TRIAL OF THE GODWARD CARBURETTOR.

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

TRIAL OF THE GODWARD CARBURETTOR.

On September 10 last an official trial of the Godward carburettor was held. The trial was held under the auspices of the Royal Automobile Club of Great Britain, and the following particular? are certified to by Sir Arthur Stanley, chairman, Messrs J. W. Orde, secretary, and G. 11. Baillie, chairman of Technical Committee. Two carburettors wero fitted to two four-seated Ford cars. The cars were standard, except that in both cases the standard induction pipe manifold was replaced (apparently for convenience in positioning the carburettor) by a- pipe in which) the main uptake was not situated symmetrically between the branch arms. There were no means to enable the driver to adjust the petrol or air while driving. The'j/oacl traversed was London to Lands End and back again by Ardover, Ilchestor, Exeter, Lauiiceston, and Bodmin, and returning by Truro, Lavistock, Exeter, and Shaftesbury. The total distance was 591J miles. The average running speed was 19.8 miles per hour, The weather'.throughout was hot, and the roads on the average were good. During the tri.il the clutch was not withdrawn when descending hills. No work, either repair or adjustment, was done to either of the carburettors during the trial. The engines or both cars started with ease. and at all JjjTjes without flooding the carburettor. No water was put into the radiators of either of the cars during the trial. The- running weights of the two cars A and B were as follow : —Car A—Weight of car (ready for the voni), 1.6951b: passengers, 51<)lb; total .running weight, 2,2051b: petrol consumption, 26.92 miles per gallon. Car B—Weight of car (ready for the road), 1.7261b: passengers. 5031b; total mnnintr weight, 2.2291b; petrol consumption, 29.1 miles per gallon. This trial speaks well for Mr Godward's carburettor; and one cannot but feel proud o* the success of the erstwhile Invercargill motorist. I note that the company 1 hate adopted the isame method of spelling caiburettor as the writer.

An interesting and unique sporting eventis to be held at I/vons. ?h France, this month. A race between various type=; and makes of military tanks over a circuit full of natural difficulties was being nrranged. Such an event should be full of incidents and draw a big crowd. The unending prosperity of the oil trade was outstanding throughout the year. A strong oil trust—at the instigation of the Anglo-Persian Company—ibsorbe.l (be five Scotch companies. The eftace.nent of the Scotch concerns as individuals was to he regretted, but when consioerriion is taken of the powerful foreign con-peti-tion with which they were o->n"roi ted "the absorption was undoubtedly the Ix-st tiling the shareholders could Lave honed for. Be that as it may, companies- which placed at the feet of "the Government in the stress years of war their full prodm-lion might have looked for a better fiiti-. It is common knowledge J.hat even bigger developments are impending in oil, snd in this direction Clyde sbipbuilders ?re likely to lead the way. Many Clyde firms gained valuable experience in the building of war motor boats, and now doeigndfts are

confident that oil can be a- lapted -with, great economy as the propelling force, of even the biggest liners. Oil fuel is also being taken up by a Glasgow locomotive firm. Makers of railway plant and equipment have been simply overwhelmed with the pressure of business., Indian railways have placed heavy ordors for" locomotives". ■Mr T. W. Dobbie, accompanied by Mr H. M'Nicoll, motor inspector, and three ladies, had a most enjoyable trip from Dunedin to Nelson via the East Coast, returning by the West Coast. His fiveseater Briscoe car (a new car introduced to Dunedin) completing the trip without engine trouble of any description and no punctures. Mr Dobbie strongly advises motorists to do the trip by, going via the West Coa6t, as the road "over the Otira is almost impossible if coming from Greymouth owing to the stiff climb, which is made extremely difficult owing to the extra heavy metalled road at this part. 'By going the West Coast way Ibis portion, which is easily the worst on the trip, gives no trouble, as it is all down hill. The Canterbury and Westland roads are a "treat and well worth espu-icncing. The streams met with are emily foided. Bridges hare lately been built, w-rnh lessens the motorists' troubles. 'Che trip can be done in easy stages, as accommodation is handy throughout the :ourney.