NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 10 (Supplement)

NOTES.

During the second quarter of this year 3579 cars were imported into India. Of these, 1353 were American, 1313 Canadian, and 638 British.

" But how will I know when I como to tho cross roads ?" " You can't miss tho place. It has only five filling stations. '

Tho section of tho main northern highway near Ilrigham's Creek will bo regraded and surfaced by tho Waitemata County and Council as soon as the weather settles. Tho Franklin County Council is conducting a survey of its section of the Great South Road between Papakura and the Bombay deviation. Plans will be prepared and a proposal for reconstruction will bo submitted for consideration of tho Main Highways Board. Every motorist who travels our country highways will havo observed the practice of somo vehicle owners chocking their vehicles with huge stones. This is alright if the stones are cleared away when leaving, but the usual procedure is to drive away without any thought of tho danger created. Hard starting, faulty compression, lack of power, poor acceleration, excessive gas consumption, lack of speed and an inclination to buck at low speeds are often traced to burned, warped, pitted, broken, galled and sticking valves. If you are having these troubles, check tho valves. Then examine carburation and ignition. They are sometimes to blame. Or sometimes it is a combination of all thrco. Tho Motor Vehicle Regulations, 1928, have something to say about the application of the spotlight but nobody is taking tho restrictions seriously. The in tention of the regulations is to prevent tho misuse of spotlights to tho discomfort of approaching traffic. In effect a spotlight must move through a quarter circlo only when directed ahead of the car. New laws for auto campers entering the Stato of California specify an axe of at least 21b. weight with an Bin. blade, and no camp fire may be started in any of the National Forests until a written permit is obtained from the ranger on duty in the neighbourhood. This is in tho hope of reducing tho danger of forest fires. There are some roads upon which, for hours at a time, the motorist is subjected to a fine of £5 if caught smoking a cigarette. The American system of controlling traffic with flashing lights is being tried out in several cities in England. A device showing tho words: "Go," "Caution," and " Stop" is under trial in Coventry. An automatic timing device is provided to operate the lights, and it may be set to meet traffic requirements in periods from 40 seconds to 120 seconds. For purposes of giving warning after, say, 10 p.m. at night, tho lights may be switched from automatic working to show a continuous amber-coloured light with tho word " Caution" in each road of the junction. MOTOR CAMPING. FACILITIES AT AUCKLAND.

The news that the Auckland Automobile Association has completed negotiations with tho Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association to open a motor camp at the Epsom Show Grounds for tho convenience of visting motorists during the summer months will be welcomed by many visiting car-owners. Tho cainp will be available early in December, and a caretaker will bo in constant attendanco until after Easter.

A house with some 40 bunks, wash basins and sanitary conveniences will be available, and there is ample space to provide for over 200 cars.

Penny-in-the-slot gas rings are being provided under the pavilions, and every effort is being made to rater for travelling motorists. The ground is surrounded by a high hedge and is well sheltered, and, being within two or three minutes' walk of the tram-line, should fulfil a long-needed want. Those motorists who use a tent, of which the car forms one side, will thus bo enabled to establish camp and then visit the theatres or pictures in tho evening without disturbing their camp. The camp is also conveniently situated for visiting the hundreds of seaside beaches and points of scenic interest with which Auckland abounds. The charge to be levied is 3s per night, and taking into consideration the value of the land, it is very reasonable. Tho association's other official camp at Tui,, Glen, Henderson, will also bo available and this will provide for those motorists who prefer to bo a little further from the city. The A.A.A. is arranging for a uniformed patrol to visit the camp regularly in order to supply country members with any information with regard to touring that may be required. "THE BIG EIGHT." Recently there was a round-table conference in America of the " big eight," under the auspices of tho National Automobile Chamber of Commerce. These eight presidents represent 95 per cent, of tho entire motor-car production of tho United States. They were A. P. Sloane, president of General Motors, Roy D. Chapin, president Hudson and Essex, A. E. Erskino, president Studebaker, Alvin McAnlev, president Packard, Edscll Ford, Walter P. Chrysler, C. W. Nash and John N. Willys, who is the third largest producer. What that meeting of multimillionaires represented in the form of invested capital, total of employees, and total number of cars produced annually can bo worked out by tho statistically minded.