THE MOTOR WORLD

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 22 November 1924, Page 14

THE MOTOR WORLD

PARKING PLACES. j Referring to the discussion on Monday night in the matter of by-laws, it will be of interest to npte that the South Taranaki Association, through the secretary, Mr. W. G. AValklev, has already brought the matter before the Motor Union, with a view to having an Order-in-Council put through. At a meeting of the executive in Wellington the matter of providing parking places where cars could be left was discussed, but it was stated that at present the statutes were contrary to the establishment of such a convenience for motorists. It was resolved to press for an Order-in-Council making it possible for local bodies, several of whom were ready to install such parking places, to set spaces apart, and to write to all concerned, so that the matter might be pushed ahead. Amongst other matters dealt with, the secretary reported that there were upwards of 80 hotels in the North Island on the union’s list, and that, working in conjunction with the South Island, which had 86 hotels on its list there were 10,000 motorists in both Islands who could secure the concessions of- the scheme. It was decided to distribute certificates to the listed hotels.

A protest was made against the prosecution of certain motorists for not dimming lights. It was resolved to initiate a campaign for the elimination of motorselling signs on or within sight of rural highways, where beautiful patches of bush were too often disfigured. It was also stated that the frequency of such signs near the roads detracted from the value of signs intended to guide or warn motorists, who were sign-sick from a plethora, of advertising placards. Some time was taken in discussing the value of a “safety first” campaign. It was suggested that a course of instruction be issued to the schpols, so that children might be taught the first principles of avoiding rapid traffic when crossing the roads. A letter was read from the South Island Union stating that the education boards had made no definite reply to a suggestion along these lines. It was finally decided to press city councils to arrange safety zones and crossing places.

TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS,

DRIVER,: KEEP YOUR HEAD

The daily increasing number of motor , accidents can be attributed to the fact ; that most motorists lose their heads at ! critical moments. Obey the law of the prize ring to keep cool at all times and you will be better able to think of the right thing to do in emergencies. In other words, the careful motorist l who would protect life and limb must | be able to out-think the other fellow, i Know what to: do, and then do it if you would avoid accidents. The increasing number of machines on the highway makes, clear thinking imperative. Traffic and speed laws may be strictly enforced, but if all motorists would follow the law of common sense motoring fatalities would be minimised. STOPPING A CAR. Here is a list of the shortest- distances at which a motor ear with two brakes can be stopped when going at

The belief might prevail that the difficulty in stopping a car increases merely in proportion to the speed. The fact is, other things being equal, it increases with the square of the speed. Besides ;spee<h, momentum, ■or the weight behind the car,'declivity, and the condition of the road have much to do with the stopping of a car. No matter how hard the brakes are applied, even if the wheels are locked, the car’s momentum, increasing the speed, is going to push it along until it comes to a definite halt. Three other essentials must be considered. They are-: 1. Brakes must be in I* rf'ect condition. 2. The driver’s judgment of distance and time must be accurate.. 3. Variance in weight and momentum of the car must be considered. QUITE A GOOD ONE. A Scot was in a great hurry to catch a train back to Scotland. Of course, / no Scot ever'wants to return to Scotland in a hurry, but our friend had suddenly discovered that his excursion ticket was only available by a certain train and. that missing it would result, in banging many ‘sixpences. So he chartered a taxi, and, leaning out of the window the whole time, he urged the driver to greater speed. The result was that the driver, in trying to catch what he said, ran into the rear of a taxi which had been held up by the traffic policeman. Out came the policeman’s notebook, and he very deliberately prepared to “take particulars.” The Scot rushed out to him and started explaining all about the excursion ticket. “Your name and address?” asked the policeman. “Sandy McPherson, front Tobermory,” was the reply. “Awa’ wi ’ ye, then, and catch your train, while I charge this chap in front wi’ backing into you. I’m from Tobermorv mvself.”

GRAVEL ROADS. Gravel for many years will be our most important and cheapest roadmaking material (says Mr. Tyndall, assistant engineer to the Highways Board, in his report on his tour abroad). Mr. Tyndall proceeds: While it is only fit for taking light loads, nevertheless a good gravel road from the point of view of the motorist is better than a good macadam road. Careful study of the behaviour of gravelled roads is therefore warranted, and improved methods of construction can and should be evolved. The following points show the direction in which improvements are being made in America: (1) The gravel should be passed through a crusher, particularly if there are numbers of fragments over 3in. in diameter. (2) The gravel should be laid in two courses, the lower course, consisting of material passing through a screen with

circular openings of not more than 2in. (preferably llin.) retained on a screen having openings of lin. or Jin. diameter; the upper course consisting of all material passing the smaller screen. (3) No single course should be greater in depth than sin. (4) During and for some time after construction the road should be constantly dragged, and, if necessary, dampened. (5) The use of light rollers is advisable.

Hawke’s Bay County is still anxious to put down an experimental piece of concrete road near Napier, and is making an application to the Highways Board for permission to do so. The traffic on this road shown by last January’s tally was about 500 vehicles per day. Concrete is considered economic in the United States, where there is a daily traffic of 2000 to 5000 vehicles and upwards.

THE FLIGHT

People in every country have followed with interest and admiration the progress of the American aviators in their flight round the globe. Two machines have- reached the United States. Lieutenants Lowell Smith and Nelson have suceeded in completing the great circuit. The world has been encircled by aeroplane. Twoi aeroplanes of the original four which started out from America did not complete the flight. One was the machine of the leader of the world fliers, Major Martin, which ran into a mountain in Alaska during.; a heavy storm, and the other was foiled to discontinue shortly after leaving England on the last leg of the flight. The progress of the planes over continents and oceans, through snowstorms and over icebergs, over the burning desert and dense jungle, forms a narrative which makes a tale of fiction seem tame by comparison. Twenty-two countries have been crossed en route. The strangely sounding names of a number of the places at which these aviators stopped en route suggest the remoteness and wildness of some of the sections over which aeroplanes have whirred for the first time.

The world fliers have given a great impetus to aviation, and their wonderful performance will bring the day appreciably nearer when long distance flying becomes a popular form of transportation.

The great variation in temperatures, ranging from Arctic cold to tropic heat, as well as the great' distance travelled, made the world flight a tremendous test of engine efficiency. The question of the right quality of supplies and the right service of supplies for a trip of this nature obviously engaged the most serious attention of the authorities responsible. It was a great tribute to the high quality of Gargoyle Mobiloil, and to the world-wide service which the Vacuum Oil Company renders in the field of lubrication, that this famous oil was chosen and used exclusively throughout the trip. At the many points around the world where supplies were to be taken on-, stocks of Gargoyle Mobiloil were placed

in readiness by this company. This service necessitated the forwarding of supplies to many out-of-the-way places.

The flight was not only a great demonstration of skill and daring on the part of the. aviators and a great test of aeroplane engines;'it was also a great triumph of ground organisation. The Vacuum Oil Company takes pride in its participation in this historical undertaking. his Record. , ‘‘lt’s certainly a. fast-looking cap. "What’s the most you ever got out of it?” - New Owner: “Five times in a, mile.” CONSIDERATE OF HIM. “Would you mind driving a little slower, old man?” “Not getting scared are you ” “Oh, no, nothing like that; but I’d hate to take an unfair advantage of my jlife insurance company!” I i ! NOT LIKELY. j The teacher was trying to give her i pupils an illustration of the word i “perseverance.” “What is it,” she asked, “that carries a man along rough roads, and smooth roads, up hills, and down through jungles, "and swamps, and raging torrents?” There was a silence, and then Tommy, whose father was a motor-dealer, spoke up, “Please, miss,” he said, there ain’t no such car.” MORE DAMAGES. ■Sandy was down on 'his luck, and while wandering along the dusty highway, he came upon a wretched" motor car. Looking round, he saw the motorist lying on the ground, pretty badly injured. “What’s the matter, mon?” inquired Sandy.

“I have been knocked into by a heavy lorry, which went on without stopping,” was the answer.

“And. the insurance agent hasna been along yet?” asked Sandy. “No,” snapped the other. . “But fetch a doctor to me quickly.” “Bide a wee. bide a wee,” said the canny Scot. “Move ower, and let’s lie down wi’ ve.”

certain speeds: 10 miles an hour 9ft 20 ?) 36 ft 30 jy JJ 82ft 40 yj .. 145ft 50 ?) .. 227ft