THE MOTOR WORLD

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10522, 25 February 1920, Page 4

THE MOTOR WORLD

THE BENZINE SHORTAGE "FIEST-AID” SYSTEM NEEDED FOE MOTOEISXS. The benzine shortage is not so acute as It was, although no heavy stocks are held. Shipments, however, are close at hand, and motorists should have no difficulty in obtaining supplies. On account of the bad conditions ot the roads the time is approaching, if it has not already arrived, when the automobile clubs in New Zealand should consider the question of encouraging a "first-aid” road, system for its members. It is almost of daily occurrence to see a number- of motor-oars stuck up on the Hutt and other roads in the. vicinity of the city. Often the trouble is a minor one. and the driver, through inexperience. lack of the necessary tools, or material, has, perforce, to communicate with a garage in order to have his car towed into Wellington. Tbps causes considerable delay and heavy expenditure. when, probably, a mechanic, if he was on the spot with the necessary material and appliances, could have put the car in running Older in a lew minutes.

Tho speed of cars on the ITutt road has been the subject of much controversy of late. There is no doubt that many drivers of cars exceed the limit of 25 miles an hour which has been laid down by tho controlling authorities, but the main offenders are motorcyclists. There Is not a day In a week but constant users of tho road have their attention drawn, to motorists using tho footpaths and travelling at a high rate of speed. A few months ago two motorists, travelling m opposite directions. collided on th© footpath, on the Hurt road. Each was knocked insensible, and three ■ hours later they regained consciousness, and as each was at fault nothing further wag heard of the matter.

At Auckland it is proposed to establish "island" waiting-places in the cen. tro of tho busy thoroughfares, and the City Council should seriously consider the question of laying <lown crossings in the main streets. By so doing, the danger of accident would bo minimised, and drivers of vehicles who did not conform lo the by-laws should, bo severely dealt with when brought before th© magistrate, _ FANCY PRICES. On© of th© "outstanding features of the recent Olympia Motor-car Show in London was the obvious decrease in tho pur. chasing-power of money. Chassis worth X«CO before tho war aro now • nearly doulble the money, and ■ the same wit a the lower-priced cars. _ It is not only the chassis that is bringing such big figures, for the prices quoted forjooine of tho best Indies is astounding. Fancy XU GO being asked for a Coupe body, and motorists rushing tho makers for replicas of it! Yet it’s a fact. Tho price of this body is albout what one could buy a Rolls-Royce chassis for before war. Truly, the world holds many surprises, RISE IN PRICE OF COTTON. Recent cabled advices from London and Now York notify a big jump in th? price of cotton, in some cases the increase being nearly >OO per cent. This will be bad nows for motorists, for motor covers . aro comprised of half cotton, tho best tho world produces, and the rise iu price must in time influence the selling price of motor covers, in fact all classes of tyres.