NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19798, 19 November 1927, Page 10 (Supplement)

NOTES.

<r Why do so many cars have a worm drive?" " Egad! 'So that they can turn, of course."

Of the 1452 British cars ami car chassis imported into New Zealand during the first nine months of this year, 465 came through the port of Auckland. .

Auckland's consumption of petrol averages about 25,000 gallons per day, or over 9,400,000 gallons per year. This is about one-fifth of tho total annual consumption of the Dominion.

Princes Street is proving very popular with aspirants for driving licences. Two or three learners are often seen at their practice at the same time. The street is particularly suitable for novices who have not mastered the controls. Its width allows the most nervous driver to turn without trouble.

Half-rate fares will operate on the vehicular ferries 011 tho North Shore services to-day and to-morrow. This is the result of .1 movement by the North Shore Expansion League to encourage motorists to cross the Waitemata for day trips. Free, maps showing tho routes to tho popular bays are obtainable at the ferry offices.

The 60th annivesary of the connection of Auckland and Hamilton by a coach service falls this year. It is perhaps of interest that this "jubilee is being unintentionally commemorated by tho prosecution of a number of service car drivers bv the Pukekohe police, for speeds which have brought the centre of the Waikato within three hours of Auckland.

In attending to his headlights, the motorist is liable to forget that his sidelights may cause offence. There are many cars running in Auckland with excessive power in the sidelights. If the lamps aro set high 011 the mudguards, they are prone to cast a very objectionable glare in the direction of approaching vehicles. Unless the sidelights are frosted, even a six candlepower lamp may cause nuisance.

The Auckland Automobile Association does not approve of the standardised highway signs suggested in the draft regulations which have been circulated by the Public Works Department. The shape and wording of some of tho signs does not agree with the system which the A.A.A. has evolved. The Department has signified its readiness to receive suggestions from the A.A.A. beforo the regulations are finalised.

BRITISH SIXES. SELECTION FOR 1928. A remarkable invasion of tlie six-cylin-der field by British manufacturers was indicated at the Olyinpia Show held in London in October. There are now 32 different makes of British sixes in production. This variety is closely approaching that offered by the 40 makes of American sixes which are on the market. Unfortunately, few of the British sixes are in the popular price class. For £4OO the British motorist has the choice of only six makes of English six-cylinder cars. The American who is prepared to spend up to £4OO on a car in his own country finds that there are 26 makes below this price class. There are barelv half-a-dozen cars priced above £6OO in the country of origin, but 16 of the 32 British cars are listed above this in England. Taliing "the' London price ' of" four-door sedans as standard, the British sixes for '1928 tftn- be classified ns follows £4OO, six makes: £4OO to £SOO, five makes: £SOO. to, £6OO, six makes; over £6OO, 'l6 "males'. * BACK SEAT DRIVERS. Every driver has met the back seat passenger who insists in issuing instructions for the control of the vehicle. An Auckland accessory shop displays a small metal label which should be attractive to any motorist who is harassed by his passengers. The label can be conveniently attached to the back of the front scat. It bears the words. " This car cannot he driven from the back seat." An American aeroplane company issues a leaflet to intending passengers which contains some excellent advice; the following extract might well be brought to the notice of the nervy sort of jnotorcar passengers; it runs as follows: — "Don't worry. Relax; settle back and enjoy life. If there's any worrying to be done, let the pilot do it!" THE USED CAR MARKET. Organisation for the introduction of the Windsor plan for dealing with used cars is already advanced in Auckland. Motor traders throughout the Dominion are cooperating in this scheme and the Motor Trade Association is issuing data sheets to all members who deal in second-hand cars. These will be returned and standard price charts will be compiled from the information. The Windsor plan is operated by collecting the sales records every month. The return compiled by dealers contains tho following particulars: make, horsepower, type of body, year of manufacture, price realised and condition of car. The particulars are classified and prices are arranged. The successful working of the scheme cannot be expected for two or three months and much depends on the interest taken by dealers in recording every sale. The Motor Trade Association has not yet reached' a decision regarding publication of the price charts in daily newspapers. The New South Wales motor trade organisation has adopted the view that it is best- to rovoal the market to the public, and the charts are widely advertised. This custom is also generally followed in Canada.