Motor and Cycle

Otago Witness, Issue 3831, 16 August 1927, Page 70

Motor and Cycle

by

DEFCON.

The Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce has decided to ask the Government to frame legislation to prevent the importation of more than a small percentage of assembled cars into the Dominion, with a view to starting a new secondary industry in the shape of motor car body building. It was stated that similar legislation in Australia resulted in a big manufacturing industry there employing hundreds of workers. Are silent policemen effective? Some said “Yes” and some said “No,” and in tho end the matter lapsed. The discussjpn arose at the last meeting of the Upper Hutt Borough Council (says the Evening Post), when a reply was received from the city engineer to a request from the council that the Wellington City and Suburban Highways Board should authorise it to erect “silent policemen” along the paved route which comes under rhe jurisdiction of the board. Mr Hart wrote stating that he had conferred with the city solicitor on the matter, and he had expressed the opinion that if any person collided with these obstacles without negligence, the council laying them was liable for any injury arising from such collisions. For this reason the Wellington City Council had never adopted this form of marking street intersections. Tho traffic examples of Hastings, Dunedin, and Palmerston North, where silent policemen are in use, were brought forward by councillors, but no action was decided on, the Mayor remarking that tho opinion had been received and the matter could be brought up again at any time. Major 11. Segrave is retiring from motor racing. In many research laboratories it is considered that it would be unsafe to attempt to improve on the record of 203.7 m.p.h. established by Segrave on Florida Beach. Segrave himself considers that the giant 1000 h.p. Sunbeam may be capable of another five or six m.p.h. after alterations to give better control over steering. It is considered. however, that no useful purpose would be achieved by going to the expense of re-exj-orting the car to America, and, unless some ambitious driver buikls and drives a faster car. ..it seems that neither Segrave nor the Sunbeam will be seen in serious record-breaking again. Segrave's first appearance on the was in 1920. when he drove a German Opel racer on Brooklands speedway.

TIMARU TO CHRISTCHURCH ROAD EACE. The Timaru to • Christchurch road race (112 miles) will be run on September 10. The first prize will be a gold medal valued at £5 and bicycle and cash to the value of £7O. There will also be the Budge Whitworth Challenge Cup (annual competition), valued at 100 guineas. The other prizes will be: Second prize, bicycle and cash value £27 10s; third prize, bicycle and cash value £2O; fourth prize, bicycle and cash value £l5; fifth prize, £lO 10s; sixth prize, £8; seventh prize, £7; eighth prize. £4; ninth prize, £3 10s; tenth prize. £2 10s; eleventh prize, £2 2s; Twelfth prize. £2 2s; Thirteenth prize, £2 2s; fourteenth prize, £2 2s; fifteenth prize, £2 2s. There will also be the New Zealand Championship Blue Riband to the rider establishing the fastest time, and £3O by the Dunlop Company conditionally on the fastest-time rider proceeding to Australia ta represent the Dominion in the Warr-nambool-Melbourne road race. The rider with the second fastest time will receive prizes of a value of £25. There are a number of other special prizes. MOUNTAIN RACING TRACK. The latest issue of the London Motor Buys: — “The Nurburg Ring, the largest motor racing track in the world—one circuit is equivalent to approximately 17 miles—was opened on Saturday last (June 18) by a series of motor cycle races, and on

Sunday the day was devoted to longdistance car races.

“ Territorially the ring is in the Adenau district, which comes under Coblenz for government purposes, but otherwise is locally governed. The nearest village is Adenau, almost on the edge of the ring, in the very heart ot- the ‘ High ’ Eifel.

“ The track is easily the longest and most searching and most .scientifically constructed motor racing and testing circuit in Europe, if not the world. It is a completely enclosed one-way mountain speed course, the lowest point of which is 1100 ft and the highest point 2000 ft above sea level, with gradients as steep as 1 in 3, anil over 270 curves, bends, and turns of varying difficulty, or an average of one every 200 yards, if the straigt-level mile is deducted.

“ There were many casualties during the meeting, but, fortunately, none of them ended fatally. . In one case a bunch of four cars was speeding round the ring when the leader developed trouble. He waved the others on, a:«d the second one immediately behind pulled out and passed safely. The driver lying third failed to sec the signal, and crashed into the unfortunate leader. Countess Eisicdel just got by, although her car touched the obstacle, but the fourth in the procession dashed into it.”

SPARING THE STARTER. This is an old hint, but it will stand repeating, especially for the benefit of new owners. When using the electric starter first thing in the morning depress the clutch pedal. Speedier starting and therefore economy so far as the battery is concerned will result, for the resistance .=pt up by “ churning ” in the gearbox will be eliminated, making the work' of the starter easier. With a ‘‘sticky” engine starting from cold by hand is also easier if an assistant keeps the clutch out; but in case a helper should not always be available a good plan is to keep in the garage a piece of wood with a notch at one end. This can be used to hold down the pedal, the notch being placed under the rim of the steering wheel. The length to which the wood must be cut can easily be found by experiment.

STREET AND HIGHWAY SAFETY. The outstanding development at the recent conference of secretaries and managers of BG2 motor clubs affiliated with the American Automobile Association was a declaration of Secretary of Commerce Hoover that the country is making “substantial progress” in the handling of the serious problem of street’’ and highway safety. Mr Hoover, the principal guest at the A.A.A. Motor Congress, took occasion to praise organised motordom for the part it had played and continues to play in forwarding essential safety measures, particularly the Uniform Motor Vehicle Code, throughout the country. “Although the total fatality roll still continues to be high,” said Mr Hoover. “ there is no doubt at all that definite and substantial progress has been registered. and that the result of the national campaign of education, together with a definite programme to shoot at and to work for has resulted in very concrete progress in the field of national traffic safety. Our toll of fatalities still continues around 20.000. with accidents around 500.000 a year. But the fact that these figures have been held down while the mileage travelled by automobiles and tne. number of automobiles has greatly increased indicates some measure of success. '

“ of the most Aopeful features of the situation is .the <“tent to which the motoring world has taken an intimate interest in the solution of the problem. In this connection the constructive of organisation sucTi as yours is ot tremendous consequence. It gives a type of direction that assures a large measure of self-government and selfregulation on the part of the motorists, and we know that this type of self-

government and regulation is a vital contribution, not only in the problem of traffic safety, but in the scores of other problems that currently arise.” MOTOR CAR NOISES. Noise coming from any part of the car is a source of great irritation to the owner-driver. But car noises, as the Daily Mail reminds us. play a very useful part in the diagnosis of trouble. A study of the various mechanical cries for help is. a helpful aid to the beginner. Unusual noise may be taken in most cases as a warning and the beginning of trouble. Here are some common cries of distress: A dull and continuous thud from under the bonnet probably denotes that a sparking plug is misfiring. The noise is rather like the muffled tap of a hammer. A noise like champagne corks being drawn in the neighbourhood of the carburettor suggests that the jet is becoming choked. Sudden and rapid acceleration may clear it, but failing this the jet wil] have to be dismantled. A popping noise may also indicate that the petrol supply is coming to an end. After a few “ pops ” there is a sighing noise and then silence.

Brakes shriek when they are in trouble. Usually this means that the fabric linings have become smooth and dry. An injection of paraffin will qitre the trouble. Brakes that require relining also shriek.

When the fan drive requires oil it makes a pitiful noise. It is such a highpitched and persistent note that it can be traced at once. Spring shackles that

require oil twitter like canaries: the dynamo when in the same predicament grunts. A loose dashboard makes a drumming noise. Nearly all modern engines “pink” when the ignition is too far advanced. " Pinking ’ is like the noise made by tapping a teacup with a sppon. Some engines pink too easily. A mixture of benzole and petrol suits this kind of engine best. MOTOR TRANSPORT. To be held in London in November, the World Motor Transport Congress will be one of the outstanding events of the motor year. Congresses under this title have been hold on three occasions in America, but the forthcoming gathering may be fairly i egarded as the first of a new and more generally valuable series of events, these, in the course of time, may exert very powerful influence in favour of the further development of road transport throughout the world. « The forthcoming congress will be of an entirely international character. Equal opportunity will be given to all nations to be fully represented, to submit written contributions, and to take part in discussions on the selected subjects. It is anticipated that further congresses will subsequently be held in the capitals of other countries. The programmes of these later events will depend on the decisions which will lie arrived at in November as to what subjects require further investigation and what information or statistics ought to be collected as a basis for later discussion.

In the present instance, six main headings for the discussion have been agreed on. These arc: 1. Hoad construction and improvement in relation to the development, efficiency, and economy of road transport. 2. Motor transport as. an instrument of development of world resources. 3. The necessity of co-operation between road and rail transport. 4. The development of motor vehicles suitable for service on bad roads and for cross-country use. 5. The improvement of facilities for international travel by road. G. Fuels and. fuel supplies for road - motor vehicles. Invitations are being addressed to the Governments of all nations and to important organisations concerned with inland transport throughout the world, and all who nominate delegates are invited to send in written contributions under any of these headings. The council will include official representatives of Australian States and New Zealand, the majority of whom will be Agents-general. The choice of a representative of New Zealand will be made later. BEIRUT TO BAGDAD. Transportation by motor bus across tho Syrian desert between Bagdad and Beirut, is now being operated on a frequent and regular schedule. The largest of three commercial companies operating those bus lines, the Nairn Transport Company, is controlled by British and French capital. while the other two are owned and controlled by Syrians. In addition to these

established companies there are numerous independent chauffeurs operating a more or less regular passenger service. Originally the Nairn Transport Company followed the route Beirut, Damascus, Rutbah and Bagdad, but this was interrupted for ' more than a year by the Syrian Nationalist revolution. The route was changed from time to time because of the rainy season, bad roads, or no roads at all, but now the main route is back to its original lines. The roads from Beirut to Damascus are generally quite good for automobile travel, but between Damascus and Bagdad there is nothing but open desert. the trails become almost impassable during rainy seasons, and it is not unusual for cars to bo stuck in the mire for two or three days at a time. SYDNEY’S WOOL CARTACE. Soon the lumbering horse lorries conveying wool in great hcaped-up bales will be things of tdie past, at least as far as the city is concerned, says the Sydney Sun. During the coming wool season —November, December, and January—an up-to-date fleet of 15 tractors and 50 trailer will be carrying wool from the stores at Pyrmont and Miller’s Point to Woolloomoo 100, mostly by way of Bathurst street, Elizabeth street, the lower part of Part street, and down Sir John Young's cres cent to the wharves. This is the outcome of a contract ex tending over a number of years, enterec

into between the Wool Selling Brokers’ Association and Yellow Express Carriers. ; Ltd. . i In the past it has been the practice for i the brokers to have the carrying done by . the Master Carriers’ Association. Horse , lorries have been almost universally used. The carting from the railway to the stores is done by the Railway Department, which uses motor trucks. It is claimed that the new method will be more efficient, speedier, and cheaper. Where in the past as many as 30 men had to bo paid overtime, in the future onlythree will be affected. Under the new system a 52-horse-power tractor, itself not carrying goods, will be able to operate a number of easily detachable trailers. While one trailer is being unloaded at the wharf another will be in process of loading, while the tractor will be on the road with a loaded trailer carrying up to 50 tons. The operating manager of Yellow Express Carriers, Ltd. (Mr J. B. Davis) said that since the load would be distributedover six wheels, no damage to roads would result. Each tractor is 17ft long, 2ft longer than the largest lorry in use. It is expected by this means, when the service is fully equipped, to ship, at the peak of the season, 18,000 bales a day, or 2250 an hour. In the past 15,000 at the most have been shipped in one day. The tractor itself will be bustling about with other trailers. The tractor costs £l5OO, and the trailers £3OO. When it is realised that about a million bales of wool are handled in the three months, a conception of the magnitude of the job cau be gained.

Mr Davis claims that there will now be less congestion in the streets. “ The vehicles,” he said, “will be capable of moving through the city area as conveni-

ently as a small car. They can get off the mark as quickly as the best motor car.”

The company will have a fleet of 60 trucks, 15 tractors, and 50 trailers.

PETROL PUMP RESISTS FIRE. The recent destruction of Mr 11. J. Eaves's Otakeho store is unique in that it marks the first fire in Taranaki since the institution of kerbside petrol pumps, in which the fire raged round the Shell petrol pump installed on the premises. The pump itself was badly scorched and the rubber hose was burned off, and when the veranda fell it lodged on the pump, and there blazed away for some time. The lead seals of the pump and the figure seals inside the meter were melted. In addition, the vent pipe from the tank was red hot during the fire, yet no explosion occurred, and the petrol still remains in the tank. The fire even raged right over the tank, which was situated between the shop and the post office, the walls of which were searched, and even caught fire in places. It is understood that during the earlier stages of the fire the general opinion was that the tank would blow up, and naturally those endeavouring to put out the fire were chary of going near.

COLLISION WITH TRAM CAR. WELLINGTON, August 9. The Magistrate’s Court was engaged yesterday in hearing a charge against a motorist (Maclver), who collided with a stationary tram. The evidence went to show that, though not sufficient - intoxicated to be arrested for drunkenness, he was not in a fit state to drive a car. For the defence, it was contended that the accident was due to the visibility being bad owing to the state of the weather. The magistrate said he was satisfied that defendant was not in a fit state to drive a car, and fined him £25, and £2 for driving without a license. OTAGO MOTOR CLUB. The monthly meeting of the Otago Motor Club was held in the club rooms on Tuesday evening. The president (Mr A. E. Ansell) occupied the chair. The Chairman said that the committee had decided to accede to the request of the Green Island Borough Council that the club should supply two danger signs' at Shand street, on the Main South road, the council to erect the signs. As regarded the request that the club should supply a sign for Short street, the committee did not favour the proposal, as it thought motorists should use the other road. The use of Short street, particularly on sale days, would be fraught with a considerable amount of danger. The committc agreed to supply danger signs for use near the Roxburgh School The Chairman stated that the club had for some time past been endeavouring to get the Taieri County Council to 1 place a bridge or a ford over Lushman's ■ crossing. The council, they 7 would be glad to know, had constructed a new ' concrete ford, and this would be opened i to traffic on the following Saturday. The Chairman reported that at the • previous meeting of the club a letter:

had been received from the O'.ago Expansion League entering a protest against any transfer of the £300.000 standing to the credit of the Main Highways Board from the revenue account to the construction account. The fear had been expressed that if this transfer took place the money would not be returned to the original fund. The Chairman said that he had seen the chairman of the Highways Board during his recent visit to Wellington, and he could assure members and the league that so far as the use of the contributions from South Island motorists was concerned none of it would be utilised in the North Island. Ir connection with the complaint about the possible transfer of the monies referred to, he might' explain that the revenue account was divided between each island in proportion to the number of vehicles in each island, and that money .was spent on maintenance; but, on the other hand, money from the construction fund might be spent 'in any part of the Dominion without reference to the number of vehicles in each island. On this point he could also assure them that none of their moneys would be diverted from the South Island to the North Island. Their moneys were quite safe. — ("-tear, hear.”) The Chairman gave particulars of his interview in Wellington with the Minister of Public Works regarding the club’s loading scheme from Palmerston to Milton. Mr F. W. Furkert, the chairman of the Highways Board, and Mr J. R. Marks, district public works engineer, had also been present. The scheme had been quite enthusiastically received, but there had been a doubt whether it would be necessary to have an amendment to the Highways Act or whether a local Bill would be required to give it effect. Since then there had been a little complication. Mr Furkert had asked him if the Government introduced a petrol tax would that affect the position. He had replied that if the Government did introduce a petrol tax the Highways Board would have greater revenue, and consequently greater subsidies. At any rate they intended to go on with the local Bill in the meantime to safeguard themselves. The Chairman referred to the laxity in enforcing the carrying of red reflex lights by cyclists. He was glad to know that the motorists were taking steps to get cyclists to carry these lights. It was really in their own interests that they should do so. Mr F. J. Williams said that tenders would probably be called by the Highways Board by the end of the week for the work on the Green Island road. — (Applause) .