THE MOTOR WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21361, 15 June 1931, Page 4

THE MOTOR WORLD.

By ACCELERATOR.

OTAGO MOTOR CLUB, MOTOR CYCLE SECTION. June 16. —Annual meeting June 20. —Club run.

. WEST COAST DIFFICULTIES. Rafferty rules seem to obtain on the West Coast in the issuing of licenses to drivers. The Coasters are at sixes-and-sevens over the tests of physical fitness, and as inspectors of experience are at a premium, a letter has been sent to Wellington by West Coast motorists. The issuing of licenses has been held up. It is claimed that licenses are issued by one person, at least, who cannot drive a car. In another district every applicant must submit to the eyesight test. The main difficulty seems to be the supply of inspectors who can put motorists through their driving and other tests. TROUBLE IN STORE. The. impression has got abroad (writes “ Chassis ” in Christchurch Sun) that a considerable number of motorists is taking the risk of driving on Sundays without having applied for a driver’s license, the car being locked up all week. There is also an impression that the inspectors are all at home on Sundays. Those motorists who are taking chances should not be surprised if they find certain main highways blocked, some day soon—a Sunday, no doubt —by inspectors looking for offenders. The law says that drivers licenses must be gjirried by drivers at all times, so watch out! DETACHABLE WHEELS. Wheels of the detachable type should be removed at regular periods and lubricated at the points where they come into contact with the hub and locking device. Detachable wheels are of three general types;— (1) Artillery. (2) Wire. (3) Disc. What is said above in regard to tightening up and lubrication applies to all types of wheels which are fitted with stud attachments. Many of the wire, disc, and artillery wheels are attached to the < hubs by means of patent locking caps or rings. It is wise to observe the maker’s instructions. It is essential that they be kept tight, and all metal surfaces brought into contact bekept clean and well lubricated. TIMELY SUGGESTIONS. The following points are recommended to drivers by the Southland Motor Association:—' , 1. Speed—Never drive at a speed greater than that which the road traffic at the time will allow with a margin for safety, and reduce speed on approaching all blind corners, intersections, and railway crossings. 2. Keep to the Left.—Keep to your proper'side of the road at all times and particularly on the crest of hills, curves in the roadway, and on all intersections. 3. Use Signals.—Look behind you before changing direction or stopping and use the signals provided for in the Motor Regulations. < 4. Parking.—When parking see that your front wheels are in line with the rear wheels and all wheels at the correct angle. 5. Overtaking.—Never attempt to overtake another vehicle unless the road ahead is seen to be clear. c « 0. iCoutteey.—Drive courteously. You expect courtesy from the other fellow, why not extend it to him? Members should set the example to all motorists,' and if they do non-members will follow the example of our members, now over 2000 in number. CLOtJDX WINDSCREENS. Rain on the windscreens is always a source of considerable annoyance to motorists when driving, especially at night* and may be the cause of an accident, unless the speed of the car is materially reduced. Although the driver may be able to see the road fairly well by the aid of the screenwiper, it is most disconcerting to the passengers in the car, whose vision has been greatly limited, A good plan' to overcome the trouble is to use vaseline. If, while the screen is quite dry—it is useless otherwise —it is well smeared with vaseline, the rain will float in a non-wavy, and quite transparent film, and there will be no distortion of the vision. The essential thing is to see that the screen is quite clean, and perfectly dry before applying the vaseline. A good robbing with a silk handkerchief is the best preparation. / SOUTHLAND CAMP GROUNDS. Camping tours are an ever increasing form of holiday for motorists of this country, says the annual report of the Southland Motor Association. It wasting fact and the popular demand for an up-to-date motor camping ground at Invercargill that influenced the association some time ago to make arrangements in this connection for this centre. A section of the south-east portion of Victoria Park is rented from the City Council, and a very satisfactory arrangement is in operation under which the curator of the public reserves supervises the maintenance, tidying, beautifying, etc., of the site. The ground, and also the building, with its modern conveniences, have been commented upon most favourably by numbers of visiting campers. The association is also fortunate in having very attentive and satisfactory camp ground attendants in Mr and Mrs Rabbidge. It will be noted that the revenue for the camp just exceeded the running expenses, there being a credit of fl 18s 6d on the year’s working. This, however, does not take into account the interest on the capital expenditure on the camp ground building. ‘ DANGEROUS MASCOTS. Sharp-pointed radiator cap mascots are not being looked kindly upon in England. The following leading article from “ The Motor ” explains the position:— “We understand that there have been conversations between the Ministry of Transport and the Society of Motor Manufacturers on an entirely new subject in connection with motor cars. The Ministry contends that motor mascots which present sharp points to the front constitute a danger to pedestrians in the event of a collision, and that their use should be discontinued. “It was at first the intention of the Ministry to issue a regulation dealing with the matter,, but for the time being it has been decided not to do so if the society takes special steps to draw the attention of all its members to the undesirability of such fittings. As a result of this car manufacturers and accessory makers have been warned of the Ministry’s attitude. “ It is understood that there is no objection to mascots which present flat surfaces with sharp projections that point to the sides. We are not disposed to criticise this action as unreasonable on the part of the Ministry, for a mascot presenting a sharp projecting point forward has undoubted potential dangers.” Perhaps the subject might be dealt with in New Zealand also. ROAD SIGNS. The committee in charge of this phase of the Southland Motor Association’s activities has again had a busy year. During the period under review no fewer than 209 direction, danger, and school sign boards have been authorised for the erection and in this connection, the Road Signs Committee is deserving of special mention for its work. Appreciation has also to be expressed of the manner in which the various local bodies —particularly the Southland and Wallace County Councils —have whole-heartedly cooperated with the association in the erection of signs. Although the association can justly claim to have accomplished splendid work in road signposting during recent years, says the annual report, it is recognised that there are still some roads which require attention in this respect. As has been pointed out to members on a previous occasion, the committee always gladly welcomes any co-operation in its work, as for example, being supplied with information and sketches showing places where signboards are required.

(Items of news—short descriptions, of tours, the state of the roads, etc., comment, or inquiries will be welcomed by ** Accelerator. ]

MOTOR CYCLE NOTES

GIVING SIGNALS. “ A general negligence is noticeable among motorists in the practice of giving directional signals by hand, and this tendency is to be regretted,” says the latest message from the Canterbury Automobile Association, in its effort to instil “ Safety First" principles. “Every motorist has a plain ‘duty to assist following traffic no matter of what type by giving ample indication of his intention to change his course, and every road user is i entitled to expect courtesy from the driver ahead. “ Quite a large number of motorists fail to give any warning whatever of change of direction, and many fail to extend the • hand at a distance from the car to be of any value. It is useless to hang one’s 'hand negligently over the hide or the door panel, and expect such action to convey an intelligent meaning to the following vehicle drivers. There is only one way to signal by hand and that is to thrust the hand straight out. To many drivers that is impossible, because of incorrect driving posture. The proper place for a driver is right behind the wheel, and if’ anything as close to the right hand side ; as possible, Some seconds before, or at the same time that a hand signal is given, it is wise to sound the warning device. That detail is often missed. “Following traffic should not keep too close to the car ahead and particularly near corners a sharp lookout should be maintained for the hand signal from the person ahead."

Over £IBOO in cash prizes is to be distributed at this year’s Isle of Man T.T. races. / » * V Entry fees for this year’s T.T. races in the Isle of Man were reduced by more than 60 per cent. A sjngle entry now costs £l6, as against £33. * * * J. G. Lind, who secured replicas in all three Isle of Man T.T. races last year, has won the South African T.T. at record speed. He was riding an A.J.S., and ayeraged 78 m.p.h, for the 200 miles. A Velocette was second and an A.J.S. third. In the junior race L. Cohen (A.J.S.) was placed first, with S. Chegor (A.J.S.) second and Muller (Velocette) third. The junior race was won at 72.4 m.p.h. OTAGO MOTOR CLUB. In the club’s reliability trial, held .on June 3, the route followed was from Dunedin to Dunedin,\ via Ranfurly, Middlemarch, Deep Stream, and Outram. It was very pleasing- to the committee to see such a large entry, including two visitors from Timaru, and the splendid weather throughout made the trial a pronounced which augurs well for the proposed two-day event to be held on Labour Day. The results were as follow:-tV. Vincent (Timaru), lost 60 marks, 1; J. H. Howden (Timaru), lost 65 marks, 2; D. Thomlinson (Dunedin), lost 110 marks, 3; W. Brown (Dunedin), lost 120 marks, 4; A. G. M'Gregor (Dunedin), lost 140 marks, 5; E, J. Pedlow (Dunedin), lost 150 marks, 8; A. Crichton (Dunedin), lost 160 marks, 7: J. Chalmers (Dunedin), lost 235 marks/8; A. Watts (Dunedin), lost 290 marks, 9; G. A. Morris (Dunedin), lost 565 marks, 10; J. A. King (Dunedin), lost 630 marks, 11. i

SPARKS Don’t drive on the wrong side of the road.

There are now 2113 members of the Southland Motor Association, an increase of 119 for the year.

Though thou crosseth the railroad tracks a thousand times carefully, and carelessly but once, thou art lost. /

Balloon tyres have been fitted to wheelbarrows for use in Birmingham’s city parks to avoid damage to turf. > * * *

The present state of the “ legitimate crime market” is that about 12 cars are stolen every day in London alone.

A film is to be prepared which, it i* said, will be a complete record of Sir Malcolm Campbell’s world speed record at Daytona Beach.

I care not for those costly cars, They’e too ornate and large. A twelve-foot wheelbase is too much For a ten-foot garage. * * ♦

“ They load their cars up to the eyebrows,” said Mr G. S. Morris, speaking of farmers’ cars at the meeting of the Canterbury Automobile Association last week.

New members totalling 129 were elected to the Canterbury Automobile Association at its meeting last week. That makes 1040 since the beginning of the association’s year.

The quarterly meeting of the South Island (N.Z.) Motor Union will be held at Timaru on Thursday, June 25. Messrs J. L. Danks, H. C. Harley. F. W. Johnston, and F, W. Freeman will be Canterbury Automobile Association delegates.

The latest reports from Detroit indicate a steady improvement in the motor trade. <■ Many new models are to be introduced, and these are expected to bring about an increased demand.

* * * When a witness in a dangerous driving case at Southend, England, stated that his speedometer showed 40 m.p.h. while he was trying to overtake defendant, the latter said indignantly: “.Don’t be silly; you should have looked at your speedometer, not your oil gauge.” .* * #

Mr Kaye Don, who recently broke the world’s motor boat record with a speed of 103.46 nnp.h. at Buenos Aires, is to record his experiences on an unbreakable gramophone record, copies of which will be preserved in a national museum. A record by Sir Malcolm Campbell will be similarly preserved. # * *

In the reliability trials over 150 miles of North Auckland roads, 46 cars took part. The Wol&eley Hornet, which gained first place, took the silver cup award, with 995 points, leading the second car by 23 points. In petrol consumption the result was calculated on, power weight basis. The only Hornet competing in class B for cars between 1000 and 2000 c.e. being awarded the gold medal for highest marks, the actual mileage being 49.5 to the gallon. Only ope car, a seven horse-power four-cylinder, did greater actual mileage. « * *

The necessity for blind pedestrians to hold a hand above the head or straight out when crossing thoroughfares was mentioned by Mr F. W. Johnston at the meeting of the Canterbury Automobile Association last week. He said that the South Island and North Island Motor Unions had agreed on that point.

The council of the Canterbury Automobile Association conferred last week with Messrs W. F. Harley (secretary), G. K. Harker, and A. E. Kilgour, of the Greymouth branch, on questions concerning Canterbury and West Coast motorists. It was decided that the Finance Committee be recommended to make a grant of £25 toward the bridging of Peg Leg Creek.