THE MOTOR WORLD

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 11 July 1925, Page 13

THE MOTOR WORLD

The most notable development in America oar design is the number oi manufacturers wlio are teaturing the new line eight of straight eight motors. There are' now at least seven makes of cars with this t>ype of power plant. A very short time ago there were only two -manufacturers who showed a preference for this type of motor. the discussion of the respective meiits or the fours, sixes, line eights, and A type eights, is one that- is giving motorists something to talk about.

There are more motor buses plj ihS for hire in Auckland than there are tramcars An official tally in buses gives the total a. 182; there are l/o tramcars. The tramway department has ten motor buses in commission, and twenty on order.

Many warnings have been issued regarding the danger of running an engine in a closed gar gage, but the risks do not seem to be registered as serious by many motorists in this country. in spite of examples which should be convincing. There was a case quite recentfv in England where a chafleur drove a car into a garage which was obviously damp, and suggested to his employer that the engine should b e r un for a time to warm the place, -this being agreed to. the chauffeur took his the car and went to sleep. He is still sleeping. UNIFORM SIGN POSTS. RULES FOR STANDARDISATION. With the object of bringing some uniformity to the signposts on New Zealand roads the Main Highway* Board lias issued the following recommend at ions : —• ( a . The site to be such a s to secure (after considering the objective of the sign) the maximum visibility, the fun length of post and signs to lie visible. (b) The arms shall not project from the sign posts over the actual or so near thereto as to cause <-lan D e of collision therewith when vehicles am passing on e another on the w>aU. (e) Direction arms shall point treneral direction of the indicated. “ (d) Lower arms should indicate the more important roads. «>) The height- of the lowest arms above the ground shall be a maximum of 6ft., and a minimum of oft. bin. (f) The length of arms (including route number) minimum 3ft. and maximum 4ft. .. (g) Depth of arm s (including loute number) minimum 7iu. (h) Separation between arms. 4m. (i) Lettering: black letters on cream (made with good white lead and Fi oi ochre). Depth of letters for single 4in letters; for double lme 3*m. letters Division between lines, lin. Route numbers. 4}m., block hgurc on cream ground in black lute ouil. (i) Posts to bo of dressed hardwood not less than 4iu. x 4in.. treated from base and for one foot above ground lme with a wood preservative and painted similarly to nuns. . (k) The arms or notices on sign posts to lie oi durable dressed timher _<P«ferablv kauri) one inch m thickness and hied to sign post* with coach screws not less than 3in. lon or with square headed bolts with nas - ers underneath. Arms to be scat fed l sign-posts to thickness of arms.

Lettering on Arms.—Direction signs - The Alain Highways Board has. allocated numbers to all dedared main highwavs, and anticipates that each of these main higlnvavs will, in time come to be known by it. number. Theboard has issued maps oi botli the Noith and South Islands on which are shown all main highways with their respective "t’Sw of the fact that the highwavs will be known by their numbers it 'will not be necessary to mark the terminals of the highway on the direction hoards, though the name s of and distances to the nearest towns aie to be shown.

BRITAIN’S NEW ROAD. A BOON FOR MOTORISTS. King George, who was accompanied by the Queen, a few week s ago opened the Great AVest Road which is HO feet wide and eight miles long, beginning at .Chiswick. . The work has cost £l,lo0,(X)0, including the purchase and removal of certain houses, hut the road enables motorists to evade the fifteen-foot bottle-neck in the main street Oi Brentford and links up London with the great rdacL of Western England. “The finest road in England, and proof against the necessity of repairs, eyen under the heaviest traffic, tor fifty venr-s,” is the discription applied to the road which has taken four and a half vear of extensive and scientific work to make at an average cost or £126.039 fi mile, or over £<o a >««• It is U-’O feet wide, and i s constructed as follows: A formation of twelve inches of broken pieces of concrete, brick and stone; above that nine inches of reinforced concrete: and above that two inches of Composed natural rock asnhalt. All -sowers water mains and cables are at the side of the road, so that there is no danger of any sinking or damage or unevenness owing to over-great pressure.

REDUCING HAZARD'S AT CURVES. (“Radiator.”) Another method of reducing hazards at curves is by use* ol markings oil the road surface to direct the path oi traffic. The commonest mark is the centre line in white or black. The latter, first adopted, is now generally giving way to white, which has much greater visibility under prevailing conditions. The system of traffic markings has been most completely developed probably in Massachusetts, but is also used geheionslv in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Illinois, and other St ates. This .system i.s effect onlly confined to “black top” pavements, concrete and other bard surfaces. In Pennsylvania .experiments have been mlade in coinstructing a. tvh.ite centre line integral with a concrete pavement. Tlii;» is expected to reave the cost of maintaining such markers and ahso to make it possible to extend their use widely —to tangefitc as well as curves.

THINGS TO DO. USE ONLY CLEAN WATER. Use only clean, waiter in the cooling system. The particles of solid matter contained in muddy or dirty water win lodcre in the very small openings- between the radiator tube*, choking them and reducing the radiator efficiency. Moreover, such -solid matter accumulates in the water jacket, and unless removed from time to time will impede or .altogether stop the flow of water through the affected parts, FLUSH THE COOLING SYSTEM.

This condition necessitates frequent draining and flushing of the entire cooling system. Open the drain cock, drain, close the cock, aiid fill the system with clean water. If running water is available, open the drain cock, insert the nozzle of a hose into the radiator filler spout, anil rim the engine adjusting the flow of fresh water t,> prevent its overflowing on to the engine. Continue this for about five minutes, when the drain cock should he closed and the hose, removed. AVOID HARD WATER. Water frequently contains mineral precautions must- be taken, tor its continue!.! use causes -some of the mineral matter. If -such water is used, extra matter to form; encrustations or scale on the cylinder' and water jacket walls, and in the- radiator also. Such deposits in a large measure prevent the radiation of heat -and therefore reduce the efficiency of the cooling system. Don't fail to keep hearings properly adjusted and free from lost motion. Don’t forget that the makers of your engine- are willing at all. times to- give advice tlvaf will assist in its satisfactory operation and make voii feel quite safisfiod with your purchase.

HIGHWAYS OF U.S.A

24.000 AT ILLS TO BE MADE. Now that the New South Wales Main Roads Board is an establishes face, ami, presumably, in full working order, motorists of the State arc iinxioiis.lv waiting to see what is going to be done in the way of putting some of our roads in “rideablo” condition (says a. Sydney paper). _ From latest advices from America it is quitte ceitain that th e Board here will have its work cut out to keep pace with the “good roads’’ movement in the United States. , Twenty-four thousand miles of ingnway enough to circle the earth, are scheduled for construction during the 1926 season by the various State Hi go way Departments, according to information secured by the Bureau of Public Roads of the United States Department of Agriculture. The State departments also plan to maintain a totlil of 217,794 miles -of road Approximately 406,000,01)0’ dollars'will he available for construction. and 136.(K)T,i:9!) for maintenance by the State highway departments. It is difficult to forecast the operations o' the counties, but the indications are that they will spend approximately 4G3,oiX).o')i) dollars for construction and maintenance. The estimated total expenditure for the year is. therefore, 1.003.000.000 dollars. The State highway departments plan to construct 6900 mies of asphalt, concrete. and brick; 11,600 miles oi sandclay, gravel, and may ad am ; and 6709 miles of improved earth roads. Comparing the funds available for 1926 with those for preceding years, it appear s certain that road construction will go forward at about the same rate as in the preceding year. Since 1921 the total mileage of surfaced roads built each year has been between 30,000 and 40,(X). The maintenance programme of the State highway departments is an encouraging one. The approximate mileage of the designated system o'. State roads is 260,444, and since 217,794 miles are to be maintained ft appears that most of the important improved roads will he eared lor b, well-organised State maintenance forces.

BALLOON TYRES. Some interesting observations regarding balloon tyres have been supplied l,v the representative of a wellknown tyre company, who states, .inter alia : “To understand the balloon tyre idea properly, it is necessary to realise first of all that your car really doesn't ride on tyre s at all. It- rides on a cushion of air, and the tyres are only the means of confining the air to suspend the ear off the ground. The idea, then, of the balloon tyre is simply to give the supporting air cushion a large confining chamber so that more air may be carried at m uch lower pressure, giving a soft, yielding cushion with a slow gentle recoil instead of the comparatively hard cushion with sharp recoil. The result is a degree of comfort that transcends any previous motoring experience as well as an inmieasureable addition to the ear’s life and usefulness. Besides cushioning yon, balloon tyres cushion your car. Bolts and nuts stay tight Rattles don’t develop so quickly. It is very largely vibration that causes wear throughout the chassis, and engineers who have thorougblv" tested balloon byres predict that their general adoption, bv reduo Jiig vibration will very materially lcss*c.r Hie cost of upkeep. Innumerable tests have shown that haPoon tyres arc no more likely to puncture than high pressure tyres. Here, again, their lower pressure enables; them to roll over and yield to objects that would puncture -or hurst a highly inflated tyre HINTS ON CORRECT INFLATION. “Though balloon tyres are made to be used at low air 'pressures, it does not follow that any "old pressure will insure maximum mileage from the tyre. Because balloon tyres carry very low air pressure to begin with, a drop o from live to ten pounds repiesents a big percentage of decrease in the total recommended pressure. And so running under-inflated is just as harmful 1n the balloon tyre as it is to drive a car equipped with high, pressure tyros at inflation,, below those recommended for a normal load. Owners of cars with balloon tyres should never let the pressures drop more than 10 per rent, below the recommended inflation for a normal load. For instance, if the recommended pressure is 30 pounds, the absolute minimum is ‘27 pounds of air, below which the tyre i s certain to suffer damage.” NOT A STUNT TYRE. In conclusion, this expert stated that many motorists have the mistaken im-

pression that the balloon tyro is only built for comfort, but that it nill stand rough usage and can be run over the worst kinds of roads,- over railway tracks, that it can climb curbs and take without damage as w_c‘U the jolt and skid which follows slaninnng on the brakes while the car is maintaining a high rate of speed. Although balloon tyres for demonstration purposes will carry the car easily over such as railway lines, and so forth, the balloon is not designed as a -stunt tyre, and if used as such continuously, will, no doubt, be seiiouslj injured and its life shortened. Properly eared for, balloon tyres will last long and give mileage equal to that of high pressure tyres. It is remarkable how much abuse some balloons will stand, but the motorist should remember that every time be runs over a curb or extremely rough road he is gambling away mileage.

MOTOR ITEMS. If there were not something to be said in ia-vo urof thg. bright lights used by motorists they would have been banished long ago. While brilliant headlamps cans© much annoyance at times, they have prevented many a catastrophe, because there are so many unlighted or poorly lighted vehicles on the road. Constables, magistrates, and even judges have found by- personal experience that bright lights on cars for night travelling are indispensable; but' the point yet undecided is as to how night-driving can be made sate by efficient lighting without annoying other road users.

Dazzling headlights are not so much a menace as they were a few years ago. The effects of the glare have largely been minimised by- the use of dimmers and screens, while iense s of special design, although appearing brilliant from a distance, even dazzling, lose that distressing glare the closer they are approached. Users ol these lamps have frequently been upbraided by other motorists for not reducing the volume of light, challenging them with their own headlamps, or sometimes with a spotlight, in order to make them understand that they should dim the lights. However, they experienced no difficulty in passing for the reason above stated. The Sunday Express state, that a motor-cyclist collided at a notorious danger-point with a motor-car in which Dame Clara Bu'tt was returning home from Bristol, where she gave a concert in connection with her silver wedding. The car was filled with -bouquets. The motor-cyclist died soon after he reached the hospital. The -speed of motor vehicles in the Avondale borough is to be restricted to 25 miles an hour except in the vicinity of the public school on the Great Aorta iioad, where the speed is not to exceed 15- miles. The matter of speeding was considered at the meeting of the Borough Council recently, when the traffic inspector asked to be provided with a powerful torch and stop watches for the purpose of checking motorists. This led to some discussion as to the advisability of framing by-laws to limit the speed of vehicles, and it was decided to instruct the borough solic.tor on the lines indicated.

It is proposed to build t he first motor road in Germany from Aix-la-Chapelle via Colonge, Dusseidorf, Duisburg, Hamm, Bielefeld, Hanover, to Berlin. Overbridges or underbridge s will lie constructed at all road and railway crossings. Building operations are to commence either at the ena of this year or early in 1926. What is claimed to be the world’s longest motor toll bridge lias'been recently completed between Tampa and .St. Petersburg in Florida, U.A.S.. it is six miles long, and reduces the driving distance between these two towns by 24 miles; it accommodates four cars abreast, and crosses a section of old Tampa Bay where the water was too shallow for navigation and too deep to allow of tbe construction dr an ordinary highway. There was quite a lot of merriment in Tenuika on a recent afternoon while a very old dilapidated car was being engaged in delivery work. The radiator of this prehistoric-looking bus was leaking very badly, and tbe driver m desperation tried to remedy the leaking by inserting a quantity of oatmeal. This proved to have effect in more way s than one, for it literally turned the car into a porridge pot, and burning oatmeal c-ould bo smelt all down the street.

In the first two months of this year more than 1600 Bills relating to the automobile industry trade and traffic were introduced into tbe various United States Legislature. It is reported by the motor-bus division of the American Automobile Association that many of ■the measure,, are drastic, and, if enacted, would restrict the use of motor vehicles. Some, it is admitted, are constructive, and should be passed, but the greater number have been drawn up without proper investigation for the need of such laws. More attention to the enforcement- of existing laws is urged.

AUCKLAND A.A. ASSOCIATION A YEAR OF USEFUL WORK. In the annual report of the Auckland association the following; with rcferenee to Kaitaia and the NinetyMile Beach will be read with interest by all who have motoreil that wonderful stretch of sand: —Alter a lapse of two years the motor races on the Ninety-mile Beach were again organised, and successfully held, pioving to be the largest'motor race programme held in New Zealand to date, involving an expenditure of over £4OO-. It received iecord support from both visiting local motorists. A gate which whs kept locked was erected on the association’s beach access road, and financial members were provided with duplicate keys. This movement proved quite a success, being largely due for the increased membership. The. bugbear of the branch is the approach to the Ninety-mile Beach at present. Owing lo saiul drift, etc., the approach has become practically impassable. Attempts. have been made to alter the course of the stream so as to give reasonable access to the beach, but unfortunately up to the present without, success; something further will b e done as soon as funds are available. The membership for the year has been increased from lo financial members‘to 75. The road direction signs that were prepared- by the -branch some time ago have now been handed over to the local county council for erection. This work is to be put in hand immediately. An application for a further supply of signs from the parent body lias been forwarded to the service officer.

TWENTY-FOUR HOUR’S RECORD. After standing for 18 years the 24 hours’ single-handed world’s record for a motor-oar, established by S. F. Edge at Brooklands ,in 1907, has been l*w-

ered in Europe. At the end of May T. Gillett, a London motorist, established many new records, from 200<) kilometres onwards. The first 1000 miles was covered in 12h. 13m. 275., and the first record, 2000 kilometres (1242 miles), was established in loh. 7m. 445., beating the old record by film. Fifteen hundred miles took 18h. 2<m. 95., an average speed of 81 mile* an hour. The record for 3000 kilometres (1803 miles) was lowered, and at the finish of 24 hours Gillett had covered 1948 miles 1355 yards, averaging 81 miles an hour for the whole distance. The record for 24 hours recognised by the International Association' of Recognised Automobile Clubs ' was 1820 miles 1232 yards, held by two French drivers m alternate spells. Great interest was shown in Gillett’s drive.

MOTORIST’S COLLAPSE. UNCONSCIOUS OF MOVEMENT. An unusual case of a man being wholly unconscious of his action s and movement was reported recently. Mr. J. C. Patterson, of 265 Dariey Road. Randwick. was found in Paramatta Road, opposite Lang Street Croydon, where he had collapsed over the steering wheel of his motor-car. He was taken to Lewisham Hospital by the Western Suburbs Ambulance, suffering from cerebral hemorrhage. He stated that, although he had driven from Strathfield, he could remember nothing of the journey. He believe* that lie was unconscions.

LORRY ACROSS AUSTRALIA. Considerable interest is being taken in Australian motoring circles in the first attempt to drive a heavy weignt commercial motor truck across Australia from Adelaide to Darwin, a route that for years has been u--meu impracticable lor heavy automobile traffic. Tffe journey attempted is a long one, of about 6,000 miles. Leaving Melbourne the inter-State route was followed via the Coorong to Adelaide. Then departing from tlie usual procedure by overlanding motorists of trucking their cars by rail to Oodnadatta (689 miles) to avoid the heavy sandhills and creek beds along the Uodnaoatta end of this stretch of tffe trip, a seetipn which some overlanding motorists declare to be the worst to negotiate on the Adelaide-Darwin route, the truck party determined to cross this section by their own power. A telegram from Oodnadatta states that they succeeded in getting uifough. Tiie daily stages from Adelaide were Peterborough (158 miles), a fine run for a heavy motor truck. Hawker (96 miles), Telford (104 miles), Wangianna (84 miles), Stuart s Creek (41 miles), Irripattanna (49 miles), Edwards Creek (70 miles), and Oodnadatta (70 miles). Evidence of drought was abundant, little grass and no running creeks being seen. After reaching Darwin the homeward journey was made via Queensland and the Coastal route.

EARLIEST MOTOR-CARS. The collection of pioneer motor-cars at the Science Museum, South 'Kensington (reports the Westminster Gazette) has been enriched by the gift of an 1898 four-cylinder English Daimler. This car joins the other cars — in the basement storage. Not long ago it was officially estimated that 5() per cent, of the Science Museum exhibits were in store, that is. hidden from the public. According to the' latest estimate this percentage ha s been reduced to 33. Most of the cars have never been seen by the public at South Kensington, hut visitor,, are acquainted with the 188 S Benz petro) ear, the 1894 Panhard. two steam ears of 1903, and a model of the Cm/not steam carriage (tempos 1769) that attained a speed of 2i miles an hour. In 1922 the museum acquired the collection of eariv motor-cars that was exhibited in Oxford Street in 1912.

Ten of tlie 40 were selected for permanent exhibition in the museum, and most of the remainder have been distributed among provincial museums. The ten include a Canstatt Daimler (1894), ,an electric motor brougham (1897). a Darracq (1898), an Ariel quadricvcle (1900), a Delahave (1901), and a Lancashire No. 2 (1897). The fate of Colonel Crompton’s Blue Belle, which was among the 40 is doubtful. Colonel Crompton began to make this vehicle in 1861, when he was a hoy at Harrow.