MOTORING NOTES

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 456, 18 May 1932, Page 11

MOTORING NOTES

BY

MAGNETO.

Trade Conditions In Australia. Encouraging reports of the condition of the automobile and motor-cycle trade in Australia are given by Mr V. Barwick, Triumph car and motor-eycle representative for Australia and New Zealand. Mr Barwic-k is staying in Christchurch for a few days in connection with his tour of organisation and inspection. In Australia, according to Mr Barwick, a steady improvement is being noted in motor sales. English cars are gaining prestige, and, incidentally, Triumph cars were third on the list for registrations for the current leading the remainder of British car manufacturers. British motor-cycles are practically unchallenged, and trade generally is very hopeful. New South Wales has been dead for a long time but the recent political change is sure to effect a great improvement there. Mr Barwick hopes to return to Australia with the sales organisation for Triumph cars complete in New Zealand. ♦.j Be Courteous. One of the most important things that is included in the make-up of a car-driver is courtesy. It is so easy to be selfish, obstructive, and otherwise discourteous; motorists should always remember to behave to others as they would have others behave to them. It takes very little trouble to be courteous—politeness, the saying has it, costs nothing. In charity it may be said that most discourteous driving acts are done without thinking, but there are a large number of drivers who are prone to regard their own rights as paramount. A typical example of how road courtesy, backed by the law, can be a real help in avoiding accidents is the religious observance of the offside rule. No motorist should try to steal the right-of-way. A N«w Road G-nide. The latest edition of the Atlantic Union Oil Company’s road guide has just been published, and can be. obtained at the offices of the company. The new guide differs considerably from the old, although the marking and general design of the map is the same. The familiar blue and white colouring has given place to a more ornate blue and gold which throws the roads in much clearer relief. It is a handsome production and will prove very useful. Details of the shooting and fishing sports of the country are given and information, particularly useful to the overseas motorist, of the regulations regarding fishing and shooting licenses. A table of the principal distances between places of note is included. Truly a very useful map for any motorist.

News and Views. The engine used by Flight-Lieutenant Stainforth in his world record flight of 407 h miles per hour has been dismantled at the Rolls-Royce works. Exposed on a bench, its 2450 parts exhibit no signs of wear, and look like those of a new engine. Illuminated ignition lock keyholes are a feature of some new’ models in the United States. 5& M The Department of Commerce in the United States calculates that the output of motor-cars fell by nearly 1,000,000 during 3 931 as compared with 1930. It was the worst trading year since 1922. and even the output in that year was 154,270 more than in 1931. The Paris police force is to be augmented by SO cyclist police. 20 motorcars and numerous plain-clothes officers. This is prompted by the increasing number of armed attacks in the Pans region. « « k The German motor industry 8000 cars last year, compared with 40uu in 1930. When two motorists who had collided at a dangerous corner in England got out, and came face to face, they discovered that they worked in the same office, were both foremen on the sanv job and were both responsible for the painting of the white line and danger signs on the road. Over 200 silver medals are to be presented to local motor drivers of Liverpool who have daily driven their cars for five vears without accident during Safety First Week, held this month.