NEW ZEALANDERS ABROAD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18802, 3 March 1923, Page 18

NEW ZEALANDERS ABROAD.

MOTORING FACILITIES.

(Fbom Ocb Own Corbespondent.)

CHRISTCHURCH, March 2. An account of a motor tour through America, Canada, England, and Australia was given to the Press by Mr E. H. Cucksey, of Auckland, who returned to New Zealand last month after a twelve months’ trip abroad. Mr Oucksey and his party motored through several of the States, and a part of Canada. All the roads they travelled over in America were good, even those in the country. Some of the roads in the States are laid in brick, which makes a good surface. In Canada the road conditions reminded travellers cf Now Zealand, for there were not many miles of concrete met with. The Canadians go in for “welcome notices at the entrance to some of their towns. One of the notices seen en route read as follows: “You are now entering the town of Grimsby. Grimsby welcomes you.” On leaving the town the motorist is confronted with another signboard bearing the words: “Thank you; call again.” The splendid service offered to touring motorists by the garages in America and Canada appealed to the Now Zealanders. ■T'he big garages kept a- night shift staff, and a car can be left at night and taken out next morning washed and polished. In Detroit there is a garage with accommodation for 950 oars, the cars being parked on each of five floors, and they can be driven from the road to the roof. » One of the smartest pieces cf work Mr Cucksey saw in America was the packing of his car at New York for shipment to England. The vessel was to sail on Tuesday, ■nad Mr Cucksey, on being told that Monday afternoon was the last day for receiving cargo, thought it would be necessary to leave the car a few days prior to the sailing date, blit the firm of packers merely asked him to run the car down to allow measurements to be taken, and return with it at 8.30 a.m. on the Monday. He did so. and the car was dismantled and placeu in the hold of the vessel before 1 p.m. on tho same day. These “hustle” methods contrasted sharply with later experiences in England, where tho firm of packers required tho car to be delivered to them 28 days before the ship sailed. Mr Cucksey has nothing but praise for the assistance he received in England from the Royal Automobile Club and Automobile Association. These bodies are the best of their kind in the world, and their officers give the traveller every assistance in regard to disembarking, customs, planning tours, etc. From Southampton the party motored to John o’ Groats, and bade to Hand’s End. It was during the latter part of tho tour in England that the first puncture was received. The speedometer had then registered 8640 miles. The macadamised roads in England provide a splendid surface, and there is an absence of dust. When Mr Cucksey loft England benzine had dropped in prico to 2s per gallon. Heavy traffic in the big cities was found to bo well controlled, but was slow moving compared to that in American cities. The “three light control” system in vogue in New York was found to be very efficient in long streets. From a signal station at the point of intersection a red light is shown for “stop,” an orange light for “get ready to move,” and a green light for “safety.” In releasing the held-up traffic the orange light is shown first for “get ready,” and when the green light appears the waiting cars move forward rapidly. The stranger who moves off slowly and cautiously is promptly told by a hustling taxi-driver in the roar to "step on his gas.” After leaving England the party visited Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and Australia.