NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20229, 13 April 1929, Page 12 (Supplement)

NOTES.

Tho Automobile Association of Great Britain has 40,000 women drivers among its members. Tho Auckland Automobile Association has issued a map of the roads and points of interest on Niuo Island. It is expected that a start with tho widening of Symonds Stieet at Grafton Bridge intersection will bo made within a few months. The Auckland Automobile Association has decided to appoint a draughtsman almost immediately for tho preparation of tho 1929-30 map. was reported at the meeting of the council of Auckland Automobile Association on Wednesday that .tho income from subscriptions for this year .would be £14,010. Visiting motorists are faxed 10 francs a day in France. Altogether the Government profits very handsomely from motorists, 40 per cent of tho retail price of petrol being a tax. Australian motor imports statistics for December, 1928, show that only 7 per cent, wore British vehicles, whilst 68 per cent, were of American and 24 per cent, of Canadian manufacture. Tho Auckland Automobile Association is making representations for the appointment of two motorists' representatives for tho North Island in the e\ent of tho establishment of separate Highways Boards.

At an inquest at West Bromwich, occasioned by an accident caused by people alighting from trams, the coroner ruferrcd to the latter as " lumbering things, which set down their passengers in the middle of the road.'^ A company is seeking the approval of the lioyal Automobile Club, of Western Australia, for a scheme to construct a motor racing track near Perth. It is proposed to build a 1£ mile circuit, surfaced with concrete, at a cost of £50,000 The modern automobile research department is equipped with very accurate instruments for making delicate weighings of motor parts. One firm uses scales, which are so sensitive" that they will weigh a lead pencil mark on <i piece of paper. The British driver, E. A. D. Eldridge, is f-eporled to be preparing for an attack on the 24 hour record for class C. cars. He will use an American sports model. The record is held by Boillot with a French car, tho average being 67j m.p.h. The attempt will bo made on Montlhery track. The German Post Office headquarters has conducted tests with two Diesel engined chassis. One investigation was made with r. fou?-ey]inder plant developing 53 h.p., at 1100 revolutions. A report indicating that these engines are now sufficiently advanced to replace petrol molots has been the result. Yet another theft proof device, embodying the combination principle "has been introduced in England. The combination is on the dash, and a Bowden wire connects with an enclosed petrol tap. Should some ingenious thief cut tho wire the tap remains in. the " off " position, and it would require considerable labour to obtain access to it.