MOTORING

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20961, 15 September 1933, Page 15

MOTORING

"Bwdster" invites articles and Tparagraphs of interest to motorists for this page. NOTES The Canterbury Automobile Association will take about 300 men from U.M.A.S. Canberra for a drive to Ashley Gorge on Sunday. Many cars will be needed, and any members of the association willing to assist are asked to communicate with the secretary, Mr J. S. Hawkes. The Mayor of New York city, Mr John P. O'Brien, has for the moment made himself highly unpopular with many of the city's residents and others living outside the city radius. The board of aldermen has approved of a new tax on motor-ears to equal, that already paid to the state, while owners of out-of-town cars must pay Is each time they enter the city by one of its great bridges across the Hudson and East rivers. It is further suggested that a tax of 2Ad shall be paid on each taxi-cab fare.

The number of new motor vehicles registered for the first time in England in April was 27,400, as compared with 25,114 in the same month of last year. New private cars registered for the first time in April numbered 17,420, against 14,30(1 in April, 1932, an increase of 3114. The greatest increase was again in the 10 h.p. class, there being 3872 more of these vehicles registered this April than last.

Prize money amounting to £2OOO i 3 ottered in the "International Competition for Show Removal Equipment," organised by the Italian Automobile Club for next January.

No fewer than 50,213 vehicles were handled by the Royal Automobile Club on the car parks during the Addershot tattoo. The entire parking area was cleared nightly in slightly more than an hour.

For the second year in succession a one-minute silence preceded the start Of the Le Mans 24-hour race. Last year it was in memory of Andre Boillot, and this year in the memory of Guy Bouriat, who met his death in the Grand Prix of Picardie.

That the tyres of Sir Malcolm Campbell's Blue Bird increased in diameter to the extent of an inch at 270 miles an hour was one of the many interesting points made by Mr H. L. Kenward, sales director of the Dunlop Rubber Company, in an address to an English Rotary Club. The growth is caused by centrifugal force, and Mr Kenward said that the speed of the tyres reached 2500 revolutions a minute in the record runs.

A publican in northern Hampshire, England, has made a rule not to serve alcohol to any person driving a car. It is a small hotel in a country district. A car stopped there recently and the driver and his companions went in for drinks. The publican stated his rule, so the driver had to be content with lemonade while his friends drank whisky and soda.

Although broken valves are extremely rare, it is not uncommon to find a distorted exhaust valve. If the distortion is in the stem the valve will not work freely in its guide, or if the head is out of shape it will not close properly; in either case a new valve should be fitted.

The Motor-Cycle Chamber of Commerce, a new organisation in America, has established its headquarters at a palatial hotel in New York.

The subject of a standardised motor horn was raised in the House of Commons recently, when the Home Secretary stated that enquiries were made of the National Physical Laboratory, and the conclusion reached that further expenditure on experiments in the production of a standard type of horn was not likely to prove of value.

Tar concrete, the development of which, it is stated, will help British coal and stone industries, was one of the points of discussion during a three days' conference affecting international tar and benzole interests concluded in Lucerne recently. PEDESTRIANS TO FACE TRAFFIC LAW IN STATE OF NEW YORK The law has made it obligatory for pedestrians on the highways of the state of New York to walk on the side of the road facing on-coming traffic. This changes the old order and difficulty is consequently anticipated in bringing persons to conform with it. Motorists are particularly advised to keep watch for those on the wrong side, but it is hoped that pedestrians will in time become familiar with the idea and establish a practice of walking where it is desired they should. The big obstacle, of course, is at corners. A car keeping to the limits of its own side of a highway and cornering at speed is a real menace to anyone walking towards it on the same side of the . oad, particularly where the corner is sharp, and still more where there is a cutting or bank. A definite law of this kind, however, may have the ultimate effect of the introduction of some kind of footwalk in the construction of all much-used open roads, as it is doubtful if it will prove practical to attempt to force persons to adopt in all circumstances a course so fraught with danger. The law, however has fho support of the motor organisations. j THE COURTESIES OF THE ROAD A greater extension of the courtesies of the road was advocated by Dr. S. A. Gibbs, president, at a meeting of the committee of the Nelson Automobile Association held this week. As an instance, he remarked that without a signal being given it was pretty difficult to know whether the motorist in front had heard the horn sounded when it was intended to pass him. Another member said it was rather disconcerting to find a motorist alongside one without any warning being given. "He is afraid if he lets you know he is coming you will speed up and he will get your dust," laughingly remarked another member. The president remarked that there was a universal custom in Great Britain regarding the courtesies of the road, and it added to the comfort of motorists enormously- » was agreed that the delegates to the annual meeting of the S T.M.U. this month bring up the matter with a view of adopting some urn- ( versal method.

Petrol, with which is blended an imner-cvlinder lubriccint, is, it i*i rft* norted now being distributed by certain American fuel companies.

BY « ROADSTER."

Great Britain still both can and will. Through every change and chance, By fiscal force control the course Of credit and finance. Grein Britain loads the traud of Trade. Til standards high and pure— For .-.olds, in Trade, of highest i!i'.ide Is Wood's' Great J'epparmint Cws.

REAR LAMPS FOR! BICYCLES ' Reflector System ' Condemned ; i j OPINION OF MOTORING ! JOURNAL | ' i i I hat eye I is's should be compelled lo carry rear lamps is a point constantly raised by motorists, says an editorial in the "Autocar.'' The "Autocar" has before emphasised the laxjty with which the present law, that an efficient reflector shall be fitted, is regarded—even policemen using bicycles with either no reflector or one that is bespattered with mud or set at the wrong angle, and consequently useless. Recently Mr Doran asked the Minister fox* Transport if he would consider introducing legislation to make a rear lamp compulsory. The replv was illuminating. It was that the question would need to be reviewed when an analysis was made of the statistics with regard to fatal accidents which the police were at present supplying, but that no undertaking of the introduction of legislation on the subject could be given. One must hope that, if a reasonable number of accidents is proved to be due to the failure of the reflector system, there will be no delay in raising i this point and in enforcing the carrying of a rear light, and that no minor consideration will be allowed to interfere with legislation which would do much to improve the safety of the roads. Motorists themselves would much prefer that a rear lamp should be made compulsory, and there are many sensible cyclists who at present choose so to equip their machines. Incidentally, in so far as cyclists are overtaken more frequently than motorists, there is more need for lamps to be fitted to bicycles than to cars. In the meantime, it is well to draw b attention to the grave dangers caused, g both to themselves and to motorists, E by cyclists whose machines do not t,j comply even with the present reflec- r tor rule. Most reflectors are efficient, fj when new, up to the point of satis- " fying the law, .but some reflectors are c more costly than—it would be better a to say not so cheap as—others. The 0 difference in cost between the best and the not-so-good reflector is . negligible, and any cyclist who ob- 1£ jects to paying the little extra for the ai best is definitely exposing himself, and P' others, to added danger. The very cyclist who objects to safeguarding himself is often the one who clamours most insistently against powerful a lamps on cars. Cyclists ought to rea- ™ lise that if all cycles were adequately iVI lit at the rear a great step towards lessening the need for car head-lamp 31 brilliancy would be taken. st

PRICE OF PETROL IN AUSTRALIA TAX A BIG PERCENTAGE The petrol tax a gallon collected by the authorities in the Commonwealth of Australia is now beginning to assume a particularly high percentage of the price to the consumer. The tax, 71d a gallon, represents ap-1 proximately 44 per cent, of the retail price of second grade petrol (Is sd). In 1925 the retail price of petrol in several of the capital cities was 2s a gallon, and the tax Id or 4 per cent. In July, 1926, the tax was increased to 3d, and petrol rose to 2s 3d a gallon, the tax amounting to 11 per cent. In 1929 the duty was raised to 4d, and petrol sold at 2s Id a gallon, the impost thus amounting to 16 per cent. By November, 1930, the duty was increased to 7d, plus 4 per cent, primage, the two amounting to 7id a gallon. Petrol then sold at 2s 3d a gallon, and the duty increased to 27 per cent. To-day, with first grade petrol selling at Is 7d a gallon, of which 7'.d goes in tax, the Federal | authorities are actually collecting 39 per cent, of the money spent on petrol imported into the Commonwealth. On second grade petrol, which is retailed at Is sd. the tax represents 44 per cent. These percentage figures are baaed on prices that include the petrol tax, but, as a matter of fact, the actual position to-day is that motor vehicle owners are paying a 7Jd tax, or 65 per cent, on llsd worth of petrol. It is interesting to note that the price charged to the garage men in ■ capital cities by the major oil com- ■ panics on all second grades is Is 2Jd a i gallon, consequently the Federal Gov- | ernment's tax represents more than j 50 per cent, of this price. .

REVERSING A CAR A car behaves in a totally different manner when being reversed. There are two reasons for this. The first and most important is that when a car is travelling in a circle the rear wheels describe a smaller circle than the front. That is why if the front wheels are taken too close to the kerb in turning a corner in the normal way the rear wheels will actually run over the pavement. Everyone knows this, but a beginner does not always realise that the opposite is the case when the car is driven backwards: that is to say, the last part of the car to pass a given point (in this case the front wheels) will describe an arc of greater radius. The radiator actually swings bodily sideways when reversing. The second point which must be grasped is that it is by no means easy to steer a straight course backwards unless travelling comparatively slowly, for there is a tendency for the steering to "take charge" and to send the wheels over to the full lock. Once a driver has become thoroughly accustomed to these t.wo characteristics of travelling backwards he will never find himself completely at sea, although, haturally, he may not be able to place his car exactly where he wants it at the first attempt until he has had a little experience. The best way to set about learning to reverse is to find a quiet road and pick a straight stretch well away from any bends or side turnings. Here a driver can familiarise hir.-j.elf with the feeling of going astern, and he should at first try to steer a dead straight course, afterwards practising reversing into a gateway.

CARAVAN ON BUS CHASSIS A LUXURY VEHICLE MANY NOVEL FITTINGS A double-decked luxury caravan, to ; #sed for shooting and fishing and ;neral travelling, has been built in igland. It is the combined producDn of the Associated Equipment Co., tel., and Thomas Harrington, Ltd., e former company having built the lassis and the latter the body. There e several patents pending for vanis accessories. The chassis, specially itched, with the overhang shortened, Re S al type-', fitted with l A.E.C. 120 horse-power six-cylinder :trol engine. Long, heavy-type •rings, a fully floating rear axle, and g pneumatic tyres give smooth ridig qualities. The vehicle was specily designed to meet the requirements : the purchasers, Captain and Mrs acMullcn. The following items of equipment •e included:—Specially built-in inrument panel in the driving cab, here all fittings are chromium plated: ectric oil indicator; gravity feed

chassis lubrication; large type 2'l-volt dynamo and two sets of 220 amperehour batteries, interchangeable and interconnected, which will ensure brilliant lighting over long periods before recharging is necessary; a foot-oper-ated electric horn; a special Bosch horn, and another one, with a variable note, operated from the exhaust; dipping headlights and a fog lamp. Kitchen anil Lounge. The vehicle is divided by a main traverse, sound-proof partition, forming in the lower saloon a lounge forward, with a kitchen at the rear. The upper saloon provides a double-berth ; bedroom forward and a single-berth room at the back. All interior polished , woodwork in the lounge is black wal- ; .nut, quarter-panelled, this compartment being provided with a central ; built-in cocktail cabinet, a writing , bureau and cupboard, as well as two , collapsible tables and two large divan settees, one of which can' be folded to form a series of polished walnut shelves. The saloon is heated by corner radiators, the hot water circulation being obtained from the main engine radiator. Over the nearside wheel arch a toilet cabinet is constructed, having carved walnut veneered doors, while opposite is another, equipped with racks for six guns and lockers for ammunition. A central space in this cabinet also houses first-aid equipment, and a specially built radio set, for which a charging board is contained in the vehicle. From the middle offside a staircase, with moulded Sorbo c treads and polished black wa\nut t handrail and banisters, leads to the . main forward bedroom, which has two berths and drawers underneath, a < double wardrobe, dressing chest, dress- i ing table, and a walnut cabinet con- j jtainlng a porcelain wash-basin. Silk Linings. 1 Both the lounge and main bedroom E are lined with unfadeable, silver, openwoven silk, and the seams are covered 1 with polished walnut mouldings.' The a space over the driver's. compartment l is constructed as an open sun lounge, a surrounded by a chromium guard rail, and fitted with tip-up seats, access to c it being from the main bedroom. j The kitchen is entered from the r lounge by a door fitted with a service hatch. It is equipped with a cabinet, , gas stove, and sink. Water is pumped from the main water tank, mounted in the near side of the chassis, bj' a c semi-rotary pump into a gravity tank s in the upper rear compartment, :md t insulated to maintain a cool water e supply. All the water tanks are fitted c with baffles to minimise movement and t noise. A chromium plated ladder with o rubber covered rungs leads to the ri steward's sleeping compartment at the n rear, which is fitted with a single c berth and an emergency door. The r door has a rail, on which wet coats 0 can be dried, and the space below the lower floor boards is arranged for dry- jing gum boots and waders and for ac- c commodating fishing tackle. j.

SIZE OF VEHICLES One of the most controversial topics in automobile legislation is to be discussed by representatives of 12 states and the district of Columbia in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, next month, says the New Y->rk "Times." The meeting will cw -ider the practicability o£ reciprocal and uniform legislation, and regulation ol' size, weight, height, and length of motor-vehicles carrying passengers and freight. If an agreement can be reached, recommendations will be made to the Legislatures of the states represented for adoption of cuch legislation. The conference will be conducted by the American Legislators' Association, which has called the meeting at the request of the Pennsylvania Legislature,

CAR PRODUCTION ! TREBLED | FIGURES FOR TEN YEARS I'll OGRESS OF THE INDUSTRY IN ENGLAND i In the 10 years since 1922 the production of motor vehicles in Great Britain has grown from 73,000 to 232,000, or more than trebled. The industry is now supreme in the home market and contributes handsomely to the balance of trade, says the motoring correspondent of the "Morning Post," London. In 1924 imports and exports were practically equal at £9,500,000. Last year imports totalled £2,919,000 and exports £10,226,000, and the number of cars exported showed a 65 per cent, increase over 1931. The annual statistical volume of the "Motor Industry of Great Britain," published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, shows that private car production last year was 171,244, the highest on record. Commercial vehicles showed a fall owing to restrictive legislation arising out of the Road Traffic Act and the Salter Report. The industry now employs [morethan I,ooo,ooopersons. Last year 1,586,000 motor vehicles paid £69,973,000 in license duties, fuel tax, ?nd local rates on garage space, nearly one-tenth of the national income. Because of the basis of our motor taxation, the British private motorist uses a smaller car—an average of 13 h.p.—than any other national, and it costs him in taxation £3O 10s per annum, a sum only exceeded in Austria, Denmark, and Italy.

The British car has a life of seven and one-fifth years (against eight and three-quarter year? for the average goods vehicle), and prices have fallen steadily and continuously ever since 1924. They are now little more than half what they were then (59.6 per cent.), without allowing for the much more complete equipment now included.

DIESEL-ELECTRIC ' TRAIN ADVANTAGES OVER STEAM The remarkable progress made recently overseas In Diesel-electric locomotives and rail-cars, and the advantages of this type of rail traction over steam locomotives, were revealed by prominent authorities at the World Power Conference, held in Scandinavia in July. The results achieved since 1027 with Diesel-electric locomotives and rail-cars on the Danish State railways have caused the authorities to abandon the construction of steam locomotives in Denmark, states an article in the "Oil Engine." The progress made by the Danish State railways through experience is indicated by the fact that for the first Diesel-engined locomotives built a maximum load of 80 tons was allowed, at the speed of a common passenger train, but for the latest type, delivered last year, the maximum load stipulated at the same speed was 350 tons. The tractive power of the Dieselelectric coaches also has been in-. creased, while the actual speeds have been augmented. The maximum speed of the first locomotive was about 50 miles an hour. This was raised to 62 miles an hour for the 1932 type, while coaches to be supplied under a more recent contract will have a maximum of about 75 miles an hour." The cost of fuel for operating Diesel-engined locomotives is considerably less than half that for steam locomotives of similar power. Moreover, all Diesel-engined locomotives are served by one man, and an economy of 47 per cent, in wages is afforded, compared with the steam type, which have two men. The- daily costs of taking on fuel and cleaning vr'hir.w Y.; c ° m P ared with steam vehicles, which require washing out, a fuel supply, firing-up, and cleaning An economy of 75 per cent, is found m this respect. Tho general advantages of the Diesel-engined type outlined at the conference by Mr Ove Munck, chief mechanical engineer to the Danish Mate Railways, included immediate readiness for operation, the manner in winch they can start a train at full efficiency, and maintain this during the whole start with better acceleration than steam locomotives provide, tnc fact that they require no inspeclon before being placed in the shed after finishing service, and the maximum power which they can maintain on gradients. A test showed that the economy obtained with Diesel engines ranged from 18 to 42 per cent., compared with the steam type.

Have you anything to sell—Do you wish to buy ? If so a small advertisement in the classified section of "The Press" will be all you need. 12 words Is, three insertions 2s 6d. —6

MOTOR-C Y CLIN G PIONEER SPORTS CLUB FIXTURES September 17—Social run to Loburn. September 19—Social evening club rooms. October 3—Opening run, Waihora Park. Of the eJeven starters in the halfday trial held last Saturday by the Pioneer Sports Club five clocked in with perfect scores. These were E. 11. Buckley. E. J. Erown, W. G. Bradshaw, V. C. Browne, and S. Loader. This was Loader's first appearance in competition work of this nature, and his performance was most creditable. The other four are all experienced and expert riders, and had no difficulty in keeping their slates clean. A. Hopewell also finished well for a beginner, losing only two marks, one at Gebbie's Pass aad one at the finish, being one minute over schedule time. He therefore wins the special prize offered for the private owner (first year), first to finish other than the placed riders. W. K. Mulholland also lost two marks for early arrival at Gebbie's Pass, having mistaken the control stop there. S. O. Stubbs also dropped three marks at this check. R. C. Yeatts was more consistent in this respect, losing one mark at Gebbie's pass, one at Evans pass and one at the finish. W. Rosengravc and D. Blackwell each lost ten marks for an, engine stop at one of the hairpin bends.

On Sunday the club will hold a social run to the Loburn Domain, leaving the clubhouss# at 9.30 a.m., when an enjoyable outing may with confidence be expected. Next Tuesday, September 19, a social evening will be held in the club rooms comprising inter-club competitions at cards, billiards, etc., commencing at 8 o'clock.