roads have been received, at the C.A.A. -offi co f rom motorists in tho North Island. There is every indication of a large number of northern visitors, including many motorists, coming south for tho holidays.

The Kaikoura-Blenheim trip promises to bo popular during tho coming holiday soason. A number of motorists, both local and visiting, have been seoking information regarding the roads and tho accommodation.

It is probable that the Dyer's Pass road to Governor's Bay will bo open for traffic at Christmas. There is now only a small piece of the hillside to be cut, tho remainder of the work being confined to providing a gosd surface.

Entries close to-day for the Pioneer Sports Club's motor-cycle beach races to be held to-morrow week.

The Department o£ Internal Affairs has advised the secretary of the South Island Motor Union that it is the intention of the Government to introduce a law making it compulsory for motorists to curry a red reur lamp, which will also illuminate the number-plate. In most cities and boroughs this is covered by by-law, but lie inclusion of the regulation in the legislation mil make it Dominion wid.-; in its application. Recently the South Island Motor Union asked' tho Customs Department what was tho practice in Australia in regard to the import duty on cars taken into the Commonwealth by tourists for a short period only. Tlie Customs Department has forwarded a- copy of a letter received from Melbourne, which states that tourists who do not remain in the country longer *J:an six monthe receive «a refund of the deposit paid to the Customs fiepartment in lieu of import duty. A motorist who wishes to export his car from a port other than the port of importation, may obtain a refund at that port, providing he gives reasonable notice to the Customs, agent at tho port at which ha landed the car. As this provision for tiie convenience of visiting motorists has also been adopted in New Zealand, as a result of the representations nfade Dy the Union, tourists in either country will derive considerable benefit. It is still necessary, however, so far as New Zealand is concerned, to urge upon the Department that the refund be paid with the minimum airtoant of delay, for the time of a tourist is usually limited; and he cannot afford to be held up at the port of departure, because the necessary authority for the repayment of his deposit has not come to hand.

Frequently the petrol feed pipes of a car become clogged with sediment. To save the trouble of taking, down the piping and dismantling thfe joints sopie enterprising garages disconnect the pipe at the carburettor end and then pump air into the rear tank, which is of course plugged. The sediment is forced out at the carburettor end by the compressed air.

IF there is a leak round one of the spark plugs, examine it to see if' there is a copper gasket between it and* the cylinder. If not it is usually a remedy to fit one v and if there is one present) and the plug nevertheless leaks, the gasket should be renewed. When replacing the plug it is a. good plan to smear its thread with a mixture of oil and graphite, as this tends to make the plug gas tight, hnd at the same time renders jts subsequent reiiioval easy.

The Royal Automobile Club of Australia has issued its new year hook, a splendidly compiled a?id useful publication. The balance-sheet is rather illuminating, showing that the motor movement has grown on the other side of the Tasman to an extent not easily understood in this country. For instance, the receipts from the clubrooms total, in round figures, £4OOO, including the bar revenue, while the excess of assets totals £.15,703. The Year Book contains numerous maps, Ih'-s of sports clubs, and various other items of value to motorists, all properly classified in their respective sections.

The latest booklet issued by the Vacuum Oil Company is a valuable publication from the point of of tho private owner who is not equipped with a comprehensive mechanical knowledge. The. object of tho booklet ia to instruct the owner in the mattor of correct lubrication, and to this end a "chart of recommendations" i 3 included in the pages, with a full explanation" regarding the application of tlie recommendations to particular cases.

In these days of high petrol prices any hints which the ainteur can put into practice to economist the fuel consumption of his ear are welcome. Remember that it is acceleration which is the great eater-up of petrol. If instead of opening the throttle fiercely when you wish to gain speed after slowing down you gradually increase the pace of. the car by opening the tlirottlo a little at a time a considerable saving of fuel will be effected. In actual practice this method will not have any significant influence on your average speed. ■ —

If you have placed undue faith in the man Jit the garage at which you got your tank filled you may find that it is mimia its cap, which has worked loose as you bumpod your way over the road, "it is necessary in auch eases to make some temporary a3 quicklj/ as possible, for it is neither safe nor businesslike to have your petrol splashing about all over the road. A good temporary cap may be made from an old syrup tin lid andai piece of lead. Bore a hole in the lid and pass through it a piece of wire to the end of which is attached a lump of ?ead or other heavy metal. The weight of course should' notftouch upon the bottom of the tank. /The lid is held in place by* the weight and forms an effective guard against splashing pftrol. Our Waima-te correspondent writes Motor haulage 5b a severe competitor to the railways in this district. Especially is this the case at the present rime in regard to wool cartage. Far some time motor lorrie3 have been daily engaged in the transport of wool from this district to tli© stores at Timaru, anil owing to the dry weather conditions, the roads aro showing severo signs of wear as a result of this traffic.