LONG DISTANCE TOURING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18914, 27 June 1931, Page 15

LONG DISTANCE TOURING

TRAVEL IN FAR COUNTRIES. The prospect of motoring overland through India, the Holy Land, Egypt and Europe, en route to England, is proving a strong attraction to many motorists to-day, Judging from the nhmber of motor-i*cr» bearing foreign badges passing through the main cities. With the natural desire to extend their travels, an overland Journey by car through other lands offers opportunities to motorists for sight-seeing which are scarcely possible by any other means. The cost, too, is in no way disproportionate to the more established methods of travel abroad, and in favourable cir-

cumstance Is relatively less. An Itinerary can be conveniently followed which permits of car travel through the different countries to be traversed at the season of the yeear when climate conditions for motoring are usually favourable.

The Australian Continent, Java, Malaya, India, Irak, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Europe, the British Isles, Canada, the United States and New Zealand can all be Included In this way. Motor spirit and oil supplies are available without prior arrangement on all the principal trans-world routes and, for an average type of touring car carrying two passengers and essential equipment, the cost per capita for petrol and oil for a complete round-the-world tour should not exceed £IOO. A service giving general Information on climatic conditions, with special reference to monsoonal rains, and details of international customs regulations, has been organised by the Shell Company, which company in Australia is making arrangements for the first party of Aust- Allans to undertake a tour to Europe toward the end of the year. Two other parties of motorists are on their way at the present time and are finding this method of travel extremely interesting, as bringing them into direct touch with the rural population of the countries through which they are travelling.

NOTES. During last year only 10,262 motorcycles were exported from the United States, the number contrasting with 16,265 in 1926 and with 37,622 in 1920. A Mr Lapsley, of Southampton, still rides an old motor tricycle, although he has turned 70 years of age. He is considering the purchase of a more modem mount, a motor-cycle. It is estimated that the output of motor-cycles from German factories amounted during the past year only to roundly 105,000 machines, as compared with 186,000 in 1928. Last year’s output thus shows a decrease of 81,000, o* approximately 431 per cent. Experiments with pillion-riding, which are described in a report of the British Motor-Cycle and Cycle-Car Research Association, indicate that the general conclusions appear to be that a motor-cycle with pillion passenger is at least as safe as a machine ridden solo. When a member of a Bachelor's Club In London marries he is fined. After this the committee considers his case, and may re-elect him as a married member.