THE MOTOR WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19530, 13 July 1925, Page 11

THE MOTOR WORLD.

By ACCELERATOR.

Motarteta dealring Information with regard to mechanical or other car troubles, or on any matter coming within tho eoope of the sport, pastime, or bnslnees of motoring are invited to send inquiries to " Accelerator.” Special efforts will be made to give the most reliable advtoe on all topics oi interest. OTAGO MOTOR CLUB. At the monthly meeting of tho club to be held to-morrow evening the president (Mr A. E. Ansell) will report on tho result of the conference with the Minister and the North Island Union with regard to tho system of registration by the number plate. A lecture will also be given by Mr S. De Beer on the carburetter in theory and practice. LIGHT OARS WIN, Light cars, of 10-12 horse-power, won everything in a 24-hours’ race on the Sartho course. Senechal, driving a French ChenardWaloker, skidded and overturned at a sharp bend, but righted his oar singlehanded, and drove on amid cheers. He won tho Triennial Cup, covering 1133 miles. A British Sunbeam qualified for tho Biennial Cup, covering 1350 miles. THROUGH AFRICA BY CAR. A cablegram from Capetown, dated July 6, reads as follows: “A great achievement in motor travel was completed when a six-wheeled motor car with tho do Lingetto expedition arrived at Capetown from Algeria after a journey which occupied seven months and a-half. Captain de Lingetto said that ho was on an official mission from the French Government to show the possibilities of automobiles as tho moans of cai’rymg on a service throughout Africa. Ho had proved that communication everywhere was possible by land.” A PETROL MONOPOLY. A matter causing the Sydney motor trade much concern is a Labour scheme to makitho supply of petrol in the city a monopoly of the City Council. Motoring bodies have decided to appeal to tho Government for legislation to legalise tho erection of kerb-side petrol pumps, because the council already has refused permission for tho installation of pumps in wide streets. During recent months tho Police Traffic Department has objected to tho erection of pumps on the city footpaths, and Labour aldermen have seen in this objection a reason for tho establishment of a City Council monopoly. It. is proposed to have all kerb-side petrol pumps removed when tho present yearly permits expire. Pending a report from tho city engineer regarding the establishment of council service garages in different parts of the city, no further permits will bo granted. WEARING OUT TYRES. An inspection of crippled tyres in the collection of any repairman will reveal the fact that a larger percentage of tho trouble sonries from neglect in the garage at home If stones, ruts, and road rough) 'ss were tho only things that wore out tyres repair bills would bo cut in half. Water, oil, grease, and light—rubber’s worst enemies—work in a garage more actively than on the road. In washing tho car, the rims are liable to become rusty, and eat away tho tyre. A coat of graphite, or common stove polish, will prevent this and keep tho tyre from creeping. Oil or grease'should never b© a llowed to stand on a garage floor. Small cuts or bruises on the tyro surface should bo repaired at once. K a tyro has been smeared with grease it should be washed thoroughly with cold wafer and a little soap. The spare tyro : s often forgotten, while the other tyros are giving good service, and neglect sometimes causes it to deteriorate rapidly. Always it should be protected from rain, sun, and dirt by a cover. Once in a while, change it will one of the tyres on (ho car, so that the rubber will not harden from disuse. Tho weight of the car should never bo loft on a deflated tyro. Buch treatment is as bad as running on a flat tyre, and is certain to crack the carcase. Jack up tho wheel or take off tho tyro entirely. A VALUABLE PUBLICATION. Compared with tlioir fellow riders in Great Britain, motor cyclists in conn trios overseas are at a disadvantage in being situated so far away from tho manufacturing centres. A happy means of bridging tho gulf has been provided by “The Motor Cycle Overseas Annual and Buyers’ Guide, 1925,” published by IlilVe and Sons, Ltd., London, a copy of which 1 have pleasure in acknowledging. This book, which has been produced by tho staff of Tho Motor Cycle, is designed specially for tho use of motom cyclists in tho more distant parts of the British Empire. It provides in convenient form all the information needed to select a suitable machine, and to keep it in good running condition. There are ISO editorial pages and among the outstanding items, special mention may be made of the “Buyers’ Guido,” in which are given specifications of all 1925 Britishmade motor cycles. The weight, clearance, and price in Groat Britain are given in each case. There are also a number of instructive articles explaining tho working of 4stroko and 2-stroko engines, the gear box, magneto, carburetter, ami lighting equipment. “Hints on Overhauling,” “Tuning for Efficiency,” “Finding the Gear Ratio,” “Running Costs,” and “Forming a Motor Cycle Club,” are titles of other articles, which, together with interesting data, useful tables, and formulae, including a bore, stroke, and capacity “ready-reckoner,” comprise an invalua.be work of reference. With this book to consult tho rider or would-be rider will have little difficulty in settling any problem with which he may bo confronted. Copies may be obtained of principal booksellers, or direct from tho publishers (price 2s 6d). SERVICING CARS. A novel plan has boon adopted by one American motor trader of extending maintenance service insurance to every purchaser of their cars, subject to the buyer joining up with their service system. The motorist pays a sot sum of £5 a month for a term of 15 months, and is thereby relieved of all further maintenance trouble during that period. Tho company guarantees to keep the car hi perfect condition and execute all repairs. The owner is required to report with his car at tho service station at stated intervals of which ho is given duo notice. He does not have to lose bis car on one sense, for another car, which is fully insured, is loaned to him while his is being attended to and tuned up. That is ono feature that has made a strong appeal. Au owner never wants a car worse than when it is in tho work shop. His oar is given a thorough inspection. No detail is neglected. Tho oil is changed in the motor, the transmission cared for, the ignition and carburetter inspected, and if necessary put in order. Not only this, but tho car gets a wash along with tho change of oil and grease, and when the owner gets it back he has the assurance that his car is in perfect running order, that he has been treated as bo would want to bo treated, and just as his contract specifies. Then again the car is delivered whoreover ho may want it, and he is all set up for a trip of any duration. The trips to tho service station aro governed by (he capacity of tho oil supply. That is to say on some models the owner is requested to drive in every 500 miles, on other models every 1000 miles. Of course, the more tho owner drives tho more frequent his trips to the station. Tho system is said to be satisfactory alike to motorists and tho trader. A LONG TRIP. Considerable interest is being taken in Australian motoring circles in tho first attempt to drive a heavyweight Commercial motor truck across Australia, from Adelaide to Darwin, a route that for years has been deemed impracticable for heavy automobile traffic. A Melbourne party, comprising Messrs W. Dunkerley, A. J. _Dunkcrley, F. Knight, J. R. Buxton, and W. Drysdale, arc attempting this pioneer motor truck trip aboard a specially fitted up 2-ton Dun lop Shod “A.E.C.” Commercial truck, which, with tho whole outfit aboard, weighs six and a-ha!f tons. Tho driving wheels aro shod with twin Dunlop pneumatics of 135 millimctree section. The journey attempted is a long one, of about 6000 miles. Leaving Melbourne the Inter-State route was followed via tho Coorong to Adelaide. Then departing from the usual procedure by overlanding motorists of trucking their cars by rail to Oodnadatta (687 miles) to avoid the heavy sandhills and creek beds along the Oodnadatta end of this stretch of the trip, a auction which some overloading motorists declare to be the worst to nego(Ufcto on the route, the

Jltams of nows — short descriptions of tours, the state of the road®, etc., comment, or inquiries wiU be welcomed by “AcoelemtoK> n B

truck party determined to cross this section by their own power. A telegram, from Oodnadatta states that they succeeded m getting through. , , .. The daily stages from Adelaide were Peterborough (158 miles), a fine run for a heavy truck, Hawker (96 miles). Telford (104 miles), Wangianna (84 miles), Stuarts Creek (41 miles), Irripattanna (49 miles), Edwards Creek (70 miles), and Oodnadatta (70 miles). The country as they travelled north was found very dry and evidence of drought was abundant, little grass and no running creeks being seen. Fnlmg up with stores at Oodnadatta the party left tor the 336 miles stage to Alice Springs. Alter reaching Darwin the homeward journey will bo made via Queensland, and the Coastal route. ANOTHER RECORD. On May 12, at Charlotte, N.C., Earle Cooper, driving a Miller Special, won the 250 mile championship race at an average speed of 122.03 miles per hour, establishing a now American dirt track record, lollowing him were: Harry Hartz in a Miller Special, Tommy Milton in a Miller Special, Fred Comer in a Miller Special, and Peter do Paolo in a Ducsenborg Special. All of their cars were equipped with Firestone gum-dipped cords and steam welded tubes, and only one tyro change was made by any one of thorn in the entire race. The change was made by Earle Cooper, and was made as a matter of precaution and not because the tyre which was replaced had failed. WOBBLING UNION. The action of the North Island Motor Union in putting itself right out of the picture at the recent number-plate conference requires a lot of explanation, and should provide the affiliated associations with considerable food for reflection. “Spotlight’’ in the Dominion has this to say on the subject: The position appears to bo that the North Island Union met and discussed the numberplate business with Mr G. M’Namara, assistant-secretary to the Post Office, who is in charge of the registration, and after going into the pro. and con. decided to give a general approval to the system in force. Then it mot the South Island L rion on the matter, and the upshot was that at the following general conference with the local bodies and the Minister, tbo North Island sat mum and the South Island got up and fired off a condemnation of the whole arrangement, and .this went forth as tho unanimous views of motorists of the dominion. Tho Wellington Automobile Club has expressed general approval of the new system, but would like same numbers each year if possible, and in its annual report the Auckland Automobile Association, tho largest in tho North Island, says; “The council has given tho now system of annual registration, introduced by the Motor Vehicles Act, consideration, and resolved that the system introduced by tbo Government of changing tho colour of tho numberplates each year is preferable to the English system of displaying tho annual license in a holder in addition to tho registration number, and thinks that tho present system should bo given a fair trial. It is considered quite possible, however, to give owners the same number each year, and tho department is being urged in do so.” Tho wobbling attitude of tho North Island Uivon is extraordinary when ono considers the relative proportions of motorvehicle owners in tho two islands. There are, in fact, twico as many vehicle owners in tho North Island ns in tho South, and yet tho North Island allows itself to bo snuffed right out. The South Island Union makes piny with tho fact that its affiliated associations have a larger membership than those in the North Island. This is quite true, and if tho way the North Island Union handled matters at. tho recent conference is a fair samnlo of its methods tho comparative weakness of tho movement in this island is understandable. The matter is one that deserves to bo looked into. There have boon quite a lot of comnlaints about (bo North Island Union not knowing its mind for two minutes together. It certainly did not know where it was over tho numberplates. Tbo South Island in its dealings with tho North has complained for years that it never knows from one day to tho next which thimble tho pea has got under. The local North Island associations also often do not know where they are with the union. Last year the union .asked for reports on the level crossings in each district, with a view to classifying them and taking tip with the Government the matter of eliminating or improving tho most dangerous ones. The Wellington Automobile Club, in common with other bodies, went to considerable trouble in viewing and reporting on tbo crossings In its district and making a detailed report. This was forwarded on to the union, and flic only result was that the union sent it back and practically told the local body that if it wanted anything done about level crossings it must do it itself. This year the annual meeting of the union is to ho held at Auckland, and it is to bo honed that a move will be made to put things on a better footing, and make the views of the union more representative of tho affiliated associations, and North Island motorists generally. In lending itself to the support of a set of resolutions which, if given effect as they stand, would wreck the motor registration system, (lie union was not representing the views of motorists in the North Island. The same little coterie has sat for far too long on the union executive, and (ho delegates representing different associations do not appear (a be in touch with the views of those associations. Unless the union is put on a sounder footing, the motoring movement would lie much bettor without it. It is a dead and alive body at the best, and but for Wairarapa interest in it would be dead altogether. The annual meeting, at Auckland offers an opportunity for an overhaul that is badly needed. SPARKS. Tho roads on tho West Const are good, but generally too narrow. In America some people buy motor parts and some live near railroad crossings. “The automobile certainly is replacing tho horse,” remarked the man when ho found a piece of tyre in his sausage. Play safe. Use only Big Tree Motor Spirit—the most economical spirit in the world. —Advt. The list of motor cars in "Victoria is being added to at tho rate of 1100 a month. There are now approximately 64,000 vehicles m operation. Sign-posts will bo erected in the near future at both ends of tho Bullor Gorge to warn motorists to exercise tho greatest care while on the road. Experience extending oyer a number of years has convinced tho Edinburgh Corporation Tramways Department that “pneumatics” arc cheaper to operate than solid Your engine appreciates the new Big Tree Motor Spirit. Use it always. All garages.—Advt. tyres. Driver (to nervous friend); Well, we’ve discovered it at last. Friend: Discovered what? Driver: Perpetual motion —1 can’t stop her. An extract from a cablegram from Capetown covering tho Prince of Wales’s African tour reads as follows: —“Great applause welcomed Captain de Lingetto in his Renault ear, in which ho had motored from North Africa.” Taxi-drivers rush the bowser that is filled with Big Tree Motor Spirit. They know! Advt. A British motor insurance authority states that about £14,000,000 was paid in motor premiums last year, while the sum paid in claims was nearly £8,000,000. (Continued on page 12.)