AVIATION AND MOTORING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 27 February 1914, Page 7

AVIATION AND MOTORING.

Captain Amundsen, the discoverer fef ike' South Polo, evidently realises the possibilities of the aeroplane for polar exploration, for ho has announced his intention of taking two American aeroplanes with him when he leaves San Francisco for the Arctic regions next Jane. Both Amundsen and a member of his staff are taking lessons in a-eronautiees in France.

For his new ytahilising device, Mr Orville Wright, one of the brothers responsible for tho invention of the aeroplane, has become the recipient of the Collier Prize awarded by the Aero Club of America for tho most valuable advance in the ficionco or aviation during tho present year. A most successful demonstration of seventeen flights was made with tho stabiliser before a special committer <<■ the club. During five of the flights the, device was entirely ro?iponsible for the turns which were faultlessly accomplished. With the aid of this stabiliser, it should bo possible, Mr Wright states, for anyone to pilot a machine with reasonable safety after twenty minutes instruction. The stabiliser is not complicated, but ia merely an attachment giving equilibrium to the machine. An idea of what the motoring industry meana 'to-day can be gathered from, the fact that in one American motor manufacturing centre, the city of Detroit, over 70,000 residents are actively engaged in the various motor factories.

A 3730 miles reliability motor car contort is being beld around France starting next month. The majority of the daily rune are over 220 miles, , whilst the route embraces many climbs over the various Alps.' Interspersed between the stages, speed triajs, hill climbs, etc., are to be held at various points around France. The test lasts 24 days, and is the biggest event of its kind held in.the? world. ; An early attempt in to be made on j the Adelaido-Melbounie motor car rei cord, standing to the credit of Mr G. G. White at 20hrs 6min, since March, 1909. . Mr Murray Aunger, wlio put up «uch a Sensational drive from Adelaide to Kingston in the' Dunlop military relay despatch test between cars, motor cycles and bicycles in 1912, when he negotiated the 185 miles (including creasing 90 miles Coorong desert) in the remarkable time of shrs ISrain, is the motorist after the record, and given decent luck, he is certain to cut a substantial lump off the existing figures. Aunger using one of the latest Prince Henry 25 h.p. Vauxhall models, a car splendidly adapted for the purpose. Aunger. and the late Mr Bertie BarrSmith, of Adelaide, were the first motorists to establish a record over this overland route. Irt these days of congested traffic, the following verses, written by Lord Erskine in 1616, should be taught t& children in; all school®:— The rule of the road is a paradox quite, ,'' •".'.. In riding or driving along; If you keep to your left you are sure to be right; If you keep to your right, you'll be wrong. But in walking a different custom applies, And just the reverse is the rule. If yon keep to your right* you'll be right, safe and wise; If you keep to your left, you're a " fool.