THE MOTOR WORLD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18103, 11 February 1922, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE MOTOR WORLD.

BY FOCUS.

CITY AND SUBURBAN EOADS, It, is gratifying to note that repair work is being carried out on many of the city and suburban roads by tho City Council at the present time, and that an effort is being made to create, by tho Hsu of tar and shingie, a surface which, whila water proof, will resist to some extent, tho action of motor traffic. It must be admitted that the suction of motor tyres <m the surface of a road soon loosens whatever pi-otectivp material is there unless it is of a sufficiently binding nature. Remuera Road from Orakei Road to tlw Ladies' Mile, Greoulanc, Brighton Road, Claremont Street, and tho Ladies' Mile, are among those which have received needful attention. Good progress on tho concrete work on Remuera Road has been made during the week, and the section on tho loft side as far as tho Post Offico should bo completed by the end of next week. THE RANGARIRIS. Th& activity in connection with the condition of tho Great South road, with particular reference to that section between Mercer and Rangariri, which is being displayed by tho Auckland Automobile Association is to be commended, and I take not a little credit for the effort of these columns in keeping the matter before the public. It is the con- \ cern of not only Auckland, but of tho whole of the community of tho Auckland province that our arterial road should he, to apply a nautical term, navigable in ail weathers.

MURIWAI NOTES. Sum posts are to be erected ou all roads. Bridges strengthened. Bad pieces of road repaired.Concrete run-a-wav built from road down on to beach. Bathing sheds to be erected along the beach in a safe spot. During season tearooms are to be erected «itii a caretaker in charge. Permanent water supply to bo Jaid on from spring on hills. Routesvia Lincoln's Boad and aver back road into Wainiauku over hills. Lincoln's Boad and Kumeu, then either Huapai Settlement or Wainiauku and Cooper's Hill. Swanson and branch off at Laupaki. Swanson and Kumeu and branch off at Waimauku. , COAL VEBSUS OIL. - An interesting sidelight on the relative speeds of bunkering steam vessels and motor ships is provided by a recent stateinent in a contemporary. A Japanese . steamer was |>unkered at Cardiff with 2050 tons of Coal in 26 hours—representing. we of an achievement. On th 6 other hand, the occasion seems opportune for s. reminder that a motor vessel is capable of bunkering a similar quantity of fuel in about one-third of the time, and with respect to a certain well-known line of motor ships we believe that it is a fairly common occurrence to ship 500 tons of oil in two hours. -Moreover, this does not by any means represent the shortest timo in which the operation may bo performed. Apart from the point of fuel economy, the question of taking in bunkers on a motor ship <s one j which should give steamship owners considerable food for thought. On every score unquestionable advantages accrue from the utilisation of oil, cleanliness and reduction of staff being but two more of the many features which are becoming increasingly recognised.

DEMISE OP THE STUDDED COVER. It is rather curious to observe that a complete change has come over French car owners during the last two years with regard to tyre equipment.. Before the war every motorist considered it necessary, from the standpoint of personal safety, to use at. least one steel-studded tyre. To get the maximum immunity against skidding, onp steel-studded tyre was used on the rear and another on the front, at the opposite side. At the present time, car s with steel-studded tyres aro in a decided minority, and this applies not only to the cheap lightweights, the owners of which are generally very close students of economy, but also to highgrade, powerful, and costly cars, fitted with the best that money can buy. Smooth treads or rubber non-skid tyres are used, both for initial equipment and spares. INTERESTING BRAKE TESTS. In December a sporting model car, fitted with four-wheel brakes, underwent a thorough test under the supervision of the Royal Automobilo Club, at Brooklands tratk. The car had a light aluminium body, seating four people. The tests were conducted on the finishing straight the driver proceeding at a given rate of speed to a mark, at which the brakes were applied At the first ran, which was at IB m.p.h.„ the car, with.driver and official observer oa board, was pulled up in approximately 12ft.; at 30. m.p.L- in 30ft • at 40 m.p.h., in 60ft.; and ,at 50 m.p.h.' in 100 ft.; the figures given' are approximate, representing, a s far as could bo judged, the best effort for the number ot trial runs at each speed. Not for one instant did the car deviate from the straight path, but at about 30 m.p.h. thero was a distinct tendency to lock momentarily the off front and both rear wheels. At higher speeds this effect apparently disappeared, for in the 50 m.p.h. test the pull-up was much smoother than in the slower runs. After the straightaway tests the car was driven in a circle, and the brake applied. Here again, there seemed to be little deviation, but the two inside wheels were locked. When the car was weighed, the interesting fact was revealed that the front axle weight was 16631b., but that of tho back 14681b, in both cases without passengers. An official report on the test conducted will be issued in due course by the li.A.'C. BOILER OIL FOR MOTOR SHIPS. With reference to the controversy which is now taking place regarding the suitability of boiler oil for Diesel engines in motor ships, it is to he noted that in some ports the difference in tho price of boiler oil and fuel is extraordinarily large. For instance, j n the Panama Canal fuel oil is 1.70 dollars per barrel (about £2 10 per ton), whilst Diesel oil is 3.50 dollars per 1 barrel or £5 5s per ton. There is prob- , j.l v SR " )( : special reason for this fi'!n e r! nc r V l A B " ot without il « signi- ; ..... ". lsua| ly Diesel oil costs about 30 PCI cent, more than fuel oil. In England eX? IK 011 at I £ oil- i, ot i: 0 quotation fo r boiler M.gbeefin ls^rf on ' theSe h - From inquiries" whJh """J 8, c states the Motor £ ' probable that there is any likeC \ S£?i! ; disposal may be considered wholly satis 1 factor}, am p| e quantities being available j motor department I •aft fil ' plaster, witch-hazel. Dr U " din t°° Urt ' ' second aisle to the left sir.?' p!utnielll > 1

NOTES. k From Berlin tlio figures given for airy craft destroyed, etc., up to October 1 last ,j] arc 127,471 aeroplanes and 20,364 aero , engines destroyed and 629 aeroplanes and 3632 aero engines surrendered. d! .. ' 9 In fining a lorry driver £5 for obt, structing th® free passago of a motorist ie on the Banbury Road, at Shotteswell ross cently, the magistrates regarded it as an aggravating circumstance that the lorry was not fitted with a driving minor. o- "I have never met the Rangiriri bills ie in worse condition; it took 2i hours to cross," said Mr. S. J. Harbutt, before the Auckland Provincial Industrial Association on Tuesday. The experience seems ld only too typical. : n Arrangements for tlio motor-car races, n to be held at Muriwai Beach on Saturday, ;0 February 25, are steadily advancing under the auspices of tho Auckland Automobile Association. The closing date for nominations has been extended until noon today. During the eleven months ended Xoveni. Ie Eer 30, 1921, tho total number of touring h cars (including cabs), commercial vehicles, and chassis imported into England, was 10.732 (valued at £2,748,714), as . comls pared with 43,745 (valuod at £14,297,851) 3 " during tho corresponding period of last 1, year. e Touring cars (including cabs), 1845 (valued at £1.557,634), were exported from England last year, as compared with 3810 ® (valued at £2,612,720) the previous year; d commercial vehicles, 2603 (£2,220,990) and d 4720 (£3,441,085); chassis. 979 (£913,174) l( and 2835 (£2,188,581); value of parts exported for the two vears respectively, £1,199,107 and Tho total combined values of cars, chassis, and parts for the respective years were: This year £4,333,271, and last year £7,435,512. The Ilfracombe Urban District Council has just granted a license for a saloon motor omnibus on run daily throughout I the year between Minehea'd and Ilfracombe. It will do the journey in three ( and a half hours. Tho railway communication is so roundabout as to take ( over sevon hours, involving two changes. A long-wristed glovo for the use of automobile owners when making minor repairs about a car is ono of tho latest accessories. This particular glovo is made of washable material, and has a strap and buckle at the top which aid in keep- ! ing the long wrist high on tho arm. Protection to sleeves is provided with a consequent reduction in laundry and cleaner's bills. "The motor lorry is likely very soon to become a competitor against the railways in Southland, as it has done successfully in the North Island," says a Southland paper. " The special freight will be keroseno and petrol, and of course the lorries will carry back-loading from inward centres. Unless the Railway Department amends its tariff it will only be a matter of time before ij/ will be drawing empty waggons." A striking Instance of tlio undoubted , economy of the motor ship at tho present time, and a farther proof of the statement frequently made that only this class of vessel can earn profit for its owners, was afforded last month. In tha Tyne, i very large numbers of steamers ate now , lying idle. Nevertheless, immediately on completion of the motor ship " Sevilla," a charter was obtained. So urgently was . 1 the boat required, in fact, that sho had 1 to proceed! to load two days after tho first and only sea trials were carried out. According lo present arrangements, tractor trials will bo held in Scotland this year, provided the committee of the Highland and Agricultural Society is able to provide a suitable site. llio last trials on an extensive scale took place I in 1917 under the auspices of the Highland and Agricultural Society. No trials have been held there since, but on threo occasions, 1919, 1920, and 1921, tests have been held in England. At the same time, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is proceeding with its ar- I rangements for trials this year, so that I two events seem possible. I

MOTOR-CYCLING. At 3, meeting of the Cycle Branch of the Garage Proprietors Association, held on Tuesday night it was decided to send a letter to the City Council drawing attention to the state of the city roads, wih particular reference to Albert Street.

The black dog which frequents tho lower end of Queen Street and rushes out at motor traffic is becoming a menace, and it ig high time steps were taken to rid our streets of this nuisance,

The Nelson Motor-Cycle Club held its first race meeting on February 1. The track was in very fair condition, and some good times were recorded. The wins were evenly distributed, Coleman and Mangham each securing ono.

Th«re aro at present 233 different types of motor-cycles on the market in England. Of these 17 are listed under £60, and 115 under £100. Of course this doos not represent 233 different makes, as some factories build several models.

With the above information, many of our readers may begin to look to greatly reduced prices in New Zealand, but most of the lower priced machines quoted above are small powered twostrokes, and quite unsuitable for our road conditions.

The route to reach Orakei is, take the turn to the right at tho foot of Victoria Avenue and keep along the waterfront, and passing over the Orakei Bridge, climb to the top of the hill where a flag will mark the finishing post. Ample room will be provided to park cars and cyolcs,

The following recently appeared in the Motor-cyolc, published in England: —The registration fee for a motor-cyelo in New Zealand has been fixed at ss, and the annual licence £1. The penalty for using an unlicensed vehicle is £20 per day. The informant seems to have become a little mixed.

A Waikato motor-cyclist hag been talking for some time of attempting to lower Mr. W. S. Miller's car record from Wellington to Auckland. We understand that ho is shortly starting on the trip on one of the new 1922 model rigid framo machines, which have lately put in an appearance on our streets.

The motorcycle hill climb, to be held at Orakei this afternoon, promises to be full of interest. This is the first time a grass slope has been used, and where spectators can see the event from start to finish. Tho competition is for the rider making the greatest lime difference between his fastest and slowest times, both trials to be ridden on the same gear-ratio.

Newcomers to motor-cycle matters must often be puzzled by various technical abbreviations which continually crop up wherever any phase of tho pastime is discussed. The following table explains a few of tli&m : —V twin—a two-cylinder engine with the cylinders set radially, but not at 180.0; flat twin—a two-cylinder engine with tho cylinders set at 180.0 ; two stroke-an engine (usually valveless) on which tho cycle of operations is comP eted in one up and down movement of the piston, i.e., two strokes: four-stroke— "3: t :r hich thcc - vd ° oiojSiE i , u Uvo "P aiuJ down move- " Ith/1 th / f to "' le - f °w strokes; t.iu. top dead centre used to sienifv he position of the pistol, when it is ' the upper extremity of its stroke}.