THE MOTOR WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22707, 21 October 1935, Page 3

THE MOTOR WORLD

By ACCELERATOR.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. The Riley Record for September. The Radiator for October. TE ANAU-MILFORD HIGHWAY. The secretary of A.A. (Otago)v Mr W. F. Sutton, has received advice from the resident engineer of the Public Works Department at Invercargill of the progress with this popular main highway. The road to the headquarters camp at Hollyford Post Office, 55J miles from Te Anau, is almost entirely of full width. There are one or two narrow places, and temporary bridges on the last mile, and owing to these and the fact that lorries may be met at any point onwards from Lake Gunn, motorists should proceed with caution. Beyond the camp the engineer states that the road is in various stages of completion, but much of it is a 10-foot metalled track, rough and narrow, which has been pushed on as rapidly as possible to gain access to the tunnel at 62J miles. At present it is possible fo> a car with good clearance in dry weather to go as far as Monkey Creek Flat at 595 miles, and access beyond this will soon be clear. It is important for motorists to note tjiat while the road or track remains in its present narrow condition, private car traffic will not be allowed beyond headquarters camp without permission. The restriction will not apply after working hours or on Sundays, but even then it is advisable for motorists to make inquiries as to the condition of the road, particularly in wet weather. All inquiries should be made at the office at headquarters camp, and advance information regarding weather conditions can be obtained by telephone from Te Anau Hotel if desired. It is hoped to give unrestricted access to Monkey Flat for Christmas holidays. THE OTAGO PLAN. What is known as "The Otago Plan" of classifying motor traders in relation to trade discounts was discussed at the last meeting of the. Council of the Garage Proprietors' Association. This plan, which has been successfully established at Dunedin and Invercargill. has not met with the same success in other centres (says the Radiator), and the efforts of the local associations in Christchurch, Auckland, and Wellington, to finalise matters in their own territories have not so far been successful. A letter received from the Wholesalers' Association in reference to the matter was discussed in council, and thig was considered of such importance that it was decided to ask for a conference between the executives of the two associations instead of discussing the matter in open meeting at the annual conference. It is expected that thig meeting will be held in the near future, and it is hoped that a basis may be agreed upon which will enable the other centres in New Zealand to share the benelts secured by Otago and Southland. " GET-YOU-HOME " SERVICE. Every opportunity has been taken to extend the service which the association is able to place at the disposal of members and the addition in the past year of " get-you-home" service, which was put into operation on October 1, 1934,' has rendered membership of the association still more indispensable to motor vehicle owners, states the annual report of the Automobile Association (Auckland). This service extends throughout New Zealand by arrangement with kindred associations. The service is available free of charge to members whose private motor cars have broken down within 15 miles of a garage or their homes. If the distance is more than 15 miles the member pays the excess. For the 11 months ended August 31 the following members availed themselves of the service:—Country members, 743; town members, 473; members of other associations. 90; total. 1306. The mileage covered in rendering this service was 13,887, -and the total cost was £782 4s 9d, which represented Us lid per job. The appointment of " get-you-home" garages has made it unnecessary to increase the patrol staff. ' CAR SALES. The number of motor vehicles sold in New Zealand continues to grow (says the Radiator), and although only three-quar-ters of the present year has elapsed, the number of motor vehicles, sold is greater than during the whole of last year. The following table giving the number of cars sold each month for the past three years will give a good indication of the improvement in business:—

Contrary to expectations, sales of use"d cars keep up, and high values, are still maintained. The volume of the business in used cars is shown from the following figures giving the sales of used cars in June, July and August last: — June 2864 July 3855 August 3089 9808 For every two new cars sold during this period five used cars changed hands. These figures are illuminating, and give some idea of the magnitude and importance of the used car business, and should furnish food for thought. It is not good business to house, maintain and sell five used cars to effect the sale of two new cars, unless these sales yield a profit. CURVED WINDSCREEN. A windscreen has been produced by a British inventor which is claimed to be proof against the troubles associated with reflections from street lamps and other lights. The screen employs a curved glass carried in the usual type of metal frame, and there is in addition a shallow shelf of protection covered in black velvet at the base of the screen. The shape of the screen naturally lends itself well to the modern streamlined designs, for the curvature of the glass can run into the sweep of the peakless front to give an unbroken line. Owing to the black shelf at the base of the screen (here are no reflections in the glass of the light from instruments, while interior roof or quarter-lights also do not cause rellections in the glass. This is easy to understand when it is remembered that a ray of light striking a bright object is reflected from the object at the same angle at which it strikes it. CAR LUBRICATION. Owners are interested in saving money, yet the average owner spends a considerable sum each year in needless and preventable repairs. This is due in large part to the" fact that with motor horsepower more than doubled in the past few years, quick acceleration, speed and hill climbing ability, the various car units have not been properly and regularly cared for. Free wheel units, improved rear axles, universal joints and 20 more devices, under more severe strains, need to be properly and regularly cared for by modern specialised lubricants which have been especially developed for these units during the past few years. Just as regular cleaning of the teeth saves teeth and paint _ eaves what's underneath, so proper lubricants, properly and regularly applied will definitely save money for you. There is only one right way to lubricate cars and that is the way the car manufacturer directs. Complete manufacturers' instructions for all cars are now available and have stood the test of five years' use throughout America. The " Chek Chart " system of lubrication, which eliminates guesswork, has been introduced by one ot the leading service stations in this dty. This " Chek Chart system " consists of a book of large lubrication charts of every American passenger car made, in-

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

eluding the very latest as well as models several years old. The charts were carefully prepared in collaboration with factory service engineers and are absolutely correct in every detail. Every point on the car requiring lubrication is numbered and located by an arrow on the diagram of the chassis. Be.neath the diagram these numbers are listed in order with the name of every part opposite its number as well as the character and the exact quantity of lubrication that particular part should receive. WE DRIVERS. A General Motors engineer has compiled a series of brief discussions on driving, dedicated to the safety, comfort, and pleasure of the motoring public. The second of the series is entitled " Night Driving ": — " It's just as true as can be that when people get expert at anything they're npt to begin getting careless about it, and that's what we have to look out for when driving our cars. For instance, we recently heard a group of engineers discussing night driving, and one thing they kept talking about was 'over-driving our headlights.' r Now that term seems to be a common one with them, but it's new to most of us. What they mean is that the distance we can see clearly by headlights is, of course, limited, and that we are apt to let our car speeds get beyond the point where we could easily stop within that limited distance. It's true that we naturally tend to go a little slower at night. But if we aren't careful we gradually get going faster than we realise, and that may get ua into trouble. You see, momentum, the same force that tries to keep us from making turns safely; that cuts all kinds of capers on slippery roads . . . never sleeps! He works on the same old principles night and day. Darkness doesn't hinder him, but it does hinder us. Most, modern headlights are pretty wonderful lights, but after all they don't give us the distance or clarity of vision that daylight does. So, on considerably shorter notice than in the daytime a vehicle or pedestrian can come out of the darkness. Almost before we know it we may have to slow down or stop for someone or something on the road . . . perhaps one of those big lumbering trucks that you barely see till you're right up on them; or a car the tail-light of which lias gone out ... an unexpected curve, or what not. And that's where we meet up with momentum again. You seerstopping isn't the one simple action we always thought it was. The truth is, we are told, that there are really three things we nave to do to stop. First we have to think of stopping. Next we have to move one foot over on to the brake pedal. And then we have to push down on the brake pedal. Now, we might not believe it, but they tell us those first two steps take time. Less than a second, perhaps, but even in that instant momentum is carrying us on. In fact, at only 20 miles an hour the average driver goes 22 feet before he can even start to use the brakes. Then after he does get the brakes to working it takes him another 18 feet to stop completely, even with the best brakes in the world and with good tyres, under favourable road conditions. At least so we are told by the State Board of Public Works of one of the States of America which has made a very intensive study of driver's and driving conditions, and which has prepared the data for the following table: —

The important thing to realise is that distance needed to stop increases a great deal as we increase our speed. We just have to remember that when we're moving along in a car, we think by the foot, act by the foot and stop by the foot . . . ' and that if are aren't careful, it's pretty easy to get going faster than is really safe. Now, just as engineers have told us how to operate in safety with our own lights, many experienced drivers have pointed out how to avoid trouble from other people's lights. They say that all we have to do, when passing other cars at night, is to stop looking at their lights and watch the left-hand side of the road. If we keep our eye on that, and stay just as close to it ss we should, we won't have to worry about getting too close to the other fellow, and his lights won't be in our eyes at all. The truth of the matter is that night driving can be just as pleasant and just as safe as day driving. But we do have to be just a iittle more alert and a little more careful. The third article in this series—" Our Brakes " —will be published next week. DANGEROUS DRIVERS. The view that 250,000 dangerous drivers are now on the road was expressed by Major M. J. Egan t Chief Constable of Southport, at the National Road Transport Conference (writes the London correspondent of the Otago Daily Times on September 28). He based his estimate on the evidence of a Ministry of Transport tester that failures under the new driving tests were in- the region of 10 per cent. " How are the dang:erous drivers to be eliminated?" he asked. "The police will continue to do all in their power to find them, but it is for the magistrates to impose such penalties as will prevent a repetition of their offence." Major Egan made the following points:— All bad driving does not arise from recklessness, but from the "deadly sins'' of impatience, inattention, and discourtesy. The 30 m.p.h. limit is being ignored by many drivers except when they see a police ear. The most efficient and courteous driver is the man on the heavy commercial vehicle. He is "the Gentleman of the Road." Pedestrians and cyclists contribute to an undue proportion of accidents. Pedestrians in busy thoroughfares should be compelled, to cross only at prescribed crossings. In the majority of accidents involving cyclists, the responsibility appears to rest on themselves. Mr J. B. K. Watson, chief constable for Preston, thought that if a little of the Victorian courtesy could be welded into this age of speed it would be a good thing. . " In the Victorian days, he said. a man would stop and attend to an injured person, and afterwards visit him and present him with gifts of soup, fruit, and flowers. These humanitarian L fear, have gone out of fashion. The driver to-day thinks that by making gifts he would be compromising a claim for damages by the injured party. The code of the road is read less by the ordinary pedestrian than is the family Bible." Mr Watson suggested that the accident figures should be thrown on the screen at kinemas each time they were issued, and that children should be taught to memorise the code books and prizes offered as encouragement. In that way a new generation would arise, intelligently instructed on how to save life and prevent injury on the road. The creation of an entirely new type of court to deal solely with every kind of road traffic offence was advocated by Mr R. Graham Page, of Bournemouth, at the provincial meeting of the Law Society at Hastings. The jurisdiction of the proposed courts would cover all matters relating to road traffic now coming under the jurisdiction of the High Court, County Court, the coroner, the magistrate, the traffic commissioners, chief constables, and, as regards licences, the Ministry of Transport and local authorities. To each court would be appointed >i traffic judge. He should be a barrister of at least 10 years' practice, with, if possible., experience of " running _ down oases. lit would be his duty to adjudicate

upon both civil and criminal liability to give judgment, and to convict and sentence. • There would also be a traffic prosecutor, a "sort/ of chief cojistable-cum-director of public prosecutions," to whom police reports of every accident and road offence would be sent, as well as statements by the parties involved. Mr Page estimated that 500 traffic courts would be required, and added: " It is a formidable figure, but one must remember that there would be a very great saving in the time occupied by the present courts, especially when the same facts are heard over and over again by coroner, magistrate, high court judge, or county court judge." Stating that 116 people are killed and 4000 injured on the roads every week, Mr Page continued: "It is difficult to assess the value of a human life, but I believe that in the war it was assessed at an average of £4OO a year. We all know from experience of ' running down' cases the assessment of compensation for injury. Think what the country is spending a year on road accidents and consider whether, if this proposal is really a substantial step towards prevention, the money would not be better spent in paying the officers of such courts." THE MOTOR CYCLE A.A. (OTAGO) CYCLE SECTION FIXTURES October 26-27-28—Labour Day trial. November 9.—Camber); scramble. November 23. —Run to Brighton. December 8. —Social run, Buckland's Ford. ' MONTHLY MEETING. About 30 members and friends were present at the monthly meeting of the cycle section of the A.A.0., Mr A. E. Bingham presiding. A letter was received from Mr A. O. Davies stating that he was leaving Duneclin. Regret was expressed, and a motion was passed that a minute of thanks and appreciation of Mr Davies's services, as a representative of the cycle section on the executive,' be recorded. Mr G. T. Thorn, who has presented a handsome shield for competition among novice riders, was present at the meeting. Rules, which include attendance at runs and meetings, clean machine, entry in events, etc., were drawn up, and a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Thorn for this very acceptable trophy. The forthcoming beach races in November were discussed at length, a point of difference being whether the start and finish of events should be at the turn as on previous occasions, or halfway up the straight. The change was suggested to prevent danger to onlookers. It was finally decided to retain the present method and to appoint marshals to keep spectators off the course. Next weekend's Labour Day trial was also discussed The chairman suggested that the club have a membership campaign, Mr Thorn offering a trophy to the person getting the most new members in a year. At the conclusion of the meeting the final game of the second round of the Marychurch billiard cue tournament was played, after which the draw for the next round was announced. BRADLEY RECOVERED. A complete recovery had been made by A. Bradley, of Nelson, who suffered a severe head injury when he crashed while practising for the international tourist trophy races in the Isle of Man, in whicn he was to ride as the representative of New Zealand.' After spending several weeks in hospital in the Isle of Man, whera an operation was performed, he went to London for special treatment, and. left there on his way home by the Rangitiki, which is due at Auckland on Wednesday PILLION RIDING. The great danger associated with pillion riding was stressed by the Executive Committee of the A.A. (Wellington) at its last meeting. The Women's Division of the New Zealand Farmers' Union wrote stating that at the recent Dominion conference a resolution was passed asking automobile associations to take steps to have pillion riding on motor cycles prohibited. Mr E. Palliser said that when the question was last discussed by the association it was agreed that so long as the pillion rider was astride of the seat there was not the same risk. . , ~ The secretary (Mr W. A. Sutherland) said it was a remarkable thing that _in most motor-cycle accidents the pillion rider was generally killed. Although the person on the pillion might be an experienced rider, he could not observe danger, and could not balance himself at the same time as the driver. That being so, both persons could not act in unison to avert cl tin tier, "I think the whole trouble is the fact that the motor cycle appeals to young people of a certain age only, and at an age when they are more or less irresponsible," said the -chairman (Mr E. A. Batt). "It is speed that causes the trouble every time. It is hair-raising to see a motor cycle with a girl on the pillion tearing along the road. Ninety-nine per cent, of motor cyclists are young people who take risks ; a more mature person would not take." Mr H. Clere: It certainly is a most worrying thing to have a boy who owns a motor cycle. It was decided, to reply stating that the matter would be brought before the North Island Motor Union with the request that that body place it before the South Island Union. Mr Batt pointed out that the question was a Dominionwide one. SPARKS * Motorists generally will support the protest being made by the A.A., Wellington, against the use by the Wellington City Council of men in plain clothes to detect breaches of parking by-laws. * * * New regulations prohibiting the souuding of horns between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. in Budapest came into operation on August 1, and will remain in force until October I. * * * [Jsed motor oil can be taken back in part exchange for new, it is pointed out in an appeal to German motorists. Manufacturers are asked not to throw away used mineral machine oil. * * * General Motors Corporation has recently arranged with an engineering concern in Warsaw, Poland, to set up works for the assembly of Buick and Chevrolet for the Polish market. * * * Motorists in Zagreb, the Croat capital; who transgress the traffic regulations will have their tyres deflated by the traihe policemen, who will stand by while the tvres are blown up again by the driver. The alternative is a fine. * * * The construction of the Waimakariri bridge at the Bealey on the main road, or only road, between Canterbury and the West Coast, is well under way. boon there will be no necessity to pay towage across the river, and there will be uninterrupted road travel between the provinces. * * * The French Government has decided to reorganise the petroleum market in France in order to check competition between importers, which has resulted in a great deal of price-cutting. A plan for the better organisation of the selling side of the petroleum industry is also under consideration. m * * Ford cars headed the list oi new car sales in the United States in the second quarter of this year, with 282,210, out or a total of 893,213. Next came Chevrolet, with 200,340; then Plymouth, 120,083; Dod"c 59.057; Oldsmobile, 52,012; Poutiac. 47,074; Buick. 20,702; Terraplane, 17,973; Chrysler, 15.199; Studebaker. 12,972; Packard, 11,513; Ue Soto, 8955; Hudson, 7222; Nash, 5485: Graham, 5457; these'were followed by La Fayette, La Salle. Willys. Hiipniobile, Auburn, Cadillac, Reo, Lincoln and Pierce-Arrow. The 24 makes mentioned accounted for all but 165 cars.

1935 1934 1933 January .. 1039 433 360 February .. 971 563 400 March .. 1227 577 245 April .. 1200 508 222 May .. 1250 020 184 June .. 1520 703 280 July .. 1105, 600 190 August .. 1249 749 255 September .. 1202 934 227 10,895 5,807 2,363

Miles per hour. Feet travelled while thinking. Feet travelled while using brakes. Total distance travelled before complete stop.

2022 18 40ft 30 33 40 73ft 40 45 70 115ft 50 56 109 165ft 60 66 156 '222ft 70 79 240 319ft