MOTORS & MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2569, 17 September 1915, Page 9

MOTORS & MOTORING

— *-■ [By Chjtoh.]

Wairarapa Automobile Association. Dcspito tho war, tho Wairarapa Automobile Association continues to show remarkable vitality. At last Saturday's meeting 110 less than forty-three new members were elccted, bringing the total membership to 21C. 'The association's car insurance scheme' is now well under way. Tlie secretary reported that lf)2 applications for insuranco had been (lied, «nd that insurance covers amounting to £16,815 had been completed. Mr. Matmsell spoko very highly of tho interest taken and tiie work dono in connection with the insurance schemo by the secretary (Mr. 1. V. Wilson) and the treasurer (Mr. A. C. Holms). Mr. AY. Howard Booth also spoke on tho matter,- and endorsed the previous speaker's estimation of tho splendid work done. It.was resolved to recommend to the incoming committee that a voto be made to the secretary of 20 per cent, commission on new members' subscription fees, ,as compensation for car use. The course required to bo taken with regard to the registration of the insuranco company was fully explained by Mr. MaunsoU, and tho memorandum as submitted was adopted. The following directors were elected till the annual meeting:—Messrs. M. Elgar, T. E. Maunsell, J. D. Smith, W. Howard Booth, A. J. Toogood, A. Tocker, and W. Benton. It was decided to hold the annual meeting during the second week of next month.,

Now that the telephone has been installed at : tlie foot of the Bimutaka Hill, it was resolved- to have sign posts erected directing to it. Mr. Maunsell reported on the result of tho doputation to tlio leatlierston' County Council, and stated that the council realised tlioir responsibility with regard to the upkeep of the bridge. Mr. I'V Blake wroto advising having damaged the approach to tho bridge.—Hesolved to forward the information on to the Comity' Council. After discussion it was decided that inquiries be made as to the advisability of continuing to subscribo to the N.Z. Automobile Union. Danger of Water Boiling Away. An incident which occurred to me recently had its serious aspect, and was instructive (writes "Aeolus" in the "Light Car"). I had for long rebelled at tlie steam and. occasional water which escaped from the radiator filler when the ear was hill-climbing. Beforo'starting for a run, I made a good fitting washer of fibre, and serowed down the cap tightly on it., -I was not annoyed any further. Unfortunately, the absence of the usual signs lulled my suspicions, and I quite overlooked the fact that tlie overheated water would' be nifiking its escape by tho overflow pipe. My awakening was rude.

-Reaching tho top of a particularly steep-hill, which had reduced mo to my first speed, the engmo commenced' to pull sluggishly. Like a flash the cause of the trouble occurred" to mo. I stopped tho fingine at once, and on gingerly unscrewing the filler cap a cloud of steam escaped. • There was no sign of any .water'in the radiator, and an ominous hissing noise was heard. On opening the bonnet, the brass valve caps were found to be of a deep purple colour, while all tlie paint had been burnt off the cylinders on the exhaust side! Luckily, on trying the starting handle, thero wero 110 signs of seizure, which was somewhat remarkable in view of the intense lieat. My fortunate escape was probably due to the use of a very good brand of oil, and also to the fact that the pistons i had worn a rather slack fit in the. cylinders.

Luckily, I remembered pouring some -cold water , into a red-hot saucepan some few months previously, and the effcct it had on the saucepan, and refrained from filling up with water for threequarters of an hour,or more.' Judging by, the quantity required when I did replenish, there must hare been no water in the cylinder jackets, and little in the. radiator.' British Motor Trade and the War. Some interesting _ information as to the state of the British motor trade under war conditions is contained in a letter from the Austin Motor Company by Mr. G. H. Scott, of the Scott Motor Agency, of. Wellington. In the course of the letter it is stated:—"The European war has brought about the peculiji result that England appears to bo manufacturing for not only herself, but France and. Russia. Consequently, all factories of any pretensions are extremely busy, and working seven days a week without cessation. So far as we are concerned, you will doubtless be very interested to know that our cars and lorries have been mqst successful at the front. In South Africa De Wet was captured oh an 18-24 h.p. Austin, and taken back to Headquarters. In Bussja a largo division of our armoured cars enabled the Russians to retrieve the situation at Prasnysz. Tin's type of vehicle has proved so successful that after the above-mentioned ■ battles had occurred, the Russian military authorities immediately cabled for fifty more of a similar pattern, in addition to which they are ordering another ' 100 of a rather . larger type. Our ambulance, workshops, and tank wagons which wore supplied 'to the Russian front have also been extremely successful, and as a result they sought to place an order with us for 360 mixed vehicles. However, >ve were altogether too busy to entertain this matter. For the French front wo have a permanent order through, the British War Office for fatteen 20-h.p.. touring cars per week, and wo have also supplied large numbersof ambulances and lorries, and continually receive most flattering reports as to their behaviour! Over and above all this work we arc building numerous large fighting aeroplanes, 0 also seaplanes, and ordinary aero engines varying between 100 and 230 B.h.p.° We are also turning out 10,000 high explosive shells per week, and numerous ordinary limber wagons, together with various other articles requisitioned bv the British War Office. From the ak>ve description you can imagine how busy we arc. Of course the. extra work has involved the building of large additional shops, and in order to thoroughly cater for the present requirements, w'o have also laid down a complete stamping departments This will be of the greatest benefit in the future, as it enables us to make and use our own dies, , instead of relying on outside firms.

Here and There. Legal lighting up time for motor-cars nnd motor-cycles:—To-day, 5.48 p.m. Next Friday, 5.56 p.m. ' There is some talk of a West Australian motorist, aboard a six-cylinder American ear, making an attempt later on in the year on the Perth-Sydney record. The only ear that has yet succeeded in crossing Australia from West to .East is a littlo Dtinlop shod "Metsi," driven .by Messrs.-Francis Dirties and S. Ferguson, from -Perth to S.vdnoy, via Broken Hill, some 2375 miles, in 28 days lhr. 62min. This was accomplished in April, 1912. The.effect of the' War' on imports of motor-cars and motor-cycles into the Commonwealth for tlie half-year ending June 80 may be judged from the fact that the imports into New South Wales alone fell away £174,134, made up as follows:—Chassis, £142,630; motor-car bodies, £21,671; motor-cyolos, £9827. When the full returns for the Commonwealth are available, it will bo found that there has been a very largo decrease during the first half of 1915 in this class of goods. , The total-number of. cars registered in Now South Wnl6s is 10,570, of which 1415 were registered during the first half of the year. Of motor-cycles there are 6461, of which 1371 have been added to the New South Wales lists, during the same period.