A.A.A. INTERESTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21252, 4 August 1932, Page 14

A.A.A. INTERESTS

ROADS NEAR COROMANDEL | UNUSUAL ENGLISH APPEAL Many road improvements are being carried out near Coromandel, according to reports received by the Auckland Automobile Association from its representative in the district. On the Thames-Coromandel road the sharp corners in the vicinity of Tapu have been cut back and this work should be finished in the near future. ' North of Coromandel, the Colville Road | is in much better order than last winter, I I and although there is one place where I mud is apparent, this is not causing any 8 trouble, as there is metal underneath. I Unfortunately, no improvement can be I

noted on the Coromandel-Mercury Bay Road, the surface being very pot-holed at the eastern end. Some time ago, the association made representations with regard to the Tapu-Coroglen Road, and information has now been received that metalling is progressing favorrably, about three miles having been laid already. Other improvements are pending, particularly on the Coromandel-Whangapoa Road, and on the Cape Road to Port Jackson. During October, the touring manager of the A.A.A. will carry out a comprehensive tour of the district, arranging for new signs to be erected in keeping with the others in the district. Dogs in the Car A successful appeal by the Automobile fi Association of Great Britain on behalf of g a member whose dog, while left in a car, I

had bitten a child, will be of interest to motorists The parents. of the child brought an action for compensation, but the jury was unable to agree. In taking the matter to the Appeal Court, the A.A. asked for judgment to be entered for the motorist, mainly on the grounds that there was no evidence that the animal was dangerous, and consequently the motorist was entitled to leave the dog in the car. Lord Justice Scrutton, in giving judgment, said that dogs generally were not in the class of ferocious animals, and therefore the owner of the dog was not responsible unless the animal was actually known to have acquired vicious habits of which the owner was aware. The decision in favour of the A.A. member virtually means that in England motorists can keep

clogs, not known to be of a dangerous nature, in their cars without incurring liability should the animal injure a per son who may trespass upon or tamper with the vehicle. DOMINION T.T. RIDERS A suggestion that all New Zealand riders nominated i'or selection to represent the Dominion at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races should compete in the annual road race at Waiheke Island, is included in a remit forwarded by the Auckland Sports Motor-cycle Club for consideration at the forthcoming Autocycle Union conference at Napier. Hie club, in making the request, realises that it is vtry difficult to lay down hard and fast rules, but as the Waiheke events are the only races held in New Zealand embodying the principal features of the British fixtures, it is felt that prospective competitors would be given the opportunity of displaying their respective merits under actual road conditions. At a

recent meeting of the club it was pointed out that it did not necessarily mean that the winner of the Waiheke T.T. should be sent overseas, as it often happened that the best man did not win. Frequently a mechanical defect in the last stages of the race put a promising rider out of the race. The A.C.U. officials would, however, see every man in action, and it was stated that a selection of this type would meet with more general approval. THE WAITEMATA CLUB The first of the new scries of events organised by the Waitemata Motor-cycle Club will take place on Saturday afternoon, when a half-day sporting reliability trial, over the Swanson-Waitakere course of some 50 miles, will be held. The event will be open to all motor-cyclists, irrespective of whether they are club members, and the entry fee will be Is 6d. A brake test, and a stop and re-start test will be held on a convenient hill.

.There will be no secret checks, although there will be one or two time checks, as mentioned on competitors' route cards. Watches nnd speedometers will, of course, be allowed. The start will be from the junction of Great South and Manukau Roads, at 2 p.m., and competitors are requested to report to the marshal, Mr. H. Ratcliffe, at 1.30 p.m. NOTES J It is claimed that Margate is the safest town in England. Nobody was * killed on its roads last year. j Wrecked motor vehicles were arranged on the roadside as a warning to motorists recently near a busy English township. ' An old, disused canal, which runs 6 through the American town of Syracuse, 0 lias become the graveyard of so many worn-out cars that the local authorities r have ordered the arrest of anyone caught 1° dumping machines into it. Being uncertain of the horn to fit to '' a Rolls-Rovee for Prince Alexis »Mclivani,

0 who lives "in Paris, the coach-builders, a London firm, rang him up on tho telephone find "demonstrated." 0 a four-note horn was chosen. )- " Another meeting of the special committee appointed to deal with arrangements for the forthcoming motor-car rally, under the auspices of the Auckland Automobile Association, will be called shortly, when

Lan alternative scheme, involving shorter runs, will probably bo discussed. The correct proportion of oil to petrol for lubricating a two-stroko engine on the petroil system is half a pint to a gallon. This proportion, however, is applicable only when the engine is properly run-in. While the engine is new, slightly

more oil should be given. For lubricating (ho gearbox a fairly heavy oil is needed. It is not advisable to use grease alone unless instructed by the manufacturer.