THE OPEN EXHAUST

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 122, 19 November 1926, Page 14

THE OPEN EXHAUST

At the last meeting of tho Taihape branch of the Wanganui Motor Association Mr. Fitzsimons referred to the actions, of some 'motor-cyclists who would persist in creating a deafening noise as they went up and down the main street late at night. Mr. Fookes: "That's a matter for the police." The chairman: "Yes, and it is maybe, outside the province of this committee to discuss it." Tihs may be well enough in Taihape, where in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred the identity of the culprit could be easily established. * More drastid action is certainly required* in this matter locally. The persistence complained of is very noticeable about Wellington. There is one machine that frequently dances up Hill street at a late hour, and wastes no time covering Tinakori road. • The exhaust is never silenced. Eecently, in broad daylight, a motor-cycle did Tinakori road,-from bottom to top, at hothing less than fifty—that also on an open exhaust. But why specify localities when the trouble is so general! The road from Waimarino to Taumarunui is reported to be in good order. Travellers state (says the Taumarunui "Press") that from the entrance of the National Park along the Tokaanu road, as far as the Otuku Pa, the road formation is perfect, and the prison labour has recently done good work. The road from Otuku to Tokaanu is being graded, and when this is completed the thoroughfare should remain good for the heavy motor traffic .expected-throughout the fishing and tourist season. Beecntly the Prisons Department undertook the contract of metalling, to a depth of nine inches, the Bruce road to the huts. Six inches of ,metal has been placed on this road, and now that it has consolidated suf-' ficiently the placing of the extra three incheß is in progress. On the information of the Waimea County traffic inspector a motorist was convicted at Nelson and fined for using a spotlight in a manner that in the circumstances might.have been dangerous to the -public. The case was brought really as a test. The defendant, it was stated, kept switching the light on and offhand a motorist coming the opposite way was compelled to pull up a considerable distance off> his- vision being so disturbed that he could not see the road. Cases of the misuse of spotlights* have become rare. It is well,, however, to see that the provisions of the'law can be invoked and upheld. The defendant was fortunate in.'escaping with a light penalty. A member of the Hamilton branch of the Auckland Automobile Association tendered his . resignation at the last meetine of that body because he took

strong objection to the advocacy by the

association's committee of third party insurance on members. Mr. Gilbert pointed out that the member evidently did not seem to realise the true meaning of third party insurance, which was an effort to protect the careful driver from the road hog. The resignation was held over pending a personal interview by several members of the association. Definite assurance has been given to the Hamilton branch of the Auckland Automobile Association that there will be a long stretch of metal road from Rotorua towards -Tirau by next winter. It is also hoped to have another long stretch completed on the Tirau end of the road. The membership of the Wairarapa Automobile Association is now 825, having increased by 125 during the past I twelve months. The association hopes soon to reach a membership of 1000. j It has spent £299 during the past twelve j months in erecting sign. posts, and all the main roads in its district, from Palliser Bay -to Woodville, as well as the majority of the lateral roads, are now clearly defined. Its $ext big activity will be tlie provision of camping grounds. A start has been made on the ground on the Bimutaka Hill road, close to Featherston, an ideal sport with perfect shelter. The policy has been laid down of free entrance to all camps established. Mr. W. Howard Booth is the new president of the association. A number of cars arc carrying thentail.lights on the left hand side. The consequence is that tho rear of these vehicles has to be carefully watched

when overtaking, in order not to run too close. These cars are American models which naturally carry their tail lights to suit the American rule of keeping to the right of the road. For New Zealand use, every car should carry the tail lamp on the extreme right. "The,efforts of motor-cycle enthusiasts to prbmote a better feeling between riders and the public is ■ meeting with much success, and the prime movers, the Sports Club officials, are to bo congratulated on the stand th«y have taken," states the "New Zealand Herald" (Auckland)'. "It is quite impossible for some makes of British machines to proceed without a constant and continuous ro».r, and some local riders are now fitting additional silencers. It is worthy of note that in this respect the American manufacturers have made a definite move, and the new modejs of two famous makes approach the ideal as far as silence is concerned. Noise nuisance is not confined to the city, and in many country towns complainti are frequently heard of residents being roused from their slumbers by noisy exhausts." There are numerous instances of cars being run on whisky in the absence of petrol or power alcohol. Perhaps the most novel experiment with unconventional fuels is attributed to the Shall of Persia, when he purchased his first car twenty-five years ago. On its arrival he was as excited as a child with a new toy and insisted that it should be set going at once. Gasolene was not then a cqmmon commodity in Persia.

The palace was searched, but not a gill could be found. The courtiers trembled for their heads as they told the sublime ruler the truth. The Shah fumed and then his curiosity led him to inquire the nature of the fluid required. It w^s spirit. The Shah brightened at once. He had lots of it 1868 brandy specially purveyed to the Imperial, household. The brandy was brought, the tanks filled, and the car soon hummed along under the cxl plosive force of probably as expensive a branny as could be purchased.