Motor and Cycle

Otago Witness, Issue 4032, 23 June 1931, Page 62

Motor and Cycle

“When she did not take any notice of my signal I called out to her to etop, but she only smiled at me,” eaid a traflic officer in the Auckland Magistrate’s Court the other day, in giving evidence against a woman motorist, who was charged with failing to obey a traffic signal (says the Herald). The defendant was fined 10s and costs.

“ I cannot understand this drawing at all,” said a woman witness in the Auckland Magistrate’s Court the other afternoon, when shown a plan illustrating the scene of a collision between two motor cars (says the Herald). “Women can understand the most complicated schemes of dressmaking, but they can seldom understand plans,” remarked the magistrate, Mr F. K. Hunt. A novel method of evading motor registration was reported at a meeting of the Waitomo County Council. It was stated that one local motorist owned a private car and a lorry. The former had been registered, and one number plate had been placed on the front of the car, and the other on the front of the lorry. It was decided to take action against the offender.

The necessity of having car headlights properly adjusted was strikingly demonstrated (says the Northern Advocate) when a serious accident nearly occurred on the Portland road. As it happened, the nothern patrol of the Auckland Automobile Association was on his way to Portland to test lights in that township, and he came upon a car over the bank at a dangerous angle. This car had met a car coming from Whangarei and was dazzled by the strong headlights. Before the driver had time to pull up his wheels had slipped over the bank. With the assistance of a steel tow-rope the car was eventually replaced on the road. A Government inspector who was visiting petrol service stations in Auckland had occasion to question the proprietor of one about a quantity of petrol left standing in the glass bowl over a pump, the regulations requiring that these containers must be kept empty after each filling. The proprietor disclaimed knowledge of the full bowl until light was thrown upon the matter by another person. It transpired that a client, well known at the petrol station, was in the habit of helping himself when the attendants were busy. After putting the hose into his tank he remembered he wanted oil, and accordingly procured it. Then, forgetting that he had not filled his petrol tank, he hung up the hose without taking any petrol, anji drove away after having paid for the oil he had received and the petrol still left in the pump. The danger to motorists of frost on tar-sealed roads was strikingly exemplified on Thursday morning when a car driven by Mr W. Taine, of Karitane, went over the bank on the Mount Cargill road. Realising that exertme precautions were necessary in such a ease, Mr Taine was travelling very slowly, but without any warning the car commenced to slide on the frost to the right-hand sid of the road and then to the left, finishing up over a bank and against a fence. The occupants were unhurt, beyond the effects of the shock, but one side of the car was badly damaged. Several motorists stopped to render assistance, and in an ensuing discussion it was agreed that what was required to combat the effect of the frost was the application of a sprinkling of rough or coarse sand to the smooth surface of the road. NO SMOKING. - It is reported, that the British Ministry of Transport is considering issuing cards to all automobile drivers warning against drinking, similar to those issued by the police of Berlin and Vienna warning against consumption of alcoholic beverages before or during periods of drivinsz. In Norway it is a violation of the law not only to drink but to smoke while driving a car. A HUGE GARAGE. Plans are nearly completed for the construction of one of the largest garages in the world to be erected at Hornsborg, in Kungsholmen, Sweden, where a site of 55,000 square metres has been leased for the project. The garage will house 400 motor buses and -will cost about 4,000,000 Swedish kroner. TREATMENT OF TYRES. Excepting perhaps petrol consumption, no subject so concerns the majority of motorists as tyre mileage. One motorist will tell another that he geta 15,000 miles on a tyre and the tread pattern is still showing, whilst another wonders why he never gets more than 10,000 miles per cover, with the same make of tyre on a similar car. After all it is not the tyres of a manufacturer that vary so much in mileage, as in the treatment they receive and the speed and manner in which a car is driven.

One of the main factors in tyre service is constant maintenance of correct inflation. When tyres cost more than they do to-day and gave only about a third of the mileage, motorists gave more attention and care to tyres than they do now. The fact is, says the Dunlop Rubber Company, that tyres have become so troublefree and so long-lived that many motorists become careless as regards tyre treatment. After all, there is only cotton and rubber in a tyre, and what these materials withstand mj really amazing, particularly if

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they receive a reasonable amount of attention. Actually, tyres themselves are remarkably consistent nowadays, and vary very little in the service they arc capable of giving. After lack of correct inflation, the chief causes of variation in wear are attributable to misalignment of wheels, which causes a scrubbing action between tyre and the road. In extreme cases this can ruin any cover in a short time, and the only remedy is to have the wheels checked over for alignment, which can be done by any competent motor 1 engineer. Then again, another trouble that is noticeable on many cars to-day is that the covers, particularly on the front wheels, show evidence of patchy wear. Loose wheel bearings—a bent axle—an untrue wheel —are amongst some of the causes of this trouble. Brakes that are not truly circular, or bind at one spot, causing a much greater retarding effect at some points, will also cause this uneven wear. Covers that have stood in oil for some time also suffer in this respect, for oil is particularly harmful to rubber. _ When it does get on a cover it should without delay be removed with a rag and a little petrol. Then again, variance in tyre life is controlled to a considerable degree by the manner in which a car is driven. Sudden acceleration, heavy braking that skids tyres along the road, sustained high speed, rough use of the clutch, all take toll on tyre life, and that is why some motorists invariably get greater tyre mileage than do others.

DIESEL OIL ENGINES.

Indications in the world’s leading automobile manufacturing centres point to the fact that we are on the eve of an almost fundamental change in the design and functioning of the automobile engine for heavy road transport. So rapid has been the progress during the last two or three years in the evolution of a light efficient combustion-ignition oil engine, that the day now appears to be not far off when this type of engine will become standard for commercial motor transport.

The recent developments have been really remarkable, and the weight of the combustion-ignition engine has now been brought down as low as 131 b of metal per horsepower, which is onlj’ 11b or so above the average power-weight ratio of the present-day motor truck petrol engine.

Many of the world’s cleverest automobile engineers are now concentrating on perfecting the Diesel type of engine, firms of such renown as Rolls-Royce announcing that they are obtaining results beyond expectations.

It is worthy of note that 80 per cent. of the output of the great German firm, Mercedes-Benz, now, comprises machines fitted with combustion-ignition engines. There are already, hundreds of really efficient combustion-ignition heavy oil engines running on the roads in England and on the Continent, rendering efficient service, an<J at such a low running cost for fuel that it is very evident the heavyoil engine will, ere.long, be challenging the position now held by the petrol engine for heavy road transport. There are many reasons why this is desirable. The com-bustion-ignition power unit has a higher thermal efficiency, small fuel consumption, and lower cost of heavy oil in place of petrol, almost complete immunity from fire, whilst a vehicle fitted with this type of engine has, for the same volume of fuel now carried by a commercial motor vehicle, a far greater mileage range without refilling tanks.

In England. France, and Germany it is anticipated that the petrol engine, for commercial work, will be hard pressed in the near future to repel the advance of its new rival. In Australia there are already a few commercial vehicles of this type in operation on the road. Fuel is to-day one of the heaviest items in the, operation costs of a motor truck, and with the high price of petrol it is not surprising that the automobile industry and the hundreds of owners of motor trucks in this country are watching with great interest the rapid development overseas of the heavy-oil automobile engine. To-be able to obtain high engine efficiency with fuel costing about 5d a gallon, and from 25 to 50 per cent, greater mileage than from petrol at 2s a gallon, would ensure substantial reductions in the cost of road transportation of produce and merchandise. The purchase price of heavy oil would not likely remain at its present low figure for many years, because if its use became general, the price would probably increase accordingly; just as petrol did in the days when it was a little-needed by-product. SCOTT’S RECORD FLIGHT. In relating the story of his wonderful flight from England to Australia in 9 days 3hr 25min—over 19 hours faster than the previous record—Flying-ofieer C. W. A. Scott paid a great tribute to the staunchness of the Dunlop wheel and tyre equipment fitted to the Moth machine. On one occasion he endeavoured to land in an open space just as it was getting dark, near Gwadar in Bluchistan. When the wheels touched the ground the machine bounced 20ft into the air, and a bad crash ■was narrowly averted. Considering that the total weight of the two wheels is approximately only 161 b Boz, and tbe low pressure tyres only weigh 151 b each, it is indeed remarkable that such light wheel and tyre equipment can be made to withstand the terrific stresses imposed by landings on rough country, and finish up a 10,450 miles’ journey in perfect condition.

SEVEN DAYS’ NOTICE. The Motor Vehicles Act, 1924, provides that a person selling or otherwise

disposing of any registered motor vehicle, shall within seven days after the sale notify the deputy registrar at _ whose office the motor vehicle is then registered. Under this provision a question has arisen as to how the time “ within seven days ” is interpreted. A motor trader traded in a motor car late on Saturday, March 14, and lodged the notice of transfer on the morning of Saturday, March 21. The department ruled that this did not come within seven days, and required the man to pay the fine. , ... The matter was taken up with the, department by the Motor Traders Association, and a legal opinion given on the point which upheld the contention of the dealer. . . . . For the information of motor traders (says the Radiator) we publish a letter received from the registrar, which makes the point quite clear: “In reference to your letter, dated 24th ultimo, requesting that you be informed of the interpretation of the words ‘ within seven day’s after the sale of ’ appearing in section 7 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1924, I have to inform you that the words are interpreted to mean any period of seven days commencing at the midnight immediately following the date of sale and terminating at tbe eight midnight thereafter. THE CAR IN CANADA. According to a report on highways and motor vehicles in Canada recently issued by the Dominion Bureau of Statistics, Canada has more motor vehicles per capita than any other country, except tbe United States and Hawaii. Only three countries, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, have a larger number of motor vehicles, irrespective of population. There -were 1,195,594 motor vehicles registered in Canada in 1929, which was an average of one motor vehicle to each 8.2 persons. The total revenue from motor taxation collected by all provinces amounted to £8,250,000, including £4,500,000 from licenses, permits, tax on motor buses and trucks and £3,600,000 from gasoline taxes. In addition the Dominion Government collects £5,140,000 in import duties and excise tax, exclusive of sales tax on motor vehicles, tyres, and motor vehicle parts. The road mileage open to troffic was 390,060 miles, including 72,157 miles of surfaced highways. Gravel roads, with 63,433 miles, constituted the greatest part of the surfaced mileage, and waterbound macadam was second in importance with 4349 miles. DECARBONISING. What is said to be. a simple and effective method of decarbonising an engipe is by tbe use of a mixture of eight parts of methylated spirit and one part of castor oil. Tbe best way to treat the engine is to remove half the sparking plugs and then inject some of the mixture on to the top of the pistons. Replace the plugs, and turn the engine a few times and allow it to stand for about four hours to enable the mixture to soften the carbon. Then run tbe engine, .and the loosened carbon will be blown through the exhaust, thus indicating the effectiveness of the process.

The remaining cylinders can then be treated in the same manner. No harm will result should any of the mixture pass the piston rings into the lubricating oil, because the spirit will evaporate as soon as the engine warms up. The operation requires about a quarter of a pint of mixture to each large sized cylinder, and, as the spirit and oil are obtainable at low cost, the expenditure for cleaning out the cylinders is very modest. CAR WASHING. When it is considered that rust is the principal agent destructive to car, finishes and that rust is the result of road dirt, grime, and grit, the importance of regular car washing becomes evident. Here is the way it can be done by anyone in less than half an hour’s time: First hose the ear with cold water, using the full stream without the nozzle, except on the under body. All possible dirt is loosened and floated off in this way, especially if rubbed gently from time to time with a thoroughly water-soaked sponge. Two sponges, known as “ carriage sponges,” should be used, one for the body’ and the other for the running gear. After flushing the entire car with cold water the chassis should be washed first with large spongefuls of soap and water and thoroughly rinsed. Wash the body with cold water, and then dry with a chamois. SCHNEIDER TROPHY. The Sydney Morning Herald contains an interesting article by Captain L. Lee in regard to the preparations of England, France, and Italy for the Schneider Cup race this year, fie says:— At Calshot (England), Berre (France), and Lake Garda (Italy), men, strapped to roaring, slim aerial torpedoes, are daily training for the forthcoming quest for still more speed—the 1931 Schneider Trophy. Finely-tuned engines, that rise petrol at a rate equalling the speed with which it can be poured out of a two-gallon tin, are “ revved ” up to unheard-of speeds by geared “ superchargers,” whilst all the knowledge gained from long research in the wind-tunnel produce the last word in propeller and slipstream efficiency—and seaplanes fit to race for the proud blue ribbon of the air. ... In recent years the toll of training has been heavy, not only in engines and ’planes, but in pilots, the losses in particular of Italy in this regard having almost discouraged her from further speed competition. However, the lure of air supremacy and the knowledge that the country which designs a Schneider Trophy winner materially improves its air force morale and design, keep the nations striving. This is what the winning of a Schneider Trophy means. First, it isn’t the mere capturing of a bronze or silver emblem, or the morally stimulating effects of victory on a nation. Rather is it that behind the winning of the greatest of races lie all the concentrated thought and effort of aeronautical science and progress any nation can muster.

WORLD MOTORISATION. Despite world economic depressions during the past year, world motorisation increased 2.1 per cent, during 1930,

writes Mr A. R. Wright, analysis manager of General Motors New Zealand, Ltd. On January 1, 1931, a total of 35.810,768 motor vehicles were in operation in Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. This figure, which was considerably larger than had been expected, was compiled from hundreds of reports from all parts of the world, and brings the operation and registration totals up to the beginning of the year. The United States contributed only slightly to the increase of registrations. France, reflecting a brief period of prosperity during part of 1930, led the world in percentage of gain with an increase of 178,000 motor vehicles.

The world, excluding the United States, passed the nine-million mark for the first time, the returns _ showing a total of 9,119,819 motor vehicles registered and in use. This increase was a gain of 7.2 per cent., and although smaller than the 1929 increase over 1928, showed the largest replacement sales gain in history. Business and financial conditions brought actual reduction in the use of total number of vehicles last year to only a few territories. Increased operations in the remainder of the world far more than overcome losses. The 1930 demand was a striking demonstration of the solidity of the automotive trade in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. The motor car, motor truck, bus, and other types of motor vehicles are vitally needed in the transport requirements of the world. Their use has been curtailed, not halted, in spite of the general economic depressions of the past year. FIND IN THE ANTARCTIC. One of the _ most unexpected “ discoveries ” on his recent expedition into the Antarctic, according to Sir Douglas Mawson, was a 20-year-old dump of motor spirit belonging to the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (of which he was a member) that visited Cape Denison and King George Land in 1911. The supplies had been laid down for servicing the' first aeroplane that had ever been taken into the polar region, the Vickers machine that accompanied the expedition.

The dump, which consisted of several four-gallon tins (in cases) and eightgallon drums of motor spirit, was found out in the open, where it had been exposed to the weather for approximately 20 years, and the most interesting feature of the discovery was that both tins and drums were completely watertight, so that the contents had neither leaked nor in any way been affected by the exposure

The eight-gallon drums, although rusted, still had intact the steel lipa with which they were specially fitted for fastening to the sledges, and the softwood cases in which the four-gallon tins were stored showed no sign of decay apart from the deep corrugations in the wood as a result of the continued weathering of 20 years’ exposure Doubtless the extreme cold was the greatest factor in preserving them. The actual position in which the dump was found was latitude 66Jdeg, longitude llOdeg.

NEW SUPER MACHINE. Invented by Sir Alliott Verdon Roe, pioneer motor car and aeroplane designer, a new super motor cycle, the “Futurist Machine,” is now undergoing tests in England. . t Tile designer has aimed at producing a two-wheel machine that' will combine the comfort of a baby car with the price and Tunning costs of a motor cycle. The “ Futurist Machine ” is therefore a miniature motor car on two wheels. The body is similar to that of a large, comfortable sidecar; the engine is of motor car type, even to the. clutch and shaft, which works a worm drive on the axle. It travels at 60 m.p.h., climbs hills at 40, and does 80 miles to the gallon. DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. Marked carelessness is shown by faiotorists not. only in the manner in •which they drive alongside the kerbing, but also in the way they re-enter the traffic stream/' says the Canterbury Automobile Association in its latest safety first message. In tlie dusk of the late afternoon and in the early evening many risks are taken by thoughtless drivers who steer their cars out from a stopping place into the roadway without giving indication by hand or horn of their intention. This foolishness is very apparent in the busy main thoroughfares, and the position is made trebly dangerous by the presence of cyclists. “ Motorists hare no excuse for thrusting their way into the traffic stream when the way is not clear. Some cars edge their way into the procession of traffic dangerously. The fault lies with the motorist who, in the first place, draws alongside the kerb too close to the car ahead. In a circumscribed area it is impossible to move off with the traffic with ease and safety. Far too many drivers seem to prefer to back and fill and twist the wheel this way and that to the inconvenience of themselves and the danger of other road users.

“ It is the poorest form of driving to edge out into the traffic stream if the way is not clear. There is one safe, sure way of re-entering the line of traffic after halting at a kerbing, and that is by first allowing plenty of room when parking for a quick get-away; secondly, by not moving out until the way is clear so far as following traffic is concerned; and thirdly, by extending a hand in warning after sounding the horn. Don’t be one of those negligent drivers who sneak out among the traffic, and leave all the responsibility on the following traffic. It isn’t safe conduct by any means.” ISLE OF MAN JUNIOR TROPHY. LONDON, June 15. The Isle of Man junior trophy was won by P. Hunt, who averaged 73.94 miles an hour. Bray (New Zealand) retired with engine trouble, as also did his fellow-countryman, Tolley, as the result of a damaged back wheel. The race was one of the most fiercely contested on record. There were 50 starters, representing many parts of the world, although all rode British-made machines. _ t LONDON, June 17. .The Light-weight Tourist Trophy at the Island of Man contests was won by G. Walker with an average speed of 68.98 miles an hour. Forty-two started. The foreign machines seemed to be outclassed. The Italian crack rider, Ghersi came, in sixth, but lie was riding a British cycle. The little engines, with their piston diameter no bigger than a wine glass, stood the race with astonishing efficiency. - EUROPEAN GRAND PRIX. PARIS, June 14. After a gruelling 24 hours, the European Grand Prix was won by Sir Henry Birikn, who drove an Alfa-Romeo car, and averaged over 88 miles per hour, beat- . ing Wolf Barnato’s record last year. Twenty-five started. The majority failed to finish. THE OFF-SIDE RULE. WELLINGTON. June 16. The necessity for motorists, although they had the legal right-of-way by reason ot the application of the “off-side” rule, to take every reasonable care was emphasised by Mr E. Page, S.M., when deciding a civil claim arising out of a collision between a motor cycle and a motor van. . The _ plaintiff, said the magistrate, in reviewing the facts, was riding a motor cycle along the street; on his correct side, and when reaching an intersection he saw the defendant’s lorry about to cross in front of him. The plaintiff knew that if. both went on they would collide, but he chose to rely on the “off-side” rule, “a rule,” Mr Page said, “which I am continually finding to be at the back of accidents such as the present one.” There was a collision, hut it seemed clear to the_ magistrate that the plaintiff was not entitled ’to recover. It was never intended by the rule to absolve the driver in whose favour the rule stood from taking proper care to avoid a collision. “There was contributory negligence on the part of the plaintiff,” said Mr Page. “ He says himself he could have stopped” right up to the time of the accident, and the correct entry in this ease is ‘judgment for defendant.’ ” ■ ■.; • : j ■ i RUSSIAN OIL. „ 1 (Fkoii .Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, June 7. In recent months there have been persistent reports in Australia that there is close relation between Russian trade activities in Australia and Communist activity here. With the object of discovering how far these rumours are true the Federal Government is instituting a searching inquiry into the whole matter, which includes the possibilities of enlarged trade between Australia and Russia and the.,extent to which trade with Russia is bound up in politics. Although the Minister for Customs (Mr , Finite) states that so far he has not been • approached in the matter, there are persistent rumours that a Soviet organisation, known as Russian Oil. Products, Ltd., intends shortly to commence sending

cargoes of petrol to Australia to be retailed here at Is 6d a gallon. It is definitely known that some such move is afoot. . Russia is a great potential market for Australian wool,, and there are 15 Russian buyers operating here under the aegis of Textiles, Ltd., another Soviet concern. Federal investigations reveal that Communists in Australia' are receiving considerable funds from some source. It

is believed that the profits from Russian trade operations in Australia go to the Soviet, and the suggestion is that these profits are being utilised at their source to further Soviet propaganda.