THE MOTOR WORLD

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 3 October 1925, Page 15

THE MOTOR WORLD

NOTES AND COMMENTS. The meetings held recently by the South Taranaki. Association show a hue sui.rit of co-operation in the best nvtei - ests of the motorists geueraly. ine association is very live, and is maintaining a keen interest in all that benefits or is likely to be of .interest to the motorist. They have done a lot of work in, many directions that is or distinct advantage to all, and have shown a wide view in everything they have undertaken.

It is expected that there wil be a reply shortly to the Mountain reading scheme, and this will he awaited with, interest. It is certainly a big scheme, but the difficulties do not seem to the lay mind to be insurniounta.be, and the results would undoubtedly be very good.

At a recent meeting of the Stratford branch of the Automobile Association the following recommendation was made to the Central executive: that signposts, be erected at Pembroke itoacl, Opunake Road. Regan Street, Kahouri bridge, Gordon Road, Tututawa-Puke-ngahu Road, Douglas Road, Toko Road, Strathmore-Tualia.hu Road, and at Cardiff, and that danger signs be erected at various places on the Ohura Road as far as the TangarakauGorge, and also at the AVaipuku railway crossing.

In a series of tests conducted m America by the Bureau of Public Works it was found that the impact force resulting when a motor truck wheel with a badly-worn solid rubber tyre goes over an irregularity in the road 1 is seven times the dead weight of the vehicle. Not only does such an impact damage the road, hut it seriously shortens the life of the vehicle itself. Owners ct motor trucks should realise that it is poor economy operating their vehicles with the tyres carrying barely enough rubber to keep the rims off the ground. Any tyre saving effected by running solids 'in such a condition _is poor economv, for increased maintenance cost will more than eat up any saving made by contirflial use of the wornout tyres.

The fairly common practice among motorists of painting numbers either in the front or rear of their cars is not allowed under the regulations. A car owner was prosecuted in the Auckland Police Court for not having an authorised index mark on the front of his car, affixing an unauthorised mark and failing to notify the deputy-registrar for the purpose of reeoiving a new plate. Defendant said he hadi lost his number plate and painted the number on the ear, thinking it would serve the purpose. He was unaware that this was a breach of the regulations. “I do nob think the (regulation is commonly known, said the magistrate, in imposing a fine of 10s and costs.

Dad drivers are always being criticised. So far the had passenger, who is inoib only a nuisance, but also a potential source of danger, has escaped c.oment.

There are several types. Some err thougli sheer ignorance, others owing to nervousness. To my mind (slays a London writer) the worst offender is the ultra-nervous passenger who insists on dinning advice into the ears of the man at the wheel— often 'wrong advice given at the wrong moment.

If the driver is at all nervous himself, the running fire of comment by the passenger Is only likely to shake bis confidence.

All passengers should remember that th© driver sees far 'more of the road and what is happening on it than themselves. If he is experienced his eyes are trained to the task. To inform him, as some passengers do, that a tramway car is approaching or that a level crossing is closed, or that a party of people are -about to cross the road, i.s challenging his intelligence.

* If he is so blind that be cannot see this himself lie should not be driving. To call attention suddenly and in a startled voice to any unexpected danger that may arise may often distract his (attention at a moment when he requires the full concentration of his. faculties.

This type of passenger is iby no means uncommon. Curiously, enough, drivers themselves often make the worst passengers, because they visualise every possible danger. They know, too, a tight corner when they see one. Often such a passenger will go through the motions of declutching with liis foot and, down .steep bills, of putting an the foot brake.

The ignorant passenger who knows nothing whatever about driving or road dangers is often .the best man to have beside you, provided he keeps quiet when yoh are proceeding over difficult crossings or when an emergency requires concentration. All passengers should make a point of never talking to the driver in such circumstances.

The best passenger I ever heard of was a deaf man. He had supreme confidence in tfie driver, and never uwsplayed the least anxiety. One day the ear in which he was travelling got out of control down a steep iii!L owing to faulty brakes. The driver managed by a iskiiiful change down to a lower gear to bring the car to a standstill a few feet away from a level crossing which happened to be closed to allow a tram to pass. His lilac© was white, and perspiration ran down his iorehead. When he looked at his passenger he found him -unperturbed —he was even smiling.

“You took that jolly well,” said the driver. “Well, you said, it would be all right, didn’ix you?'’ replied the pa.- i-enger.

This' confidence, together with the fact that he to hard of hearing, .saved the passenger from being disk revised. The ideal papsenger in hue who *!i:i\v»> faith in tire driver —an. occasional comment on his .skilful driving and tin? smooth running of his car do not come amiss—and only talks when the road is clear and the driver is not occupied with difficult manoeuvres.

ROAD SIGNS. AMERICA WARNS “IlOGS.” America undoubtedly leads the world in the wording of roadside warnings to motorists. The following are selected from many recently erected at United States danger spots. Speed limit in this town: fifteen miles an hour. One day for every mile over that

Over 1,700,000 injured in 1923. Keep out of this census.

Don’t run up your mileage with skids. Keep your hands on the wheel. Let your girl hug herself. Don’t try to think of your brake. There are three grades of eggs. There is but one grade of crossing, and that’s dangerous. The glass in. your windshield is the same stuff they put in hospital windows. Look through one or the other. Don’t try to scare locomotives with your horn. Accident insurance is a good thing to have without the accident. A road hog roots up macadam with his nose. A circus is the place for clowning. Our roads are wide and' smooth, but some drivers are narrow and rough. We have seven good hotels and One gaol. Take your pick. Your grandfather lived to be 90 because he had sense, and so did the horse.

Act like Pullman porter on curves. Give wide swingers a wide berth. There is room for two hands on a wheel. No more and no less. Fifteen miles an hour may he a chill, but fifty is a fever. You are "approaching our insane asylum. Be yourself. You wouldn’t travel on a freight train, so don’t try to travel under one.

The minute you save may be your last one

ROAD RAGES. Five important long distance road races were held in various parts of Australasia last week, all of which served ito decide the respective interstate and New Zealand accredited representatives for the world famed Dunlop road race to be held from Warrnamjbool to Melbourne (165 miles) on Saturday, October 10. In New South Wales two races were conducted, one a league, and the other an amateur race over the Goulburn-Sydney course, which is one of the stiffest in the Commonwealth. The league race attracted 57 starters, including several Victorian cracks. The winner proved to be D. Brooks (40 mins, start), who rode the 124 miles in 6 hrs. 50 mins. 10 secs., Ri. Cruise (17 i- mins.), of Victoria, finished second in 6 'hrs. 26 mins. 35 secs., which was 'also the fastest recorded. J. Beasley (Victoria) scratch, finished 9th in 6 hrs. 32 minis. 30 Secs. The anna tour event served to show what a fine rider R. W. Lamb (Victoria) is, for starting from scratch lie worked bis way through the big field and won in the wonderful time of 6 hrs. 17 mins. 55 secs., which is a far better achievement than H. Qpperman’s ride over the same course last year, when the Victorian crack won the league race from Sena tab in 7 hrs. 3 mins. The record for this course Stands to the credit of Don Kirkham, who in 1911 put up 6 hrs. 19 mins. 13 secs., and the course was a few miles .longer on that occasion. Both events were won on Dunlop tyres. Another important race decided was the New Zealand test from Timaru to Christchurch (112 miles). This event attracted 171 starters, and lor the first time in the history of the race it resulted in a dead heiat for first. The winners were A. O. Walker (42 mins.) and O. Bright (19 mins.) Their respective times were (Walker) 6 hrs. 19 mins. 1 sea and (Bright) 5 hrs. 56 mins. 1 sec. Fastest time was established by R. A. Nieholsen (15 mins.), who finished third in 5 hrs. 52 mins,..4o ecs. The record for the course is P. O’Shea’s, 5 hrs. 14 mins 58 sees. First and fastest time winners rode Dunlops. The West Australian test race from Beverley to Perth (114 miles) provided a fast race and attracted a big field. H. Olpperman (Victoria), who journeyed to West Australia to compete in the event, was unable to ride owing ao an attack of measles. The race was won •by R.. Foy in 57 mins. 5 secs, off 34 mins. W. Marshall (6 mins.) established the fastest time .■and covered the course (114 miles) in .5 hrs, 42 mins. 25 secs., and then continued his ride to the old finishing point two miles, further on (116 miles), thereby gaining the record for the old Beverley-Perth course. His time was 8 minutes better.than the previous record of 5 hrs. 58 mins. 33 secs. The successful riders .also rode Dunlops. The Queensland test race was decided over a 100 miles course from Gladstone to Rockhampton, and was, won by tv scratch man in B. Murray, of Maekay, in 5 hrs. 43 mins. 25 sees. • The Tasmanian and South Australian test races have yet to be decided.

MAXIMUM SERVICE. Ask yourself the question, says the Dairyman’s motor editor: “If 1 never drive over twenty-five miles an hour, should my car not give long-continued good service?” Yes, it should; but it also depends a great deal on just how you drive —how you keep your car in constant accord with the equalities in the road —the bumps, the holes, and other hazards which appear suddenly in front of you at times. Then, too, there are lots of folk who just naturally like to ride-rough-shod over everything—do not slow up even for railway crossings. Of course, this kind of' driving is not only injurious to the car, but adds the element of danger as well. They seem to lie under the impression that to be careful and cautious shows timidity or a lack of nerve. To get the very best results from a motor-car f.om ‘a driving .standpoint to secure the greatest amount "of "lea-sure lor yourself and comfort for /our passengers —one must acquire a delicate touch on both the clutch and brake nedals. We have all noticed at times, ‘cars .almost jump for two or three feet when starting off. This practice throws a tremendous sudden strain on all parts from the clutch to the rear wheels —probably file times the strain that is exerted when pulling steadily up a steep hill. A piece of common string will suspend a pound