RANDOM NOTES

Hawera Star, Volume L, 25 October 1930, Page 12

RANDOM NOTES

Battery terminals coated with a white deposit due to corrosion can be cleaned with a stiff brush dipped in fairly hot water Safety first—the safety of others first —is a good rule to observe, together with a determined refusal to cultivate the aquaintance of that, twin brother of ignorance, “chance.”' One dangerous offence which, appears very prevalent on our highways and byways to-day is the habit of thinking that because a driver wishes to overtake another car he has entered upon a speed challenge—whereupon the one being overtaken immediately accelerates. When cleaning wire wheels difficulty is found in getting at the inside of the hub of the wheel with a spoke brush, but by bending the brush at right angles it is child’s play, even to getting round the wheel nuts. The paint does not get chipped as when using a straight brush. When touring it is not advisable to adopt the practice of either the hare or the tortoise. Road conditions often set the pace,, but, if possible, steady, moderate speed on the open road is preferable to dangerous rushes or incomprehensible sudden crawls, especially when occupying the crown of the road. - . The following is a very effective method of cleaning tarnished or neglected nickel plate, brass, etc.: Mix a quarter of a pound of pumice powder with a small packet of any dry soap powder and apply a sprinkling to the mixture to the metal with a fairly wet rag, rubbing well. When tarnish has been removed rub with dry cloth and polish with ordinary brass polish. Many people are convinced that the day of the “baby car” is coming, if it is hot already here. - Experience has shown that the small light car has many advantages which outweigh the advantages of capacity and ultrasmooth running—particularly for the driver whose wanderings are mainly about the city. At the same time, of course, the car will respond nobly to almost any demands made upon it in the wav of distance and of speed. Nevertheless the humorist has found the “baby” an excellent target for a good-natured gibe or two. A new owner, a Christchurch, resident, was asked a day or two ago : “Do you drive that car, or do you wear it . J ” Here are two good ways of tackling an obstinate split-pin which is awkward to withdraw. First slip a thin nail through the head of the pin and then grip the pin with the pliers well over the.mail, or, better still, use nail extractors. Should this fail, cut the head clean off the split-pin and withdraw it in the reverse direction, one half at, a time.