MOTORDOM

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 July 1936, Page 4

MOTORDOM

NEWS OF THE ROAD

(By

“Gearbox”)

FORD PROFITS. TWENTY DOLLARS per CAR DETROIT. June 15. William J. Cameron, speaking tor the Ford .Motor Company, said last night that “in 33 years this company l,as exchanged other products ioi l-.Jal.ooe, ~ lars and paid out 12.109.321.884 lor ra" materials and wages. n.,,. u - “That leaves 512.016.114 (10l a s Mr. Cameron said in his radio •‘Deducting from this .. . bO ‘ )JO / dollars for commitments made, lax . accruing and wages coming due the.t ■•emains 782.016.114 dollars as the socalled profit for the work ut 33 years - less than was spent last yeai to mu the factory. . . . •■lt looks like a Jot ol mono, ol rou-se it. isn’t all in existence now. Most of what remains ol it is not m the form of money at all. but in bricks furnaces, machines, power-houses, and so lortli- ... . Cameron said ’‘the average pi o i ' the company on a car is about Jldulars . • ■ great as the values are that have flowed toward the Ford .Motoi Company during these years immense,y greater values have flowed from it. From the observation of 33 years we see that 91 per cent, ol the monev that came in to us. immediately went out again as money, and much of the other six per cent, went into improvements and economies for the public benefit. But for each lbu , per . raw or unfinished material values that came into our factories. 150 to 300 per cent in material values went out again. That is the way true wealth is increased. ’’

STREET LIGHTING

The fact that 55 per cent, of all accidents in which automobiles are involved, occur after nightfall is beginning to awaken the authorities in many parts of the world to the gravity of the situation and its bearing on the world-wide problem of reducing tiaffic accidents. In Great Britain steps are being taken in many centres to replace the ordinary electric light with high efficiency mercury discharge lamps. The advantages of the latter are the entire absence of glare to both road users and pedestrians, a high and even brightness of the roadway and footpath, excellent visibility for a long distance ahead and ’freedom from shadows.

Already 7001) of these electric gas globes have been adopted in Great Britain.

The danger of unlightcd highways was recently demonstrated in a series of road tests conducted by lighting speciaiists in U.S.A. Three tests were made, in the first, the street lights were turned out and a man in a dark suit stood 100 feet in front of a car, with the headlights full on. He could net be seen from the car. In the second test, with the highway lights still out, a man wearing light clothing and carrying a handkerchief in his hand, stood the same distance in front of the car. The man was easily discernible, the handkerchief being particularly conspicuous. In the third test, the street lights were turned on and a man wearing dark clothes was sharply silhouetted and seen by the car driver at a distance of 100 feet.

The test showed that on an unlighted road after dark, a pedestrian is virtually invisible to a driver travelling at normal speed until it is too late to avoid hitting the pedestrian, even when the car’s headlghts are fully on. The facts mentioned should serve to bring home to motorists (1) the need for extreme care when driving on unlit highways; (2) to pedestrians to always face oncoming traffic when walking after nightfall on highways having no footpaths; (3) to the authorities the need of awakening to their responsibilities in this matter.

INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS

“In view of the death toll on the roads, it is time that all school children should be instructed in the traffic regulations,’’ said Mr. G. A. Maddison (Hawke’s Bay), at the conference of the Education Boards’ Association in Wellington. His remarks were prompted by a number of remits emphasising tbe need for safety measures to make the roads less dangerous to school pupils.

It was stated by Mr. D. W. Dunlop, secretary of the Auckland Education Board, that traffic officers gave instruction at the Auckland schools in the avoidance of road dangers. Other delegates pointed out that similar instruction was given at many schools; but it was agreed that much more should be done in view of the higher speeds of motor vehicles and the general increase in road accidents.

It was resolved to ask the Education Department to prepare circulars for teachers and parents setting out a broad instructional policy for educating children in safety measures. STARTING FROM GOLD. It is now considered correct to rev. tho engine at. about 1000-1500 r.p.m. when starting from cold, instead of following the old-fashioned idea of idling during the initial warming-up period. Low revs, do very little to increase the temperature of the oil or of the engine as a whole; also, there is not the desired circulation of lubricant created by splash, so that the cylinder walls run drier than they need or than they would if a higher speed is maintained. This will ac-

ccniuaic me ruie ui neai. The thing to remember, however, is that you must not put any great load on the engine. That is to say, during the initial warming-u,p period it should be allowed to rev. freely, or if the car is taken out on to the road straight away it should not be called upon to pull very hard or to rev. unduly highly on the gears. ’ 'l’he modern system of temperature i 1 control by means of thermostats and* 1 mixture controls all help in the warming-up process and' in reducing 1 the time occupied before a normal * working temperature is obtained. ‘

CONTROL OF CYCLISTS. . “ANTIDAZZLE" RESTRICTIONS The Automobile .Association (Auckland) decided at its last meeting to invite the North Island Motor Union to forward a number of suggestions, brought forward by Mr. H. J. Butcher, to the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R Semple, for consideration lor incorporation in the amended motor regulations. The recommendations applying to bicycles were: That all pedal cycles be registered and licensed annually, and carry a number plate: that no more than one person be allowed to ride a bicycle unless it is built to carry more than one: that it be fitted with an independent brake operated from the handle bar: that not over 281 b. weight of goods be curried; and that, on no occasion shall more than two cyclists ride abreast.

Other suggestions were: That consideration be given by the Minister us to the advisability of adopting a system of different shapes and colours for the various classes of road signs (not direction signs): that a motor vehicle that has been refused a comprehensive policy on account of its condition shall not lie re-licensed until a certificate of fftness has been presented to the registrar. this to be issued by a competent examiner approved by the Minister; that the Minister consider adopting the “anti-dazzle" regulations that will come into force in England in October; and that the Melbourne practice be adopted of placing “major road ahead” or similar signs at intersections. It was also decided to recommend to the union that a practical form of road courtesy be adopted, with instructions to all members of the stall's of the automobile associations to use the following road signs; “Do not pass me. Danger.” Wave the right arm in an up and down motion. “Pass me now.” Wave the right arm in a backwards and forwards motion.

SOLDERING NOT DIFFICULT

Tho thought of carrying out a soldering job seems to scare the average motor cyclist, writes Mr F. L. Hookway, publicity officer of the Auckland Motor Cycle Club. He either has it done at a garage or* else tackles it in a faint-hearted way, with his mind fully made up that the work will not "stick.’’ There is no difficulty provided a few points are observed. First, the business end of the soldering iron must be tinned, that is, covered with solder. This is done by heating it to a dull red and quickly cleaning it with a tile. By the time this is done the iron should be at a sufficiently high temperature to melt solder. It should be dipped in the flux and rubbed in solder. An ordinary tin lid' is useful for this purpose, and is also a convenient container from which to pick up solder on the iron, as opposed to running solder on the iron from a stick when comparatively large quantities are required. When a flux paste is used, as distinct from acid, a small quantity may be carried in the tin lid along with the solder, so that the iron is automatically dipped each time solder is picked up. It is important that an iron of sufficient size be used for the work on hand, otherwise the iron will cool off before the work is heated sufficiently for the solder to “take.” A golden rule in soldering is never to overheat the iron, however large or small, as this will only produce oxidisation, which will mean that the iron will have to be cleaned again and re-tinned. Another golden rule in cases where two parts are to be joined, or a patch applied, is first to tin tlie two surfaces separately. Then it only remains to apply a little more flux, press the two surfaces together, and heat until the solder fuses.

With small jobs, such as soldering nipples to control cables, only a small iron is necessary, and the work is very simple. The cable should not be cut to the correct length, but may he measured and the nipple placed in the correct position, the wire being gripped with pliers immediately below the nipple.

The nipple may now be soldered in place, sufficient solder being used to run right through the nipple, but not sufficient to till the cupped portion at the top. Now the cable may be cut off flush and the strands played out in the approved manner. A dab more flux may now be applied, and more solder run on to till the cup, the iron should be held to the work long enough to melt the solder again for the full length of the nipple.

ATTEND TO INJURIES

Comparatively few people realise the importance of treating minor injuries at once. A serious gash, and they are full of concern; but the “hardly worth while cut’’ is usually neglected, with the result that dirt and germ-laden grease from the garage or repair shop are allowed to come in contact with the wound, writes J.W.I-1. in the “Motor." Although most of these small injuries are not actually dangerous in themselves, and do not often lead to complications, much depends upon the individual. When overtired or recovering from one of the many ills that beset us, the germs are able to set up infection more easily. First aid, as it implies, is the first attention that is given to an injury. So whether a piece of dirty rag or a clean sterile dressing is placed upon the wound, it all comes under this heading. Why not indulge in safety first and eliminate risk of infection by making your first aid efficient? This can be done easily enough by noting the following tips: — Treat all wounds—even if they only appear to be scratches—immediately. Do not wait until the job in hand is completed, or think that because of the apparent slightness of the wound it is of no consequence. Dry wounds heal quickest. It is ever so necessary to wash away dirt. Ensure that the skin is dry before applying the dress-j ing. I The use of iodine as an antiseptic is widely appreciated, and is certainly one of the safest. Other forms of antiseptic, although eminently use-

ful for the sick room, require diluting, and as this provides an element of risk it is not desirable that they .should be used in an emergency.

Bleeding usually yields to the pressure of the dressing. If this should prove ineffective, then a constriction placed adjacent to the injury on the side of it nearest to the heart will be found sufficient to control the loss of blood. This mqst never be kept in position for longer than 15 minutes, but rarely in the case of minor injuries will the need’ for this arise. Burns are almost as prevalent as cuts, more so from those repairs which necessitate atention while the engine is still hot, and it is surprising how really painful a small burn can be. The pain can be eased by preventing the aiY reaching the wound. The best way is to make up a soothing solution composed of a teaspoonful of baking soda to a halfpint of lukewarm water. The part can be immersed, or lint soaked in this lotion can be applied to it. Ointment, grease, or oil (not mineral) may be used as an alternative, but the former treatment will be found to give more relief. Do not hesitate to seek medical advice if things do not appear to be as they should be.

The value of first, aid lies in the speed at which it can be applied, so it is advisable Io keep an outfit in the garage, or. better still, in the cubbyhole of the car.

This outfit need only be very small, consisting of a small bottle of iodine, a bandage or two, lint, cotton wool, pair of scissors, and a small packet of baking soda. The whole can be packed into a “50“ cigarette box, although an inexpensive tobacco pouch will suit some people better as it obviates rattling while the car is in motion.