Motors and Motoring.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11245, 24 June 1922, Page 13

Motors and Motoring.

m -- a H Trade and Other Jottings. ft

HP (By

“Torque-Rod.”)

ARTERIAL THOROUGHFARES IMPRESSIONS Of A VISITOR. A visitor from America who has boon making an extensive tour of New Zealand by motor-car. stales that the roads of the Dominion are the worst he has ever traversed. They were a had advertisement, he said, lor such a glorious country, while from a commercial standpoint must retard the productivity of the soil through the inability of the producers to get their produce to market expeditiously. There wdro largo areas in America which were roadless, he added, but the arlerial highway* were as perfect as they could possibly Ik* made, lie mentioned the Luster ” Battlefield Highway as an example, which has opened up the “West” in a manner that has | boon sun> r i s in;r, and considered that a' similar arterial road through each island in. New Zealand would have a like effect. THE CUSTErAiICHWAY A GIUA\T~\VOEK. Tho C'uster Battlefield Highway has a length of 1500 miles, and is one* of the finest pieces of rood engineering in J America. It has only been completed i about two years, and last year tourists travelled over it. Its advent j has had the effect of practically stopping i cattle “rustling,” which was so preval- j ont, but its main feature is its great | convenience to the farming community, POINT DOUGLAS ROAD A MAGNIFICENT STRICTURE. Another great road in America is the Point Dougins thoroughfare, which shortens tho distance between St. Pauls and Chicago by seventy miles. Tliis highway has a hard surface its entire length, has a. width of 2-1 feet, and the curves are widened and banked with twofoot shoulders. The construction of the road presented many engineering difficulties. as the lino passed through a large swainov area and steep bluffs had to be contended with. The constructional cost amounted to <£45.000, and the road carries enormous traffic. - AUTOMOBILES IN CAN.VDA. Tho 4-20.000 automobiles in Canada covered a ron/1 mileage in 1920 which exceeded 1 .£>0.000,000 and registered a passenger mileage of not leas than 6,920,000,000. RELIABILITY TRIAL thousand" mile test. The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria has decided on holding another 1000 miles alpine reliability motor-ear contest. The 1921 event was such a success that it was almost a foregone conclusion that the Victorian Club would promote another trial this year over tho alpine districts of Victoria. The probabilities are that the route for this year’s test will be confined solely to the Gippsland and alpine sections of the State, as the sports committee entrusted with the running of the trial are desirous of including Mallacotta, Mt. Hotham and Woods Point in the route—features that would add further interest to the competition. The question of accommodation will be the deciding factor as regards Mallacotta, one of the most attractive spots in Victoria, for if this picturesque inlet is included in the itinerary, it means that a men’s camp will be essential. In this connection a most generous and sporting offer has been made by Major G. Mason, the Australian representative of the Associated Equipment Co., which concern handles the “A.8.C.” motor lorry. With a view to assisting the oiuh Major Mason has offered to transport all the necessary camp equipment over 345 miles from Melbourne to Mallacotta and back again. This would call for the use of three 5-ton lorries. Needless to saj the R.A.C.V. keenly appreciate the offer, which is equivalent to a donation of well over <£2oo. This year’s event, if Mallacotta is included in route, will probably comprise seven driving days, with a two days’ stay at the inlet, and one day at the Chalet Mt. Buffalo. A LARGE FIELD EXPECTED. It is anticipated that a considerably larger field will fake part in this year’s run, and with a view to assisting the R.A.C.V. with its accommodation arrangements, intending contestants will help along the event if they will, ae soon as possible, kindly notify the club secretary, stating the number of persons likely to be aboard their car. The date of the contest will be towards the end of November. The club’s sports committee will shortly take in hand all matter® connected with the test, so that the rules and conditions governing same may be made available lo intending competitors. A petrol consumption test, two hill climbs, au aocelleration, and a flying mile speed test will more than likely be incorporated in the run. Sections of the proposed route will have to be negotiated by dub officials before a definite announcement is made by the club as to the actual route, which will bo 1000 miles in length. BODY-BUILDING AUSTRALIA’S PROGRESS. According to motorists who have visited England and France, Australian mo-tor-car body builders have little to learn as regards design, finish, and quality of bodies; in fact, ns regards value for money, the first-claws local production is an infinitely better proposition. According to the list of one of the best London body-builders,, a 7-seater touring body costs in England <£575; to land it m Australia an additional 40 per cent, has to be paid in duty ailone. A body the equal in every respect is priced at <£3oo in this country. An English two-seater, with dickey seat at rear, costa <£soo in London; out here, <£225, and ft five-soater at <£sso, as against <£275 in Australia. An enclosed Limounine, costs .£875. as against ,£675; a Cabriolet, ,£925, an against ,£725. When a4O per cent, duty, plus freight charge®, etc., are added to the English prices, it will lie realised how much dearer the imported body is against tho best Australian production, which is the equal of the imported body in every respect.