MOTORING

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19983, 18 July 1930, Page 7

MOTORING

| ROAD CONGRESS. IMPORTANT GATHERING. DISCUSSION OP LATEST DEVELOPMENTS. Judging by the subjects down for discussion a* the J3ixth International Road Congress, to be held at Washington, D.0., U.S.A., from October 6th to 11th, the gathering promises to he the most important of its kind yet held. As. announced in 'ihe Press two or tnree weeks ago, the Government has decided that New Zealand shall be represented at the Congress by Mr A. Tyndall, engjpeer to the Main High: ways Board, and the decision has been received with approval by motorists and all those interested in highway construction and reconstruction. So far no announcement has been made as to the appointment of a delegate from New Zealand to represent the urban loading authorities. It is considered that at such an important gathering those authorities should be specially represented. The Agenda Paper. From the Christchurch City Engineer, Mr A. R. Galbraith, who has received an invitation to attend the Congress, a representative of Thb Psßfla obtained some particulars regarding the matters oh the agenda paper or the Congress. Referring to the representation of the Dominion at the Congress, Mr Galbraith said: "Personally, I have no hesitation in saying that the Government is to be congratulated on its decision to send Mr Tyndall.'* The various aspects of road construction to bo dealt with, according to the agenda paper of the Congress, are as foIIOWS ',-yr The results obtained by the use of cement, by Mr Frank T. Sheets, Chief Highway Engineer for Illinois. Recent methods adopted for the use of tar, bitumen, and asphalt in road construction, by Dr. Boy "W. Crum, Director of the Highway Research Board, Washington. The construction of roads in new countries, such as colonies and undeveloped regions, by Mr E, W, James, Chief of the Division of Highway Ecp- , nomics, United States Bureau of Publie Roads. The corelation and co-ordination of highway transport with other methods lof transportation, by, Or. Henry R. Trumbower, Professor of Economics at the University of Wisconsin. I Traffic regulation—adaptation of roads to traffic in built-up areas, and parking and garaging of vehicles, by Dr. Miller McClintock, Director of the Albert Russel Erskine Bureau for Street Traffic Research, Harvard University. j Procedure at Congress. Under the Congress-rules the general reporters must present the question assigned to them in a paper of not more than one thousand words, such paper being prepared following receipt of a number of papers on the subject in question from delegates to the Congress, and is in the nature of a review of the latest methods jn vogue. A total Of 84 papers has been included in the agenda to be submitted, and half of these are in course of translation, into the |onr official languages of the Congress, i.e., German, French, English, and Spanish. On the completion of their translation they will be printed and distributed to delegates in the particular language desired. Exhibition of Plant. The American Hoad Builders' Asso« elation aje holding an exhibition of highway building equipment and mater rial to take place at the Washington Auditorium, when demonstrations of such will be given in the open. It is expected that the majority of American manufacturers of road building plant ail well as manufacturers in other parts of the world will take the opportunity to exhibit their products, so affording an opportunity to the delegates of seeing the latest typo of machinery used in the construction of all kinds of modern roads. A Memorial Boulevard. Opportunity also is to be afforded to the delegates for an inspection of the Mount Vernon Memorial Boulevard. Constructional work, on this project will be in progress whilst Congress is in session, and a day has been set aside for visiting this undertaking, and the delegates will be enabled to see the building of the most up-to-date type of highway in all stages of its construction. ...

There ijs no doubt that this will be the, most representative of all the International Congresses yet held, and it is an occasion in which highway engineers and others interested will be enabled to obtain roost valuable information and data in connexion with highway construction .at its latest' development. PNEUMATIC SPRINGS. AN INTERESTING PATENT. An intoreetinK patent taken out »n England recently Mate's to.what may be termed a pneumotio spring. I»o essence of the invention ia a special form of closed cylindrical chamber, which may contain either air or a fluid, and this is so constructed that when subjected to an end load it win lengthen out any substantial change I in tts diameter or cross-sectional area. Such « cylinder, therefore, «an bo used In many applications in place of a piston and cylinder, having the advantage that the fluid is totally enclosed, with no joints or sliding surface)} to provide an opportuwty tor leakage. The cylinder itself is built up from layers of cord and rubber, with ends constructed of rubber and cross-woven canvas so arranged as to prevent distention. The cord structure-of the cylindrical walls is of helical form, so that an end load alters the pitch or the helices, but leaves the diarnete substantially unchanged. Many applications of this device, arc sueirested in the patent specification; on-9 of particular interest to motorists bein<j nn arranwment for supplanting road springs. The end of nn axle is carried bv a pivoted beam, suitable rubber cylinders hemp secured by split to each end of tbp beam and to bolted to thp chassis frame, Onp of the cylinders takes the normal londine and being filled either with nir or fluid. whPst tho other is. provided to act ns a rebnnd damper..

Many motorists to-day take a keen interest in matters mechanical, and in consequence repeatedly discover that there are numerous small, yet unimportant details, which can be attended to by themselves without on all occasions seeking professional help. Naturally the more serious repair or adjustment Jobs should be left to thoao who specialise, but more often than not with the aid of useful ana practical hints and tips, the lessor running adjustments can be 'done quite readily in one's own garage.

BY "ROADSTER."

MOTOR-CYCLES. JUNE SALES. NEARLY ONE-FIFTH IN CHRISTCHURCH. The following are the figures for motor-cycle sales throughout New Zealand during the month of June this year:— B.S.A. .. ..59 Harley Davidson .. 48 A.J.S. .. ..47 Douglas •• ..30 Indian • • .. 38 Ariel •- .."88 Triumph .. .. 20 New Hudson .. .. 14 Matchless .. .. 13 Sun ■ • .. 13 Eudge •■ ..11 Excelsior .. •. •> Norton . • , .. S> Royal Enfiold .. .. 8 Vclocette .. .. 8 Francis Barnett .. 7 New Imperial .. .. t5 Rex Acme .. .... 4 P. and M. .. ..4 ! Hondorson .. .. 3 Hazelwood .. .. 3 «7;imes • • • • 3 A.K.D. .. -.2 O.K. Supreme .. 2 Zenith .. .. 2 Dunelt ... .. 9 Others . .. ..28 434 The figures for Christchurch during the samo period were as follows: Ariel .. .. 14 A.J.S. .. ..11 Harley-Davidson .. 8 Indian .. .. 7 B.S.A. •• •• 7 Triumph .. 7 New .Hudson .. fi Douglas .. .. 5 Matchless .. .. 4 Norton .. 2 Zenith .. 2 Haaolwood .. 2 Sunbeam .. 1 Velocette .. .. 1 O.K. Supremo .. j Francis Barnett .. l Levis .. 1 Henderson .. .. ] Royal Ruby .. .. 1 Coventry Eagle .. .. J Aco .. .. 1 Arno .. .. ] 85 SERVICE HINTS. CARE OF THE CAR. Never coast downgrade with the ignition turned off. Doing so will send raw potrol into the cylinders, where it washes off the film of oil between the piston head and cylinder walls—and this means damage to the engine. To -speed up the car intermittently in order to pass other ears on a crowded highway not only increases the danger of driving but causes increased petrol consumption and rapid tyro wear. More' accidents occur at street intersections than at other points, and for this reason drivers should exercise care when approaching a cross-street. Being certain that thenar is. in first, class condition, driving at a moderate rate of speed and being prepared for any emergency are the three important rules to consider for driving a car in safety. Some accidents can bo avoided by keeping the rear window clean. A dirty glass obstructs the rear view. A square of old oilcloth is very useful in the garage. When the need arises for crawling under the car it is both cleaner and more comfortable than tho floor to lie upon, and it can be used to preserve the bench when such jobs as decarbonising are being carried out; it will bo found quite satisfactory to work on, as, unlike paper, it does not catch in projecting parts and ruck up, whilst it can very easily be wiped with a petrol damped rag when the job is completed. Should a car figure in a mishap, even to a light bump, it should be taken to a competent service station for a check of alignment of wheels, axles, frames, etc. Serious damage may sometimes result even to a sturdily built car from an apparently light blow. It sometimes happens that one has to USO a split pin. which has been removed from a job when dismantling, in which case the pin legs will most likely have spread. Difficulty is found, in closing the legs, the mere gripping with the pliers being insufficient. If the pin be gripped by the legs and given a smart blow on the head with a hammer it will assume a straight condition. • The durability of an under-inflated tyre is far less than that of one properly inflated. Just- run several miles with one tyre in a softo? condition ,and the opposite one at the correct pressure, then test both tyros With your hands. The under-inflated one will be hot, which shows that it has been flexing excessively. Keep your left foot on the floorboard instead of resting it on the clutch pedal. Constant pressure, however light, makes tho clutch plates slip a little and wear out a lot. It's a bad habit and quite general. Water and oil arc two of tho worßt enemies of tyro fabric, and, for this reason, small stone cuts in the casing should be kept filled with some good tyro filler. Oil will ruin an inner tube in a week.. Never throw the extra Inner tubes in promiscuously with the spare tubes and oil can. Wrap them carefully in cloth, or, better still, get a couple of good strong cloth bags for them. . x . ... A tyre on a wheel that is one-half Inch out of line will be side-slipped 87 feet in evory mile. If the wheels do not run true, the dragging or sideslips scuff away the tread, having tho game effect as rubbing the tread with a ,file. This condition should bo cor rected without delay. _ A very useful holder for,twist drills Can be made from a round tin, not more than 2in deep. The lid of the tin should be drilled with a number of holes to suit the different sizes of drill. Each drill can, in fact, be used to make the holo in which it will afterwards stand. A piece of felt, at least iin- thick, is cut to cover tho bottom of the tin, and tho lid is then fitted; If it is loose it should be soldered In place. Engine oil Is then poured into tho tin to a depth of Jin to Jin, and the drills inserted, points downwards, through the holes. In this manner they are fully protected from rust, are easily found when wanted, and, furthermore, they are ready for instant use with ready lubricated points.

FINE OF £750. GUILTY OF HOMICIDE. A young Edinburgh motorist was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment, with a fine of £750, or a further three months' imprisonment, in the High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh in May last. 110 was found guilty of culpable homicide, but not; proven to be under tho influence of intoxicating drink. The Lord Justice-Clerk, in summing up, stated that the jury must come to their verdict irrespective of the accused's social position. "Dukes and dustmen," he said, "stand in precisely the same position in a Court of law." FLOWERS IN THE CAR.

MAY DRUG THE AIR. Although flower? are an asset to the car, caro must be taken that those blossoms which give off strong perfumes, and so are apt to drug the air, are not permitted in the closed modols. Many headaches and attacks of dizziness have been traced to this practice, and word reaches us of a still more serious happening, when a motor-car ran off the road, and police who went to investigate found the two women occupants in a state of collapse. They recovered after a little while in the open air, and then it was discovered that in the closed car was a bunch of spurge laurel, the yellow flowers of which give out a perfume narcotic in its effects. Some scents induce headaches in different people, but not many will stupefy as in this case.

The well-known trumpet-lily has been known to affect people in practically the Bame way, and so strong is the aroma of these flowers that they should never be used for decorative purposes indoors nor carried in a closed car.

Why drive about with wet brakes when it is so simple to dry them J All you have to do is set the hand throttle for a car speed of approximately 25 miles an hour and then work the brake pedal light, touch and go, for a minute or two.

THE CLOSED CAR. VENTILATION PROBLEMS. VARIOUS DEVICES. Saloon ventilation is a problem by no means solved, although distinct protress is being made. Stuffiness or raughts arr still too often the only alternative.;. ;;nd it is clear that the provision of sliding or winding windows, with or without a roof ventilator, is not sufficient. The use of a sloping plat or louvre at the top of the window is now be* coming common in British carß, says the "Glasgow Herald," and there is po doubt that this enables windows to be left partially open without draught. There is promise, too, in some of the ventilating devices above the windscreen, while scientifically designed roof ventilators having an ejector effect are also more common. There are also scuttle ventilators either fitted at the sides or at the top, but little seems to have been done in studying the effects of all these various ventilator devices in conjunction with each other. It is interesting to find that in connexion with the opening roof there is often complete freedom from droughts as long as the windows are all closed, and experience shows that the usual sliding roof can be kept open even on

a cold day and the interior remain pleasantly warm. This is by no means always the case, however/ so that ventilation and draught problems evdn arise with an open roof. There is, again, the matter of signalling by the driver. Many drivers-like the window on their side open or partly open. They do not fool any draught, perhaps, but the rear sengers certainly do. Yet this window must be used if no mechanical signal-

ling devioe is employed, and the nuisance thus caused to the occupants would suggest that mechanical signalling 1b bound to come into general use with closed cars in due course. Meanwhile, of course, there is no agreement as to the exact form such devices should take, and, clearly, uniformity is desirable.

On many engines ftttri witti a f»" the blades ate painted the •*»»<> colour as the cylinder block and radiator honeycomb. Thus, when *-h c engine is running th« fan is practically invisible, and -when making adjustment! there is the risk that one'* tinkers may come into contact. witn the revolving blades—with p«»ni»l results; It is a good plan, therefore, to paint the blades a bright colour, such as red, which will .enable them to be seen clearly at all 'times,.