CHECKING HEADLIGHTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21874, 9 August 1934, Page 17

CHECKING HEADLIGHTS

SAFETY CAMPAIGN BEGUN brake inspection soon The checking of motor-car hoailJjglits in tho city and contiguous areas, which was commenced by traffic; authorities last night, will be carried on to-night and to-morrow night. An inspection of headlights was last made in the city in April. The procedure being followed is for motorists whose headlights aro not properly adjusted or focussed. to bo issued with a form instructing them to have the faults remedied. If proof that the lights have been attended to is not furnished to the traffic department of the Auckland City./ Council a prosecution will follow.

The campaign will be extended. to brakes within about a fortnight. Motorists who are able to show that their brakes have been recently tested and found to bo in good order will not. have to submit their vehicles to an actual test. In cases where any doubt exists, however, traffic inspectors will test the efficiency of the brakes. Although the adjusting of headlights can be carried out by tho average private owner tho focussing of the lamps requires more specialised knowledge. In the case of brakes' tho work of adjustment can be carried out by motorists, but if relining is necessary most owners prefer to have this done by a reputable garage.

PARKING IN LONDON An important report on the waiting vehicle and ..parking places in London has recently been submitted to the Westminster City Council by a special

sub-committee of that body. Kveryonc knows that London's car parking prob- * ]cm is acute, but' it is not perhaps generally realised that within the past 10 Tears the traffic at the busiest points 'within the City of Westminster has increased by roughly 50 per cent. Year by year this increase will become more and more apparent.

That this is a gigantic problem is shown by the fact that the number of cars parked in St. James' Square, Soho Square, Waterloo Place, and Golden Square in 1932 was 326,000, while, taking 24 of the 31 official parking places in the City.of Westminster, the total for that year was 627,250. The subcommittee's report, which was adopted by the Westminster City Council, contains certain recommendations which will be approved by the majority of motorists. They include the strict enforcement of the prohibition of loitering taxicabs in certain streets and the extension of the prohibition to all main thoroughfares; the exclusion of horsedrawn vehicles from specified streets during certain hours, and the keepitig of slow-moving vehicles close to the kerb-side; the provision of paid attendants in uniWm at recognised car parks and the granting of power to them to enforce the parking regulations. There is also a suggestion that a small charge should be made for the use of'varidns parks, even when they form parts of streets. '

The sub-committee considers that more of the London sauares should be used as parking places and that at each parking place there should be prominently displayed a list of the public mar-. Ages available in the neighbourhood. A further suggestion is that the practicability of constructing garages under certain squares should be investigated. As regards the last-named proposal, the sub-comniittee frankly confesses tha,t it has no idea as to the cost that would be involved. Inevitably, it would be very great, and it seems problematical whether the underground parking places could be constructed without Very serious interference with such public service facilities as gas and water mains and electrical apparatus of various kinds. It is satisfactory to observe that the sub-committee is definitely opposed to the idea of curtailing the number of various street parking places; indeed, it. recommends .their extension wherever possible. / T THE 14 H.P. VAUXHALL SIX Impressive performance and splendid riding comfort are features of the new 14 horse-power light-six Vauxhall, a medium-sized British car which is proving very popular with the New Zealand motoring public. In a road test this week one of these models gave complete satisfaction and demonstrated capabilities of smooth speed, fast acceleration, easy steering and delightful springing which were most convincing. The interior of the car is upholstered in real leather, which lencls an aiir of refinement to the roomy body, provided with no-draught ventilation. Comfortable arm-rests, including a folding one in the middle of the rear squab, are provided, and the front seats are readily adjustable.

The six-cylinder engine is of the overhead valve t,\pe and* is insulated completely from* the frame by rubber mountings reinforced with steel. Transmission is effected by four forward speeds /and one reverse. Third gear is silent and synochro-mesh mechanism simplifies the change between third and top. n • Steering is light and the braking system reaches a, high standard of efficiency. The internal expanding brakes are inter-connected and bring the vehicle to a standstill very quickly. Altogether the new Vauxhall, the price of which has been reduced owing to the new tariff uchedule, represents excellent value. CARS IN GERMANY There has been a great increase in the sales of cars in Germany. The number of private cars registered during the first five months of this year totalled 44,286, while it is estimated that the sales for the year will re;ich 120,000.