NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 12 (Supplement)

NOTES.

The New Zealand Motor Trade Association lias now a membership of 1400 and there are 32 local associations.

One of Auckland's pioneer motor engineers has been tho victim of prolonged and serious illness. Members of tho motor trade rallied round and the report of tho Motor Trade Association presented at tho annual meeting in Palmerston North this week; showed £9OB in the fund created. .

Profits on petrol and tyres were tho subject of prolonged discussion at the annual meeting of tho Motor Trade Association, in Palmerston North this week. These two items are always well in the limolight at meeting of the association and tho low prico of tyres in Auckland continues in spite of various efforts to adjust tho cash discounts. Tho motorist is naturally hoping that the " war" will not bo nipped in tho bud.

Few motorists realise that when they apply their brakes they are really apply their tyres—increasing their grip on tho road; that it is therefore necessary that they should all grip with equal force; that if they don't tho car must swervo. The more powerful the brakes are, the moro use they make of tho tyros. Tho moral is: havo your car balanced when you apply your brakes. In other words seo that the tyre pressures are equal in each pair of wheels.

Most motorists are familiar with the salesman's test with a coin balanced on edge on tho radiator to demonstrate smooth idling and absence of vibration. This trick might have been impressive a few years ago, but to-day ono finds some of the cheapest fours coming through tho test with honours. An American manufacturer has devised a new test which may have soino practical appeal. His boast is that his product is so well sprung' with Bft. master leaves, rubber bushed shackles, and hydraulic shock absorbers, that a gramophone can bo played in the back seat at comfortablo speeds. The manufacturer, of course, does not take such surfaces as tho Titirangi Road and tho Ngaruawahia-Hamilton highway info his calculations.

Tho spectacle of an omnibus racing around Brooklands track for 12 hours recently attracted some attention. The occasion was a trial of a 50-seater doubledecker under R.A.C. observation. The vehicle ran with full equipment, but carried no passengers, and the running weight was over tons. In tho 12 hours nine stops totalling only 15 minutes were made for refuelling and oiling, and the distance of 507 miles was covered at an average of 43 miles an hour. Petrol consumption was 7£ miles per gallon, and oil worked out at 634 rn.p.g. Only half a gallon of water was added to the radiator. The only trouble experienced during this sustained high speed was a tendency for tho worm drive back axle to run rather warm. Inspection at the end of the run showed considerable .wear on tho worn wheel teeth, a discovery which probably gave the manufacturers a valuable hint for future design.

HIGHWAY ALTERNATIVE.

Tho Main Highways Board is prepared to improve tho failing section between Pio Pio and Mahoenui as soon' as tho weather settles. There is a move for a deviation, which is known as the " Totoro route,'' but the proposal is supported by settlers rather than motor users taking the national point of view.

Tho Aria Settlers' Association has issued the following statement: —

" We have read of recent condemnation of tho state of the main road between Pio Pic and Mahoenui, and we agree that it is in, a deplorable state. We notice, too, that it is stated that the cost of tho proposed Totoro deviation makes the route impracticable, but official advice received by the Waitomo County Council, states that- thp Highways Board has not yet gone into the respective costs of the Totoro and the present routes. We know of prominent engineers, who aro strongly in favour of tho Totoro and beg to refer to tho following advantages:—l. It would provide a main highway with an excellent grade and relatively few sharp corners, whereas tho opinion is expressed locally that tho present route would cost an enormous sum to bring to highways standard. 2. It would obviate dislocation of traffic in construction, as it would not be opon until completed. 3. It would open up 7000 acres of land, suitable for close settlement, and for this roason, the Government should 'be asked to work in conjunction with tho High *.vays Board and so help bear tho cost 4. When completed all stock could bo kept on the present routo and the Totoro road kept freo of all but local stock for 17 miles, Wo have been trying to have this road opened up for tho last 25 years, but owing to parties vitally interested in tho present routo our endeavours havn been frustrated."