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Progress, Volume III, Issue 4, 1 February 1908, Page 139

Reliability trials for motor cars have now become annual fixtures in Canterbury. These excellent competitions, which perhaps demonstrate the worth of a car to a fuller extent than any other means of test, are universally popular, and the Canterbury Automobile Association, one of the most progressive bodies of its kind in New Zealand, takes control each year and carries out the arduous task of organisation to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. The course of the trial, which was run on the 27th, 28th, 30th and 31st of December, 1907, was laid from Christchurch to Dunechn, returning via Rakaia Gorge, a total distance of 503 miles. Conditions of Trial. — The trial was arranged in twc classes, one for small cars under 12 h.p., and one for large cars over 12 hp. In the small car section seven cars started and six finished. In the large car section 28 started and 26 finished. The maximum number of marks for a non-stop <rrp was 1000, less deductions for stoppages on the road or any other reason. Each car carried a Club obseiver, who had to report all stops. The observers were changed every day, and the judges' awards made on the observers' reports, together with the inspection of the cars by the judges on arrival at Christchurch (1). Open Class.— Mr. F. X. Adams' 15 h.p. 4 cylinder " Talbot " car (Royal Automobile Club rating 20 h.p.). Automobile Club observer (first day), Mr. George Paylmg, Mayor of Christchurch. The following is the judges' report : — First day, non-stop ; second day, non-stop ; third day, nonstop ; fourth day, non-stop. Maximum marks, 1000 for non-stop run. On examining the car on arrival at Christchurch, the ludges deducted one mark owing to the small leather belt which drives the radiator fan being off This car was driven about 175 miles without the fan running, which proves the remarkable efficiency of the " Tflbot " radiator as compared to other makes, the water being quite cool in the radiator when the car arrived at Christchurch. Total marks, 999. Awarded second prize and silver medal This car was awarded fifth place in the petrol consumption test, and came through without any stoppages for tyre troubles. We can supply from stock at onc<. " Talbot " cars same as illustrated. Prices and catplogue on application. (2). Open Class. — Mr. H. T. Adams' 12-16 h.p. 4-cylmder " Talbot " car (Royal Automobile Club rating, 18 h.p.). Automobile Club observer (first day), Mr. Benson. The following is the judges' report : — First day non-stop ; second day, 10 seconds missing gear on hill near Kartigi ; third day, non-stop ; fourth day, 5 minutes in water-race near Mayfield. Stoppage owing to water on plugs, Awarded 994 marks. This car is two years old, having been driven over 50,000 miles. The car came through the trial without any mechanical or tyre troubles, and the stops were not due to any fault in the car, and for all practical purposes the run was non-stop so far as machinery defects were concerned. We can supply from stock at once " Talbot " cars same as illustrated. Prices and catalogues on application. (3). Open Class.— ls h.p. gold medal 4-cylinder " Talbot " car (Royal Automobile Club rating, 20 h.p.), driven by Mr. R. M. Macdonald. Automobile Club observer (first day), Mr. H. A. Soanes. The followingis the judges' report : — First day, non-stop , second day, non-stop ; third day, non-stop ; fourth day, non-stop. Maximum marks, 1000. Awarded first prize and gold medal. In the petrol consumption test this car gained third place with 20 miles to the gallon. This car came through without any stoppages for tyre troubles. We can supply from stock at once " Talbot " cars same as illustrated. Prices and catalogues on application. (4). Private Owners' Class. — Mr. David Matson's gold medal 15 h.p. 4-cylmder " Talbot " car (Royal Automobile Club rating, 20 h.p.). Car entered and driven by owner. Automobile club observer (first day), Mr R. McCready. The following is the judge's report — First day, non-stop ; second day, non-stop ; third day, non-stop , fourth day, non-stop. Maximum marks, 1000. Awarded first prize and gold medal. This car came through without any stoppage for tyre troubles. We can supply from stock at once " Talbot " cars, same as illustrated. Prices and catalogues on application.

(5) Private Owners' Class — Mr W. E. Mills' gold medal 12-16 h.p. " Talbot " car (Royal Automobile Club rating, 18f"h.p.)- Car entered and driven by owner. Automobile Club observer (first day), Mr R. Thompson. The folvowmg is the judges' report — First day, non-stop ; second day, non-stop ; third day, non-stop ; fourth day, non-stop. |Maximum marks, 1000. Awarded first r prize andgold medal. The car was awarded sixth place in the petrol consumption test, and came through without any stoppages for tyre troubles. The " Talbot " driven by Mr Mills is about a year old, and is the same car on which he wen the Duvauchelles Bay trial on 9th May, 1907. We can supply from stock at once " Talbot " cars same as illustrated. Prices and catalogues on application. I ,(6) Open Class — Adams Limited, 22 h.p. 4cylmder ' Minerva " car (Royal A Automobile Club rating 30 h.p.). Driven by Mr. A. Kerr. Automobile Club observer (first day)- Mr. N. Richardson. The following is the judges' report : — First day, non-stop ; second day, non-stop ; third day, stopped 3 seconds owing to changing gear, 6 miles out of Timaru ; fourth day, non-stop. Total 999 marks. This car came through without any stoppages for tyre troubles. The above car is for sale. Immediate delivery can be given. Prices and full particulars on application. (7). Private Owners' Class. — Dr. Finch's 15 h.p. 4-cylinder " Humber " car. (Royal Automobile Club rating 26 J h.p.). Entered and driven by owner. Automobile Club observer (first day) Mr. J. Peacock. The following is the judges' report — First day, non-stop ; second day, non-stop ; third day, 15 seconds missed gear on hill and 2£ minutes adjusting tremblers on coil ; fourth day, stopped 1 hour 46 minutes 24 seconds, coil troubles. This car had no mechanical or tyre troubles the stoppages being entirely due to the electrical coil. We can supply from stock at once " Humber " cars same as illustrated. Prices and catalogues on application. (8). Private Owners' Class. — Mr. A. Morten's (President of the Canterbury Automobile Association) 15 h.p. 4-cylinder " Humber " car (Royal Automobile Club's rating 26£ h.p.). Entered and driven by owner. Automobile Club observer (first day), Mr. J. Temple. The judges' report is as follows . — First day, non-stop ; second]day, stopped 3 minutes changing gear onjja hill ; third day,

stopped 19 minutes 25 seconds cleaning dirt out of carburetter fourth day stopped 2£ minutes owing to Crossing water race on the deep side. Awarded 927 marks. This car came through without any stoppages for tyre troubles. We can supply from stock at once " Humber " cars same as illustrated. Prices and catalogues on application. (9). Mr. David Matson's gold medal " Talbot " car is shown coming down the Rakaia Gorge on the last day, of the trials, 31st December 1907. Grade about 1 in 5. The team of eight cars (large class only) as illustrated, with observers, started on the first day from Christchurch to compete in the reliability trial^of 503 miles. These cars came through the trip most successfully, none of them having any mechanical or tyre troubles, the stoppages in all cases being due to missing gears on hills, stoppages in water races, and petrol troubles.

ADAMS LIMITED, late Adams Star Cycle Co., 138-140 High street, CHRISTCHURCH. Sole agents in New Zealand for "Talbot," " Napier," " Humber," " Swift," and " Minerva " cars. Depots at — Mercer street, Wellington ; The Avenue, Wanganui ; The Square, Palmerston North ; Stafford street, Timaru. — [Advt.]

Few people stop to think that the right rear tyre on a car wears much more rapidly than the left. Look at the one that has run 1500 miles or more, and compare its condition with that of the left tyre. You will find that the former is worn more, and that it has more cuts than the left. The reason is not far to seek, particularly in a district where macadam abounds As the crown of the road is higher than either side, and as cars must keep to the right, there is consequently more weight and driving strain on the right tyre and wheel, with resultant increased wear. The obvious remedy is to transfer the right rear tyre to the left wheel and vice versa after a certain distance, which will depend on the wearing qualities of your tyres. Finally put the rear wheel tyres on the front wheels (shifting them from right to left at the proper time), and change the front tyres to the rear wheels, shifting them also in due season.