MOTOR AND CYCLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7928, 11 October 1911, Page 4

MOTOR AND CYCLE

While we are wondering if the motor waggon will prove itself a practical commercial vehicle, tho more enterprising Yankee has put it to a test—that of crossing the North American Continent, a distance by the route followed of 5000 miles—a “soul-trying undertaking that occupied five mouths.” The "Bioneer Freighter," as tho Saurcr waggon was called, was loaded, among other things, with camp equipment, timber for shoring up bridges and making mud holes passable. and a powerful winch, which is operated by the engine of the car and which proved of great assistance in hauling tho truck out of bad spots. IVhen it reached New York the truck looked the worse for wear, but it had no trouble in “keeping step” with an escort of fifteen trucks which met it on the outskirts and accompanied it into the city. Its appearance only mildly suggested the many times it had been hub deep in sand, or became mired in two of three feet of slimy mud, which covered many of the so-called roads of the "wild and woolly west.”

There is every probability that a motor cycle record between Melbourne and Sydney will bo established this season. Up to"tho present time there has been no attempt at a continuous ride between the two capitals. The only motor cycle run under other than touring conditions was in conjunction with tho Dunlop Motor Reliability Trials some years ago, but as the journey was divided into several sections, covered in as many days, even tho aggregate riding time will bear no comparison with a straightaway record, ride, if it be made. Tho first motor cyclist to announce his intention of establishing a record is Mr J. Fair, of tho New South Wales Motor Cycle Club. The distance between the two cities is 577 miles and could possibly' be covered in about twenty-five hours. The motor cycle record for 21 hours, established in the Western district of Victoria by Mr H. B. James some years ago, is 4301 miles, while 503 miles were covered'in 23 hours. The motor car record from Melbourne to Sydney is 19. hr t7min established by Mr G. G. M hite of Adelaide.

The railway strike in England recently brought home, the value of the me-chauically-'propelled road vehicle to the travelling public in nn unmistakable manner. The call upon public service vehicles—motor buses, taxi cabs, char-a-bancs, etc.—was heavy, for thousands of people had. to use them to get to and from their homes and the commercial centres of London. The proprietary companies of those vehicles reaped a rich harvest, while numerous cars were hired to carry jiassengers to distant cities and towns,' Liverpool, Bristol, Bath, Brighton, etc.; for which high rates were paid. Even more pronounced was the demand for the commercial vehicle, and the trade is now at its wits end to fill the orders which are pouring in/ One manufacturer considers the'real birth of tho traders' motor vehicle must date from the strike. lie further says that commercial houses have learnt from tho recent disturbances that they have no option but to provide themselves as quickly as possible with long range, speedy motor road trains for the conveyance in bulk of both raw materials and finished products, while dealers in all manner of farm produce, food stulfs, and the retail dealers and distributors must equip themselves just as speedily with motor waggons and light fast delivery vans. A study of , the conditions on which the strike has been settled so far reveals that the railway companies' future must be assured as much as the men’s, because the Government will recognise the right of the great carrying corporations to retaliate by raising their rates. /Hence it may be assumed that the charges will be heavier, which will mean, incidentally, that road transport, even at present rates, would appear proportionately cheaper than it is to-day. Indeed,, the more closely one considers the problem the more certain it is that in many respects tho transport of the country will gradually return to the highways which such traffic originally used.

Tho annual test race between Launceston and Hobart, over a distance of 120 'miles, was decided on 30th ult. and was won by J. C- Keenan, of Hobart, with 12 minutes handicap. The race was conducted by the Dunlop Rubber Go. to decide which rider shall represent Tasmania in tho big event from Warrnambool to Melbourne (165 miles). Keenan, by registering fastest time, has qualified for , that honour, and will compete in tho Victorian event on Saturday next. In addition to winning first prize,' Keenan also secured the road championship of Tasmania. The second place was filled by A. Kean (12min), while H. Millington (14 min) and K. Bowley (2-ltnin) tied for third place.

The South Australian Dunlop road test, over the usual course from Burra to North Adelaide, was held on September 30th, and was won by W. E. Grigg, from scratch, who cut out the 100 miles in the fast time of shr 39min, which is a record for tile race. The win was a popular one, Grigg being a hot favourite He will officially represent South Australia in the Dunlop road race from "Warmambool to Melbourne. In addition to winning the first prize, Grigg secures a i 5 5s gold watch presented by Mr G. Bullock of Adelaide, and the road championship and Blue Ribbon of South Australia. S. J. Tobin was second and L. Gilbert third.