SPLIT SECONDS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 81, 30 December 1931, Page 11

SPLIT SECONDS

Dr: Adams to Inspect Timing Machine RECORD OF SPEED At the invitation of the Auckland Automobile Association, Dr. C. E. Adams, Dominion Astronomer, will leave Wellington to-day for Auckland to inspect the timing apparatus to be used for recording the time taken by Mr. Norman Smith, the racing motorist, to cover certain distances on Ninety Mile Beach in connection with his attempt on the world land-speed record. Dr. Adams will be the guest of the Auckland Automobile Association, under whose auspices the attempt on the record will be made. The association is anxious for the timing gear to be absolutely accurate, and Dr. Adams will inspect the apparatus and probably test it. Correct timing would be essential to prove the validity of any record that might be established, Dr. Adams remarked to “The Dominion” yesterday. He understood that the apparatus embodied a chronograph, and it was his present intention to “rate” the instrument and so establish it as a timekeeper of accuracy. So far the association had not advised him of any details, but he proposed to be of as much assistance to it as possible. For the purpose of measuring the velocity of the wind he will take north with him to-day two anemometers, which have been kindly lent by Dr. E. Kidson, Director of Meteorological Services. Fears which have been expressed in the north that the Auckland Automobile Racing Club intended to close the Ninety-Mile Beach entirely to visitors during the attempt by Mr. Norman Smith on the world land speed record were dispelled by Mr. H. Butcher, the club’s official timekeeper, who said that the beach would be closed only while the speed tests were in progress, and the restriction would then apply only to 17 miles of the 54 miles of sand available. , The test will take place roughly over a 17-mile stretch of sand in the middle of the beach. Twenty-three miles at the southern end and 14 miles at the northern end will not be used, and will at all times be available to the public. A fence will be placed across the beach in a locality roughly due west of Waipapakaurh but traffic will be allowed through except while the tests are actually in progress. Three tests are to be carried out, involving attempts on the ten-mile, fivemile and one-mile records. They will be carried out on different days, and the actual time the car will be ip motion will be only one hour on each of those days. Mr? Smith will commence the tests half an hour before low tide, and by the time dead low tide was reached the attempt would be finished.