MOTORDOM

Southland Times, Issue 20664, 20 April 1929, Page 16

MOTORDOM

SOUTHLAND MOTOB CYCLE CLUB. LOCAL FIXTURES. To-day: Motor Races on Oreti Beach. June; 3Reliability Trial. REACH RACES 10 nr. . THIS AFTERNOON’S SPORT'S. GOOD ENTRIES RECEIVED. The local beach racing season will be brought to a close this aftcrnon with motor races at Oreti Beach for which good entries have been received. There will be well over a dozen motor cycles competing ‘in each race, and five fast cars have been entered. Thcs-T include Maider's racing Chrysler

which is coming down from Dunedin, and 1 has already thrilled thousands of spectators ; on the local beach. _ t Racing motor cycles are also coming from the north, so that with the large f local entry which the Southland Motor; ( Cyclo Club can raise, there will be keen | ] competition on the beach this afternoon. ■ . An improvement that has been intro- i . duced is a still shorter lap, the course I . having been reduced to one mile. The public will thus have the unique experience of being able to follow the whole of a beach race without difficulty. Although track racing has been providing ■ excitement for the Invercargill public recently, there is little doubt that for sheer speed and expert cornering on the lower gears, a beach course is essential. The sneeds that have been obtained on Oreti Beach are more than double those which can be got on the circular track. The races are timed to start at 2 p.m. and ( buses will be running from 1 o'clock. GLABING LAMPS. A NIGHTLY NUISANCE. As Southland has its share of glaring headlights the following article by an Auckland writer is of interest. Fie states that the prevalence of glaring headlights in Auckland is very obvious. The regulations are clumsy in this respect, the onus being on the motorist to find a suitable wall and make the adjustment so that the main beam does not strike above 3ft. 6in from the ground. Most motorists are content to retain the adjustment with which the cars are delivered to'' them and it is practically

impossible to stimulate enough interest, to result in voluntary testing. It is equally difficult to detect breaches on the road and deal with thousands of vehicles in Auckland which are offending. The onlymethod of detection—a challenge on the road followed by a visit to a certified testing site—is impracticable. The few prosecutions which could be secured by this slow process would have little effect, and for the one successfully caught a dozen would continue to drive, confident in the adjustment which has suited them for years. “Dead” tail lights and missing number plates can be picked at a glance, but it is a different matter to take up a post on a main road and pick out headlamps which do not comply with the regulations. The innumerable “legal” lenses and anti-dazzle devices now fitted complicate the position, and one has io be motoring to sort out offenders with certainty. If the regulation is sincere it should get at the trouble before the ear is placed in service. The process of eliminating offending cars would be slow, but the responsibility of checking the adjustment should be placed on the dealer. A few distributors no doubt attempt to turn out new cars with the lamps in correct order, but as a rule the headlights of the newly uncased car are merely trued up by the eye of some young mechanic whose aim is satisfied in getting a horizontal line. If dealers were required to issue a certificate with new cars testifying to a night test this could be handed over with the registration papers and there would at least be the satisfaction that the 15,000 odd ears which are placed on the road- in the Dominion every year would not contribute to the dazzle nuisance. There would, of course,'be some irregularities resulting from interference or accident, and paint shops might upset the setting unless an obligation was placed on them. Alternatively, testing stations could be established and certificates issued for compulsory presentation when new number plates are supplied.

There have been many complaints lately concerning the parking of cars with full lights. They can be counted by the dozen on a short drive through the city roads. One thoughtless motorist can cause offence to scores of passing drivers in this way.’ The regulations could embrace a prohibition against stationary cars using full lights without causing hardship to anybody. Even correctly adjusted lamps can cause dazzle if the road has a camber which prevents a flat standing position.

The International Sporting Commission, at which Great Britain, France, Germany, America, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria were represented, had its annual meeting in Paris recently, and fixed the rules for 1929 automobile racing events. All agreed that cars were getting too fast for the safety of drivers, and it was resolved that the best way to reduce speed, and at the same time help technical development was to limit the amount of fuel. Consequently the leading international events for 1929 will be held on a limited fuel .basis. At the request of the American delegates it was decided to adhere to these general rules for 1929 and 1930, as it was too late for them to be taken up by the United States this year. If the rules prove satisfactory, it is understood that they will be continued for a. third year.

KALAIIABI DESERT.

FIRST WHITE MEN TO CROSS

ENGLISHMAN FOUND IN ARID WASTE.

Mr W. ,1. Makin, the Daily Mail special correspondent with the Imperial Government expedition into the Kalahari Desert, South Africa tells below of the thrilling adventures encountered and the remarkable sights witnessed by members of the expedition— the first white men to accomplish the 500-milcs cross-desert ■'journey. “The Imperial Government expedition, comprising six white men, a native guid|, and a wire-haired terrier, reached here tbday. We have crossed the worst desert in Africa.

It is a route from east to west of 500 miles, shunned by all desert travellers because of its lack of water. We are the first white men to accomplish this journey, and our two Morris-Commercial trucks . have blazed a new trail in Africa. We expected to cross this desert in five days; it has taken us twelve.

It was glorious for our tired eyes Io eight these three white huts on the edge of the desert, the Union Jack hanging limply from a flagstaff in the blazing sunshine. A magistrate, his wife, a sergeant of police and four native constables rule over this territory of 200 square miles. Real Outpost of Empire.

Ghanzi is the real outpost of Empire. It has provided us with water and petrol, of which we were in- desperate need. Food they could not spare, for their own supply consisted of a few tins of baked beans. We brought into this outpost half a buck, which we had shot. It porvided a great feast. The magistrate's wife almost cried with delight when we presented her with a tinned fig pudding from a friend on the other aide of the desert.

A few hours before reaching Ghanzi we had come across a lonely mud and grass house around which swarmed bushmen and a few cows. A white man named Morris, dressed in the meticulous style of a Victorian gentleman, came out of his hut to meet us. His long grey locks fell across a Dickensian type of collar, but his cravat was tied with care, and the excitement that our appearance must have caused him was hidden behind a courteous and restrained greeting. He was ready enough to give us directions as to our route, but curbed our curiosity regarding himself. We did, however, discover that he had once been a schoolmaster and that he spent most of his time scribbling notes to ad-l to a pile of manuscript hidden away in the hut.

He possessed a son and a daughter. The daughter, a girl of 16, poked her head out of the hut at our approach, and then hurriedly hid herself. During our conversation curiosity compelled her to peep from the doorway, but. once any eyes were turned in her direction she fled into the hut.

The son, we gathered, was living like a native in a hut. He was almost naked, and went hunting with the bushmen. He was as adept with bow and arrow as any native, and could follow a spoor dor miles. His father regretted that all attempts to clothe him had failed.

We camped within a mile of thia hut. In the evening a fiendish din, shrieks, the clapping of hands, and the sound of a tom-tom drew us towards the hut. We found the old man divested of a good many of his clothes, his son, and a number of naked bushmen, indulging in a wild dance round a fire.

One important discovery of this expedition is that the desert is not entirely a desert. For the first 300 miles we travelled through scrub and sand. An occasional tree was found, tortured and twisted in its growth as though existence in that desert was continual agony. The only living creatures were white ants, packs of wolves, and wild dogs. It was all the more extraordinary to pass from these plains of desolation to grassy lands which told, of water beneath the surface. ‘This should make one of the finest ranching countries in the world,’ said Captain Clifford after a whole day spent traversing this.area. ‘lt is better land than any to be found in Rhodesia, which claims to be a great cattle country.’

There is no doubt that if wells are made this part of the desert should sec great herds of cattle roaming the long grass in the future. The fact that the land is at an altitude of 4,000 .feet also makes it a zone where the white man can live. It was in this area, too, that we found Bushmen and game prolific. These were the hunting grounds of the native, and we found their pits in the ground everywhere. On our first day in the grasslands we saw a herd of giraffe, their long necks turned toward our motor lorries. Later we passed a herd of zebra, then some 60 wild becste galloping madly across the plains. At night, when we camped, the roar of lions were heard. It was not a pleasant sound.

At a time when we were approaching the grasslands our petrol supply was running short. We seriously debated pushing on to Ghanzi. There were days when we could not travel more than two miles an hour owing to the heavy sand. Time became precious. We began to travel day and night, and our progress wuh better at. night owing to the cold air. For three days not one of the expedition slept. Neither did time permit of more than one meal a day. The water we drank was tainted with petrol. Each of the six became irritable. We soon discovered each other’s vices.

There came an evening when our guide, Hendriks, leaned over and shouted excitedly: ‘Camels have been here!’ Camels meant that a party of police and some cargo had entered the desert at this spot. We were, thirty miles from Ghanzi. Then Hendriks saw a shrub with a piece of paper fluttering' from one of the twigs. It. was obviously an indication of some kind.

‘They have buried something here!’ said Hendriks. In a few < moments we were all digging frenziedly, and two drums of petrol were revealed. We were saved.

They were part of a dump provided by the Shell Company which had been carried by the police on camelfl to this spot and buried some days ‘previously. Moreover, within a few minutes of finding this petrol we also found our first supply of water since we entered upon the journey. It was hidden in a cleft of rocks.

The next day, refreshed, we set out on the few remaining miles to Ghanzi, and we laughed and shouted to each other as the three white huts came into view.”

LESS AND LESS TROUBLE.

DEPENDABILITY OF CARS.

At what period of their development cars began to get. really reliable it is difficult to say. Actually, of course, the process was a gradual one, but it is undoubtedly true that the modern car is perfectly reliable provided it .is given proper attention. If one looks back at the cars of the last four or five years it is easy to see that development has largely taken the line of saving the driver trouble, both as regards! driving the car and maintaining it in good order. Adjustable seats, easier steering, steering of which the wheel position can be varied to suit the individual, servo brakes, lighter clutches, and more efficient starting, motors may all be cited as examples .of what has been done to render actual driving easier. There are also improvements which have been introduced to save trouble in upkeep, for greater accessibility of carburetter, magneto, oil filler and dip stick, the introduction of the grease gun for chassis lubrication, and, later, one-shot systems for the same purpose, single-point adjustment for four-wheel brakes, etc.

In the hurry and bustle of modern life, however, there is sometimes hardly sufficient leisure for the motorist of many activities to give his car the attention it still requires, and there is no doubt that improvement in certain respects could be effected, and is in some eases, long overdue. How great an improvement a grease gun is over the screw-down greaser only those who have had experience of the old form of chassis lubrication can appreciate, but nobody could pretend that the grease gun represents finality. The one-shot system of chassis lubrication is far ahead of it as a trouble saver, but even better is the constant and positive mechanical distribution of lubricating oil io all chassis parts. In this case, so long as the engine is supplied with oil, the many points on the chassis demanding lubrication are attended to automatically. If the problem of chassis lubrication can thus be solved it will be an improvement which would be appreciated by all motorists.

Other difficulties, however remain, although they may be of a minor character. Many small cars and cars of moderate size and price are fitted with fuel tanks, which call for too frequent replenishment - on a long journey. Accordingly one has to start thinking of fuel replenishment after a drive of about 150 miles, and although the provision of a reserve tank may ease matters considerably, it should not be necessary to have to consider the fuel question at all on a journey of four to five hundred miles.

BRITAIN’S ROADS. THE MILEAGE INCREASING. Despite the highly developed system of roads in Great Britain, and particularly in England and Wales, the mileage is still increasing slowly, so that in 18 years some 3000 miles have been added to the length of the highways. In 1909 there were 150,692 miles of roads in England and Wales, and 24,771 in Scotland, making a total of 175,463 in Great Britain. In 1914. this had increased to 152,085 in England and Wales, 24,908 in Scotland, and 176,993 altogether. The total in 1923—after the dislocation of ordinary national activities during the war period which followed it — had only risen to 177,320 miles. Since then, however, there has been a steady gain in mileage, and the returns for 1925, the latest available, show that the totals then were 153,661 miles for England and Wales, and 25,076 for Scotland, and 178,737 for Great Britain. Of this total 25,112 miles were described as first-class, or 14 per cent, of the total; and 15,683 miles, or 8.7 per cent., second class. In 1909, local authorities expended £15,287,805 from their current revenue, and £2,298,862 from loans on roads. In 1914 the expenditure from these sources was £18,585,402 from revenue, and £3,385,023 from loans. During the war the expenditure fluctuated, falling to £15,937,610 from revenue, and less than £500,000 from loans in 1917, but since 1920 it has bounded up, totalling slightly over £29,000,000 from revenue in 1920, £46,000,000 in 1923, and £51,763,340 from revenue and £10,964,859 from loans in 1925. In addition, the Ministry of Transport has paid directly substantial amounts since 1920, and in 1925 this expenditure was £1,150,563.

RANDOM JOTTINGS.

NOTES FROM HERE AND THERE.

Motoring Offences. I Motoring offences in the State of New York in 1928 resulted in the cancellation of SB6B licenses and the suspension of 18,160. Of the. cancellations 2560 related to intoxicated drivers.

A Permanent Position. Collector: “The finance company has employed me to collect last month’s payment on your car.’’ Hirer: “You’re to be congratulated on obtaining a permanent position.” * * * *

Exploiting Potholes. Such high feeling exists locally among residents faced with a bad stretch of road near Rhos-on-Sea, North Wales, that a move is afoot to take a film of the road and “show the world” the actual state of the highway.

A Growing Body. The Manawatu A.utomobile Association, the new body formed , last year on account of some dissatisfaction with the local branch of the Wellington Automobile Club, has now a membership of over 1090. At the last meeting of the Manawatu Association 77 new members were elected. The “Setalite.” A new device known as the “setalite” has been introduced on the British market. Its function is to twitch on the car lights at any determined time. A dial is set in the same way as an alarm clock is adjusted, and the car may be left parked to automatically switch on its lamps at dusk.

February’s Motor Accidents. Motor vehicle accidents in New Zealand during February caused seven deaths. Two of the fatalities occurred in Hamilton, and one death was recorded in Auckland and in Wellington, Dunedin, Palmerston North and Invercargill. Railway, accidents in the same month were- responsible for two deaths.

Race Across the Sahara.

The Government of Algeria looks with a benevolent eye on motor development, and it. is organizing a 4300-mile race across the Sahara, which will take three and ahalf months to run. The race will start next January, near Algiers, and the cars will make for Ghardiaia and then vanish into the unknown, turning up—it. is hoped—on the Niger, close to Timbuctoo.

Still Going Strong. An inquiring mind in England recently brought, to light the fact that a 1908 model of a well-known British car is still in continuous service with 101,400 miles to its credit. Since purchase the car has averaged only 3.7 d per mile, and it has its original piston rings and valves. It is a 14-20 h.p. model. * * » * A One-Sided Affair.

Charged with driving a motor-car at night with only one light, and that on the near side, the disconsolate motorists faced the Magistrate. They pleaded guilty and were fined four pounds and costs. The Magistrate advised them to be more careful in the future.

“Veil,” said the first, “the easiest way to settle the matter is for each of us to pay half. Ve both vas in < the car at the time, and it belongs to both of us.” But. his friend objected. “No, no,” he nrotested. “My side vasn’t out.” The British Industry. In a' statement issued by the British Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders figures are given which show that the effect of excessive taxation is already noticeable. In 1928, for the first time the total production of motor vehicles failed to show an increase over the preceding year. The figures are as follow: —

Motorist's Debt to Hospital. That if, was not unreasonable that, the British Road Fund should be made Available for the purpose of meeting the motorist's debt to hospital was one of the observations made by the Earl of Caithness at the annual meeting of the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. His lordship said the unfair strain placed upon voluntary hospitals by the number of motor-car accidents was a matter to be concentrated upon, because a solution must be found. **» ■ ♦ Mineral Oil Imports. During January of this year 286,620 gallons of mineral lubricating oil was imported into New Zealand. Approximately twothirds of the Dominion’s consumption of lubricating oil is accounted for by motor vehicles.

Henry Ford’s Philosophy. “My Philosophy of Industry” is the latest book of Mr Henry Ford. He tells of a world as he would like it to be, inhabitated by non-smokers and people who never require a beaker of wine over which to beam benevolently. There is also reference to a dreadful prospect—mass produced foods, supplied from municipal cook shops. An English reviewer says:—"Only Mr Ford could fancy a world peopled with Fords, every man-jack like to the next man. But, like in everything let me add, except that they shall not be men, like Mr Ford, rich beyond the dreams of avarice. And so, while we shall continue to differ in that material respect, I mistake not that we shall continue also to think of Mr Ford, as the man who can make cars all alike, but not as the man who, by a stroke of the pen in a book on his own philosophy can turn our natural likings from our pipes, our roast beef (home cooked), and—yes, and our beer!”

* * * New Zealand Licenses.

At the beginning.of February there were 172,199 cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles licensed in New Zealacd. The register also showed 19,274 motor vehicles which have been registered but which are now out. of service with lapsed licences. This number was made up of 7089 vehicles which lapsed in 1926-27, and 12,185 which were not relicensed in 1927-28. It is obvious that the great majority of these care are lying in second-hand garages and they give some indication of the growing replacement market. . # * * * Looking Ahead. Cuba has tackled its highway problems in an ambitious manner and a 700-mile trunk road stretching the full length of the island will be completed at the beginning of-1931. The highway is estimated to cost £15,000,000 and the Cuban Government is so precise about its programme that arrangements have been made for the president to cut the tape at 6 a.m. on February 24, 1931, and then drive through the country distributing greetings and congratulations.

High Speed Traffic.

The motor traffic on Chicago,— (U.S.A.), Lake Shore Drive—one of that city’s principal thoroughfares—is the fastest of any large city in the world. On that street, either at the morning or evening rush hour, there are eight. to twelve lines of traffic travelling at not loss than 45 m.p.h. This remarkable speed of Chicago traffic is due to several ihings: First, a very effective system of traffic lights, coupled with a large force of efficient and ultra-rapid motor-cycle police. The great north-to-south arteries of traffic are wide and in many cases are subdivided into two or more separate parallel streets with overhead intersections. Excellent driving is distinctly the rule. To make a- left or right turn, a driver must edge into the proper line sometimes as many as ten blocks away before reaching his proposed turning.. On the other hand, the traffic in the city of New York is relatively slow.

Insulting!

Policeman: “As soon as I saw you come round the bend I said to myself, Tortyfive at least.’ ”

Lady Driver: “How dare you 1 It’s this hat that makes me look so old.”

Sherlock Got Busy. Constable—Did you get the number of the car which knocked you down? Victim—No-o. , ‘ Constable—Did you see the driver? Victim—N.o-o-o. Constable—Well, do you think you could recognize his laugh?

Replacing Wheels. Replacing a wheel needs care. Too many owners run the nuts up with their fingers, lower the car off the jack, and tighten up with the wheel on the ground. This is wrong. If the wheel is slightly canted on its studs the weight of the car may prevent it from bedding correctly, and sooner or later it will work loose. The beet plan is to put the nuts on the studs and then, while tightening them with the fingers, slowly revolve the wheel. In this manner the weight settles equally on all the studs. The brace should then be applied, the wheel being held by the brake or the knees as the case requires. When it is seen that the nuts' are truly home the wheel can be lowered for the final turn or two. A wheel so replaced will rarely be found loose. * * * * Finger Tip Control.

A remarkable new feature in the motor world is the introduction of the “finger-tip control.” By means of this ingenious device, all functions of starting the engine, controlling the lighting system, and sounding the horn are operated from a single button conveniently located in the centre of the steering wheel. Phis system has been subjected to exhaustive tests, and has been characterized by experts as the greatest driving convenience since the electric selfstarter. A mere pull up on the button starts the engine. No longer is it necessary for the driver to fumble with a foot groping for a starter button, which is so often placed in a rather inaccessible position. While this feature should be welcomed by all drivers, it has a special appeal to ladies. A distinct safety factor is also seen in this improvement, since in night travelling the driver is not required to remove a hand from the wheel and reach to the dash to control lights—the new “finger-tip control” operating them completely from its position at the centre of the steering wheel.

Motorist! Know Thy Car.

It would not be so necessary to introduce laws to govern the speed of cars if only drivers would really understand the mechanism of their cars. It is not always the speed at which the car is travelling that constitutes the danger, but the inability on the part of the driver to act promptly in an emergency. An engineer has to pass exhaustive tests before he is allowed to control machinery of any kind. Yet the average owner driver, after mastering a few elementary facts governing the car, casts aside the instruction book and takes to the road ignorant of the capabilities of the machine he is driving. This, of course, is not true of every driver, but it may be suggested that a large majority of the drivers of the present day are not capable of taking down and reassembling an engine, nor do they fully understand the principles of many of the niceties of driving, such as double-declutch-ing or intentional skidding in order to avoid an accident. It is the little ecraps of knowledge one acquires while experimenting and tinkering that count in a crisis. They help to bring about a complete understanding between the driver and his car; in short, it. is upon this knowledge that the motorist subconsciously depends in an emergency. A Big Factor. The automobile has been a big factor in increasing steel, glass, timber, rubber, cotton and copper production. It has been a big factor in making the mill, furnace, factory, railroad, farmer and the people in general more prosperous. And to think that less than a quarter of a century ago towns and cities were introducing resolutions to keep automobiles eff the highways because they “scared the horses.” Statistics show that, there are about 29,687,000 automobiles in service in the world, and the United States and Canada have all but five and a half million of them. There will be more prosperity when the rest of the world gets its share of motor cars. That does not necessarily mean that the world must wait to become prosperous to buy its automobiles. It is a curious economic feat that prosperity seems to roll in on rubber tyres.

Compulsory Insurance. Next month re-licensing of all motor vehicles will take place and for the benefit of readere of the Southland Times who own such vehicles, the procedure of re-licensing is outlined. First of all motorists will be required to pay £1 and supply certain particulars for compulsory third party insurance. New number plates cannot be obtained until this is settled. The postal department will retain 6d for administrative expenses, and the insurance company nominated will receive 19s 6d. The names of insurance companies which are undertaking this class of insurance will be found on the back of the forms issued. The motorist will be required to furnish the following details: —Make of vehicle, engine number, chassis number. In the event of change of ownership the insurance is passed on with the vehicle, and it will be an offence to omit to supply a form notifying the name of the new owner. In this respect the duty of the motorist will be the same as it. has been in connection with the transfer of licensee. In the event of the destruction or scrapping of a car a refund of insurance based on the unexpired months will be paid. Similarly, since all compulsory insurance will expire in May of each year, the purchasers

of new cars will only pay in proportion to the unelapsed months of the insurance period. For instance, if a new car is put on the road eix months after the relicensing month, the insurance fee will be 10s only. Motorkts who use their cars occasionally for business must pay £1 10s for the compulsory cover, but the pleasure car rate of £1 will apply in the case of cars used by doctors or social and religious workers. MOTORING MAXIMS. CONDENSED WISDOM. A short cut round a blind corner may be the quickest way to the hospital. * *. # * The wife of a careless driver is almost a widow. * * * * It’s a long lane that has no blind turnings. ■♦« . * * An ounce of safety is worth a ton of luck. If your life isn’t valuable study your car. * * * * Care costs nothing and saves pounds. * » * » Say it with brakes—flowers cost money. * * * *

The alternative to the motor horn is a golden trumpet.

Cleanliness in children is next to godliness, and carefulness is next to impossible

A minute saved at the crossing may mean hours lost at the hospital.

A second’s reflection saves months of dejection.

The man who takes a chance once may never get another in this life.

A car on the road is worth two in the ditch.

1913 .. . . 44,000 1926 .. .. 180.000 1923 .. .. 88,000 1927 .. .. 209.000 1924 .. . 132.000 1928 .. .. 209,000 1925 .. * . 153,000 » *