MOTORING NOTES

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 6407, 27 October 1923, Page 6

MOTORING NOTES

(By an Expert.) POPULARITY OF THE MOTOR New Zealand, next to the United States and Canada, buys more cars per head of population than any other country in the world. This fact means that the motqr trade in this country is developing into, one of the chief businesses, and as such is must naturally follow that it will be efficiently controlled and managed. The character of firms in any line of business can be judged to a great extent by their advertising. The advertising of the motor trade throughout New Zealand compares very favorably with that done by' any other class of business, and the motor trade are among the most generous users of newspaper publicity. Read over the motor advertisements in any Saturday’s “Herald,” and you will find them dignified and honest advertisements, stating straight-out facts, and not promising more than can be giv : en. RESPONSIBILITY As one car owner expressed it, when asked why he did not patronise a small shop which offered a lower schedule of hourly rates: “I might be able to save some money through having my work done in a small shop, but again I might not. Besides, the small shops I have investigated have no investment, either in buildings or equipment—other than hand tools. I want to do business with people and concerns whose investment inspires confidence. Supposed one of those small shops ruined my car. Could I sue and collect ? I might get a judgment, but of what value is a judgment if it is against people who lack responsibility?” Such i§ the attitude not only of car owners, but of all people. Bankers long ago appreciated this fact, which, in no small way, accounts for the heavy massive construction of bank buildings. Their heavy pillars, massive vaults and fittings, all create the impression of stability, permanence and responsibility, and thus add materially to profits. • SHORT BUT SWEET From the laconic United Press: “Mr F. S. D , Cedar Rapids, la., passing through this city en route for an automobile tour, lit a match to see if his gas tank was empty. It was not.' Aged 47. Cedar Rapid papers please copy.” First motorist (to bandaged friend) “Motor accident, eh? Loose tyre?” Second motorist: “No, tight chauffeur.” A lady told me that the reason women didn’t have good sense was becaunse the Lord made them to mate with men. , It’s- not what you pay, it’s what you get for what you pay, that counts when you buy a motor car. VICE VERSA Ma.ny and varied are the jokes whic.h have been aimed at the “tin” children of Henry Ford, but those whose lawful business occasioned their presence in Palmerston North had a brand new one all to themselves. Down the street came a five-seater “Liz” drawn by an old white screw of a horse. It was attached to the front axle of the «car with traces and swingle-tree, and •trotted cheerfully along as if it had been used in place of a Ford engine for years. A grey bearded worthy leant well over the steering wheel grasping the rope reins and apparently quite unconscious of the amusement of which he was the centre. By the time he turned into the Ford agency garage most of the office staffs were either in the street or at the windows. A short space and then the queer turn-out reappeared. Now, however, the order was reversed; Father Cockie was driving Lizzie under her own engine, while its onehorse power substitute followed in the rear. HORSESHOES OR SPRINGS Five, dollars worth of iron made into horseshoes has a market value of ten dollars. Converted into needles that five dollars worth of iron becomes worth six thousand eight hundred dollars, but when made into hair springs for watches it is worth two million dollars.

We may all be compared with that original five, dollars worth of iron—what we make of ourselves—how valuable we become—depends upon ourselves. Most of us are content to be in the horseshoe class. A few reach the rank of needles, but h'ow rare is the man who can be classed as a hair spring—tjhe man who makes the most of every talent he was born with—who not merely takes advantage of

every opportunity, but, Napoleonlike, creates opportunities. WHAT MAKES A GOOD TUBE?

Weight in a motor tube has nothing whatever to do with its goodness. It may even be an indication of its weakness because of the addition of numerous compounds or fillers to gum stock itself.

In a tube it is thickness which counts —not weight—and the only Reason thickness counts is because it is very likely to assist in the air-re-taining ability of the tube-wall.

There is no wear and friction on the tube like there is on the casing. What makes a good tube is entirely its ability to hold air. That is its one and only purpose. Naturally, to hold air without the slightest leakage, the construction of the, tube must be of very great strength. The lamination in most modern tubes not only gives great strength but precludes the possibilities of air leaks through the elimination of a porous condition.