THE MOTOR WORLD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18629, 9 February 1924, Page 10 (Supplement)

THE MOTOR WORLD

BY FOCUS.

IMPOSTS OF PETROLEUM SPIRITS. VEW ZEALAND'S BIG TOTAL. The following return specially compiled tor the Herald shows the imports into Now Zealand during the last five years of petroleum spirits of all grades, excluding kerosene :— : '■•" 1919 . . . . 1,271,050 cases - . 1920 .< .. 2,014,422 „ 1921 . 8 .." 1,778,428 „ 1922 v. v. 1,918,486 „ 1923 ... ... 2,367,024 „ COMPLETING MASTGAITI DEVIATION The Mangaiti deviation, on the Puta-iiiru-Taupo Road, is to be open by Thursday or Friday of next week, according to a statement this week by Mr. Goodyear, Public Works road overseer at Rotorua, under whose jurisdiction the construction of the deviation has been carried out. Mr. Goodyear added that a big proportion of the workmen would be paid off to-day, Saturday. The job had been a much bigger one than had at first been anticipated, owing to the unexpected springs and rock-work that had been encountered. Adequate provision had been made for draining off the water from these springs, and soft portions of the roadway had been metalled.. Metal was at hand for metalling the whole roadway if this ever became necessary. The permanent gang, on completing the deviation next week, would be transferred to the work oi completing the new direct road from Atiarauri to Mokai. Later they might return to widen the road beyond the deviation to the full width of 18ft. ■ . REGISTRATIONS AT MATAfiATA. The increasing popularity of the motor vehicle in the Auckland province could scarcely be better demonstrated than by perusing the registration figures of the Matamata County during the final quarter of last year. This thriving dairying district ranks among the most prosperous regions of the province, but a similar impetus to the motor industry could be shown in other districts quite outside the progressive Waikato. ■• , The following figures, showing the registrations of new motor vehicles in the Matamata County during the months of October, November and December of last ye«tr, have been tabulated by the county : clerk, Mr. H. Lewis (the figures in parentheses are . those for the corresponding period of 1922) cars, 44 (12);. trucks, 8 (2); motor-cycles, 4 (4). If re-registraticns of second-hand vehicles are included, the figures would be: ears, 62 (22) ; motor-cycles, 12 (13). THE OLYMPIA SHOW. Preparations for «•■ the great Olympia Motor .Exhibition, which will open in Auckland on Saturday, February 23, are now well advanced and workmen have been engaged for some time fitting up the rpaeious interior of - the Harbour Board's \ fhed on the new Prince's Wharf. The wiring for the electric light installation has already been completed, and a good start made in erecting the stands for the exhibits. ♦" , When the approach to the shed has been cleared it is estimated that approximately ' three-quarters of an acre will be available as a parking-area for visitors' cars. MAIN ROADS. Piopio—Aria.A recent tripper from the , -Te;-*i, Awamutis .. . district ... .who moiored to the Wellington province via Taranaki, issues a word of warning to motorists who contemplate a similar trip. He says Please advise any of your readers who may think of going through Ohura to go via Ongarue and Matiere, and on no account via Piopio and Aria. The latter route is only a track —not a road -and though we got through it was not an enviable experience. ORABUEE MOTOR-OAR. A motor-car with many novel > features was put through a series of testa on the steepest slopes of Box Hill, near Dorking, Surrey, and its extraordinary 'evolutions astonished even the oldest motorists present.

The revolutionary features of the car »re the invention of Mr. Alex. Hoile, a : motor engineer, who has been assisted by Professor Low and others. It has a drive to all four -wheels in place fcf the ordinary "live" axle, also foar-wheel steering, and four-wheel brakes. With steering applied to the back wheels as well as the front the car. can be steered diagonally across a : road. This should bo useful when starting from the kcrbsida or for manoeuvring in a crowded garage. >' ; '^ In the test the car was made to do all kinds of freak * turns. It took'roadside ditches at a. speed 0f.20 miles per hour, climbed grassy slopes with a one in three .gradient, and circled round . trees on the - hillside with a crab-like motion. It travelled broadside along slopes which would certainly have r upset the conventional type of chassis. - ■; F«r the four-wheel drive and steering it is claimed that skidding is almost impossible, "while corners can be taken at acute angles—a big asset with cars that have a long wheel base. MAIN CAUSES Or ACCIDENTS. It is indisputable that motorists have been responsible for a large number of accidents, but it is equally indisputable, although not fully realised or appreciated by the public generally, that a large number of accidents are daily prevented by motor drivers, by watchfully and skilfully avoiding criminally careless, reckless, and intoxicated pedestrians', cyclists, and people on the wrong side of the asylum walls.; The above being the case, any measures for rendering motoring safer should take into consideration the division of responsibility between motorist and pedestrian. I note that many suggestions are being made as to how safer motoring can be brought about, and among them Are suggestions made by people with apparently only one idea, and that a leaky one, who press for all motor drivers to have to pass B. driving test. With all due disrespect for such brain waves of original thought, a driving test would do little, if anything, to make motoring safer. Accidents caused through inefficiency in driving are infinitesimal compared with those caused through violation of the rules of the road, speeding in the wrong place, errors of judgment, and so on. Phil Basson, in ihe Garage and Motor Agent. BBITISH TYRE INDUSTRY. The British tyre industry before the Great War experienced comfortable prosperity at home with large exports to the Dominions and foreign countries, but, owir.g_ to the entire output being diverted to military purposes, for ourselves and Allies, the ordinary trade in tyres ceased, and American manufacturers were not slow to take advantage of the situation. Since 1921, in consequence, 50 per cent, of the tyre workers of Great Britain had been out of employment. The position is represented by the following figures. Total values of imports of tyres and tubes for the past five years: 1918, £636,632; 191.9. £2,142,991; 1920, £5,568,993: 1921, £4,086,078: 1922, £4,241,684; nine months to September 30, 1923, £2,904,550. During 1922 the number of foreiga motor tyre oov«rs entering England was 1,164,142, and as there are about 450,000 cars registered in Great Britain, the total annua?, requirement of tyres was about 1,750,C00, of which foreign manufacturers wer«i sending in almost two-thirds, notwithstanding that the British manufacturers were in a position to supply every tyre themselves. . Correspondence will be found on Page 12.

MOTOR NOTES. Front-wheel brakes are now being used by all Belgian firms, the feature in this connection being the immense amount of variety. A sole with a crepe rubber inset in the centre is the motorist's latest footgear. No more slipping off car pedals is the announcement accompanying this patent shoe. Scale in tho radiator can be overcome by mixing a little glycerine with the cooling water. The glycerine should be used in proportions of half-a-pint to each five gallons of water. Lieutenant Shiers, one of the intrepid four who flew from England to Australia under the leadership of the lata Sir Ross Smith, is now firmly established in a garage business of his own at Bondi Junction, Sydney. In cleaning a car it is wise to begin from the inside and work out and from the top and work down. If the top is up it should be hosed or sponged and wiped dry. Gasolene or kerosene should never be used. One of the newest forms of punishment for automobile speeders in Kansas City, Kas., is compelling the offenders to serve as a traffic officer. Policemen are on hand on the busy corners where the victims are "doing time." One thousand motor-busses are now operated by more than 100 electric railways over routes totalling 1500 miles in the United States and Canada, according to a survey recently completed by the editors of Bus Transportation. . _ i .i , / "Why didn't you stop ? I held out my hand," said the young lady, whose fender had been smashed. "Sorry, I didn't see your hand," replied the offending young man. "Hm! I suppose I should have held out my foot!" A 6000-mile automobile tour of Africa is being organised in. France, using cars equipped with caterpillar treads and new semi-Diesel engines. One of the conditions of the trip is that the drivers use only the fuels available in the country through which they are —namely: palm oil, cottonseed oil, and even castor oil. The most remarkable automobile road in the world is to be built between the mainland of Florida and Key West, a distance of 125 miles out to sea. The new road, when completed, will be the longest and probably the only extensive automobile road over the sea. At times the motorist will be almost, if not actually, out of sight of land. Pedestrians are as bad offenders as motorists, in their own way, but it is easier to advise them. To the erring "jay walker" we would say: "walk straight, look where you are going, don't make false moves and then run back, and try and realise the strain which is imposed on the car driver in traffic. .. Try to help, not .hinder, the. car owner, for he is human like yourself, and is not a ruthless plutocrat seeking whom he may run down. Almost the only legitimate time "for using soap, a linseed oil soap is recommended as the best, on the body is when there are "lumps of tar to remove. Vaseline is splendid for softening the tar, although it may not always be effective. Having softened the tar with vaseline, and washed it away with pure water, there may be left some small grease spots which can best be removed by a sparing application of soap and water. If the tar has hardened, it is best to use some tar remover specially prepared for this purpose. A very enjoyable trip by mofor was that undertaken by Mr. A White and party, of Tokanui. Leaving Te Awamutu at 6 a.m., Eltham was reached via Mokau and Waitara at 7 p.m. the same day. Nexj? day a run of five hours tcok them to Wahganui, and the following day Wellington was reached in less than six hours. After spending several days in Wellington province, the refurn trip was made via Opunake and New Plymouth. Mr. White was very enthusiastic about the glories of the trip. Throughout fhe whole trip not even a puncfare; ' occurred, and the„ mileage covered was very close up to one thousand. The worst part of the road was the ten-mile stretch of recently constructed highway through the Awakino Valley. ■"-" '. t EXPOSURE TO HEAT. It is not advisable to leave a highly finished car In a very hot sun, when it can be avoided, as exposure to great heat usually causes minute cracks to appear all over the varnish. The removal of tar stains can be made with one of the preparations specially sold for the purpose, while oil or grease can be carefully wiped off with a rag dipped in petrol— "fifty-fifty." "A GOOD DRIVER IS KNOWN BY" His keeping to the left of the road, particularly on'curves and over, crests of hills. His extensive and intelligent use of arm signals. . • ' His avoidance of all obstacles, however small, without endangering the occupants of his car or any other car. His ease of handling. His strict obediencs of every traffic regulation. His respect for " No Parking " signs. Hi 3 courteonsness in hugging the left of the road when you blow your request to be let by. His protection of his motor; his use of second and first speeds, His alternate use of foot and hand brakes on long grades or in emergencies. His never coasting (he always retains absolute control). His thoughtfulness of pedestrians; he thinks for them. V His respect for railway crossings; 'he stops, looks, and shifts gears before he i actually on the track. His realisation that though the " MailTrunk "may be five minutes late, it still has " divine " right-of-way at tho crossings. His properly-adjusted steering apparatus. His slowing down at slrtjet intersections. His use of the brake before he gets to the curve. His realisation that, having seen the child, he, (not the child), is responsible.

MOTOR-OYCLIFa. Sidecars with air-cushion upholstery are the.latest innovation. Latest statistics show that there are 37,751 motor-cycles in Australia. Winter trials have been very popular in England during the past months. Hamilton Club's motor-cycle races on the Claudelands course this afternoon. The Otago Motor-cycle hill climb was won by Robb mounted on a Harley-David-son. Entries close in a fortnight for the Auckland Motor Racing Club's meeting on March 1. Recent letters to the Motor-Cycle, reveal a case of an enthusiast taking up motorcycling at the age of 75 years. During a debate on art in London recently, a speaker referred to the beauty of the modern motor-cycle and sidecar. New and stringent rules have been drawn up by the British Auto Cycle Union to ensure uniformity of conditions with regard to record breaking attempts. ■ *»» The A.C.E. has further improved its late records by covering a tenth of a mile at Philadelphia, at the speed of 113.9 m.p.h., with a sidecar attached. Miniature aeroplanes competing for the Air Ministry's £1000 prize this year will bo limited to an engine capacity of 1100 c.c, or 350 c.c. above last year's limit. The cheap, safe and speedy delivery of light goods is being greatly facilitated by the use of the motor-cycle, with parcel delivery attached in place of the usual sidecar. W. Herbert was too busy preparing for his first track appearance on his new O H.V. Norton, which he will ride at Hamilton to-day, to undertake the proposed speed test last Sunday. ...,.- Some idea of the enormous quantity of motor spirit consumed in Britain can be gained from the fact that in one month, and that in the early winter, no less than 27,611,368 gallons were imported. / Mr. Fokker/the famous Dutch aeroplane designer, has just returned to the Continent after a stay in London, where he gave orders for large numbers of British aero engines including several of motor-cycle design. The Otahuhu Motor-cycle Club held a smoke concert last Saturday at tfie garage of W Wadham and Co. The prizes of the last two hill climbs held under the auspices of the Sports Club were presented during the evening. A referendum is being circulated by the Royal East African Automobile Association in Order that motorists may voice their protests against the high import duties payable on motor vehicles entering the country. It is pointed out that the present tax practically shuts the market to the British manufacturer. Managh, who made such a sensational showing 8 at Avondale late last year has been 'putting up very fast times m the south. His meeting with Percy Coleman at Hamilton to-day will give some Judication of what may be expected when they compete in the Australasian Heavyweight Championship at Takapuna, on March 1. GRAPHITE OH SCREW THREADS. It is alwaVs a wise thing to coat threads lightly with graphite, as this.prevents their sweating on to the thread cf the socket, and makes their removal much ensier. Spark plugs in particular can advantageously be treated in this way. The oranhite allows the nut or plug to get 1 firmer seating, and also renders it more gas-tight. _________ HOW TO USE OIL. Be sparing of the oil when lubricating the magneto. The instrument is designed to run" practically with none. If too much oil is applied it will find its way on' to the distributor segments and bring about faulty contact with the carbon brush. , ... . . » Castor oil or neatsfoot oil is best for softening a leather cone clutch. First clean the leather and scrape the glazed surface; then apply the oil and allow it to penetrate the leather overnight. Graphite and oil is used on metal-to-metal clutches. TESTING IMTAkfi MAHDTOLDm If the engine develops a spluttering mis-fire at low speeds, and the carburettor is known to be in adjustment, the intake manifold should be regarded with suspicion If there is a leak at this point the excessive intake of air will radically alter i the mixture at low speeds. To test for this fault disconnect the , fan belt and then jiold some smouldering substance close against the manifold joints while* the engine is running at medium speed. If there is a leak the ingoing air will suck the smoke in and reveal the exact location of the fault. Needless to add, great care should be taken not to bring any burning substance near spilt' petrol or petrol vapour. LONDON'S MOTOR BUSSES. - More than 4000 motor busses will be operated on the streets of London soon, as 5500 busses are now running and more are being added at the rate of 50 a week, according to a survey recently made by the London representative of bus transportation. , During the first eight months of 1923 London busses carried 724.500,000 persons. This was an increase of 125.000:000, or 21 ncr cent., over the fares paid during the •orrpspomling period last year. The •nderground railways, on the other hand, suffered a decrease of 15,000,000 passengers, carrying onlv 187,000.000 from January to August. 1923. One hundred and fifty-five routes are operated by the bus company, 34 of which do hot make ex-1 penses, but are run at' a loss for the con-t venience of Londoners. I

Motor Trade Items Page 12. '