NOTES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18236, 21 November 1924, Page 4

NOTES.

Motorists may now truck their cars ore? the whole of the railway lino between Christchurch and Otira.

Tho 1924 Olympia Motor Show is now a tiling of the past, hut its success will remain in tho memory for at least twelve months, and it will undoubtedly ho of valuo in guiding the promoters of other similar shows in the Dominion. Tho conclusion of the week's exhibition of card was attended with some ceremony. Shortly after 10 p.m. the National Anthem Mas played by the orchestra, and the curtain was officially rung down by the sounding of the warning devices attached to all the cars ia the show. Immediately thereafter the members of tho Motor Traders' Association and of the Motor Salesmen's Association held their respective socials, at which unqualified praise was given to the : 'big show" and its promoters.

An All-British motor expedition aefos3 unknown Australia will be undertaken next Mar and June by Mr Michael Terry. " Last year- Mr Terry took a Ford ear expedition across 3000 miles of Northern Australian wilds. Next Years journey will be considerably more difficult. It will involve crossing what is known as the Great Sandy Desert, which includes 500 miles of entirely unknown territory. The expedition will bo equipped with a wireless installatibn by which nightly wireless bulletins of progress will be transmitted. The personnel -will consist or six men. each a specialist in his own line, including; a surveyor and a geologist. Tho party will travel in three caterpillar-track motor vehicles of a new type, each of one ton capacity.

The quarterly general meeting of the 5.1.M.1". will 'ho held in Christchurch on Thursday next. Delegates will lie present from all motoring organisations in the South Island.

Messrs M. S. Holmes, G. Sbafld, and 8,. Malcolm (Oamaru), and Messrs A. E. Ansell. J. L. Passrnore, and J. J. Puidio (Dunedin 1 ) will be iu Christchurch for tho S J.M.U. meeting.

The membership campaign promoted by motorin? organisations throughout the South fsland is bearing good results in Christohiirch. Tho C.A.A. ndded 03 members to its roll during tho month ended on 'Wednesday, making 153 since the beginning; of the Association's vear, October Ist. The Pioneer Club elected 50 new members at the last monthly meeting, and there are already 30 in hand for the current month.

Tho annual report of the South Canterbury Automobile Association states that the membership totals 477. This is a particularly fine record, making the Timaru organisation, in proportion to its area, one of tho strongest bodies in New Zealand. Its district is not a large cno, for Waimate has its own Association. Less than four years ago, when Mr E. A. Scott took over the secrctarrsnip, the membership was 1c93 than 100. Some good work has been dene sinco then.

On the back of its annual report, the South Canterbury Automobile Association has had nrinted extracts from the Motor Vehicles Act which ar© of particular interest to owner-drivers. This was a step which must bo commended for the time has arrived for motorist's to prepare themselves for the changes which are to come into operation after December 31 st. ADELAIDE TO DARWIN. ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH RECORD. Great interest will contro on the forthcoming attempt by Francis Birtles to establish record figures for the transcontinental drive from Adelaide to Darwin, a distance of approximately 2000 miles. Birtles will drive an Oldsmobilo "six," shod with interchangeable Dunlop balloon tyres, and will travel as light as possible, although ho will carry about 4001b of fuel aboard. The car selected should be well suited to tho task ahead. Its rating is IS j h.p. (48 h.p. on the brake), the engino j displacement being 169.3 inches, whilst , its light weight and good clearance will be helpful in the heavy country. It i is to be hoped that the available traek9 only will bo followed, and Hot the railway sleepers on sections of the Oonadatta railway in the south and the "Eatherine-Darwin" line in tho north, because such will detract from the value of such a demonstration. In a record attempt of this description it is more sporty to keep to the roads and tracks available, even if it does take longer, and thus set a standard that subsequent overlanders after the record must follow.