MOTORING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23507, 18 November 1939, Page 10 (Supplement)

MOTORING

BY EFOCQJS

Touring England NEW ZEALANDER'S SURPRISES

ONE of the most unexpected surprises of a New Zealand motorist, Mr. E. H. Picot, of Wellington, who made an extensive motor tour of the British Isles, was that he encountered many grades just as steep as those found on New Zealand highways. He said he held the general opinion of a New Zealander that England was

his boat at Southampton, and promptly made a gift of it to his British man servant. "The roads are perfect," said Mr. Picot, when interviewed on his return to Auckland this week. "All of them seem to be tar-sealed, oven right out in the country and in the quietest back lanes. One distressing factor about' the country roads is their narrowness, while they are usually bordered by high hedges, which restrict visibility, especially at corners." Tho British motorist was never able to go anywhere by himself, Mr. Picot continued. There was always a crowd wherever one drove, on the road, as well as at the spot one chose to visit. Scotland was particularly beautiful for motor touring, being very similar in its scenery to parts of the Dominion. Mr. Picot paid tribute to the service of the British Automobile Association, saying it was an eye-opener, and what it did for the average motorist, and particularly the visitor, was beyond praise. ; '

comparatively flat, Jaut found motorists there had to negotiate many tortuous climbs. . While in Britain, Mr. and Mrs. Picot travelled 5000 miles in four months' in a hired car. He recommended this form of travel, as it was reasonable and comfortable. The hire of the car was £4 a week, and with it went a guarantee that if any mechanical defect developed another car would immediately be delivered wherever the par ; ty might, be held xip.

Hiring cars for such tours was more than ever advisable on account of the war, he added. Cars could not be sold at any price. An instance of this was given in the experience of an American ■who recently visited England. He bought a car, toured the countryside, and when about to leave found he could not sell his car. So he drove it down to