THE MOTOR WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19271, 8 September 1924, Page 4

THE MOTOR WORLD.

By ACCELERATOR.

Motorists desiring information with regard to mechanical or other car troubles, or on any matter coming within the scope of the sport, pastime, or business of motoring nro invited to send inquiries to “ -tooolCTator.’' Special efforts will be made to give the most reliable advice on all topics of interest. A SENSIBLE PROCEDURE. In view of tlio too frequent accidents that have recently occurred in our streets the Otago Motor Club suggested a conference between representatives of the Dunedin City Council, the Police Department, and the Motor Club. The suggestion met with the approval of all concerned, and on Friday afternoon the conference was held in the Council Chambers. Several important recommendations were made which it is believed will remove the causes of various kinds of accidents. Amongst the matters discussed were the following:—Failure of driver of all classes of vehicles to indicate their intention to turn to the right; laxity displayed in following the rule of the road when turning corners, that is cutting corners on the wrong side of the road (a frequent, cause of accidents); the necessity that, exists for cyclists carrying a reflex light; the danger of children using trolleys and scooters on busy thoroughfares, etc. It is hoped that as the outcome of this meeting that our streets will become safer for the public generally and all vehicular traffic. HIDING EFFECTS O.F WEAR. ' The doors of motor car bodies often become rather shabby at the tops owing to the paint getting scraped and knocked off by buttons, etc. A strip of leather cloth with sides doubled inwards tacked oyer the (op of the door with brass nails, will hide the scratches and give a finished appearance to the body. The leather cloth should be chosen of such a colour as will enable it ’nest to harmonise with the paintwork. NORTH OTA-GO CLUB. The annual meeting of the North Otago Motor Club was attended by Messrs J. S. Hawkes. A. D. Dobson, and P. R.- Harman, of Christchurch These motorists addressed the meeting. The office-bearers were elected as follow Patron, Mr J. Cowie Nicolls; president, Mr M. S. Holmes; vice-presi-dent, Mr H. S. Orbell; captain, Mr W. Panckhurst; vice-captain, Mr J. S. Genge; treasurer, Mr G. Shancl: auditors, Messrs C. C. Cook and J. G. M'Donald; committees: Country—Messrs G. Cuthbertson, A. S. Clark, A. Curie, G. C. Hay hurst, P, W. Barrie; town J. S. Duncan, W. P. Reid, Dr Liddell, W. Thomas. PRICE OF SMOOTH ROADS. Replying to Sir Kingsley Wood in the House of Commons recently, the British Minister of Transport (Mr Gosling), said that the question of slippery road surfaces was considered in 1921 by an expert committee appointed by the president of the Country Surveyors’ Society, at the request of the Minister of Transport at that time, and the general conclusion arrived at was that, occasional slipperiness, under certain climatic conditions, was part of the price that must bo paid for the smooth surfaces which modern transport demanded. WHY NOT THE TRUTH? While most adults know that the worst roads in New Zealand are in the North Island, why should school children bo taught that the South Island has the worst? ‘•Chassis,” of Christchurch Sun, was shown a geographical school book last week which said regarding the dominion: ‘‘The roads are diffietdt to make and are not good, especially in the South Island.” This appeared in the 1922 edition of the book; the same statement was contained in. the publication of 1905. Surely tho children in the schools are entitled to the truth so far as it relates to their native land. TRUSS RODS FOR REAR AXLE. Where tho light chassis is used to carry loads in excess of the 7cwt for which it is intended, or where rough roads are the rule, it is worth while to go to the expense (quite a. small item) of having truss rods fitted to the rear axle to prevent sagging. While the rear' axle of the present-day Ford is art irnproverhent on axles of tho older typo, it may be strained by overloading, and it may be found that tho process of straightening a strained axle tube, should such a defect be delected, is rather difficult. and that a replacement is the only satisfactory, though necessarily more expensive, course. DAZZLING HEAD LIGHTS. Dunedin motorists usually dim their headlights when meeting on coining traffic, but in northern cities it is tho exception and not the rule to find such consideration displayed to other users of the road. It will interest motorists to know that recently dazzling headlights became illegal in France. Lights must now be of such a nature that they can be instantly dimmed or be rendered non-dazzling by a dipping device. A most important matter is also provided fox - , the law staling that, (ho driver must reduce speed when changing from full to dimmed lights. This allows the driver to overcome the contrast between the bright and dim light. Ho is then driving with safety, having regard to the speed of tho car and his range of vision. REGISTRATION RETURNS. The following figures have been issued by the Government dealing with the registration of motor cars and cycles in Now Zealand for the year 1923: Cars (including commercial Country of origin. vehicles). Cycles. Great Britain ... 755 1555 U.S.A. 7445 1654 Canadian ... ... 5559 French 99 Italian 130 Belgian 17 9 Gorman 1 Names not stated- 7 ■ 6 Other foreign Origin unknown ... 39 30 Total 14,153 3257 District in which registered. Cars. Cycles. Auckland and Poverty Bay 5468 1200 Wellington 2474 554 Canterbury 2045 620 Hawke’s Bay 1003 167 Otago and Southland 2253 446 Taranaki 527 154 Westland 163 27 Nelson and Marlborough ... 215 79 Total 14,153 ' 3257 The laxity of tho registering authorities is again shown by the ‘‘names not stated” and ‘‘origin unknown” - references. Also there is no indication given whether the authorities supply now or re-registrations. It seems a waste of time to compile these figures, which are given for what they are worth. NEW ZEALAND’S ROADS. Under the caption, “New Zealand Road Conditions,” the British motor journal, the Autocar, publishes the following “An- indication of tho road conditions encountered in one of Great Britain’s most progressive dominions—New Zealand—is conveyed by a description which has been sent us of a motor car trip from Wellington to Auckland by Dr Gerald Russell. In one section, he says, great boles and great lumps abound everywhere. Time after time it was necessary to pull up dead. He mot a new car with all the water boiled out. of its radiator, due to a sloping belt, and the owner pouring in ginger beer and lemonade, much to the chagrin of a weeping child, whose favourite beverages were thus disappearing. Of another portion of the route ho says: Imagine a clay track for 12 miles up hills with a surface as if dozens of men had deliberately set out with spades to dig boles every yard. In some cases the holes were sufficient to capsize any car There is no room to avoid them. One must stop dead, and dron in and clamber out. In one bol 6 I could see nothing but the sky as I clambered out. and my wife bad to get out and see whether tho next bole was ininediatclv to front nr at the side." This description sound stangely familiar, tboucb the word Rangiriri is not mentioned MAIN HIGHWAY DEVIATIONS. A statement regarding the Main Highways Board’s policy of contributing toward Ihe cost of deviations necessary before permair.rnt highways schemes can be put in ! operation has been supplied to certain provincial authorities by the chairman of the No. 2 Highways Council, Mr A. J. Baker, as follows: —“Several inquiries have been made in regard to tho promotion of cost of engineering surveys, fencing, etc.," which tho Main Highways Board will

Utem> of news —short descriptions of tours, the state of the tosK etc., comment, or inquiries will bo welcomed by “Acceleratot/Ti

pay in connection with improvements, deviations, etc., of main highways. _ Ihe matter was consdered at. the meeting of the Main Highways Board, when the following principles, subject to alteration whore circumstances require it, were laid down; (1) That the board carry out, at its own cost, all engineering and land plan surveys, of deviations in alignment that are whollv outside the existing road reserves ; (i) that the board will contribute £ for £ towards tho cost of all plan surveys of deviations practically wholly within the existing road reserves, the agreement as to such work to tie first approved by the board; (3) that the board will contribute £ for £ toward the compensation for land, new fencing, shifting fences, several ces and other expenses of ft like nature precedent to the legislation of any deviation not declared a Government road, the agreement in respect thereof and such work to be first approved by the board; (4) the hoard reserves tho n“ht to enter into negotiations concerning tho compensation direct.” THE MOTOR Y Ell I GLEB BILL. The recent conference of the South Island Motor Union in Dunedin has served tho useful purpose of creating a better understanding regarding tile purport of the Motor Vehicles Bill, which it is hoped will bo placed upon the Statute Book during the present session of Parliament. There can be no question of the need for better control and regulation of motor traffic, and in this respect the Bill promises to be of such a nature that reckless and furious driving will be strenuously dealt with. The fact that a driver of a car may be deprived of his right to drive for such a period as the" court may deem fit will assuredly act os a corrective ou the lust for speed. ■ The Bill is urgently required, for motoring is yet in its infancy in New Zealand, and if set on right lines at the present time it will exercise a healthy influence on the motorist of to-morrow. TTliilst it is admitted on all sides that such a Bill is necessary, the Auckland counties have made what appears to be an ill-advised effort in endeavouring to convert what is rightly looked upon as a irnffio control Bill into a taxation scheme and incidentally re-introducing a proposal for a horse-power tax. This form of taxation is a most inequitable impost, for under it, the result is that the smallest user of tho road is compelled to pay the largest tax per mile and correspondingly the largest user pays the least tax per mile and escapes his proper contribution of the costs of road maintenance and improvement. It is. however, very desirable that tho question of taxation should not be imported into a measure that is designed for the safety of the public generally, and in this respect the action of the Auckland counties is to he strongly deprecated, and if persisted in will probably result in wrecking the Bill. In strong contrast stands the statements of Os Wilson (Dunedin) and Dove (St. Kikla), who attended’ the South Island Motor Union conference, that, the authorities they represented would not prejudice the passing of a measure framed for the purpose of making our highways safe for all classes of, tho community. Such a strong lead by the city of Dunedin will make its influence felt throughout the dominion and will strengthen the hands of those who see more value in protecting the public than tho prospect of a few extra pounds that may be taken from the pockets of motorists. It is rightly urged by motorists that whatever shortcomings may exist regarding the distributon of the tax pad by them that tho remedy lies in an amendment of the Highways Bill, the measure that levies the tax and provides for its allocation. TRANSPORT AND TAXATION In view of the discussion going on throughout, the Australian States in reference to motor transport and motor bus taxation, tho appended 10 principles outlined by the chairman of the Traffic Planning and Safety Committee of the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce of America, whore they have some 14,0CX),0J0 automobiles to legislate for, are of interest. Here they are: 1. Wc believe in the co-ordination of all forms of transportation, each to serve where it can most benefit the public. 2. Highway traffic must bo safeguarded, the public educated to precaution, and: tno reckless punished. , , 3. The competence of every driver should be approved before ho is permitted to drive a motor vehicle upon the public highway. 4. Tlie motor truck should not compete with steam railways on long hauls, except in case of special emergency. Ihe motor bus should not conflict with electric tramwav service. Steam and electric railroads should have fullest opportunity to use motor V °s and moral responsibility should be a prerequisite to common earner ° P 6 F We renew our belief in the policy of Federal Aid for, our highways. 7. All road building should be so planned and administered as to give tho taxpayer the largest possible return on his investment We believe in centralised control under engine ring and economic supervision. Roads should bo improved m the order ot their importance, always within the limitations of a budget. , , 8 Wo oppose overloading, undue speedin- and ill-advised use of highways when weather conditions imperil the public m"state programmes should be carried forward by general loan issues when necessary, since it is cheaper to improve our main arteries of traffic than to go without 10. Tho road user should assume the burden of maintaining highways once built ’Taxes should be simple in form and devoted onlv to road purposes. Discriminatory levies should bo removed £md motor vehicles taxation left to the States. MOTOR CYCLE NOTES. Tre first T.T. race was won by O. C. Godfrey on an Indian, in 1911, at an average speed of 47.5 m.p.h. Incorrect alignment of a side car will cause undue strain on a motor cycle frame, and prematurely wear tyres. In 1904 the road record irom Land s Ena to Jolm-o’-Groats was 39 hours, established at an average speed of 25.5 m.p.h. One competitor m tho Isle of Man this year was G. Cowley, an enthusiast of 61 years. Ho competed in the Junior race, and after riding well, finished in twelfth the first four years of tourist trophy racing, tho Scott held the fastest lap. Since then the Sunbeam has obtained honours twice and the Douglas, Triumph, and A.J.S ouce each _ , „ , To prove their convictions amt confidence in the scientific design and practically everlasting qualities of the motor cycle, a South African firm recently entered a 1902 model in speed events. After winning its heat, the ’old-timer secured second place in the final. , One of the first \-twin engined motor cycles was the Eclipse (1904. Although not handsome it seemed a very practical job. Two and a-quartcr inch tyres and four inch mudguards took the place of the usual cvcle type. Tho machine weighed 1451 b, and the makers claimed that its power weight ratio was the highest on the market. The first ten miles of the Tale of Man T.T. course are undulating, and include several dangerous corners. Tho next ton are almost level, but include the right angle turn at Sulby Bridge. Then follow the famous Ramsey hairpin and thrae-miio climb to an altitude of 1500 feet ’lire fastest stretch is “down the mountain.” In tho last three miles there is Governor’s Bridge, the most acute corner on the course. There is no need to worry about a small amount of end-play in the engine bearings. There axo few engines which ana entirely free from end-play, and the most surprising thing about it is the difference between one’s estimate and the actual amount which exists. Generally, a few trousandlhs of an inch of end-play'feel like an “eighth of an inch.” Only when end-play can bo felt when the machine is running slowly iu top gear in the same way as any other bearing ‘‘knock,” need notice be taken. End-play is taken up. when the crank case is apart, by thin steel washers slipped over tho mainshaft Engines having overhead valve differ from those of tho sido-by-sido valve type, in that the former require practically no tappet clearance when cold, since the expansion of the cylinder as the engine warms up increases tappet clearance. Therefore, never adjust o.h.v. tappets when tho engine is warm. When cold, the tappet should bo just free, and no more, in the case of an o.h.v. engine, whereas a side-by-sido valve engine requires that there should bo sufficient clearance for valve expansion, say, 6-lOCOths inch, or sufficient to give a decided up-and-down movement between tappet and valve stem without excessive clatter when the engine is running.

By ACCELERATOR.

SPARKS. At the commencement of the present year no fewer than 12,081 cars and 465 cyclecars were registered in Algeria. Ihe gross collections on account of motor license duties for the last British financial year were approximately as follow: —England and Wales £13,408,000; Scotland, £1,297,000. Look out for tyre troubles during the hot vweather. Lower pressures should rule during the heat wave. If tyres are pumped up in a cool garage until the pressure gauge shows tho number of pounds to the square inch, recommended by the manufacturers, and then the oar is given a good old hefty tootle over, say, 20 miles or so of rough, sun-baked' roads, the result might be astonishing if ttie pressure is again tested. The quinkest and surest way to ruin aspare inner tube is to let it racket around tho locker in company with the tyre pump, jack, and *ho usual lot of odds and ends one finds in some people's cars. Packing a tube is an art, and is carriad out thus: Lay the tube flat on a table so that the valve is central and pointn upwards, remove the interior parts of the valve so that all air can be expelled, then fold inwards towards the middle. Aunough so much ha s been written and spoken about the supposed complete displacement of the horse by the motor vehicle in America, some figures recently published by the Saers-lloebuck Agricultural Foundation show that "Dobbin" has not been completely supplanted, there being still some 2,500,000 in the American cities alone, while farm horses have dropped only 10 per cent. The* modern dog apparently learns to know its owner's car by the colour. That is all very well for the dog. tho ownei of which has a car of a distinctive colour Drop a tear for the canine which has to follow a Ford. An advertisement in a Christchureh paper, after describing two lost collie dogs, said:—"The abovo dogs followed a Fcrd from the Canterbury Motor Depot, mistaking itj for the owner's." Although Carnival Week in Christchureh is still some distance ahead, preparations for the next Olymipa Motor Exhibition are already well in hand. The friendly cornpetition of Auckland and Wellington is likely to act as a spur to Christchureh members to set a new standard for these exhibitions. The' time at which the Olympia is held just catches the new year's models in cars and gives an added interest to this exhibition from tho trade point of view.

Very few drivers trouble to change the water in the radiators of their cars, although it is not a bad plan to do so occasionally. It is as well to swill out the entire circulating system by inserting a hose in the filler cap and squirting water through under pressure. Corrosion will only be very, very slight if water free from mineral deposits—e.g., chalk or lime—is always used. Most accessory houses supply special preparations for counteracting the effects of corrosion. . A valuable motor car which was driven from Wellington a day or two ago came to grief when it got on the tarred road approaching Masterton. Seeing imperfectly some object just in front of him on the wet pavement, the driver jammed on the brakes, which were on all four wheels. The car swerved sharply and turned over on its side, the driver having a lucky escape from injury. The car itself, which was a now one, costing well over £IOOO, and was being brought up. for demonstration purposes, was considerably disfigured. “It has been said that a clever lawyer can drive a coach and four through almost any Act on the Statute Book,” remarkecl Mr A. C. Nathan at the last meeting of the Marlborough Automobile Association apropos of the Motor Vehicles Bill, now* before Parliament. This drew from Dr VV. E. Redman the comment that Bills, as they were presented to the House, were usually plain enough in their provisions, but bv the time Parliament had chopped at and changed and amended them they were left with a different complexion altogether.