MOTORS AND MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3147, 27 July 1917, Page 9

MOTORS AND MOTORING

(Hy "Clutch.")

The Need for Better Roads. It is a matter of common tgreeinont that it will bo necessary for tho Dominion, in tho interests of settlement anil rural development generally, to undertake a vigorous reading policy after the war, and the question obviously Is one in whicli users of motor vehicles should tako au actiro interest. A vending polioy whicli is to reach.reasonable standards of efficiency must take full account of the fact that tho power-driven, vehicle has assorted its superiority over the horse wherever the condition of tho roads has inado it possible. These facts are emphasised in a pamphlet from Ihepen of Mr. J\ (s, M'Loan (president of the New Zealand Automobile -U'lionhwhich represents a valuable contribution to the discussion that must precede tho radical departures in reading , ' policy which will manifestly be nce-essiuy in tho comparatively near future. Mr. M'Lean I>oints out that the motor-car becomes every day less, of a luxury and mere of an essential. A recent census showed that over 85 per cent, of 'ho ears in tho Commonwealth of Australia are used for business purposes. • In New Zealand, Mr. M'Lean remarks, we aio rap-" idly approaching a similar position, and tho motor lorry lias become a necessity. Making it his general aim to promote discussion' on the subject of tho main-1 lonanco, improvement, and of roads, and not. to stnto dogmatic conclusions, .l|r. M'Lean presents .a considerable body of useful information. Particular intoreet attaches to quotations from tho report of the County Koails Board of Victoria, published in a Bluo Book of 1!) U. According to this-docu-ment, r.oad authorities are • generally agreed ."that '.the. effect 'of self-propelled vehicles is only more damaging than- that of those drawn by .horses when tho road is unsuitable for tho use of Biinh'vehicles. ; It has been clearly entablished, tho reporfadds, that light motor-cars, do no.damage to roads where tho surface'is smooth and sealed with some- waterproof coating, such.as tar. Water-bound "macadam roads suffer, little if cai'3 are driven at moderate" speed, but sustain damage wlion subjected to a, considerableamount -of motor traffic driven: iit high speed. The fact is now conceded that ordinary macadam roads are r.ofc Suitable to withstand the continuous' traffic that may be expected in v the vicinity of populous centres—eithor.light, high-speed traffic or that of heavy, motor vehicles for commercial'purposes." llr. M'Leaii deals also w.ith eucli questions as traffic regulation 'and. special luxation' of motor vehicles, and emphasises tho necessity, of amending tho chaotic mc-thod of dealing" with tho roads of'the Dominion which is at present in "oguo. Suggested Reforms, It would be necessary to tho. efficiency of a roadway system, Mr. M'Leau considers, .that it be kept free from politics, Dominion and local. "In tho csso of the railwaya;" he continues, "it has been found expediont to revert to'tho idea of placiug these under the control oi' an independent manager, and probably thin would bo found, the effective method of dealing with the main roads. This, however, would not prevent the intervention of outeido bodies such as tho Now Zealand Automobilo Union, the Pnrmesp' Union, the Counties' Conference, aiid tho Chambers of Commorce, or a conferonce composed of delegates of such bodies as un advisory convention. In any case, as tho Government of the "Dominion would have to find tho money, it is probable that a. portfolio of roads would bo created, to be held by a Minister of the Crown. Hero and There. While there is no real solvent,for caribon, save heating metal to a considerable degree, thero are several liquids which tend towards tho removal of carbon deposit because they softon and dis-. solve the gummy oil which- acts as a binder and holds tho accumulated particles of carbon in a compact, nlu.oet solid mass. About tho most, efficacious I of these is strong acetic acid. 'J his liquid, of course, cannot ho used in the motor. For removing the last trace deposit from fonlod eparking-phigs, howover, it leaves little to bo desired. Tho treatment should bo followed by SGaking tile plugs in petrol and then drying them off to remove moisture. An automatic firo extinguislisr has been designed by an Amorican motorist, to bo installed beneath tho hood. ; It consists of a small copper tank contaiuing a power plant, an extinguishing lluid release plug, a nozzle attachment, n;id the necessary brass fittings so arranged ttat should a fire occur the equipment goes at once into action, automatically driving tho extinguishing fluid through a spray nozzle on to tho engine ami adjacent parts. The chemicals tired in the liquid are described as being harmless to metals or fabrics, while it is stated that the recharging of the instrument once a year (or refilling in oaso it has been used) is all the attention required. The Amorican Government is <ahead/ buying up motor-cars by the thousand for use with its contingent in the- iiglit-ing-lino in France. All the large car manufacturers have been asked to submit prices according to a set schedule as regards class, power, and price. Already the United States has purchased 4000 cars from one maker, 2000 from another, and 1000 of another' make, i-ll touring cars. Lighting-u<p time:—To-day, 4.50 p.m. Next Friday, 4.57 p.m.