HIGHROAD & BY-ROAD.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18524, 2 January 1932, Page 15

HIGHROAD & BY-ROAD.

j BRITISH SUPERIORITY. i J RESULTS OF WORLD CLASSICS. ) There Is abundant evidence of the j Increasing Interest, shown in British I motor vehicles In New Zealand as the | public realise that the virtue of road transport must, always ultimately be a matter of economy nf operation. The manufacturers In Great Rrilain are determined that with a return to normal world-trade conditions, the products of their factories shall, through their merits and with the support and co-operation of Britons overseas, secure a position of preeminence in the motor markets of the world. Series of Wonderful Victories. British cars have, throughout the year, been giving most convincing proof of their ability to create records, commencing with Sir Malcolm Campbell’s success at Daytona and culminating with the British successes In the fastest and most spectacular Tourist Trophy race on the Ards Circuit, near Belfast. A British light car won at an average speed for the 360 miles of 67.00 miles per hour. Now advice has come to hand of the British car successes in the B.R.D.C. 500 mile race held on October 3. Tills race has been described as “the fastest 500 ever run—a race i where you step on it until the bits fly.” There were forty starters comprising makes of various countries, including many famous foreign racing cars. At tiie finish where were the vaunted foreign rivals? Where again were the racing cars? The first seven cars to finish were all British and all sports cars —not racing cars. Moreover, the first four were all in different classes. Th'e- average speed of the winning British car for the 500 mile course, was over 118 miles per hour, while the car to finish second averaged 112 miles per hour. Incidenlily, the car finishing third was a baby car, its average speed for the 500 miles being over 92 miles per hour. Answer to Doubters. Here, if such were needed, Is the answer to doubters of the superiority or British cars in efficiency, economy •and endurance. The most casual examination of [Great Britain’s new models now reaching New Zealand will provide all the further proof that is needed. They have a degree of finish which no other oountry in the world can more than Imitate. And remember! Every British car sold in New Zealand means more people back in employment in Great Britain —more people to buy our primary produce and so help Great Britain and ourselves back on the road to prosperity.

‘‘VEXED QUEBTION” OF TRAFFIO. It is difficult to imagine in these more enlightened days tire prejudice which the motor-car had to overcome a quarter of a century ago. The Motor (England) rcccnWy published an extract from a Royal Commisisou report of those days which indicates the official attitude in some quarters. The article referred to says—• “lie would not allow a greater speed than 15 miles an hour anywhere, and for exceeding that limit lie would impound the machine, as it was no use fining 11a; owner. “Every car should be compelled to carry a speedometer, and better means of identification should be afforded. “The hooting of the horn ought to be suppressed, as It was an impertinence to the public to tell everybody to clear out of the way. “Many fatal accidents had occurred through cars being too low-bodied. He had measured some which wore only seven inches from the ground. Such a oar was a perfect death trap to anybody \Vho foil In front of it. If the bodies of the cars were compelled to be built higher from the ground they would be less dangerous, would run easier and would not raise so much dust. He thought also that solid tyres would create less dust, “He would not allow cars to carry acetylene or electric lamps." What Is this?

It is the serious evidence by a noted civil engineer before the Royal Commission appointed to consider the ‘•vexed question of motor traffic’’ just 25 yc;/s ago. The hearing of evidenoe lasted 20 days, and the report filled 744 closely printed foolscap pages I

TYRES FOR HEAVY-LOAD VEHICLES. Automobile tyres ore slowly taking the burden of passenger and freight loads away from waggons and carts throughout the world, but just what goes Into a tyro to give it strength and durability to carry such loads swiftly and safely is not commonly known. The belief that a. tyre is made entirely of rubber may bo held by a few. In fact, there was a time when it was believed that tyres wero cut out of rubber. It was the discovery of the vulcanising process that made it possible to manufacture a rubber tyre with resilient strength and paved the way for Iho commercial era of the rubber Industry. Charles Goodyear, nfler whom the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Company, of Akron, Ohio, U.S.A., was named, was Hie discoverer of tlie vulcanising process. Colton constitutes a vital pari in the building of lyres. At the cotton mill the cotton is woven into cord. The Goodyear Company maintains its own mills in various parts of the Untied States so ns lo be able to manufacture the best grade of cord possible, which Is known as supertwist, and Is used exclusively In Ihe Goodyear tyres. Uadi bale of cotton entering the Goodyear milts is sampled and every roll of superi-wlst is leeted before use to see if if has the high tensile strength demanded and the degree or elasticity required. Crude rubber In different lots, as received from Ihe plantations, varies greatly in Hie manner in wliieli it will cure nfler compounding. A Pain of crude rubber is laken from each of four or live different lots, and mixed together for blending. <;he m i eats used in compounding are tested for. their d.twree of purity and strength. Krom every batch of compounded rubber a sample is taken for curing in a small mould amt. tested for lnicrlm rt Ss ap,| wearing ability. The loot carryj.|.r capacity of anv pm'i n-> ■‘ ic tyro depends enlireh on the cap icily of the Is re In hold the air wtthiii it The-v----l'nn\ it is the lyre's p-im try fu ietion In hold the pressure of the inhaled lube mi the inside. It must alsn rest ; !|ie cressm : ‘V* J; fl'lll ry/'J Vi,

AN ELUSIVE TROUBLE. Motorists have, no doubt, experienced at limes a somewhat elusive j trouble, caused by engine explosions in the silencer when the vehicle 's : coasting. A clear understanding of j the rcasmi for this pneimmoii >n is j necessary before steps can be taken I In ensure its elimination. When a J chicle is coasting the tltml llp 's | Hi',, rl y .closed, and a ennipai atix * 1 *j rich and .slow-burning mixture h ’ being supplied to Hie engine. As fie engine Speed is faddy high, the rmii |,ii; | on is inemnplete, and the eliarce I-. p.is.-ed in I" i tie silencer. If no air reaches these itie implelely ion :it - isi■ s I!ie\ will pass out unexptod.'d Into I lie atmosphere, toil if tii mig i any naii.-e dilution -occurs an. explosion will take place when Ihe next burning r barge enters the sileiieer. Oil t.'s m oi.ie to lids <JgG —;i a cyi-Vi

examination should he made of the exhaust system to see that all points are lightly hotted and that no air leaks are present. A 100 small pilot jet will sometimes have the same offer I, hill it is wise to examine carefully the exhaust system bcfoie Mamin,sr Hie rarluirrrtor. .u'JSi *> SPARKS. “If the petrol, oil and oilier compaiiu •. r..• m mil a caioyairli'a 1 <|iioslion nalre they would find Ilia! they have mil pained a single new eiisiiMim:’ llinuii.i: roadside hoarding/' said Mr K. V\. .liilmslon, at Hie merlin,p of 11 1 0 Haul erlmry Aul i.,n.>hlle Assoria Hum lasi wee!;, lie said lh.il at the South Island i.N./..) Motor Union, at Menlieim, delegates were unanimous that they had never Imirihl petrol, oil, or tyies I.L.'iumlj. of hom’d*,

A commercial traveller, surrfmoned for obstruction, said: “1 took the risk of breaking the regulation on the clianco of gelling a few orders." Although this troubled salesman’! fate . On hardship almost borders, lie, like Ihe constable, could say That he had “got his orders." —The Motor, A doctor says tie always starts tii summer holiday mi foot. And so In walk start many more To whom Ihe road appeals, Rut having reached Ihe garage, door They do (lie rest on wheels. Witness, describing road collision at Bristol: "I saw the impact before 4 happened.” Those, who foresee an accident Like ttint, we seem to know As prophets after the event yi'ho say. “I hold you so.”