BETTER PUMP STATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20384, 12 October 1929, Page 12 (Supplement)

BETTER PUMP STATIONS.

HARMONY ON THE ROADS.

The initiation of tho five-year improvement programme on tho Great South Road between Papakura and Cambridge ' has resulted in the erection of a few potrol filling stations which show some evideneo of effort to please tho eyo. In one case a proprietor has gone to somo trouble to lay out a small lawn and introduce shrubs. Tho petrol pump itself is not a thing of beauty and it is not easily camouflaged. Societies, in England which havo been concerned with the erection of uiisightjy iron filling depots have investigated tho possibility of -disguised or disappearing pumps. Of course, such proposals havo their opponents. Tho uses of advertisement aro nil. Potrol sellers all over tho world aro finding that the motorist is attracted by a uniquo or picturesque station. The smallest touch of nature is welcome among a battery of yellow, red, bluo and green pumps. It has been recommendod in England that all challenging signs should be wiped out and replaced by one conspicuous centralised sign giving tho names of each brand of oil and petrol handled. A small plate on the pumps would identify the brand modestly. It would bo difficult to bring all the oil companies to this way of thinking. Their investment is so great that thov do not feel inclined to hide their lights under a bushel. One bulk oil company has invested nearly £250,000 in service station pump installations in Now Zealand.

A.A.A. MAPS.

The North Auckland section of the 1930 A. A.A. map has begn published, and work is proceeding with tho Auckland Wellington section. The new map is primarily for motor tourists and points of scenic ojt- historical note are- indicated. A detail section of the accesses to tho Waipoua kauri forest is included. Main highways are indicated in three classesall weather, generally passable without chains, and passable only with chains after rai 1. Secondary roads are shown in both all-weather and clay classifications. Camping grounds are distinctively marked. A glance atMhe map gives an immediate idea of tho conditions to be expected on any long tour.

HEADLAMP REPAIRS.

Motorists at some time or other in their careers have had to struggle with bayonet-fitting head-lamp rims which absolutely defy all efforts to remove them. A good way of overcoming tho difficulty is to obtain a strap and a length of wood. A loop is formed in the bucklo end of tho strap, through which the wood can he passed. Now wind tho strap round the head-lamp run, beginning with the loose end. When it has been wound completely round, the wood can bo passed tnrough tho loop and can bo used as a lever to wind tiio rim off, tho rim itself being used as a falcrum for tho wooden lever. It is worth noting that head-lamp rirns in nearly all cases turn to the left for removal.

DAZZLE PREVENTION

Tlio dazzlo problem is concerning the Ministry of Transport of Great Britain. A Royal Commission on Transport has recommended that dipping headlamps should be compulsory, and it is likely that legislation will be introduced. Thcro are over 900,000 cars in Great Britain, and probably only a tenth havo dipping headlights. The introduction of legislation on tho matter would mean that hundreds of thousands of cars would have to be converted.- Tho alterations would no doubt bo simplified by tho immediate offering of conversion sets for popular cars, but even whero existing lamps could be utilised the change over would cost a few pounds. It is apparent that some millions of pounds would be spent by motorists in complying with this regulation. Tho inventor producing a cheap conversion set would bo assured of a fortune. Tho suggestion seems rather drastic and costly. It would be less expensive to adopt the New Zealand regulation for tho adjustment of headlamp beams, and to provide staffs to check up when the annual horse-power tax is paid. No doubt thero are cases iu which lamps adjusted to throw a low beam are deliberately or accidentally restored to a glaring position. Many motorists would not tako kindly to the dipping control. It is a matter of taste. Dipping lamps and pivoted reflectors can bo seen on several makes of cars in Auckland. The dipping reflector, pneumatically or magnetically operated, is very effective. On one British car tho pushing of a button dips both reflectors and inclines them to tho left. -This provides excellent illumination when taking a sharp left hand bend, and ono does not have to drive blind for a dozen yards or so as in tho caso of lights throwing ahead only. Ono appreciates this equipment when it comes with the car, but thcro will be endless trouble in England if miscellaneous conversions aro ordered. New Zealand motorists have had experience of this forcing of additions to the car. Tho Motor Vehicle Regulations, 1928, resulted in the salo of about 175,000 red rear reflectors, most of which turned out bo worthless pieces of coloured glass. Even the effective reflectors which one's headlights occasionally pick out are rarely visible as soon as the tail lamp comes into view.