MOTORING & CYCLING .

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1540, 30 October 1919, Page 28

MOTORING & CYCLING .

Photographs of private motorists in their cars, snapshots taken while on tour or accounts of motoring trips and other items of interest to carowners, will be inserted in these columns if posted to ‘Ww Zealand Sporting and Dramatic Review, P.O. Box 52, Auckland.

Mr. d’Eyncourt, the Marylebone magistrate, was recently called upon at the instance of the police authorities to decide an important point in cab law: the right or otherwise of a taxi driver to refuse to take a fare further when his meter records 4s. (the fare for a six-mile journey). In giving his decision, Mr. d’Eyncourt said this was a fare made .up by distance and time, and, in his opinion, the driver was quite wrong m refusing to go further because the meter recorded 4s.

Proposals made at a recent conference of South Island motor organisations were discussed by the Christchurch Tramway Board the other week. The subject was brought up. by Mr. D. Sykes, who said one proposal was that the stopping place of tramcars should be 30 yards before reaching the corner. The actingchairman said the Board had passed a resolution some time ago that every tramcar should go beyond the corner -before stopping, sb that it could be seen. If a car stopped 30 feet behind the corner it would not be seen, and accidents would be frequent. He suggested that the board s officers submit a report on the matter. Other speakers said that the miraculous escapes in Christchurch from motors passing standing cars were legion. It was decided to ask the traffic manager and the general manager to report on the traffic question. w

Questions regarding motor ambulances were asked in the House of Representatives. Mr. Wilford (Hutt) wished to know from the Minister of Defence whether he would arrange for the handing over to the Mayor of Petone and the Mayor of Lower Hutt, on behalf of the residents ot those districts, two motor ambulances in order that those districts might be properly served in time of stress and trouble through sickness or accident? Mr. W. H. Field (Otaki) is asking the Minister of Defence whether it is true that the motor ambulance provided by children s subscriptions in the Otaki-Levin district for the use of our men in France, and which was attached to the Pioneer Native Battalion, has been sent out to the Dominion and has been appropriated for use in Wellington City; and whether, if this is so, the ambulance in question shall be at once forwarded to the district which provided the funds for its purchase and which therefore has the best claim to it and where it is urgently needed ?

Mr. Buddo, during a discussion in the House on road improvement, said the main roads now were worse than they were 25 years ago. Indeed, the condition of the main New Zealand roads had become a byword, and had often been remarked upon by visitors. Sir William Fraser said it was the increase in motor traffic that had made certain people dissatisfied with the main roads, but it was absurd to say that the roads were worse now than they were 25 years ago. There were some journeys that a few years ago took -two days which could now be made in five hours. He had received hundreds of letter's from settlers thanking him for what had been done for them by the Government in the matter of roads. (Hear, hear.) He concluded by stating that as a result of this war the country would now have to pay millions in interest where before it was only paying hundreds of thousands,, and’ the difficulty would be to find the money for the necessary requirements.

The Westland County Council has decided to tax all motor cars and motor bicycles. The taxes will range from £l5 to £l. There is also a movement on foot to have all drivers licensed. * . * ■ * -i • The development of motor traction has been, considerable during the past few years, and local firms have not been slow to make experiments with this comparatively new form of quick transport facilities, says the “Dunedin Star.” Owing to the recent railway trouble, many people, in the country districts particularly, had to rely on motor waggons for the delivery of essential goods, and very good work has bepn done in this direction. The motor services have been of exceptional value in the Teviot district, both in the quick transport of fruit to markets and with return loading from Dunedin. A large waggon ready for the return journey presented an interesting and unusual appearance in Crawford Street, and testified to the heavy loads and the variety of articles which can be taken. The cargo included an oil engine, an iron bedstead, a large wooden sledge, household furniture, and bags of meal, and tied on with ropes was a calf, which enjoyed itself by chewing the leg of a table. The weight of the load was over five tons, and the driver expected to do the journey to Roxburgh in a day.

Interesting experiments have been made in Nottingham with a new motor fuel, the invention of a South American, M. Andreade. Its cost is sd. a gallon, and it is a mixture of water and a secret compound. Tests have produced smooth and rapid speed, and altogether the results are encouraging.

Referring to the high cost of production, Major Goddard, interviewed in Auckland on the motor outlook, said that while America had benefited at Great Britain’s expense to a large extent, he believed that both the manufacturers at Home and the future purchasers of British cars would ultimately gain from the fact that the manufacturers sacrificed the profitable trade in heavy lorries and cars; and devoted their time to the much more intricate and infinitely less profitable work of aero engines. Not only, he said, were greater accuracy ■ and standardisation obtained, but the steel-making position was studied and new high-grade alloys produced in quantity, which, before the war, had not even been contemplated; One of the immediate results was that America imported tool steel from Great Britain —a thing undreamt of in 1914. All this was. bound to make for better service if applied to the building of motor cars, commercial vehicles and agricultural motors in the near future.

A Hupmobile car belonging to Mr. F. Sisson, Papanui, was taken from a right-of-way off High Street on a recent Saturday night by a ‘joyrider.” Later the police the car, in an undamaged condition, on the Canal Road, Bromley.

In proposing the toast “Our Transport Workers,” at the smoke concert of the Canterbury Automobile Association, Mr. A. S. Clarkson said that if the Government had had to pay the cost of conveying returned soldiers to their homes from the railway stations; the money would have been sufficient to build three Selwyn bridges.

The By-laws Committee has reported to the Wellington City Council that it has received a letter from the Minister of Internal Affairs with reference to the annual registration of motor vehicles,, licensing of drivers and authority ,to local bodies to supply number plates for vehicles ,of a type uniform throughout the Dominion, in which he states that the importance of these matters is recognised, and that it is hoped to bring down legislation at the present session providing for the licensing of drivers, but that it will not be possible to deal with the other matters during the present session of Parliament.

Major A. de B. Brandon, D. 5.0., late Royal Air Force, relinquishes the appointment of staff officer to the Air Force Adviser, and is posted to the Reserve of Officers, General List.

Motorists are experiencing difficulty in negotiating the Waiaua River, on the Motu-Opotiki Road, owing to the soft nature of the “bottom,” and several cars are reported to have been hung up at this spot a few days ago. Pending the erection of the muchdelayed bridge, local motorists have urged the district engineer to locate a winch on the river bank to haul the cars across.

Major R. E. Goddard, who is on a visit to New Zealand inquiring into the motor requirements and conditions of the Dominion, stated in Auckland last week that the object of his mission was to inquire into the possibilities of recapturing for British manufacturers the trade in internal combustion engine - powered vehicles and implements, which the British manufacturer commenced to lose in 1910 and finally lost in 1914. To do this, he said, he was collecting information as to the type of automotive products required to suit the special conditions of the Dominion, and would be glad to receive any suggestions on the subject.

Mr. Richard Holton, of the Sixth Haurakis (Main Body), is leaving Wellington shortly for y Gisborne, and was recently presented‘4with a case of pipes by his fellow workers of Magnus, Sanderson and Company’s mechanical staff. Mr. Holton is known in New Zealand as a “motor skidding” expert.

Recently a young dairy farmer near Opunake (states the “Stratford Evening Post”) decided to marry. On the wedding day he milked the cows as usual, motored a distance of 36 miles and said “I will,” and returned home by motor with his bride in time for the evening’s milking. Obliging neighbours, however, packed him off on a honeymoon.

At an inquest on Falkoner John McDonald, aged 42, a clerk belonging to Picton, who was thrown out of a side-chair on Banks •- Peninsula and killed, a verdict of accidental death was returned, and a rider added calling the attention of the County Council to a dangerous bend in the road and other parts of the main road.

At a reception at Papawai tendered to returned soldiers, it was stated that the natives from that district had put up a splendid record. Driver Ama Turei had been selected as the best driver in the New Zealand division, and had been awarded a bronze medal.

The Automobile Association has approached the proprietors of nearly 2000 hotels in the United Kingdom concerning the requirements of motorists in regard to hotels. It is pointed, out tbat the total accommodation is insufficient to meet the demand, and that in many cases the service given is in need of considerable improvement. The warning is given that unless the proprietors of unprogressive hotels improve their establishments new hotels may be expected.

For exceeding the speed limit at the intersection of Queen and Victoria Streets, Ernest Bloomfield, a well-known Auckland resident, ,was fined 10s. and Ils. costs. Counsel for defendant stated that his client was driving three officers from HM S New Zealand to the naval and military ball in the Town Hall. One of the three was in the official lancers set, which was to open the ball, and the party was at the foot of Queen Street just at the hour of commencement. Defendant then increased his speed, and reached the hall just in time. The police estimated the speed of the car at 25 miles an hour, whereas the Queen Street limit was six.

Mr. S. W. Copley, managing director of Copley’s Bank, London, recently bought from the Aircraft Disposal Department, Kingsway, 300 new Avro machines, all such in their possession.

During a recent flight from Amsterdam to Hounslow, England, the eight passengers, including one woman, in a Vickeys-Vimy commercial aeroplane, were served with luncheon as the machine passed over the sea. The menu was salmon mayonnaise, cold chicken, fruit salad, and wine.

Among the passengers who arrived in Auckland last week by the Niagara were Miss F. M. Girdler, administrator of the Women’s Royal Air Force, and Miss G. Watkin, technical inspector, women’s branch of the Board of Agriculture, England, who form a delegation appointed by the British Government to investigate the possibility of employment in New Zealand for English women who will be demobilised from war service next spring. The inquiry is particularly directed towards opportunities for women who have served in one of the enrolled services, namely, the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps, Women’s Royal Air Force, Women’s Royal Naval Service, Land Army and Voluntary Aid Detachment.

The United States Air Service sent the following telegram to Orville Wright in recognition of the tenth anniversary of the purchase of the first airplane by the United States Government: "The congratulations of the Air Service are extended to you on the tenth anniversary of the delivery of the first airplane to the Government of the United States, first in the world to obtain a dynamic aircraft. The Air Service appreciates to the full the ever-increasing debt owed by mankind to the Wright Brothers, whose foresight, indefatigable research and practicable application have added world progress through the invention of a new means of communication.” The United States Government purchased its first airplane on July 28, 1909, and Army officers immediately began instruction in flying the machines under the direction of Orville Wright, Colonel Frank P. Lahm and Briga-dier-General B. D. Foulois.

James Innes, who was charged at the Wellington Magistrate’s Court with driving a motor car at a greater speed than six miles an hour when turning from YVillis Street into Ghuznee Street, and with failing to keep his proper side of the road, pleaded not guilty. The defendant said he was travelling slowly at the time and the speed did not exceed five miles on hour. He blew the car horn and put his hand out to show the direction he intended to go. Noticing a boy approaching on a bicycle he stopped the car and the bicycle collided with it. The boy was thrown over the handle bars, but did not receive any serious injury. The magistrate said that from the evidence he was satisfied that a breach of the by-law had taken place in that defendant had failed to keep on his proper side of the road when rounding a corner, but there was no evidence to show that the speed was excessive. A fine of £l, with costs, was imposed on the second charge, and the first was dismissed.

A suggestion that the Government should inquire regarding the purchase of oil fuel in bulk, its carriage by means of tank steamers, and its storage in New Zealand, was made in the House of Representatives by Mr. J. P. Luke (Wellington North). Mr. Luke said that the oil would' be required for the stand-by steam plants in connection with the ■ hydroelectric power schemes. The Prime Minister said he did not think there would be any difficulty about buying oil fuel in bulk. He had inquired on the point already owing to' the possibility, of a British oil-burning cruiser being stationed in New Zealand waters. There was no doubt as to the supply of oil, but difficulty arose from the fact that there were no reservoirs available in New Zealand. Reservoirs would have to be provided by the harbour boards or the shipping companies. He . had been given to understand that the Auckland Harbour Board contemplated the construction of a reservoir, and that the Union Company was considering doing the same thing. He would inquire on the point.

A car recently disappeared mysteriously from a garage in a Midland town. It was left in such a position that 12 other cars would have had to be moved to obtain access to it, yet after its disappearance all these cars were in their places as before. The garage is shut for a few hours only during the night, whilst mechanics are on the premises throughout the day. It appears to have been the work of a super car thief, and it seems, remarks a London paper, that the only safe garage in future will be the Tower of London.