MOTORING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1785, 3 November 1919, Page 3

MOTORING.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Thirteen new members were elected at the last meeting of the Pioneer Sports Club. A useful and clever improvement to cars has been evolved by Mr E. B. Buckhurst, motor engineer,. Cashel Street. This is a device by which the magnets are done away with, and in their stead provision is made for current from the accumulators, already on cars, to a ceritain point on the magneto winding, the [same results being obtained as with i magnets, only the spark is very much stronger. The new device has already I been installed in three cars with emij nently satisfactory results. 1 The Canterbury Automobile Association will provide a stand at the forthI coming Metropolitan Show for the benefit of present members, and for the purpose of enrolling new members. i The subject of traffic by-laws is pot the only one deserving of thorough consideration at this moment. The public should be educated in the exercise of discretion, and a knowledge of the road. That education could with the most advantage be imparted to the children of the schools; leaflets could be circulated, or short talks given by the authorities responsible. Motorists will be pleased to learn that the work of improving that dangerous turn known as Herrick's Corner, on the Christchurch-Little River Road, has been completed," and the big improvement effected can be readily appreciated. The thanks of all users of the road are due to Mr Herrick for his public-spirited action in giving the land for this much-needed alteration.

A meeting of the Pioneer Spo'rts Club was held on October 30, when there was a good muster of members. Officials for the beach races on November 29 were appointed. It was decided that the route for the reliability trial on Anniversary Day be the same as that adopted for the last trial —that is to say, from the club-house" to Sumner, over the Zigzag to Lyttelton, to Governor's ' Bay, to Teddington, over the hill to Gebbie's Valley, thence to Little River and Akaroa, via the Coach Koad, returning from Akaroa via Long Bay Road to the Srrmmit, along the Summit to Okain's Bay, down into Okain's Bay, then to Stoney Bay to Little Akaloa, thence to the Summit Koad, along the Summit Road to Hill Top, thence to Little River along Gebbie's Valley, over the hill to*Teddington to Governor's Bay to Lyttelton, over the Zigzag to Sumner, and then to the club garage. Motor cycle mechanics frequently refer to the damage done to machines simply through lack of oil. Efficient lubrication means life to an engine, but if it be starved of oil the bearings must suffer, and, should it become periodically overheated, other damage ensues. The haphazard system of oiling on many machines is partly responsible, but, if the rider has no distance-recorder, lubrication by him is all guesswork; the engine may get too much oil, of course; but that is a minor matter compared with the cost of replacing bearings which have run dry through lack of oil. Even where a speedometer is fitted, and the rider is instructed to inject a pump-

ful of oil every four, five or six miles, the engine will require more frequent lubrication, if (a) the pace is unusually fast, (b) if a strong head wind is encountered, (c) if running with the wind, especially on a warm day, and (d) if hilly or heavy roads are being traversed. Over-oiling may make an engine dirty, inside.and out, and occasionally may foul the plug, but that is all. ' Messrs W. H. Benson and J. B. Merrett have been appointed delegates from ! the Pioneer Sports Club to attend a conference, to be held on November 5, between the By-laws Committee of the Christchureh City Council, the Automobile Association and the Pioneer Sports Club, to discuss traffic by-laws. The club was asked to submit recommendations, and the _ following will be submitted:— That where a side-car is attached to a motor cycle, pillion riding be not an offence. That a by-law be drafted making it a rule that traffic over main roads have the right-of-way over those emerging from side roads or streets.

That by-laws be strictly enforced that every vehicle carry lights after dark, more especially slow-moving vehicles, also that public bodies leaving vehicles or obstructions on the road after dark should observe the regulations or by-laws relating to lights after dark. That a by-law be drafted limiting the height of fences at dangerous corners to 4ft Gin in height, or enforcing that danger signals be placed at such corners. That a by-law be drafted enforcing that brilliant headlights be turned in n more downward direction.

That by-laws be drafted enforcing that all pedestrians crossing thoroughfares shall do so at right angles to the footpath, and that in thickly-populated areas crossings be defined and marked by signs or white blocks. That the by-laws relating to right side of road be more strictly enforced, especially in regard to vehicles stopping on wrong side of the road.

That the by-law requiring all vehicular tralllc to signal direction be more strictly enforced.

That honorary inspectors, recommended by club, be appointed to report to motor inspector regarding motorists riding on driving at an excessive speed. That each motorist when he obtains his riding or driving certificate should be supplied with a copy of the by-laVs relating to traffic.

Also that the by-laws relating to traffic meeting or passing trams be discussed, and, if possible, be made clearer.