MOTORING

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18899, 14 January 1927, Page 4

MOTORING

"Boadster" invites articles and paragraphs of interest to motorists for this page. NOTES. The next meeting of the S.:uth Inland Motor Vnion is to be held in the rooms of the Pioneer Sports Club on Thursday evening. Because of the flat nature of the City, motorists in Christehurch have in many cases allowed their hand brakes to get out of order, but now that cars have to be parked at an angle, head in to the channels, they find it necessary to get such brakes adjusted, otherwise the vehicles run down from the crown of the road to the cutter. Since the regulation governing motor traffic came into operation on January Ist, most motorists have learned to park their cars in the required manner, much to the sat'sfaction of the traffic inspectors, who have had a busy time educating drivers in this respect.

The Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Company (Australia), Ltd., proposes to establish a large factorv in New South Wales. The capital is £1,200.000 in shares of £1 each, of which 300,000 are 8 per cent, cumulative preference shares, to bo offered for public subscription. Five hundred thousand ordinary shares will be subscribed for and paid up in cash by the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Company of Akron. Ohio, United States. The remaining 400,000 ordinary shares will be held in reserve. It is provided that any new issue of shares which may he made shall consist wholly of ordinary, or nartly of ordinary, and partly of preference shares, without' creating a new class of preference shares, and without reducing tho protection which the original preference shares possess. The immediate object is to buy from tlio Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Company of Australasia, Ltd., a distributing subsidiary company, the whole of its business in Australia. An option has been secured over a block of twentv acres at Granville, near Sydney, where a modern buHding will be erecte;l, and it is expected that the plant will be operating in twelve months. The parent company has agreed to guarantee the dividends on the preference shares for two years to January Ist, 1929. The directors are Messrs Jamos Kell, the retiring governor of the Commonwealth Bank (chairman), Mr Paul W. Litchfield (chairman of the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Companv of 'America), and Mr William G. Either (manager director of the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Company of Australasia, The preference issue has been underwritten.

Some of the provisions of the motorbus regulations appear to be wise and prudent. There is that which insists on the provision of emergency doors, for instance, so that passengers may have a chance of escaping through the rear and avoiding incineration in case of fire. But it isn't very much use in having an escape door if that door will not easily open, and it would be well for the authorities regularly to inspect these exits and see that they are of real use. Only the other day two Auckland "Star" reporters, who were travelling by hue from the city, decided to try the emergency door before leaving to "see how it worked.'' In %o temporary absence of the driver, they succeeded, with much difficulty, in forcing the catches and after some very vigorous shouldering, in opening it. The driver returned, and lie was very wroth at this interference, declaring that the door could never be got to close again. However, it was closed (again with much difficulty),' although it would perhaps be better that it should keep open forever than remain closed in a manner that would prevent easy exit in case of fire.

The R.A.C. scheme for indicating the whereabouts of all public telephones situated adjacent to main roads, by means of signs affixed to telegraph poles, is proceeding apace. The Bath road, the Great North road, and all the main roads in Kent have been dealt with. The main roads in East Anglia are nearing completion, whilst the next to be covered will be the Holyhead and Bournemouth roads. A telephone is a boon to stranded motorists, and it not infrequently occurs that drivers are met with at the roadside patiently awaiting assistance, when there is a public telephone, probably in a village off fne main road, only a short distance away. By erecting signs pointing out exactly where the nearest telephone is to be found, the R.A.C. hopes to render a real service to every member of the motoring community.

After undertaking a large number of tests, the United States Bureau of Standards has come to the conclusion that the majority of the 80-called fuel dopes for petrol are worthless. The official scientists have subjected these concoctions to various tests without being able to determine whether any appreciable improvement in fuel consumption is derived from them. The merits of these fuel dopes are bluntly characterised by the bureau as unfounded and worthless. All that can be said is that a gain in mileage is obtained by adjusting the carburettor to leaner mixtures of petrol in compliance with instructions issued by the manufacturers.

According to statistics recently prepared, no fewer than 120,000 tons of copper are required annually in connexion with the manufacture of motor vehicles throughout the world.

Florida must be the motorists' paradise. The local Legislature has raised the speed limit to 45 miles per hour, on the ground that the roads within the State are now perfect and that they were designed for rapid transit. The minimum speed limit allowed in dangerous districts is 25 miles per hour, which contrasts very sharply with other maxima of 30 miles per hour.

Several railway companies_ in England are considering suggestions that garages should be established at stations for the convenience of travellers living at a distance.

BY "ROADSTER."

BRITISH CARS. PREFERENCE AT TOLL GATES. HUTT LANDOWNER ACTS. Recently at the British Motor Show at Olympia both Mr Bruce, Prime Minister of Australia, and Mr Coates, Prime Minister of New Zealand, offered some very candid criticism of the models shown, incomparably beautiful as some of them were. They pointed out plainly that if the small proportion of British made cars sold in Australia and New Zealand was to be increased to any considerable extent it would be necessary for British manufacturers to construct cars suited for Australian and New Zealand conditions, where steep grades and rough surface's were the rule and not the a exception as in England and on the Continent. Sir James Parr, in his speech at a recent Royal Colonial Institute dinner, returned to the subject, pointing out that only 15 per cent, of the expenditure of £4,500,000 last year in New Zealand on motor-cars went to British makers. A Wellington citizen, Mr W. H. George, of Manor Park, Haywards, has decided on a novel method of arousing public attention to this disturbing fact by offering to give preferential treatment to British cars so far as toll charges are concerned on the new traffic bridge over the Hutt river connecting Stokes Valley with the Hayward road. Type of Car Wanted. Mr George has dispatched the following cablegram to Sir James Parr in the hope that it may strengthen his hands in drawing the attention of British manufacturers to New Zealand requirements: — "As a private Wellington citizen I strongly endorse your statement at Colonial Institute dinner deploring small proportion British cars sold here. Reasons you adduced are quite correct. What most New Zealanders want is a high-powered cheap car ablo to negotiate the steep g.ades and rough roads that abound here; not a low-powered highlv finished expensive one. It is the absenco of this type that accounts for poor sales, not lack of goodwill. As some concrete evidence of my personal interest and concern at this serious state of things, I may add that I am adopting a somewhat novel method to draw further attention to the matter. In cdnsequencc of the Hutt County Council's inability to construct a much-need-ed bridge over the Hutt river at Haywards, I have built a toll bridge myself. It onens on January 15th. lam giving twenty-five per cent, preference in toll charges to British-built cars. Perhaps British toll gates might follow suit and thus do a little more towards helping to keep some millions of British capital circulating within the Empire instead of going to further line the pockets of American millionaires and seriously menacing domestic trade both in New Zealand and the Motherland."

"COME TO STAY."

TRAILERS FOR HOLIDAYS. [THE PEESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, January 13. At this time of the year many motorists are doubtless cogitating over the possibilities of a camping tour, but may be deterred from carrying out such, a plan by the difficulties that so obviously confront the person who believes in a, certain amount of comfort with his camping. A Lower Hutt resident was confronted with the problem a few weeks ago, and, possessing initiative, he at length struck the idea of using a trailer, a light-running pneumatictyred vehicle) which his car would pull along behind it and never know it was there. So a trailer was built, a nice little low cart with a frame-supported canvas cover. This trailer carried half a ton of camp equipment, a tent, blankets, pillows, fishing gear, food supplies, old clothes, and old boots, and covered 2000 miles during the last fortnight. 'I would never have known it was there," said the owner, "except that I had to use my second gear a little more than usual. We went right through to Rotorua and went from thereto Taupo in one day, seeing everything, and from Taupo to Napier in another day. It never gave any trouble. Now others want the loan of it. Trailers for camping are coming to stay." A USED CAR SALE. WONDERFUL BARGAINS AT THE STATION GARAGE.

CARS FROM AS LOW AS £lO.

When J. Grant Mackie has a sale, you can always rely upon its being exceptionally good. Here is your chance to buy a first-rate Used Car at a ridiculously low price. At this time of the year many cars are turned in as part payment for new ones, so consequently we have large stocks on hand and mean to clear them at prices never before seen in Christehurch. There are cars here from as low as £lO, £3O, and £35. Good yet for many more years wear. Even the cheapest cars here require very little done to them, and all will give good, honest service. J. Grant Mackie's easy purchase terms are so liberal that it makes it possible for even those in the_ most humble circumstances to own their own cars, in addition you have a certificate of value, of your satisfaction, or the deposit paid to go towards another car. Don't delay. Call to-day and take vour pick from amongst the fortv used ears Any trial given. Don't forget, Station Garage, opp, Christehurch Railway Station.

ROAD REPORTS.

Maronan road.—This road is now in good order, clue to the attention of the road grader.

Amberley.—The roads in this district arc in good condition, and the countryside is at its best.

Selwyn Ford.—Motorists arc advised not to proceed south viu the Main South road for the reason that the ford at the Selwyn is at present impassable.

Halswell.—Tlie roads leading from Cliristchurch through the Ilalswell County, arc on the whole, in good order, and the scenery affords a very pleasant motor run for those not wishing to go far. A pleasant trip is round the old or Hills road, round Tai Tapu and back by Drain road. Many picnicking spots arc found on the route, where ample shade is afforded by hawthorn fences and trees overhanging the grassy roads.

Halkett.—The roods .in the Ilalkctt district are only fair just now. The OlcT West Coast road is very rough and bumpy right from Guiney's corner to the Miners. Motorists going west would do well to turn to the left about a mile and a half above Yaldhurst, and take the Halkett road, which leads back on to the Vest Coast road at Guiney's corner. This road is only about <t mile further, and it is in fair order, whilst the Vest Coast road is very rough.

Ladbrooks. —Owing to the very heavy traffic during the holidays, the roads in the Ladbrooks and Broadficld district have again got cut up and require early attention, especially in respect to grading. Similar remarks apply to the Springston district, whero in many cases the loose shinglo requires immediate attention. The ranger recently appointed by the Paparua County Council is sparing no pains in respect to stray cattle on the public roads, for which he will receive the thanks of motor and other drivers. Dangerous corners arc still a menace in the district, and unloss some action is taken to cut back the overgrowth sonio serious accidents are likely to occur. Cust.—Tho roads in the district arc still in fair motoring condition. The main Rangiora-Qxford road, however, through tho Cust _ township, is now being heavily shinglod, making driving awkward, especially at night. If wet weather continues it should soon settle the shingle, and ' make motoring better.

Waikuku.—All tho roads in this district have improved considerably of late with the exception of Grcsson's road, which is rapidly going from bad to worse. With a little grading occasionally, howovcr, it would soon bo in good order. Lake Coleridge.—A motor run to Lake Colcridgo is a trip which every electric power user in Canterbury should endeavour to take. From Christchurch Lake Coloridgo is, according to tho C.A.A. road map, 70 milos, and for motorists from the south the distance from tho Bakaia Gorge is about 14 miles. Prom tho placo where the roads convergo to the power-house (following tho transmission lines) the road is one to gladden the heart of a motorist. It is easily undulating, with an excellent surface. Immediately on the top of tho cutting on tho lako side of tho bridge over the Acheron river the roads diverge, tho one, as indicated by the Bign post, going direct to the power-house, tho other to the tunnel intake. Each placo should be visited, a direct road connecting tho two places. At present some patching has been done on the road near the powor-house. Tho roads to the tunnel intake are in good order. Motorists from the south take tho road leading uphill immediately after crossing the Eakaia Gorge bridge. This leads up the zig-zag, which is an easy grade and except for a few rough places is in fair order. From tho top of the zig-zag to the main road the track is now shingled, and as yet it is not beaten down.

Bakaia Gorge to Mount Somers.—This stretch of the Sheffield-Arundel highway is for the greater part in very good order. Tho main Bakaia cutting is steep, and just now there is some loose shinglo on the surface. Tho last of the cuttings (that immediately past tho C.A.A. sign post "Christchurch 57 miles") has recently been Tegraded and is now much less steep. Past this cutting there is a stretch of now shinglo which is getting into good order. The half-mile past the shingle, going south, should be taken fairly carefully, as recent rainwater has flowed across it in places and it is a littlo cut up. Further south a look-out should be kept for a big water-race bridge at the side of the road. Tho road surface is very good. South of the North Ashburton river the road becomes rougher. Generally the road is well marked with C.A.A. signs. At Staveley, south-bound travellers take the Toad which leaves the store and the church on the righthand side. As a picnicking place the Eakaia Gorge is very popular, in fact it is rather popular on holidays. Just at present groves of flax in bloom look very pretty along the roadsides. Kiinberley.—The roads in the Kimbcrley district arc in fair order. The West Coast road is good at Kimberlcy, but lower down towards Christchurch the surface is broken up in places. Motorists passing through the district along the West Coast road can view an excellent example of erosion on the banks of the Waimakariri at "Bleakhousc Cutting," at the end of the Darficld-Kimberley road. The banks at this spot are 100 ft high and perpendicular. Tho River Trust erected groynes in the vicinity, and the work they are doing can be easily seen.

BY "ROADSTER."

TARIFF COMMISSION. MOTOR TRADERS' VIEWS. INDEPENDENT COMMISSIONDESIRED. The Government has announced the appointment of a commission to investigate tariff matters, and report to the .Minister tor Customs not later than June 30th. 1927. '•The appointment of this commission will bo welcomed by the- motor trade," savs -Radiator," .the organ of the .Motor Trade Association, as an opportunity to have tariff matters rcjiardint; moior vehicles investigated before the tarilf is revised nest session. The commission is purely a depailmenfiil one, and consists of the Comptroller of Customs, two of the officials 01 the Customs Department, and an official of tho Department of Industries and.Commerce. "Whilst we have confidence in these officials, we think such an investigation should have been made by a commission with wider interests than those selected. Attempt to Tinker. "ft seems inevitable that the point of view talien will be that of the Customs official, and if the report is to satisfy the public it .would have been better that other interests should have been represented. From proses appearances it looks as though the present is only another attempt to tinker with tho tariff, and is unlikely to give satisfaction to those, vitally interested. Wo think that tho time has yvivecl when tho whole tariff question .should be thoroughly investigated, and the intonlions of the Government declared. "Wo should know if the intention of tho Government is to protect still further industries which cannot ho built up under tho present tariff, or if the purpose is merely another turn of the screw to provide more revenue. A thorough investigation of tho whole position by a competent independent commission is badly needed at the present time."

" MERRY-GO-ROUNDS."

TRAFFIC CONTROL IN LONDON. DR. GIBSON'S OBSERVATIONS. Dr. F. G. Gibson, of Christchurcli, who lias ,iust returned from a trip to England, remembers the first car on the road in England—in 180 G. "They havo decided in London that the last of the horses must go," he told a representative of Tiie Pkess yesterday, "because it is they that cause the- traffic blocks. Tho one-way street and tho merry-go-round havo come to London to stay, and although the shopkeepers complain, they certainly are a splendid manner of traffic control." Tho pressman desired enlightenment regarding the merry-go-rounds. "Take Cathedral square, for instance," replied Dr. Gibson. "You have four entrances, from Colombo street and Worcester street, and traffic may enter and leavo the Square by any of those routes. By the merry-go-round system a car may only take a turn to the left, so that a car entering from tho Bank of New Zealand comer would have to travel right round the Squaro to leave b-y the west end of Worcester street. This preserves the one-way traffic, and prevents congestion. The police control in London is, as ever, wonderful, and at night the traffic signals are given by means of coloured lights worked by the police." Dr. Gibson added that the principal work appeared to be roadmaking in England. Evidently large sums of money had been raised by the motor tax and this was being expended in making huge arterial roads all over the country, and tlicso were a great advantage to motorists, although they somewhat spoil the beauty of tho countryside. Iu Notts where there were numbers of men on strike, some of the strikers had constituted themselves voluntary Automobile Association scouts. They stood by the side of the road and gave information, and they had banners with "Remember tho wives and children of the strikers."

"A CHEAP AND THOROUGH

CAR SERVICE SYSTEM." os Cd PER MONTH. The following service is given twice a month is chocked by an efficient card system, and under tho direct supervision of a first-class mechanic:— 1. Greasing all Shackle Bolts, Steering Parts and Brakes. 2. Oil Magneto, Dynamo, Starter, and all other parts requiring oil. 3. Examine Oil Level in EngiucJ Gear Box and Differential, and adding Oil if required. (This Oil is to bo charged extra.) 4. Testing Battery and adding Water if required. 5. Pumping up Tyres. The Oil required for Crankease, Gear Box and Differential housing will be charged for. The Grease and Oil used iu tho Grease Cups is included in tlic monthly charge of 5s Gd. A more comprehensive service is available on application. W. J. SCOTT, 100 Gloucester street. —7

Many cars arc fitted with a battery ignition system in which the distributor arm is removable. By removing this arm the car owner makes stealing his vehicle- possible only by towing it away or by fitting another distributing arm. The arm may be removed simply by unclasping the distributor cover to which tho wires are attached. It usually happens that there is only one way in which this arm will fit, so there need be no worry about replacing it.

CENTRAL OTAGO. I AN INTERESTING TRIP. i i RUN OF 1000 MILES. j A member o: the Canterbury Autonio- j ijile Association who recently traversed j 1000 .miles of country extendi!)? from I Cliristchiiieh to Otago Central and through Canterbury again has sent "Roadster'' the following particulars i of liis trip:— j Leaving Uhristchurch late ju the after. | uoou December :27th, we travelled over r fair roads til! within about two miles ' of Winchester township, where we came • to a Hooded road, where a car was , standing Ly the edge of' the water, j It was dark and as we did not know \ the depth of the water, and saw that ' the other car was not. attempting to j go through, we hesitated, but after I sonie little time the other car went ; on 'and moved about from side to side, j which we thought was to escape the I deep patches. We got safely through. . and on reaching dry land both cars ! naturally stopped and then we heard a j man shout "ijitop! Alon, stop!" which ', by the way, rse had already done, and ! then a man with a red face pushed his ' head over the side of the car with a ' bottle half full of whisky and asked j us to have a. drink for the sake of ' Auld Lang 'Syne, but a* we had a long ; road to travel over in the dark, we considered it advisable to abstain. River in Flood. On leaving Timaru next day we nr- : rived safely at Waimate (where the ; strawberries come from), and having : a -weakness for strawberries and cream we ordered some, but to no avail, as thcv had all been shipped a.way. \Yc ; hud decided to go through Kedclifi'. j Kurow, Oniarama, and Lindis I'ass to i Cromwell, but after crossing the Waihao Downs, we turned to the right at the i school house and'about two miles fur- j ther on encountered a Hooded liver and j returned (o the schoolhouse to make j enquiries as to the road. Wc were ad- , vised to go straight on, which we (lid, i and came across a flooded road with a j bridge at the end: we stopped on the bridge as on the Kedeliff side of it was I the same old Hooded river. After a while, a. good-hearted old farmer :ame along on horseback and advised us hot to go into the stream, as he had already with his horses pulled out. five cars, the last one being from Oamaru and owned by a resident there. It was a heavy ear and it took the farmer a considerable time to get it out. Water got into the engine of this | car. and it was necessary to get new I lubricating oil. and this good-hearted farmer lent his horse, went some dist- j r.nce along the road procured new oil ; and generally assisted in getting the j car moving again. This story is related , ou accouut of enquiries made as to j w'iv there was'so much old motoy ear oil" and dirt about thu wooden bridge. "Eowever," said the farmer, "alter 1 had pulled this man's care out of the water, obtained new oil tor. lam and lent him r-.gs and tools, he into Lis car and rode away, and never as much as said good-day.'or', thank .•■.you, but I know bis name and where he comes from, and if he gets stuck again, it will not be me that will pull him out." The farmer, I may say, did not take inonev for his services, but ho ] said "J did expect 'thank you. _ J After the above episode wc safely reached Oamaru. Dunedin to Invercargill. i Before entering Duuediu there are. several miles of good asphalt roads on | which the car glides along, and it makes j one thiuk of the contrast between the i asphalt stretch of road-and the mam highway between Dunsamlcl 1 and the Kakaia' bridge, which is rough and lull ] of potholes, and would" develop any do- , focts that might be latent in a car. \t Gore a littlo grease was required, and, strange as it may appear, grease in tubes as put up by some ot th. leadiu" linns, was not procurable, in fact, in two of the garages it was stated that such a thing as grease m tubes was not procurable m .New Zealand; this calls for attention from some of the wholesale firms who supply lubrication. . U Invercargill, although dry in weather and otherwise, the town was gay on Kew Tear's night. The Highland Band paraded the airy ■.tree s and many of the ™ lto /V nn the eats did the light fantast.c on the pavements. It was quite- common to see little bunches admiring the dancers. The Gorge road from Woodlands (where the good cheese comes iron, is very beautiful and is worth a wsit if anv motorist is in the district. It is possible to leave Invercargill one wav. go over the Gorge road and iej turn by the South. | Through the Central. From Gore to Tapanui the roads are undulating with a splendid surface and the scenery is fine. At Tapanui the accommodation is good, while at the back of the hotel there is ample room for cars. . , The roads from Tapanui to Lac a Junction have an excellent surface and are slightly hilly, while the scenery is ,r o od From Eac's Junction on to Kox-bur-b and Alexandra one encounters the mountain ranges, but the roads arc safe, and, with the exception of a loose patch here and there, are all that could be desired. Roxburgh, as everybody knows, is an old mining town, and now the centre

BY "ROADSTER."

of a fruit-growing district. A large placard was exhibit?'] that strawberries and cream, and fruit salad were available, and! after tea we decided to par- I take of the strawberries ami cream, but I were told that the strawberries were a!! gone, so w<? ordered fruit salad, and. strange as it may appear, when it was placed on the table, we fouud that i: comprised tinned fruit from California. Imagine one's surprise. The road from Jtoxburgh is again ov-'-r the ranges, anil the scenery is absolutely magnificent, as you are travelling along over practically the tops of riie mountains, which are barren, and the great rocks and cliffs stand in silent grandeur. Alexandra is an old mining town with some modern buildings here and j there. It is. interesting, and the view from the bridge across fhe -Molyneus is very fine. The load to Clyde ; s [ practically level and passes through a i number of old mining claims. I It was stated that the Dunstan Hotel at Clyde stood on a mining claim, and j that there was enough gold under the i hotel to build one twice the size. Me | this true or otherwise, it. would not |,e j advisable to take the hotel away .-.» ) the chance of getting the gold. ! Deserted. Huts. | From Clyde to Cromwell ti:e road is { practically level with an excellent sur- i face and runs along by the railway line. On the banks of the river at, Cromwell, j there are dozens of miner's old huts j deserted and falling. Tn two or three j instances we noticed that the beds and ; bedding in I lie huts were still there j with tin- old cooking utensils, just as j they had been left years and years ago; I there is also a lot of old mining ma- j chinery rusting away. The scene is j very fine, but at the same lime sad. j Clyde appears to be a prosperous town, j and is the last of any size before Qneenstown is reached. I " A few miles from Clyde on the re- [ turn, by turning to the right, the small j township of Ophir is reached; this also ! at one time was a prosperous mining ( district. From Ophir there are two roads, over the Downs or through Becks. After leaving Becks and Lauder you turn to the left and enter Cambrian, an old Welsh settlement. Most of the houses are small but scrupulously clean and white-washed, and most of Hie people go by the name of -Morgan, AV'organ, or .lones. I A few miles further on you come to St. Balkan's, which was at one time u prosperous township, and although quite small it is said that there were upwards of twenty hotels and two slygrog shops in this township, and that, the miners paid for their light refreshments not with coin, but with thimbles full of gold. There are many old ruins about the township, and it is quite interesting to listen to the anecdotes and verbal historv handed down of the various old buildings and the people who lived in them. Here may be seen tin; remains of an old stone shanty where Micro used to live an old fiddler, who. for a little gold out of thimbles or otherwise, would play, his fiddle .at marriages, wakes, or other festivities in the township. A new company has been formed and gold mining is now being pushed forward with up-to-date sluicing machinery. The water pressure is hi<rh and the water is brought down a Separate pipe the used water is drawn on one side,for sluicing, and through up out of the claim, and emptied-simply .through the pre'saUro of the supply, without the use of pumps or any revolving mechanical appliances. . Old Mining Claims. From St. iiatban's the road is good on to Xaseby, which township is situated in a valley and is very pretty. There are miles and miles of old mining claims at. the back of the township, where, at the present moment four men arc still working, two with pick and shovels and two sluicing. The hotel accommodation is very, fair, the back portion of the hostelry where we stayed, being built of the old-fashioned sun dried bricks. The front portion, ot course, is new. This is a very ■ interesting town, and although oil the beaten track, is worth a visit. There is a direct road between Naseby and Duntroon, but the Kyeburn river has to be crossed four times, and it I was in flood, therefor* the return journey was made 'through Paimerston. The road from Xaseby to the main highway to Paimerston is narrow, but as there are paddocks on each side, there is ample room for cars to pass. Motorists or other interested in goldmining in the early days and primitive methods adopted, and hardships ■endured by the early seekers of the precious metal, could, not do better than visit these once prosperous districts, and Msten to the various accounts of the incidents that occurred in the early d: 'S of gold-mining in Xew Zealand. Central Otago is noted for its fruit growing, and mauy magnificent orchards are seen from the roadway, but strange as it may appear, fruit is not offered for sale; there are no notice boards erected stating that fruit is for sale such as we see on the roads in Canterbury, and, furthor, it was not noticed that' there was any fruit exhibited for sale in the various townships passed through. As this condition was somewhat disappointiug, enquiries were made from a high official, and an authority who contended that it was almost impossible to procure fruit before it had passed through the markets, lu one little shop wc saw a few cherries for sale at L's per pound, and we found out that they were picked from trees in the shopkeeper's own garden, whereas, the same fruit in Oamaru and Timaru was cheaper. This condition reminds one of an agreement that existed very many years ago with regard to sugar, lu TJemerara, British Guiana, the retail cost of sugar was 3d per )b ; whereas in London it was three half-pence. This matter was eventually looked into, and it is understood that freight and other charges are now not imposed on sugar that does not leave the district where the cane is grown. It appears that in Xorth> Canterbury apples and other fruit are sold at the orchards less freight and marketing charges, from which the hardy Celts iu the South might take a lesson. Otago, being a mining province, the demand for gold might be keener than on the balmy plains of agricultural Canterbury.

That warning about keeping the. speed of the new car below io' miles iin hour for the iirst 500 to 1000 miles also means that in second gear the speed should not exceed 35. If the driver runs fast in "second" he might just as well disregard the warning and take a change on having the engine "freeze up." Do not run a new engine or one that has just been overhauled at a high speed for at least 500 miles. The friction of the moving parts creates heat which expands the metal and frequently causes damage difficult and expensive to repair.

In chaugculdi; weather. take "NAZOL." on sugar or by inhalation. Surest safeguard "gainst chills. A. dose a day keeps cold atvay. Sixty doses Is Cd. —1