MOTORS and MOTORING.

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 100, 22 January 1926, Page 6

MOTORS and MOTORING.

(BY

"SPOTLIGHT.”

SOUTH ISLAND TOUR

NOTES ON AN EXTENSIVE RUN SOME VALUABLE TIPS A Masterton reader, "H.A.C.,” who last year contributed some notes on a long North Island run, has this season made a lengthy tour of 2050 miles in the South Island, and has kindly forwarded another budget of practical notes which will be found well worthy of study by motorists who intend proceeding south during the period of the exhibition Our correspondent writes:

Shipping.—lt is necessary to obtain shipping notes, and for that purpose the car should be taken to the shipping company’s office. The cost depends on the cubic measurement. With the hood lowered and the luggage carrier folded a 12-horse-power English car (five-seater) cost £.4 from Wellington to Picton, and £3 for the return journey. The wharfage charges came to 23s’ 6d. in all. The steamer left at 1.15 p.m., and the car had to be on board bv 11 a.m. At Picton less than three-quarters of an hour was occupied in getting the car off. It was carefully handled 8 ’ at both ends, and was not damaged.

Ist Day.—Picton to Blenheim, 20 miles: Left Picton at 7.s_p.ra. and arrived at Blenheim at 7.55 p.tn. The run was almost level except for the first two miles. The surface was good, but there was a little loose metal in parts.

2nd Day.—Blenheim to Kaikoura, 89 miles: Our guide book said 99 miles, which is wrong. Left Blenheim at 9.35 a.m., arrived at the Clarence River 63 miles at 12.40 p.m., left 1.25, and arrived at Kaikoura at 2.40 p.m. Redwood Pass, soon after leaving Blenheim, is the only climb. The rest of the road is undulating or level, the surface is excellent except for loose ’metal in parts, and an occasional water race. There are no pot holes. A very -pretty drive through mountain bush and sea scenery. 3rd Day.—Kaikoura to Christchurch, 122 miles: Left Kaikoura 8.35, arriving at Amberley, 92 miles, at 12.55. Left at 1.50, arriving at Christchurch, 3 p.m. The first 10 miles is a very pretty drive along the coast, the next 20 miles is through the hills, and the rest, after leaving Parnassus, is undulating or level. The road is potholed near the Hurunui Bridge, but is otherwise good except for several stretches of loose metal.

Fourth Day Christchurch to Fairlie, via Ellesmere Bridge, 122 miles: Left Christchurch 11.40 a.m., arrived at Rakaia 1.20 p.m., left 2.25 and arrived at Fairlie 5.55 p.m. There is now a small bridge over the Sclwyn, and it is not now necessary to travel via Ellesmere Bridge. The shorter road cuts off about 6 niiles. The roads were heavily metalled between Selwyn' and Rakaia, but apart from this they were good. Until reaching Geraldine they were practically levgL and were then hilly for the last 28 miles to Fairhe. Alter leaving Geraldine it is advisable to ask the way. Fifth Day.—Fairlie to lo7 miles: Left Fairlie 8.35 a.m., Lake Tekapo 9.50, Lake Pukaki 11.55, reaching Omarama —86 miles from bairhc at 1.35 p.m. Left 3 p.m., arriving at Tanas 6.25, left at 8.55 and arrived at Pembroke 10.10. Owing to floods some of the fords shortly after leaving Lake Pukaki were impassable, and it was necessary to go about 10' miles through private The roads were fair though somewhat stony to Omarama, and the fords were easy. To this point there is a good 'deal of level running and the hills, are easy grades. About

two miles after leaving Omarama be careful to follow the signpost, and keep straight on, instead of bearing to the ■left, as we were instructed in our guide book. For the first 14 miles the road is good, then it becomes a rough' track over the Lindis Pass, a climb to 3Hooft. It would probably be difficult, in wet weather. The fords are all easy. After Morven Hills the road improves. We were delayed on this trip owing to tire troubles.

Sixth Day.—Pembroke to Queenstown, 76 miles: Left Pembroke 11.50 a.m., forded the Cardrona and arrived at Lowburn Ferry Hotel 1.15 p.m., left at 2 p.m., and arrived at Cromwell 2.20. The roads were fair. There were several verv small streams to cross, none of which would give any trouble. Left Cromwell 3.40 p.m., arriving at Queenstown 6.25, numerous stops being made on the way. The road _ runs through the Kawarau Gorge; it is undulating and in -Darts somewhat rough. Seventh Day.—Queenstown to Palmerston, 160 niiles: Left Queenstown 8.35 a.ni., arrived Cromwell 11.45, after a long stop at the Kawarau dam. Left Cromwell 1.45 p.m., arriving at Palmerston 7.35. A few stretches of the road were rough, but it was good on the whole. The road is fairly level until Kyeburn is reached, when it is hilly to Dunback, practically all on the down grade.

Eighth Day.—Palmerston to Dunedin, 37 miles: Left Palmerston 2.15, arriving at Dunedin 3.45 The roads are pot-holv until Waitaki is reached, and from there the surface is good to Dtfiiedin. There are two climbs, one over Kihnog and the other , over Mount Cargill.

The Return Trip. First Day.—Dunedin to Palmerston: Left Dunedin at 12.30 a.m., New Year’s Night, arriving in Palmerston at 2.20 a.m.

Second Day.—Palmerston to Ashburton, 145 miles: Left Palmerston 9.15 a.m., arriving Ashburton 8 p.m., with, several long stops on the way. The roads wen good throughout, and there were practically no hills. Third Day. —Ashburton to Springfield, 05 miles: Left Ashburton 6.40 a.m., arrived Christchurch 8.55 a.m. Left Christchurch 7.50 p.m., arrived Springfield 9.50. The roads were level throughout, and mostly good. Fourth Day.—Springfield to Arthur’s Pass by train, Arthur’s Pass to Reefton, 110 miles: This section being quite impassable, trucked car from Springfield to Arthur’s Pass Cost £1 Ils. 6d. It is advisable to arrive Lt Springfield several hours before the train leaves, as it is rather difficult to put the car into a 14-foot truck until one is used to it. It is not necessary to empty the tank if the benzine can be shut off between the tank and carburretor. We obtained permits and travelled on the goods train, in the guard’s van, to Arthur’s Pass. Special permits are required for ladies. The train left at 625 a.m., and arrived at Arthur’s Pass about 10 o’clock. Left Arthur’s Pass 10.50 a.m., arriving Greymouth 3.30 p.m., left Greymouth 4.25, arriving at Reefton 6.so—several stops on the way. The road over the Otirajs steep and the surface covered with 1 loose stones, but the trip is well ' worth while, and in good weather should give no trouble. The fords were quite easy. After leaving Otira the roads are good on the whole, though there arc a few stretches of pot ho'es. The roads from Otira to Kumara arc winding arid undulating, and there are a few hills between Grevniouth and Reefton. sth Day.—Reefton to Nelson, 140 niiles: Left Reefton 8.45 a.m., arriving at Murchison 12.40 p.m. , Left 1.40, arriving Nelson 5.45. For the first 20 miles after leaving Reefton the road is almost level, and also for about the same distance from Nelson. Except for this the road is hilly all the way, and in the Buller Gorge is very narrow. The surface is quite good practically all the way. • I 6th Day.—Nelson to Picton, 95 miles: Left Nelson 6.25 a.m., arriving

Wangamoa 7.50 a.m. -Left 9.40 a.m., arriving at Picton 11.40 a.m For about 10 miles from Nelson the road is practically level I*or the ,20 miles it is hillv and after that it is either level or undulating. The surface on the Wangamoa Hill and also over the Rai Saddle is very deeply, rutted, and the road narrow and winding. After passing these hills the road is good to Picton. It is not necessary to go through Blenheim as one can take the road to Spring Grove just after passing the big bridge over the Wairau. . There is a still shorter road which we did not take. The car was shipped at Picton, and we received it at Wellington at 7 p.m.

PETROL AND EXPLOSIONS

A CONUNDRUM AND AN ANSWER.

“Inquirer” writes:—"Can you give me any information through your column in The Dominion as to whether the use of chamois leather for straining motor spirit into a car tank accentuates the risk of explosion? We are always told to so strain to take the water out, and I have always done so. I always understood the danger of ignition ’by electricity generated by the running spirit was prevented if the can was allowed to rest on the metal of the strainer or tank, so that the current could get away, but I did not know that using chamois leather increased tlie risk. . “I heard the matter being discussed bv several who said it was the case, one party stating he had given up using chamois for some y ear ?> after hearing that a man and his car had been blown, up while straining his benzine into . the car through a chamois leather, while several others stated it was the case. Can you throw any light on the subject?” Explosions from the above cause are verv rare, but the number of motorists who use non-metallic strainers is nowadays pretty small. “Dyke’s Automobile Encyclopaedia” says on this subject. “It 'is said that static, electricity will be generated when straining through a funnel and chamois, and a spark is liable to ignite the gasoline. If the funnel is grounded to the tank this cannot occur.” It would be interesting to know if any reader has precise details of such an explosion.

The state of the Te Kuiti-launja-runui road is thus reported on by the Auckland Automobile Association service officer; The road is metal, clay and sand in stretches. A little rough on the Mapiu flat /or a mile, and half a mile on the Tangitu hill. Otherwise a very pleasant trip. The spiral at Raurimu is now metalled and' rolled and very good. The balance of the journey from Taumarunui to Waimarino is quite fair.

One of the problems in the manufacture of motor tires is the extraction of a rubber that is absolutely pure, and in a little booklet to hand the manufacturers of Royal Cord tires describe a new spraying process used in their plant by which is extracted rubber free from all acids and impurities and uniform in quality.

An interesting scheme is about to be tried in Hastings—the erection in two or three important centres of the town of what are termed pictorial guides. They consist of wooden pillars some 20ft. high, with projecting representation of the particular attractions and their designation. The arms can be 'Setached from time to time and new pictures added.

Vehicular traffic is being, handled by the Auckland harbour ferries to a remarkable extent nowadays, three ferry I steamers being reserved for this purpose, while a fourth is building. Sometimes more than 60 motor vehicles are lined up waiting for the ferry.

LEVEL CROSSING PROBLEM

AMERICAN TRAINS MAY YIELD RIGHT OF WAY.

Another conception of the railway crossing full-stop rule is developing in the United States. It is that where the volume of traffic is heavier on the road than on the railway the train shall came to a stop before crossing the road. Mr. A. H. Blanchard, the eminent engineer, in an article in “Good Roads,” says this way out is being favourably considered by many highway officials and some railroad officials ill ’the United States. In some cases short-line railways are carrying 300 passengers a dav on trains, as against 20,000 carried by a highway that crosses the line. In such cases the tram should give way to the road traffic. What does our Railway Department think of this?

GRAVEL ROADS

WAIMEA COUNTY’S EXPERIENCE.

Apropos of gravel road maintenance, Mr. J. T. M. Brewster, engineer to Waimea County, Nelson, informs us that his county has been maintaining the Stoke-Richmond road for the past twelve months in accordance with the latest methods recommended. The result, Mr. Brewster states, has been most satisfactory, and although the traffic totals over 500 vehicles a day, the cost of maintenance is less than £lOO per mile per annum.

Since December 15 an'average of 80 ■ cars a dav has been ferried across the Mokau River on the New PlymouthTe Kuiti Road, the greatest number for one day being 150. the accommodation at Te Kuiti and on the road has been taxed to the utmost capacity, in spite of the fact that the feature of tourist traffic this year has been the large proportion of camping parties. According to the “Chronicle” 50 per cent, of the cars passing through Te Kuiti carry camping gear, and the main roads are dotted with wayside bivouacs. The beautifully-situated camping ground on the Mangaokawa River, near Te Kuiti, where a cookhouse and other conveniences have been provided, has also been freely used.

Now that brakes-on-all-wheels are becoming standardised on most cars, it behoves the car-owner to pay more attention to the lubrication of brake operating gear. The binding of brakes fitted to the rear wheels is bad enough, but the locking of front-wheel brakes is fraught with great danger. Defects in design may lead to a difficulty in freeing the shoes, but even the best designs (says ail English motoring writer) cannot work freely if lubrication is neglected. It should be remembered that if. through some defect the front wheels are locked when the brakes are applied steering is lost. If the front wheels cease revolving while the car 'is in motion, the driver has little, if any, control over its directional progress.

From a transportation survey recently made in Washington, D.C., it was ascertained that the average load of a private motor-car was 1.9 passengers. The average cost per pas-senger-mile is 2.93 pence. Tram riders on an average pay 1.22 pence for each mile travelled, and motor-bus riders 1.83 pence per mile. The average taxi-cab fare in Washington works out at 11.95 pence per mile.

An American motor journal states that within a comparatively few months, at least one, if not two or three, of the larger American makers will announce production of a light car having a rating of not more than 10 h.p., probably somewhat Jess.

JOTTINGS Taurnnga County wants a tax on petrol in order that the whole cost of the main highways may be placed on tlie backs of the motorists. Widening work is in hand on the main west highway in Hutt _ County. The first section to be done is from the Horokiwi Gorge to I’aremata, operations being started at both ends. In March a start is to be made on widening the Paekakariki-Waikanae section.

The number of private motor-cars making the run between Gisborne and the Bay of Plenty is stated to be greatly in excess of previous years, numbers of cars with family parties passing over the road every day in the week.

The beautiful Thames coast has been much frequented by motor campers during the holiday season. Complaints are numerous, however, as to the state of the road between Hikutaia and Thames.

After going over the route, Mr. ABenham, engineer to Hutt county, is of opinion that with modern road-mak-ing plant the continuation of the Wai-nui-o-Mata road to the Wairarapa, via Palliser Bay, is quite feasible.

The. Auckland Automobile Association has supplied 400 of its members with complete information for the trip to Dunedin and back, and 2000 trip guides have been compiled for North Island tours.

It has been suggested to “Spotlight” that it would have been a convenience to motorists if the Wellington Automobile Club had continued the issue of its weekly road reports to the Press through the holiday?.

Users of motor vehicles throughout Australia aye anxiously awaiting further details of the Commonwealth Government’s proposal to tax petrol through the Customs Department to provide road funds. The “Australasian” states that there is strong opposition by motorists to the plan to force motor-users to find all the money for the Federal Government’s road proposals, because motorists arc only a small section of those who use the roads. “The petrol tax now in operation in South Australia,” says the “Australasian,” “is a simple measure, and other States could introduce similar legislation which would be acceptable to motorists, provided the present method of taxing motor vehicles was superseded for a State petrol tax. Motorists in the Commonwealth are already contributing to the States and P'ederal Governments about £4,500,000 annually in Customs revenue and State motor taxes.” e

Although the International Motor Show held iu Melbourne in April last created much attention, and was acclaimed the largest exhibition of mechanical road vehicles held outside of manufacturing countries, the 1926 show promises to eclipse it. Overseas countries arc being represented by delegates from foreign automobile associations and organisations.

The “Poverty Bay Herald” reports that right along the Hast Coast road northward from Gisborne metalling ft in progress. This road last winter was in an impassable condition over its unmetalled portions, and appar, ently a big effort is being made to better things this yea».

Much wear to the universal joints may be avoided by travelling over a rough road in second geai. While in second, it is possible to keep the engine pulling constantly without having the car gain a speed that will be too fast for the road. If power is applied alternately with the application of the brakes, to keep the car from going too fast, the universals receive double shocks.

“J.M.” writes“As a motor-camper with twelve years’ experience in most parts of the North Island, I have found the Pitzroy Bench Park Society’s site undoubtedly the best beach camping site in New Plymouth. From personal experience every courtesy, consideration, and assistance are rendered by the officers of the society, whose pleasure it is to give advice and help. Plentj' of shelter, bathing sheds, light, water, and conveniences, are supplied, and all within five minutes of tram. The secretary is Mr. Richards, care Mr. J. Abbott, hardware merchant, Devon Street."

A Cliriptchurcli niptorist who motored through to Dunedin for the opening of the exhibition reports that generafy Speaking the road between the two cities is in tbq best condition lie has ever known it. The water-iaces which cross it in the Canterbury Plains will need to be taken with caution, as otherwise they are severe on the back springs.

The Otago Motor Chib has placed its club rooms in Aloray Place, Dunedin, at the disposal of all motorists visiting Dunedin for the exhibition, and information as to tours and routes in the south can be obtained from the secretary.

There is a satisfaction (thinks the Christchurch “Sun”) to be got from the laxity of South Island County Councils to apply for the money contributed by motorists to the highway fund. The money is being preserved until the road maintenance methods' of the counties are placed on a more sensible basis than they are at present.

Good work has been accomplished by the Public Works Department on the road between Mangamukn and Victoria Valley, a distance of 14 miles having been metalled in 14 months. In future the route will be open to motor-car traffic both in summer and winter.

The temporary bridge erected by the Canterbury Automobile Association, in conjunction with the Ellesmere County Council, over the Selwyn on the main Christclmrch-Dunedin Road, is proving a boon to motorists, a large number of whom found it of great convenience on their wav to the Exhibition City during the holidays,

Protest is being made in Auckland against the erection of acfyertisinc hoardings by the Railwav Department. In view of the legislation in other countries against the disfigurement of the country-side in this way, it is surprising to find the Government itself in New Zealand setting out to blot the landscape bv letting advertising billboards to all who will buy.