NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20760, 31 December 1930, Page 16

NOTES.

In Paris pedestrians are being fined for crossing certain thoroughfares except at places marked by studded nails in the load.

A farmer, asked which side the car hit tho cow, replied, " On the milking side." The cow ought to claim a free kick for " off sido!"

It is said that £300,000,000 was spent on American roads last year, and that during tho past fivo years the sum spent reached tho amazing total of £1,303,020,000.

Europe's largest garage has just been completed in Stockholm, Sweden. It has a floor area of about 340,000 square feet. Space is provided for 1500 automobiles, in addition to numerous workshops and offices.

When tho weather is warm in Berlin, Gonnany, and tho asphalt becomes soft with tho heat, a heavy road-rolling machine is run over the road. The wheels of this vehicle mark tho surface with a pattern liko that of bricks, to prevent skidding.

The mobile police force to be introduced- in England will consist of approximately 1000 vehicles, of which one-third will bo cars and two-thirds motor-cycles. The cost of tho machines is to come out of th« Road Fund.

SMOKING ON THE FERRIES.

A VERY COMMON OFFENCE.

In spite of the warning painted in conspicuous places on the vehicular ferries drawing motorists' attention to tho fact that smoking is prohibited, many drivers can bo observed sitting in their cars quietly smoking. It is true that there may bo a few who aro not aware of tho restriction, but many of those who offend do so deliberately and from an entirely selfish point of view. When a driver's attention was drawn to tho breach the other day, lie said that there was no danger and that no one ever removed a benzine cap, as it was an offence to do so. Tho speaker was offending in smoking, so it was just as likely soineono elso would offend by taking off a benzino cap, and the two offences combined would probably mean tho total destruction of all tho vehicles on tho boat.

Danger of Petrol Leaks.

Again such things as leaky bonzino tanks or dripping carburetters aro not unknown, and it is not uncommon to seo a smoker throw a match out of his car window without having troublod to extinguish it. Tho samo match need not necessarily alight on a pool of benzine, but if it comes in contact with petrol fumes which may bo lying close to tho deck, a fire may result. It is surely little to ask motorists to exercise the necessai-y consideration toward tho other users of tho vehicular ferry, and to restrain from smoking during tho odd few minutes when travelling from one wharf to another. Ono can generally regard a person who fails to exercise this simple precaution as one who under other circumstances would also fail to extend such courtesies as might bo cxpectad from ouo road user to another.

TOURING INFORMATION.

The information bureau of tho Auckland Automobilo . Association has been kept working at high prossure during the Christmas holiday period. Motorists from all parts of tho Dominion have literally bombarded tho A.A.A. with questions regarding tho best routes and conditions of tho roads to many parts of tho Auck-. land province. Inquiries concerning North Auckland have been particularly numerous and tho A.A.A. patrols stationed in tho northern districts report that they have never seen as much traffic on North Auckland roads as during the past week. Tho A.A.A. office has been open during the morning and evening every day throughout the holidays with tho exception of Christinas Day, when information was available by telephone only. The few showers which fell on Christmas morning caused many of those proposing to undertake the trip to Whangarci on Christmas Day to hesitate, bub the information received from tho uniformed patrol actually stationed in tho clay area was reassuring and motorists were ablo to complete their journey with comfort. On Christmas night particularly numerous inquiries wero received, evidently in preparation for an early start being made on Boxing Day. A feature of this year s touring is tho number of campers to be seen on tlio road. There is a tendency to do shorter distances during tho day and to stop longer at the various motor camps. This is one way of reducing expenses and still having an enjoyable holiday. Quito a number of motorists who hav'c previously always conducted a long tour have selected some suitable seaside resort, and after motoring 100 miles or so have nettled down at one site for tho wbolo holiday period. Tho A. A.A. information bureau will no open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. throughout tho New Year holidays.

CARBURETTER ADJUSTMENT.

An engine will run with an improper carburetter adjustment, but a correct adjustment is necessary to obtain good economy and performance. As ft rule, carburettors will maintain a given adjustment indefinitely. If there is luck of power, first make sure that the engine has good compression and that the ignition is properly timod and functioning satisfactorily. After this tho carburettor should bo adjusted to obtain n good mixture. With these three fundamentals, good compression, good ignition and good mixture, no trouble should bo experienced in having tho.engine perform properly.