MOTORING.

Evening Star, Issue 17312, 27 March 1920, Page 10

MOTORING.

[By Carburettor.]

Brief accounts of holiday trijjs, roads, and places of interest are invited for this column.

A PROJECTED CANTERBURY TRIP, "Rover" -writes to me as follows r

" Lasb year, yon .will remember, I t&clded the Canterbury Plains for the first time, and am giving it another 'go' this coming Easter, but am staving three weeks this year. I intend travelling solo all the way this timff—not like last vear; get as far as Palmerston and have "to leave the sidecar a 'derelict.' I am writing asking y°u j if yon have space in your interesting column and if you have the time, for what information vou can glean re the present condition of the Main North road. I have before me Andrews, Baty, and Co.'s road map of Canterbury and Westland, a .copy of which you are likely to have, and can therefore' follow me. I am going to Oxford, as last year, and to save passing through Christchurch and Rangiora—a round trip—l notice I can travel direct from Rakaia or Dunsandel to Oxford, via Greendale from the former or via Charing Cross from the latter, passing through Darfield to Sheffield, cross the Waimakiriri, and 'home.' What I want to know is is it possible for a belt-driven 4 h.p. solo machine to do this proposed run. and save time as compared with the Christchurch route? Two or three years ago, while at the Baptist boys' camp" at Greendale, I travelled to Dunsandel and return by Buick car via . Norwood, and noticed the roads in tliat district very good. That is all I know of the roads up north, bar the Main North. I know yon will be only too wiping to assist not only myself, but any intending northwardbound motorists. Re. the rod attached to tho front of many motor cars—usually attached to the front of the springs—what is their function? I have made several inquiries, but nobody seems to know definitely what their use is. I have not been bold enough to ask the driver himself. I am sorry I was not able to visit Warrington last Saturday—T am busy overhauling in readiness for Easter." Answer: Yes. it is-possible for a 4 h.p. belt-driven, machine with three speeds like your own tc take the proposed trip. I wounld suggest the following route. Take the Main North road to Rakaia, then turn to the left and take the road to Metlwen. > Proceed through the Rakaia ("forge, crossing the river there. Turn to the ri«Tvt> and continue through Hororata to Darfield, Sheffield, and Oxford West. The return journey may be made over th.3 same route; or, by way of a change, take the road back to Darfield through Sheffield again, as the Waimakiriii "is bridged on this road, while other roads running similarly have no bridges over this river. From Darfield take the road to Dunsandel. You may have to cross Selwyn, but it is probably bridged by now. In any case, like many other Canterbury rivers, it is almost dry during a'large part of the year. In these districts there arc quite a number of passable roads. T have not been over the road to Duneandel, but I understand that it is in fair order. You will experience no difficulty with any of the hills. The road through the Gorge is hiily, but offers no trouble to the modern machine. The North road varies in condition. When I was over it in January I found the Waitati-E'vansdale road deplorable—it was no better a fortnight ago. The Mount Cargill road is mueh improved since the Motor Club's work in spreading the metal over some of the worst portions. The surface of the Ivilmog is not bad on the -whole. This side of Waikouaiti metal was being spread when I was over it. As far as Palmerston the Toad is indifferent. Thence for eome miles the road is excellent. Through Hampden and Maheno ric;ht on to Oamaru the road is fair. Plenty cf loose gravel to Glenavy and a few- miles beyond, thence- lovely roads for some miles. Right on to Timaru the surface ia fair, with stretches of good roads. From Timaru to Tenvuka passable ; from Tern-oka to some miles beyond Geraldine fine. The Maronon road has plenty of gravel on it. The rest of the road to Ashburton is very fair. The worst road between Evansdale and Christchurch is just beyond Rakaia, past Bankside, almost to Dunsandel. The bar you refer to is carried to lessen the damage arising from accidents, more especially from collisions between cars in procession moving slowly or at a faster pace where sudden stops are often unavoidable.

RELIABILITY TRIAL,

The O.M.C. are arranging a motor cycle reliability trial to Timaru and return on Good Eirday and Easter Monday. A hillclimb will be held at ,Timaru on the. Saturday. The trial is open to air club members, and entries close on March 27. For the side-car event Messrs Cooke, ITowlison, and Co. will present on behalf of the Herdel Company a trophy valued at £5 ss, and by themselves a £2 2s trophy for members who have not previously won a prize, but the passenger also must have been a non-prize winner. The first competitor will leave Dunedin at 10.30 a.m.