A.A.A. ACTIVITIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19406, 14 August 1926, Page 10 (Supplement)

A.A.A. ACTIVITIES.

SIGNPOSTING PROGRAMME. For many weeks the servico officer of the A.A.A. has been compiling maps of tho North Island for the particular uso of motorists. Tho samples were exhibited at the meeting of the council of tho A.A.A. this week and they revealed much detail not found in regular maps. Tho information upon which they have been compiled is up to date, and particular attention has been paid to indicating main road branches at townships and railway crossings. A special map on a largo scalo shows picnic and camping spots. The council authorised the publication of 3500 maps, the price to be subject to a reduction to bona fide members. Mr. Champtaloup was com pitmen ted by tho council on the excellence of tho maps. The service officer has also compiled 81 trips for inclusion in a road guide. The supporting programme t-o be carried out by Mr. Champtaloup before November 1 embraces the erection of 796 signs. The estimated mileage to bo covered in attending to this work is 3500. Mr. Champtaloup is endeavouring to arrange to be continuously in Auckland after November 1, v 'in order to deal with touring inquiries. SPRING LUBRICATION. Few drivers give much thought to the lubrication of tho suspension. In fact, some authorities suggest that the springs should bo kept dry. The argument for this contention is that the friction between the leave* should not be reduced. Certainly; if a spring has been tempered to the car's weight and allowances made for the damping effect of tho dry leaves, there may bo a rather lively movement if lubricant is then used. Motorists with many years experience havo had satisfaction from running with dry springs. Nevertheless, the majority of opinion is in favour of spring lubrication. If lubricated springs give undue flexibility it is up to the car maker to effect the necessary correction. Dry springs must suffer from rust, and it is au admission of very poor designs for a car manufacturer to encourage drivers to depend on a rusty film for the correct spring tension. Unlubricated springs are a sure source of squeaks. The latest custom of enclosing the springs in gaiters has come to stay, as effective lubrication is impossible with a spring exposed to the dust' and damp. Gaiters retain the lubricant, and the springs can be left for months without attention. If the car is not equipped with gaiters, tho springs should be lubricated by jacking up the car until the leaves separate. A screw driver o* metal wedge may be used to part, the leaves. The lubricant should contain a fair proportion of graphite. This should bo introduced between the leaves with a table knife.

NOTES. The A.A.A. is endeavouring to have Fort Street declared a supervised parking area for use.after 7 p.m. A new style of petrol pump, which will deliver six different brands of'spirit, has been introduced in Great Britain. The depth posts, placed by the A.A.A. on roads in the "Waikato, subject to flood, have been greatly appreciated this week. A complaint that unlighted motor lorries were travelling after dusk on the Great South Road between Auckland and Hamilton was received by the Auckland Automobile Association this week. •

The only. states in America in which a petrol tax is not operating are New York; Illinois, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. The tax in the*other states varies from one cent to to five cents a gallon. In 23 states the tax is two cents a gallon.

Service stations in Britain and America are installing a new type of rapid delivery petrol pump. It greatly reduces the delay in filling and has a delivery capacity of five gallons in ten seconds. The rapidity of the flow is due to the assistance of compressed air.

As a result of the Auckland City Council's decision that all motor-cars plying for hire shall be eouipped with taximeters by January, 1927, the position of taxi-owners who do not ply for hire on street stands has come under consideration. The council has decided that a taxi operated solely from a private garage need not carry a meter.

Recently a member of the Auckland Automobile Association took three sheets of foolscao to detail his reasons for resigning. There was contrast in the notification received from another resigning member at the meeting of the council this week. The message left, much to the imagination, but in spite of its epitomised character it was decisive. It read: " Sold car, getting married."

With a view to ascertaining the exact cost of motor vehicle transport the London firm of A. W. Gnmage, Limited, took detailed records of the operation of 17 14-ton vans.. The aggregate mileage of the fleet in three months was 68.896. Allowing for insurance and depreciation, wages and all running expenses. the cost ner mile for each vehicle was lUd. The average petrol consumption was 9.7 miles per gallon. A fleet of one-ton vans aggregated 7?00 miles. The cost per rnilo was Is l|d.

* Motor-cycling, Page 12.