REGISTRATION OF MOTORS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 5 March 1927, Page 15

REGISTRATION OF MOTORS.

PROCEEDING SLOWLY IN HAWERA OWNERS URGED TO HASTEN. Although the officials at the Hawera Post Office, have been prepared) to- proceed with the annual registration of motor vehicles for over a month, the number of cars dealt with to the preseut has not exceeded the half-century. In view of the fact that somewhere m the vicinity of 1500 vehicles will have to be re-registered before the end of the present month, it can easily e® seen that a heavy task confronts the officials. . . Additional, to the work previously entailed bv the annual registration, this year the* engine and chassis numbers or the vehicles have to be checked, consequently the procedure will' take even longer' than previously, and this will limit the number that can be piit through daily, despite the fact that more officials will be detailed 1 for the work. Owners are urged to have their vehicles re-registered as early as possible, both for their own convenience and that of the officials. . It is to be expected that a number of owners will delay the registration until the last few days, and in order to avoid the congestion and probable delay the officials- urge that as many as possible will fulfil their obligations before the rush period commences.

WOMEN MOTORISTS.

CHOICE OF CARS. POINTS OF COMFORT. For the woman who receives her license to drive a car, there is a new and important development in her life as a motorist. The purchasing of the car, price lists and specifications fill her days ivith thrilling anticipation, and this applies just as much to the woman who proposes to take a ‘ ‘ Tin Lizzie as a Rolls-Royce to her bosom, so to speak. Of course, there is usually some man to be consulted, but after every male friend and relation has given his valuable advice, the wise woman buys a motor car of reputable make that pleases herself (says an exchange). It is a strange fact that men prefer brighter-coloured ears than women—bright blues, and a vermilion. It is because bright colours would clash with their apparel that women mostly incline to fawn and grey, which makes a better background for clothes, cushions, rugs,'etc. Women’s efficiency as drivers loses nothing by their making a pleasing picture in their cars. When thinking of the furnishing of the bus, a driver’s cushion in the same colour as the upholstery is a comfort. For passengers there are cushions nice soft, ‘ ‘ comfy ’ ’ ones that will fit into a tired back.

Rugs are necessary in winter time, when there are biting winds, and should tone with the car; and, if both cushions and rugs are embellished with a monogram, are welcome gifts of some loving parent or friend for Christmas or a birthday. [Motor car pockets should -contain all the books of guidance and maps that are necessary. A suede-covered first aid ease may often help with some other traveller on the road. Another case should contain all first aids to beauty, such as a cooling lotion in case of bad sunburn when the car has ■been out for the day with a picnic party.

SAVING PETROL LOSSES.

A FITTER’S INVENTION. The I‘roblcm of eliminating the enormous evaporation losses occurring in petrol storage tanks has been solved by a fitter employed in the Chicago Bridge and Iron Works. His invention places in the hands of the oil industry a means of saving millions of pounds now lost, through evaporation. His idea takes the form of a hollow roof, which floats on the surface of the petrol. The floating roof. is built of heavv steel plate 2-16 in thick, entirely electrically welded. The vertical rim of the shell is about 22in high, also of 3-16 in plate. One of the most important features of the floating roof is the means by which it is joined to the shell of the tank in such' a manner as to provide a complete seal in sliding contact. This is accomplished by fixing a sealing shoe of flexible gas-tight fireproof material to the rim of the roof shell, which is kept in position against the inner surface of the tank by spring pressed plungers and hangers. The shoe is made in sections having the same curvature as the tank and a wide bevel at top and bottom to assure, easy riding over plates and rivets. This affords close contact with the shell of the tank for a vertical distance of about 20 inches above the surface of the liquid. The chief economic features of this floating roof are that it does not merely reduce the loss of petrol which results from the escape of vapour caused by the motion of the air above the ‘petrol, but it eliminates all losses, as none of the liquid is exposed to the air, and it renders any tank equipped with it fireproof.

NOTES. The secretary of the S.T.A.A. (Mr W. G. Walk Ley) anticipates that he will have a. quantity of tourist information referring to ail parts of the North Island available tor members within a week. Next week it is expected' that a lorry load of S.T.A.A. road signs for erection in various parts of the district will be taken out and distributed A commencement has been, made with the widening of the Main South road near Mokoia. When this is compled and continued towards Hawera, the road within the Hawera. County will he in. perfect condition for motoring.. The Boylan road ha.s been considerably improved recently bv the widening of the bends, but the bracken fern, which ha.s grown high in many places, still renders driving on this winding stretch somewhat unpleasant. There is at least one Auckland motorist who has decided veiwis about the lack of business methods of the

Xcw Zealand Railway Department. He motored, to Rotorua, for a holiday at Christmas, and was suddenly taken ill, with the result that he had to rail his car back to Auckland., Having given the customary 48 hours.’ notice, he took his car to the railway station to have it loaded on a waggon for the trip. “When I announced my purpose,” he informed, an “Auckland Star” representative, “the man in charge told me the staff was too busy with routine work to undertake the job. He pointed out a waggon, which was some 200 yards down the line, and, though I was unwell at the time, T had. to find a. friend to help me push the truck to the loading bank, wading in water ‘to the hocks,’ and load the car, after which I was thrown some rones to complete, the loading. Finally I was presented witlr a. bill for £5, the charge for using the railway ‘facilities’ in getting my motor car trucked back to Auckland. No wonder Rotorua is distinguished by a .sulphurous odour.” It is stated that Duesenberg, Tnc., intend to produce the most expensive car in the world. Purchasers will select- their own types of body, and bodvmakers. and will choose their own "clours. The price will probably be 18 000 dollars, "no matter what model, from racer to limousine. Tf necessary, ill cars sold will be capable of attaining a sned of 120 m.p.h. The production wilt lie. limited., and' each car will earrv with it n warranty of 15 years.