NOTES.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18365, 24 April 1925, Page 4

NOTES.

Tho conference of local bodies between tho Kakaia and Waipara, which was held on Wednesday night in tho City Council Chambers, following a circular sent out by the Town Clerk, was of considerable importance, in that it: provided an illuminating discussion 011 the question of heavy traffic control. The views expressed should eertainly provc beneficial to those engaged in dealing with this important question, but it is a pity that representatives of the South Island Motor Union and the Canterbury Automobile Association were not officially invited to attend, as their counsel would have proved valuable.

Mr .T. S. Hawkes, secretary of tlie Canterbury Automobile' Association, recently communicated with the motor traders of Christchurch with respect to an apparatus for testing headlamps, so that these could be properly focussed. lie lias received a reply to the effect that such an apparatus will be brought down within a few days from Wellington, so that demonstrations of the manner in which the apparatus can be used might be given to motorists.

Port Chester, New York, has decided to appoint ladies for police point duty work. It is stated that flappers will be barred, and only widows appointed. The "American Motorist" says it will be just motorist luck to find that these lady policemen's husbands were killed by motor-cars.

Mr H. H. Mcintosh, City Motor Inspector, and his assistants, had a busy time in Christchurch during the Easter holidays looking out for by-law offenders. They secured a good harvest, and as a result many motorists have been served with summons, requiring their attendance at the local Magistrate's Court.

Work is proceeding on the first section of the seven-mile concrete highway from Auckland City boundary to Henderson, which project, estimated to cost £65,000, was recently approved in detail by the Highways Board.

Irish motor agents, through their trade association, have represented to the Irish Free State Eoads Advisory Committee that motor traders generally are in favour of a tax on petrol. They suggest that the Government should discriminate between motor spirit and spirit used for other purposes, thereby .removing the reason for adhering to the existing method of taxation. The annual meeting of the South Island Motor Union will be held on May 29th, in tho Pioneer Club rooms. Keen interest is always taken in such meetings, and it is anticipated that there will be' more than usual competition for tho positions of office-bearers.

Nominations for the classic road event of France, the Grand Prix, closed with 17 entries, comprising 3 AlfaRomeos (winner of last year's race), 3 Sunbeams, 4 Delagcs, 5 Bugattis, 1 Mathis, and 1 Thomas Special. No American cars were nominated, but late entries could be made by payment of double fees up to March 20th, so that American makers may yet be represented.. Their appearance in the French classic would certainly add to the interest of the event. England won the .race in 1923 and America in 1922. The 1925 event is to be decided on July 26th on a circuit near Paris. There will be little change in the .cars compared with those of a year ago. Sunbeam is making use of the 1924 six-cylinder models with detail modifications, and the Alfa-Bomeos will be the straighteights which won at Lyons last year. Delage doubtless will run with his twelve-cylinder model, greatly improved, and with a supercharger added. The Thomas Special is an eight-cylinder super-charged model of only 1500 c.c. While handicapped by reason of its reduced piston displacement, a car of this type, with such a driver at the wheel, ought to be able to make a very creditable display on such a difli; cult circuit as that being prepared at Montlhcry.

Calculations made by t-lie U.S. Bureau of Public Koads show that the average motor vehicle in use in the United States consumes 1.4 gallons of petrol per vehicle per day, assuming that cars on the average run 14 m.p.g. Multiplying this figure by 15,552,007 —the' number of vehicles registered in the United States in July last—the conclusion is reached that the total daily mileage made by motor vehicles in the United States amounts to approximately 300,000,000. In two days these motor vehicles travel- a greater mileage than do all the passenger trains operating throughout the United. States iu a whole year.