MOTORING & CYCLING

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1570, 27 May 1920, 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 “New Zealand Sporting and Dramatic Review,” P.O. Box 52, Auckland.

A satisfactory experimental flight has been made in Sydney with an aeroplane using alcohol as fuel. * * * *

The Thames Valley Electric Power Board is, by Order-in-Council gazetted, authorised to raise a loan of £200,000.

Mr. W. Ross, the mechanic from the New Zealand Flying School, who went to Gisborne with the aeroplane, contracted pneumonia while there.

At a meeting of persons interested it was decided to form an aviation company in Timaru to work from there, Mount Cook and southward. Mr. R. Wigley, managing director of the Mount Cook Motor Company, is the moving spirit.

A proposal is being made to the Minister of Internal Affairs to introduce legislation providing for a distinctive mark to be added to the number-plate of motor cars, with a variation in the colour each year on registration.

An old Scotch drover who witnessed an aeroplane flight in Gisborne from one of the country roads, it being his first vision of an aeroplane, remarked: “Travelling in the air. Well, well! That is where they should be. Those motor cars are an awfu’ nuisance to us drovers.”

King Albert and the Queen of Belgium flew in separate de Haviland ’planes from Brussels to Farnborough to attend the wedding of Lady Cynthia Curzon to Mr. Oswald Moseley, M.P. They had an adventurous trip of three hours through high wind and rain. The King arrived without his cap, and the Queen was nearly frozen.

The Hon. J. G. Coates had a flight over the city of Christchurch with Captain Dickson on Sunday week. When over the aerodrome, at the conclusion of the flight, at a height of 1500 feet, Captain Dickson asked the Minister if he would like “to stunt.” Mr. Coates agreed, and Captain Dickson did one loop and one roll, and then side-slipped vertically from 1000 feet to the ground. * * * * Very extensive damage was done to the roads around Rotorua by the heavy motor traffic during the visit ° of the Prince of Wales. The damage to the Tirau-Ngongotaha road for a distance of about four miles is estimated at £l5O. The Rotorua County Council has approved of a suggestion for a Dominion tax on motor cars, a fair proportion to be allotted to Rotorua, where a great amount of outside traffic is sometimes congregated. * * * * The large Red Cross motor garage at Trentham Military Hospital was practically destroyed by fire the other day. It appears that when some tyres were being vulcanised flames hurst out and set the building on fire. The only car in the garage at the time was saved by Miss Ewen and two members of the Medical Corps, who pushed it into the open, scorched and with the wind-screen cracked. Some tyres, motor tools, and cases of benzine were also salvaged. * * * * The misuse of dazzling lights and “dimmers” on motor cars was discussed at the last meeting of the Canterbury Automobile Association. Mr. F. AV. Johnston said that there seemed to be a good deal of misapprehension among drivers as to the use of headlights. He thought the use of the “dimmer” light when passing another car was a dangerous practice, especially in the winter. He did not think any motor should be allowed to travel at night unless it possessed the glass deflectors. He . moved: “That the council expresses the opinion that dimming of lights except on the well-lit streets is a dangerous practice, and that no car should travel at night if not provided with anti-glare lenses.” The motion was carried.

In the course of his remarks at the annual meeting of the Manawatu A. and P. Association, the retiring president (Mr. H. Akers) said that they had to consider the provision of a suitable hall to accommodate motor exhibits during the shows, as at present these valuable machines have to be placed outside exposed to the elements, often much to the discomfort of the attendants and those of the public who may be interested in them. There was also a movement on foot to hold a large exhibition of British and foreign cars next autumn. The Association was at present negotiating with the New Zealand Motor Garage Proprietors’ Association with a view to holding this e'vent, which, considering the situation of Palmerston North and convenience of the grounds, should prove a huge success and advertisement for the town and district.

. Mr. John Mitchell, of the General Motors Export Co. of America, who has arrived in Sydney, states that the majority of cars going to China and Japan from America are of the closed-in type. Freedom from dust is one of the chief reasons for adopting this car. * * * * The Automobile Association and Motor Union celebrated the attainment of a membership of 100,000 by a dinner at the Imperial Restaurant, London, W. Lt.-Col. Chas. Jarrott, 0.8. E., was in the chair. The A.A. and M.U. has now been in existence fifteen years.

When the Royal party were opposite Inangahua railway station on their journey to the West Coast, one of the motor cars capsized into a ditch. Its occupants, Messrs. E. Coates, representing Reuter’s Agency, F. Morgan, the New Zealand Press Association; Taylor, of the Internal Affairs Department, and G. AV. Tur-, ley, of the Railway Department, were shot into the ditch through a thick mat of bramble, which broke their fall and acted as a buffer to prevent the car crushing those underneath. The car was lifted and the occupants released, shaken, scratched by brambles, but otherwise uninjured, except that the driver was slightly cut by glass from a broken windscreen.

The Ford factory at Detroit produced 96,000 cars in January.

It is reported that cheap cars can be picked up in Germany. Scores of men are over there picking up cars at give-away prices, but the chief difficulty lies in getting them away, or to get them over to England.

Captain Euan Dickson, the Canterbury Aviation Company’s pilot, was to have made a flight to Mount Cook to spy out the land, with the view of selecting landing-places for the proposed regular aerial service from Timaru to Mount Cook. However, advices were received that the high country was under snow, and as that would have made it almost impossible to properly investigate the nature of the country for landing purposes the flight was abandoned, and will be made w r hen weather permits.

The programme of the London “Safety First” Council for 1920 is an ambitious one. It includes a “Safety AVeek” intensive campaign to be devoted to propaganda in places of public worship, schools, theatres, picture' palaces, etc., and to the exhibition of specially-designed posters and notices in workshops, stables, garages, and on all classes of public service, motor, and horse-drawn vehicles.

Melbourne proposes to experiment with a mechanical device for regulating traffic. Right at the intersection of Collins and Swanston streets there is now suspended from wire ropes, attached to the buildings, a huge arrow arrangement. AA ; hen Collins Street is clear the arrow points up and down Collins Street, while a large red sign “Stop!” is shown to the traffic in Swanston Street. Two or three minutes, and then the signs are reversed, and the traffic in Collins Street must “stop.” The signs are worked by an official high up on one of the corner buildings—but while the apparatus is being tested the traffic policeman remains in his old place right in the centre of the intersection. It is claimed for the new system that it is easier on the traffic controller, and more efficient, no one can miss the big sign; whereas frequently the traffic policeman was hidden in the surging mass of vehicles, and his guiding hand could not be seen. The sign system is an invention of a firm of Sydney engineers. It is already in operation in San Francisco, and it is hoped to introduce it to most of the cities of Australia and New Zealand.

Great interest was shown in the first exhibitions of aviation at Gisborne. A de Haviland machine from Messrs. Walsh Brothers’ Flying School, Kohimarama, was taken to Gisborne at the instance of the Beach Improvement Society and was to have been employed for three days in passenger flights. But an unfortunate accident which occurred during the course of the third flight partially wrecked the machine and compelled an abandonment of the programme. The privilege of the first flight was submitted to auction and was secured for £3l, after which two little girls whose passage had been purchased for £lO were sent for a tour over their country home. The right to the third flight was secured by a lady, but she gave place to Mr. Otto Hansen. The machine left the ground and was banking to ascend, when the benzine pipe car-

ried away, and the aviator, Lieut. J. 'finding his machine not high enough to utilise the auxiliary supply, decided to make a forced landing in the centre of the ground. The nose of the ’plane struck and the under-carriage carried away. The tail tipped up and then came back again. The ’plane fortunately did not overturn and no one was hurt. The damage, however, was too great to permit the flights to continue, and the aeroplane was shipped back to Auckland. On the first flight the machine ascended to 2300 feet, and it was at an altitude of between 300 and 400 feet when the accident happened.

Mr. J. S. Hawkes, president of the Canterbury Automobile Association, stated recently that supplies of petrol were likely to become shorter. It was possible that the United States would absolutely stop the export from that country. In that case New Zealand would be in a very peculiar position as far as petrol was concerned.

At a meeting of the Taradale Town Board, Mr. AV. Howard drew attention to the reckless manner in which Icyclists rode on the footpaths, he himself being in collision with an offender in this respect. The chairman remarked that the board had some time ago decided to draw the attention of the police in regard not only to the dangerous practice referred to, but also in regard to lightless vehicles, and the speed of motorists, but so far he had been unable to find any record of the police having been notified.

The joy-rider, or the motor thief, is in evidence in Masterton, as elsewhere. The other evening Mr. J. A. Betts, manager of the stock department of the W.F.C.A., placed his new car in the side street opposite his offices. When he went for it an hour or two later it had disappeared. The police are investigating.

At the Napier Court William Pratt pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving a car recklessly at Westshore. Senior-Sergeant Eales said that defendant drove across the Westshore bridge at a speed dangerous to the public. Constable Trussing said defendant admitted to him that his speed was 25 miles an hour. There was no notice on each end of the bridge stating that the bridge was dangerous. Mr. Hislop, in defence, submitted that his client’s speed was reasonable. William Pratt, defendant' said he was travelling about 20 miles an hour. He eased up when passing the constable and then stopped to allow a car to pass. The constable overtook him, and said, “You’re going too fast.” Witness replied, “Oh! I’m always going too fast for you.” This remark was responsible for the prosecution. Witness admitted that he travelled fast when the road was clear. In this instance he could have stopped the car in its own length. To Senior-Sergeant Eales: Witness had seen a notice limiting speed to six miles an hour. He was not defying these notices when he drove at 20 miles an hour. He considered this speed perfectly safe. Mr. Hislop cited a case in which the judge had decided that 50 miles an hour was not dangerous in the circumstances, as the road was clear. His Worship said the evidence showed that defendant was going too fast. His own idea was that there ought to be a regulation pace whether there was traffic or not on the bridge. A fine of £2 and 7s. costs was imposed.

The car in which the Prince rode from Trentham station to the camp and back is well known as the “Blue Boys’ car.” It was driven by Miss G. Ewen, who has devoted herself for a long time to driving invalided soldiers out for airings. Miss Ewen is the only woman who has acted as chauffeur to the Prince in New Zealand, and only two other women (both Canadians) have acted in a similar capacity.

To assist airmen on the LondonParis route, an experimental lighthouse has been erected at Biggin Hill aerodrome, near Croydon.

When a motor lorry driver at Grimsby (Eng.) named Pickard was recently returning home his son and daughter ran into the road to meet him. In trying to avoid the boy the father knocked down the girl. She died from her injuries.

The correspondent of the “Times” at Berlin states that it is semi-offi-cially announced that the military air service will be disbanded, and that the Entente Commission will destroy the aerodromes, which cost £3,000,000, leaving a single hangar and factory for international use. The “Taglische Rundschau” complains that this would be a grave economic blow, when industrial building is impossible.

The “Better ’Ole” Company travels in three five-seater cars and the scenery in a truck, all of the same make, and when the weather is fine their life is one long holiday. If they are late on time in reaching a town where they are to play they can at a pinch make up and dress on the cars, and be ready to walk on to the stage as soon as the cars arrive at the stage door. “The Better ’Ole,” which is from the nimble pen of Captain Bruce Bairnsfather, has been a great success in the south under Mr. Lionel Walsh’s direction.

A special meeting of Cabinet was held in Sydney the other day, when consideration was given to the question of the State motor cars. The Premier said subsequently that a considerable saving had already been effected by the new Ministers in the cost of running the cars, owing to their having confined the use of the cars to official business only. Cabinet decided that the Government “motor policy” should be as follows: —Ministerial cars to be housed by themselves, and in keeping costs to be credited with the benefits of wholesale purchases, discounts, etc. Each department to have full charge of its own car, and all charges to be placed against that department. The mileage to be checked by the foreman, and a report furnished each month.

The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria held its 16th annual meeting on 7th inst. and judging from the large attendance and the keen interest manifested in the various matters brought forward and dealt with, there is promise of great expansion of the club in every department. The chairman referred to the report and balance-sheet submitted, which showed that, there had been an increase of upwards of 100 members during the last financial year, and that a profit exceeding £777 had been made on the operations in the same period. He further’ mentioned that the new year opened well, that the affairs of the club since March Ist had prospered, and that there was a gratifying buoyancy in the movement and life at the club rooms. In connection with the new premises to be built, the design had not yet been definitely selected, but the members were given to understand that the building will incorporate all the latest accessories and conveniences, and that it would be the finest club house in the Commonwealth. The incoming committee was directed to consider the advisability of reviving the annual dinner, which, as with all other social and sporting events, was cut out during the war. A cinematograph of the recent hill-climb at Wildwood was shown during the meeting, the film afterwards being presented to the club by the operator, Mr. A. T. Gibson.

Chief Motor Mechanic S. Fox, son

of Mr. L. H. Fox, of Hastings, returned to New Zealand by the Remuera. He left Wellington in 1916 to join the motor boat patrol service, and saw service in the Black Sea and on the Belgian coast. He was present at the raids on Ostend and Zeebrugge. He was a member of the crew of the patrol boat which sunk the three block ships—the Ipheniga, Intrepid, and Thetis —in the Bruges canal, when 150 survivors were rescued by his boat, in which only five were left alive out 'of twelve. He was gassed twice on the Belgian coast, and had malarial fever in Africa. He is the holder of a medal for conspicuous gallantry and also has the French decoration, the Croix de Guerre, for bravery in the Ostend and Zeebrugge raids.

The National Automobile Dealers’ Association (U.S.A.) is seeking to bring about the repeal of a law operating in the States of North and South Carolina which enables a person to sue for possession of a car by which he has been run down. It is said that this law has become very popular of late, and has been upheld so often to the loss of the car owner that a growing number of people in those States, when they feel the need of a car, saunter into the way of a motor car, are knocked down, institute suit and quickly obtain possession of the vehicle that injured them. The Dealers’ Association should have very little difficulty in getting the lav/ or regulation repealed.

At the monthly meeting of the Otago Motor Club a letter was received from the Town Clerk, Dunedin, asking ■ the co-operation of the club in bringing before the notice of motorists the desirability of traversing the streets in the vicinity of the hospital and other similar institutions as silently as possible, and stated that it was proposed to enforce the provisions of the city bylaw prohibiting drivers of vehicles from running with silencers off when driving through the city streets. It was decided to bring the matters be-

fore members, and ask that they carry out the requests above referred to. The chairman and Messrs. Halliday and Wright gave an account of the South Island Automobile Union meeting held at Christchurch on Maj 7 5, and reported that matters were placed on a satisfactory footing. The chairman prophesied that the union would be a great success. It was decided to erect two signs on corners of roads in the Taieri County, directing the way to Middlemarch. It was resolved to send in the club’s resignation to the N.Z. Automobile Union,