NOTES.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18673, 23 April 1926, Page 4

NOTES.

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

The Nelson Automobile Association has written to the secretary or the .South Isluutl Motor Union (Mr P. R. llarman) complaining of what they call the crude loading facilities provided at Christchureh, Springfield, Arthur's Pass, and Otira for the handling or' cars. Homo time ago the Department went to the expense of converting trucks so that cars could be loaded at Springfield and Otira from loading banks, but complaints have been made that the trucks arc unsatisfactory, in that they open at the sides to admit a car being loaded on them, whereas in the opinion, of many motorists they should open at the ends, by which moans, it is stated, cars could then bo run straight on to them. The conference between the South and North Island Motor Unions, which was to have taken place next week, has been postponed until May titli. Is there amongst our members of Parliament ono who is casting about for some way of serving his fcllow-erca* tares or "making ft name for himself 1 ? If so, an opportunity presents itself. The Duncdin City Corporation (says the "Star") has wisely ordained a workable rule of the road for vehicles. By-law No. 17, Clause 12, which came into force in November of !ast year, provides that it shall be the duty of any person driving a vehicle of any description across the intersection of any street to give the right of way to another vehicle crossing such intersection if such vehicle is approaching from the right. As a municipal by-law this will work well when it is genorally known. It will prevent collisions, lessen profane speech, and save Jifc. Why not extend and make general throughout tho Dominion this desirable regulation by making it the law of the land? That is the suggestion offered, and we gladly pass it on. Will some member of Parliament father tho proposition from his seat in the Legislature, and hammer away at it, as Samuel PHmsoll hammered at. his agitation on behalf of sailors, until the reform is accomplished'?

The question of compulsory insurance for motorists was discussed by the Council of the Auckland Automobile Association last week. It was stated that the Hamilton branch had raisod tho point that in tho event of a collision an innocent party had no redress against a negligent driver in an impecunious position, It was also mentioned that the owner of an old car was inclined to take risks which would not appeal to a motorist, driving a new vehicle. It was resolved to refer tho question to a conference to be held between the North and South Island Motor Unions. A complaint regarding facilities for shipping motor-cars was received from a member.' Sevoral|members expressed the opinion that the crude method of hoisting cars with ropes attached to the'axles was anr/) 'to'>eav.se injury to the vehicles. It was pointod out that large trays were used at Wellington, and that this was an ideal method of handling cars. Elsewhere in the Dominion cars were roped, and although no carelessness was evident, damage resulted. The matter was referred to the North Island Motor Union. .It was resolved to deal with the question of motor-bus. speeds at a conference to be held with the Motor-bus Drivers' Association.

Plana for the erection-of-a six-story building adjacent to its present manufacturing building in Toledo, and which will duplicate that structure, are announced by B. A. Stranahan, president of tho Champion Spark Plug Co. The company Is the largost of its kind in the world, supplying more than twothirds of all spark plugs used.

A young man had the misfortune to bo run over by a motor-car. It was not until the wheel had passed over the man's leg, and gone ft few yards farther that the driver shouted: "Look out!" The unfortunate man struggled to a sitting posture and replied, with bitter sarcasm: "You're not coming back, are you?" *

"Petroleum on the Land" is the title of a booklet issued by the Vacuum Oil Company, Pty., Ltd. So popular lias this little publication been amongst the farming section of tho community, that three Targe editions have been insufficient to copo with the demand for it. The fourth edition is now out. SELWYN BRIDGE. UNFORESEEN DELAY. An unforeseen delay has resulted in respect of the bridge which is. to be erected over the Selwyn, on the main South road, the trouble being the unsatisfactory Tesults of the pile-driving tests carried Out on the site by the Public Works Department.

A number of tenders was received by j the Department for the erection of the structure, but because of the difficulty stated, none of thorn has been accepted. In its tests the Department's officials attempted to drive four rein* forced piles to a depth of 15 feet below the lowest part of the river bed, to avoid the possibility of BCOUring, but it was impossible to get further down thnn 10 feet below the bed, this being due to the shingle being so tightly packed. ' It is the intention of the Department, as an experiment, to excavate in the bed to a depth of the water level, before attempting to sink another pile, and should this plan prove to be a failure, use will be made of a water jot by means of which water will be pumped through the pile, with a view of loosening the shingle, and thus enabling the pile to become firmly embedded.

If it should become necessary to resort to this method of driving piles, the bridge will have to be re-designed, so as to provide for longer spans and modified piers. The alterations will naturally mean an addition to the cost of the proposed bridge, which is a pity, as it was only after considerable negotiations had been carried out that the No. 14 Highways group agreed to contribute £3760 between them, towards the amount likely to be involved, the Highways Board being prepared to provide the other 76 pet cent, of that sum. If, as now appears to be the case, more than the original estimate of £13,000 will be required to erect the bridge, both the contributing bodieß in the group and the Board will have to find the money. Meanwhile motorists will have to put up with the present unsatisfactory way Pi grossing t h S S^lSx