THE MOTOR WORLD

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 March 1925, Page 15

THE MOTOR WORLD

NOTES. Affairs have been quiet in the Association ot late, btit tuey may uell consider they have done excellent work. Toll gates have been a live question until now, and the prospect of early abolition naturally makes the Association say nothing more. The South Taranaki Association may web. be considered one of the “livest” and most practical in the dominion. They must, novvever, maintain their; watcinuinese.

•‘Abolish the toll-gates” has been the universal cry in this province. But to overcome the damage, excessive undoubtedly, on the Brigiiton-Taieri Mouth iioadj caused by speeding motors, a member of the Taieri t.imnlv Council proposed to set up a toll bar, aLthougb, as he said, no one wanted such an antiquated means of collecting revenue. A resident said that the damage done by speeding motors was a long way worse than by heavy lorries.

Motor badges to be used as a sign of membership of the South Taranaki Association have .reached Kawera and are much admired by local motorists. They have the Taranaki colours and letters indicating the branch. Members will be glad to get the badges for use on their cars.

The postmaster advises that, although the main supply of new registration plates has not reached Kawera, those required for new cars are available. As stated previously, the plates are very neat, white embossed letters and fig--ures on a green background. In the figures for thousands, a bold clot is inserted before the hundreds unit, apparently to make the number easily read and'distinguishable.

The Wanganui Association record in their annual report the placing of signs on various roads in their district. This is an action that will be much appreciated, and when al] areas do the same there will be a chain of information which will be of the utmost value to the motoring public, and will materially assist tourists and prevent tlje taking of wrong routes. Much time will he gained and no temper lost, such as' occurs when a mistake is made.

A number of motorists residing at Raetihi have written to the Auckland Automobile Association putting forward a complaint regarding the amount of fees tlie-y were required to pay in the form of.'local Government taxation. It was mentioned that for each car the following fees had to be paid: (1) £3 15s-to the Government; (2; £3 to.the borough, of Raetilii; (3) £3 to the borough of Ohakune; and (4) £1 to the Ohakune railway station. “And,” the letter adds, ‘‘the roods are not lit for a wheelbarrow.” The A.A.A. has replied, offering to obtain a legal opinion on the matter, provided the expenses involved are reimbursed.

Motor-cars are frequently blamed for doing damage to highways, and there is no cloubt that many big cars do so, but they are not- line only offenders. At the quarterly meeting of delegates co the South Island Motor Union a.t Invercargill,/ Mr. J. S. Hawkes quoted instances of the damage cloudy to main roads by travelling sheep, which could have been avoided if the sheep had been driven along a ,by-road, which ran parallel He moved that the Counties Association be written to recommending that by-laws be passed prohibiting sheep travelling on main highways where other roads running parallel are available. The motion was seconded by Mr. W. H. Nicholson and carried.

The development of the balloon motor tyre will probably mean that the pneumatic tyre of the future will be ol" generous proportions, and as light as possible consistent with strength and durability. Furthermore, it will be a tyre calling for a lighter weight rim than those now used, and will in fact lead to reduced unsprung weight, which would mean greater comfort, economy and efficiency. Some motorists have extravagant ideas in respect to balloon tyres, judging by the treatment they give their low pressure tyres. Because this tyre contains a greater volume of air and is run at a lower inflation than the standard type of cover, it will not stand abuse any more than the ordinary tyre will. A balloon cover will, cut and liaise just as a standard pressure cover will, and it is imperative that it be kept properly inflated and not overloaded, if satisfactory results are to he attained. Under correct operating conditions the. balloon undoubtedly ensures greater comfort, less vibration, and better braking, and about equal mileage to that obtained from the higher inflated standard cord' tyre.

It js predicted that America will make close.on 4,000,C00 cars and motortrucks during 1925.

Francis Birtles, the well-Known Australian overlander, who recently established the remarkable feat of motoring from Darwin to Adelaide, negotiating the 2091 miles of atrocious tracks in 9 days 9i hours, is again off on another long jaunt to the Northern Territory. Un this occasion Birtles will traverse the route taken by the ill-fated Burke and Wills party, and from the northern limit of this route he will strike across to Arnheim Land, where he proposes to spend some twelve months exploring this practically unknown land, and, it possible, gather further details relative to the reports circulated that two white women, supposed to be survivors of the lost Douglas Mawson, are held captive by the blacks in this region.

Little notice has been taken of the fact that the aeroplane recently had its 21st birthday. it was away back in December, 1903, that Orville Wriglu amazed the world by flying'at Tyittvha.wk, North Carolina (U.S.A.), for twelve seconds on a .biplane designed and built by he and his brother, the late Wilbur Wright. The machine_ developed 12 h.p. and weighed 7501 b. What wonderful strides have been made since Wright’s first flight. Apart from the invaluable- war services, the outstanding achievements have been the historical, flights across the Atlantic from Newfoundland to Ireland, the Fngland-Australia flight, and the more recent encircling the globe. So much has been accomplished in the aeroplane’s first 21 years of existence that one can with safety forecast an even more wonderful advancement in the next decade.

A conference between the North and South Island Motor Unions .is expected to be held in Christchurch on March 17th, when a number of matters important to motorists will he dealt with. Messrs J. S. Hawkes, W. H. Nicholson, A. E. Ansell, and J. L. Passmore will be the South Island representatives.

In Germany motor-cycles or under 200 e.c. are exempt from road taxation.

It is estimated that, licenses of more than a million mechanically-propelled road vehicles expired last December in Great Britain.

Motorists in this part of the world have -little idea of the immensity of work behind each year’s 1’ rein ji Grand Prix automobile road race. Alieady the french Automobile Club has ordered spate to he prepared for parking 3d,(„K) cars at this year’s race, to be decided in .July over a combined road and track circuit at Montlhery, near Bans. Already a small army of men is engaged 'on building a special road Iretween six and seven mules long which will connect np with.the new Montlhery Speedwav. Some od,OIXJ trees have to r,e uprooted, these being pulled out of the ground by powerful motor tractors. In connection with this classic contest a strong protest- has been made by some of the-"leading automobile experts at the Low minimum weight limit fixed for competing cars by the .French Club. Practically 11 ewt is the weight limit, and it is pointed out that such a low weight is dangerous, for under it 1500 e.c. cars will be as fast as the 2-litre class, which is already claimed to be too fast for road sliced work.

Everybody who owns a motor-car likes to know that it is capable of working up a good speed if necessary at any time. Even the quietest of men become caught up with the desire to let their cars out when they see another driver endeavouring to pass them, and are consequently • tempted to speed. In the great majority of cases nothing untoward happens, but occasionally something goes amiss, and then there- is a cry "for sympathy where none should be' forthcoming. ' One day during the present week a man. who owns a Continental car, and who is very pleased with the pace it can make when opened out, although it is only a "small car, met “Roadster” and told him that half-an-honr previously he had been in Rangiora. “There was a big car that tried to leave me behind,” he said, “but it had no chance when I opened my bus all out. I went some, believe me, and I have an idea that the other car is still coming along the road.” There were one or two rather dangerous bends on the road to negotiate, he added, but he took them without any difficulty, it being here that he gained a, great advantage over the other driver. In relating the story, the motorist saw nothing in it to he ashamed of. His point of view was that his ear had put up a good performance in out-speeding the other ear as it had. There was nothing wrong in his action that he- could see in speeding along a highway in a manner dangerous to the public. If lie had hurt anybody, he would have been filled with regrets, yet he was prepared to take the risk of doing so in order to race the driver of the other car, the driver of which he did not even know. This is the attitude of hundreds of motorists to-day —they are the last men in the world who would willingly hurt another person, but they take the risk of so doing several times in the course of a year, because they cannot resist the desire to show the owner of another car how fast they can travel.

MOTOR COMPETITION. Last year in the Auckland district 4000 bales of wool had been sent away by road, but this year the Railway Department collared 2000 of them. Jn the Ohakune district hist year 9000 bales were transported by road, but this year the Department, has regained the lot. To some extent the same thing apapplied to butter and grain. “Live and let live” was all right, he said, but as Minister of Railways he was going to do all in his power to endeavour to get everything that should go by rail on to the railways. Of course that did not mean that there would not be any good roads. Time-tables were also dealt with by the Minister. A lot of consideration had been given to them, he said. The Limited Express had already commenced running, and so far he had only heard of twelve men who wanted it taken off immediately. One man complained • that he had. been shaken out of his hunk, hut he (the Minister) had seen that a few extra cleats had been put in, so that was all right now (Applause.) The comfort of the travelling public was what he was aiming at. PRIORITY OF TR AFFIC. A practical rule to observe when two vehicles are approaching each other at an intersection is advanced by the North Island Motor Union in a useful booklet of traffic signals just issued to members of affiliated.associations. The union recommends: “When two vehicles are approaching each other at an intersection, so that if both continued the vehicles would arrive at the same point together and collide, or create a dangerous situation, the driver of the vehicle which has the other vehicle on his right hand shall slow up and allow such other vehicle to pass in front of his vehicle. The driver with the right-of-way shall keep on his course and proceed at a safe speed.” ' Illustrations of the rule in practice are given by nleans of sketches, and it is pointed out that the main factor to observe is to watch out for all vehicles approaching from the right. It is considered that this practice, jf universally adopted, will minimise danger at crossings, and the union hopes that legislation will eventually he enacted to give the recommendation the force of law.

CAMPS FOP! MOTORISTS. FORMATION OF RESERVE. NECESSITY IN DOMINION. SUCCESS OF SCHEME IN AMERICA A long-felt want amongst motorists of New Zealand is the formation in favoured localities of camping parks where- motoring tourists may pitch their tents and spend a few days of their holiday in pleasing and comfortable surroundings. Such a provision would add considerable zest to a motoring holiday, for the main dificutty confronting motorists desiring to spend a few weeks in this manner is the difficulty of finding a s suitable camping place where some of the elementary features of civilisation, such as stores, baths and other conveniences, are available to them. The Hamilton branch of the Auckland Automobile Association has had the- scheme in view for some time, and even for the sake of the increased business a “motor camp” would bring the town, it is to be liopecl that something tangible will yet be done before next The writer has before him a communication from the superintendent of the Auto Camp, Seattle (U.S.A.), one season.

one of the most extensive parks of Us kind in the world, setting out particulars of the scheme as practised in America The \\ oodland Auto Pa) k consisted of a tract of land of 17 acres, forming part of the city ,s largest parks. The entrance, which faced the main highway, was kept closed except when tourists were leaving or entering the park. From the main driveway leading into the reserve many smaller roadways were radiated in all directions amongst the trees, and into pretty open campingl spaces ideal as camping sites, Metalled roadways to various” spots were not increased necessary , a good covering with grave) being ali thatwvas required. The park contained a community house 24ft by Stift, two out-of-door kitchens, and a brick fourway stove with a- chimney in the centre! Other conveniences included a, sink, a large hot-water tank, and two compartment electric ovens. Entertaimhetits to the visiting motorists are evidently a feature of the camp, for our informant states that the city furnishes concerts at the community house throughout the summer months. An information bureau is another feature of the camp during the busier portion of the season, while a post-office is a convenience greatly appreciated bv the visitors. In conclusion, it was pointed out that schemes such as that carried out in Seattle, were revolutionising motor travelling in the country, and automobile associations in New Zealand were ea rnestly recommended to form similar camps. Inquiries have frequently been made locally by motorists desirous, or camping in some suitable locality, but unfortunately there is little encouragement iii the Waikato for the spending of a holiday such as this. On one occasion a "party of several motorists who were attracted by the Showgrounds as a suitable spot for their camp were asked- such an exorbitant rental that they had to abandon their proposal. SWITCH THE TYRES. Switch the tyres yon have been using on the right side of the car over on to the left side, and vice versa, every month, and add a thousand miles to their wear. The- slope of the road from the centre to curb throws the weight of the car over oil to the right tyres and they wear faster. Of course, the the driving right wheel wears first. The left rear 'wheels, having also a driving pull, will wear almost as fast as the right front, and the left front tyre lasts longest. LEFT IN THE HOAD. Mr. Ingleby Oddie opened an inquest at Battersea recently on Fredrick Childers, 52, a carman, found unconscious in Lower Richmond Road. Putney, at 9 n.ni. on -December 15, suffering ’ from * injuries apparently caused by a motor-ear. He died in the hospital w ithout regaining consciousness. The coroner adjourned the inquiry until: January 6, and expressed the hope that in the meantime any motorist who collided wTtli the man would come forward. , FREEDOM. The greatest joy of motor-cycling is the freedom it brings. If the going is dull., one can put on speed until the scenery changes, When you can slowdown to a crawl. If one town is devoid of hotels which look uninviting, it is an easy, matter to move on to the next, or to be thoroughly modern, a camp by the wayside can be pitched wherever the fancy wills. All riders are not “hustlers.” But the speed is there if you want? it, and it is sometimes very useful. Probably thie most peacefully minded person is the fisherman, yet the fishermen are now using motor transport as a means of searching out new streams.

THE RERUN AUTOMOBILE SHOW. From the Motor Cycle it is clear that the motor-cycle section of the recent Automobile Show in Berlin was a compliment to the British motor-cycle industry No foreign machines were admitted, but a 'large number of the exhibits were true copies of some of the best-known British productions, whilst many German machines had British-made' engines and fittings. JOY-RIDE JOKE. What was reported to the police as a •‘daring theft of a four-seater motorear” from outside the Queen’s Hotel, Farnborough, Hampshire, recently has turned out to be a* Christmas joke on the part of two high-spirited young soldiers. When the car was missed soon after midnight the owner, a well-known sportsman, informed the police and a description of it was taken out to all police stations for miles around. An hour or two afterwards the police sergeant found the car at a standstill on a road near the hotel. Two soldiers were vainly endeavouring to restart it. They told the police they had been for a joy-ride, and on their return the car “Ivecame obstinate.” - “There was no felonious intent” was the opinion of ■ the owner, the police agreed, arid the two soldiers were allowed to depart smiling over their adventure. NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW Gelebrating twenty-five years of motor-car exhibitions in. America, ..the annual New York Automobile Show blosed on January 10th with recordbreaking attendance. The show this year included the latest models of passenger cars from 54 factories, and, in addition, five different makes of taxicabs. The individual representation was somewhat less than in 1924, and considerably less than in 1922, when 92 passenger-car builders exhibited their products at the New York

Show. ' The decrease is, of course, due U> consolidation of companies and the dissolution of smaller concerns, who have been unable to survive the keen competition existing among larger concerns. The resources, manufacturing facilities and organisations enjoyed by those big concerns naturally give them a considerable advantage ovenf smaller manufacturers who do not enjoy the same facilities for producing, financing and selling their products. Few outstanding departures in design were to be found in any of the new .models displayed at the New York Show this year A new duplex body, however, created unusual attention. It is believed that it will exert a powerful influence on motor-car design of the ’“future, because it combines an open and an enclosed oar in one, at the price of the former. Sa great was the impression created by the duplex body, that one of the large New York radio stations broadcast a message to its audience on this new development in motor-cars.

Several manufacturers added chassis of new types. Other manufacturers introduced" minor body changes and chassis improvements. It was observed that some features have been pretty generally adopted by all American motor-car manufacturers. Balloon tyres, for example, are now in use by nearly all manufacturers as standard equipment. It was noticeable, however, that all manufacturers have not adopted full-sized balloon tyres. A few still adhere to semi-balloons and low pressure cord tyres. But the trend is very noticeable in the direction of genuine balloons. The lacquer finish was prominent at a great many of the displays, as were also such refinements ns onepiece windscreens, nickel-plated radiators and natural wood wheels.