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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1481, 12 September 1918, Page 31

The American Bureau of Standards in its last annual report, refers to certain materials on the market known as petrol intensifiers, for which the claim is made that when added in small quantities to petrol an increased engine efficiency is secured. The Bureau has tested six of these preparations, and also a sample of petrol alleged to be treated by a secret electrochemical process. A six-cylin-der automobile engine, driving an electric absorption dynamometer, was used in the tests, and though this apparatus was highly sensitive no increase in power could be detected as a result of using the so-called intensifiers or the treated petrol.

The benefits from standardisation of airplane parts was recently demonstrated in France in connection with landing and assembling of the now famed Liberty aeroplane. One shipment arrived in France and parts taken indiscriminately from various cases. In less than two hours machines were assembled and in the

air. It is worthy of note that the training airplanes are now flying 220,000 miles a day in America, from which a fair idea can be gathered of the vast number of aviators who are being trained for service- on the western front.

What is to be regarded as the “maximum” in the way of usefulness where the horse-power capacity of a motor cycle is concerned? That is a question which can be easily disposed of if answered by the rule which applies to usage and the practice commonly followed. Nominally, at all events, 8 h.p., or, as some prefer to put it, 7-9 h.p., is the highest rated horse-power attributed to the most powerful models at present on the market, although they have gone as high as 10 and even 12 h.p. in the United States. Dealing with the broad aspect of horse-power ratings and the actual power development of motor cycle engines, it is necessary to draw a line of distinction between the two. It may be accepted with safety that a motor cycle fitted with a so-called 8 h.p. engine is in reality propelled by one of at least one-third greater power, and we know from practical experience, that the difference between rating and actual output is even a wider one than this. A heavy side-car outfit, well loaded up with passenger and luggage, and taking into consideration the many factors which help to . throw added

work upon the engine, such as road profile and weather conditions, requires a fairly large engine to meet all requirements. , In normal circumstances an 8 h.p. engine (according to rating) is ample to meet all demands. One of 6 h.p., being really about 8-9 h.p., can do practically all that is required of it, and a smaller one still with suitable gearing will leave but little to be desired. Reserve power, of which we hear so much, provides a comfortable feeling for the driver, who is out in all weathers and has to keep up a fairly fast schedule when on business bent, but for all ordinary purposes the reserve is provided by the gear box as well as in the engine, the two working together and forming in combination a means of providing against overload to an extent which is hardly ever likely to be overstrained.

The value of the private motor cars belonging to various members of the audience at the Gisborne Opera House one night recently was estimated at £20,000.

Writing to his wife in Wellington, Corporal Gerald Fitz Gerald, of the 28th Reinforcements, gives particulars of the death of his brother, Captain Roy Fitz Gerald (M.C.), late of the Gloucestershire Regiment and Royal Flying Corps, in an air fight on July 1. The two brothers were camped 15 miles away from each other, and had met only the week before Captain Fitz Gerald was killed. Owing to his being an escaped prisoner of war from Germany, Captain Fitz Gerald was not supposed to fly over the line on the western front. However,. he insisted upon doing so, and it was on his second flight that he met his death. He was in a Brit-

ish aeroplane observing for our artillery fire, and was escorted by four other aeroplanes. They were attacked by seven Fokker biplanes, and Captain Fitz Gerald was shot through the head. The petrol tank was also caught by the enemy, and the machine was forced to land, fortunately in our lines without catching fire. A car was at once sent for Corporal Fitz Gerald, but as his battalion was on the move, it did not find him early enough to enable him to be present at his brother’s funeral. / The pilot (whom Corporal -FitzGerald saw in hospital) was wounded in the face, and one of our escort was shot down in flames. Captain Fitz Gerald (who was an old Wellington College boy) is buried at Vignacourt, 61st C.C.S.. British Cemetery.