MOTORING

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20179, 6 March 1931, Page 8

MOTORING

" Roadster" incites articles aift. paragraphs of interest to motorists for this page. • NOTES. Known as the best appointed camp in -the. Dominion, , the Show, Groundat Addington has been very well patronised during - the present season, and has been the means of adding considerably 1 o the revenue of the Canterbury .Agricultural and Pastoral Association." The secretary of that body (Mr M. E. Lyons) told "Roadster" yesterday that sine© the beginning of December the average number of parties in camp has been six or seven. In a number of cases those making, use of the facilities have volunteered the information that .they have travelled throughout their annual holidays without putting up at hotels or accommodation, houses, finding everything they required at camps. One of the remits to be dealt with at the half-yearly meeting of the South Island Motor Union at Christchurch on March 27th is from the ISelson Automobile Association to the effect that representations be made with a view to amending the existing law so ; that in addition to the rear light reqtrired to be carried by cars and motor-cycles, the rear mudguard of cycles'- .and ■ motor-cycles be painted white for nine inches from their rear extremity .and the off rearguard of painted in soma suitable manner to achieve the same effect. Some time ago it was announced that the road from Chaney's Corner to the new bridge over? the Waimakariri .river - would not be paved in conformity with the Main. North road until it had had sufficient time to consolidate. That time has . now elapsed, but it ; appears that the work is not to be undertaken for some time yet, owing ,to a hitch , having occurred between' the Waimairi County Council and -the Main Highways Hoard. It is reported that the Board has offered a subsidy of £3 for £l, the offer being declined # by the local body, which is of ; opinion that the Bubsidy is not big enough. Motorists are hoping that the difference will soon be settled, aa the mile and a quarter stretch of road'referred to is quite the . worst on the_ highway in closa proximity to the City. Even it the ' work is taken m hand shortly K will not, however, be practicable to pave the ramps giving approach to both sides of,the bridge, as some further time jnflsfc be allowod to enable, these to -be" made ready to carry a paved surface. i. ■

The completion- of the work of paving Marshland road is proving a boon to motorists, who prefer that route to the Main North road for ths reason that it provides them with the oppor-; tunity of avoiding tram , traffic, "wnion. is a great inconvenience to those who ! dre in hurry, In order that the junction of two' roads at Ohaneys fjopnet may:briW*Te&,the District. "Public Works iteginee* <Mr F. W. Mtigbeip) Present, .engaged-, m ' prepmnfo plans" for %he,construction of roadway, properly super-eleva-;te&. This; frill all probability mean makariri crossing the old rouie to Kaiapoi, it has been necrasair to ma*e a wide detour to get to ClarkviHe. To thi? a . new road is being constructed from the north, side ofjtho new bridge. The formation lias 'been completed and at present shingle >s lfciria put down. The new route should be open for traffic. ' ;One of the most pleasant runs'from Ohristchurch on a week-end is to Ashley 66rge; situated about forty mil«» ifrtSmihe City. l It may be of jrputes, but the one which ispy be reoonimended is by ;way ot BanKiora. Loburn, and Glentui, which 'if f not tha , shortest run 'is certainly =ti4 most iotereßttog. A shorter route iialblfit»aßK.Ou?t, but the journey may even shorter- by taking the road, which runs a mileor Jjw° to the .of,' thsfe referred -to, Otoose whq Mmf) a roilnd trip are advised to inßweed fr<toi'Cbristcnuircb via Sheffield SSißVaMr'-"/the- Waimakariri Gorge itndko.'"retttirnips by -the road first " A «fo fl y Gorge is one, of StfgjKfeanty spots of Canterbury and is lislutape# Tiritfca paritin# place f<?r cars, : ./ On • is, the *tenifazvow of

iTheold. fbtty "about a national motor starred in Japan rounds again.' 1 ' This ton® stated tlie Government is hi}u|r to find an annual subsidy of, five and that a |ffldu<fi4on ""of -1000 cars per annum ffo eA &t- ---& 4'atwtic'al review/* the. United :mo&r industry, published in Automobile :Trade Journal,',' ot shown m the nine - September . Afth» there was® drop .'of 88 per cent. >a car "production and of S3 per cent. p?«>dtjiciiQn. Retail can sales japped &4 per cent, „ fp Jfr .thatch* motor dealers ? #f iJJorjvay, getting alarmed at the .jiunjber 'of "second-hand cars being _ imported intj> that country, hare decided to" ask'the government to take meas-qjras-tQ eiwtiwt-fchat incoming used cars ;W*y-fluty apdbrding to their real value.jSoipjjone id going to have a trying k\' ,*•* 1 J '' ' }. There are 4,700,000 worker® depend>entr upon* motor .transportation for livelihood iti the United States; Glased cars comprised, 89.4 pfer cent, of -thoAmerican motor-car output in 1929; according to computation by the Califpcpnia ;&.tyfconiqbile Association. j/J .ihe pblice of Detroit, are paging a war against smoking exhausts, owing to-the fact that other drivers are tempp£priij£ by clouds of exhaust . Bonfires of old cars anij tyres are ■eijjte usual in the United States, but I the first of the lirad in, England was 'h&ld soniej nights ago at Moseley, BirThe -bonfire jyaa -40 feet ? J yf L H ' v, j t America lias now v one of the longest ihighways in tho world* It runs (from fFojrfc Kent on the Canadian border to Miami, Florida,- a distance of "mately/2500 miles, of whiteh only 22 miles are unpaVed.

By "ROA&STEaL"

WITH TENT AND MOTOR. holidaying in nelson DISTRICT. SPLENDID CAMPING FOR EASTER [By Tbxp-] (All Bights Reserved.) . * . Evaders: who intend going motor-camping at Easter, rnd who . want information regarding roads, camping places, et«., are advised to write at once to Trip, P.O. Box 1178, Wellington. Qumea will be angered in rotation. A atamped addressed envelope must be enclosed. _ If itinerant are given these will be criticised along con-, structive lines, and alternatives suggested. Thq town of Nelson, peacefully situated in. the heart of a . fruit and seedgrowing district, . and favoured- by .'a delightful climate, is often given .the title of "Sleepy Hollow," largely-be-cause it is rather in a backwater because of its situation. Perhaps there are many who would delight in a quiet holiday if the attractions of this district were better known. Actually it is a camper's paradise, because, even at the height of the holiday seasons at Christmas and Easter, there is never a vast influx of campers such as occurs at the recognised tourist resorts. Although they are but little known, Nelson district has scenic beauties which rival many of those that are popular in other districts, and it gan provide all that anyone wants in the way of swimming, fishing, and deer stalking. The panorama which greets the motorist from the vantage points on the Takaka Hills is not to be surpassed by anything of its kind elsewhere in New Zealand, and the district has the added advantage of being within a day>'s run of either Christchurch or > the North Island. • (Special facilities exist for handling cars quickly on -boats from the North Island, and a concession is given on the freight rate for the return journey* Freight rates are high though, and deter many motorists from inter-island • travel).

Ficton and Nelsbn. Picton is the starting point for North (Island motorists, and for those who are prepared "to tackle the road via tho Grove. This road, which skirts through ' the-biish,-runs along the hillside, above Queen. Charlotte Sound, and if it hasn't vb6en improved since I went over it, two ; years ago, -it is pretty ■ difficult driving.. .It" is notmetalled until you get into the vMahakipawa valley, close to Havelock, land there are a good many nasty dips rand unbiidged creeks :to cross. You»have to; go slowly, but if your car is not'too; big. it is a wobderful and worth--while'46nrney. Alternatively you would " gtf and by the ordinary road to Nelson, camping near the Pelorus bridge, if you wished to do so. There are., certain/ places on the ' GroVe road, and a day 'or so» spent camping there would give you the benefit of - So^ a -;!L? - 3 Nelson, which contains Institute and Nelson College,.oan well lay claim to be a solid educational centre Those who are interested in old china should see the' collection, at. the Cawthron : .lnstitute, while lovers of art will enjoy the Sadler Art Gallery. Two camping grounds are available; in Nelson, and for those with time to spare there are numerous short runs which can be made.. Motueka and Oollingwood. "Unless annual leave is being taken at this time/most motorists who make a

journey such as this at Easter liavo very limited -timo- —jiot more than . a week at most, so' thoy will naturally want to waste 1 as 1 little tinio as possible in the towns, and see everything they possibly can of the countryside. A run which enables them to do this, and to see-a varied range of scenery and coastline, besides taking them through the heart of the fruitgrowing country which has made the district famous, is that from Nelson to Collingwood. This journey" ' can be carried further, practically to Cape Farewell, which is about 30 miles,past Collingwood, but as the writer has not'been on that final stage, he not deal with it. , The~r,oad from Nelson to Collingwood runs through Takaka, at which point it will be advisable to camp. It traverses leVel country for a start, taking you out through fruit-growing land, and then up over the Moutere hills where many deserted orchards tell the tale of over-rapid expansion of apple-growing. At' first it was thought .that all this land • was capable of bearing crops equally as good as those secured near IfnliMi" fcafcei.iME- itni'tfUi'dsiite

it was clear that this was not so, the Results being apparent to-day. The road pasßes through Motueka and Riwaka, still traversing fruit-growing/ country, and then takes you up over the Takaka hills. There is a ten mile pull over the hill, but the road is good and by pulling up at, various stages of. the run you get some magnificent views of the ■flat fruit-growing lands outspread : be* neath. The view from the summit, with the Eiwaka valley in the foreground, and the silvery curves of Tasman Bay as a background, is wonderful.

In the Marble Country. By camping at Takaka you are within easy reach of the Pupu springs, where millions of gallons of crystal-clear, water bubble up- from* the ground every, day. In appearance "they are not dissimilar from the. Hamurana springs, reached from Lake BotoTua, in the North Island. On private land a few miles •from the. township are the Rawhiti; caves similar in formation to the Waitomo 'caves, "buton a much less grand scale. Arrangements can usually. be made for the owner of the property to guide you through them. There are also several splendid beaches within easy distance of the village. Takaka is in; the heart of the marble country, an before and after you reach there you will ;see many evidences of the extensive metallic deposits which occur throughout this part of the Nelson district. From Takaka - onwards; you hive a run close to the coasJv and see many delightful sweeps of sea; and beach, until you com 6 close toCollingwood, when the rugged character of the land changes,, and you* come once again to fruit-growing'country, interspersed with crops such as barley and oats. From Collingwood you can make -on to Cape Farewell if you have thetime and inclination, and I understand , that tho road is quite a good . one. A great advantage of a holiday in this district is that it can be ...taken in a fairly short period. It. would: be possible to do the journey outlined above, and even go dn to Cape Farewell in six days from either Christchur'ch or Wellington, provided you were willing to make fairly long distances, especially on the return journey. It is really an ideal holiday for a fortnight, and if you had the time you would enjoy swimming Sand possibly boating in the Sounds, besides seeing much more of' the beauties of the Nelson district. A settled and sunny climate, especially at this; of the year, makes a camping tour of the Nelson district specially appealing.

NEW AUSTIN CAR. SIX-CYLINDER SALOON FOR £l9B. (ntox OVI own COBBISrOHDIMT.) LONDON, January 29. • It was announced last week at a, luncheon at Longbridge Works, Birmingham, that the Austin Motor Company, Limited, are bringing out a- si*-' cylinder* saloon car at the price of £l9B. The new car 5a a roomy fourseater, the design of which embodies several "new'features. It is stated to .be • Capable of doing 55 miles an hour and to maintain with ease a cruising speed "of TJiere are three forward speeds and reverse; the change speed, lever of ball type is centrally aUudted; ing brakes operato on all four wheels, 'either by' tho fojft A new type of carburettor is fitted,, supplied from a tank at the rear by a j petrol pump. The equipment' includes ( safety glass ana chromium plating. The total weight is 19Jcwt. The R.A.C. rating- of the engine is 13.956 horse-power, and the tax £l4. .•■■■■ _ Speaking at the Sir Herbert Austin said that; the car had'been tested on hills and rough surfaces m Wales and had given every satisfaction. Be could not say how many cars they would be turning out weekly .during the next three months, but

by the end of February he hoped the new cat would in satisfactory production. The enterprise „ Was likely to result in a considerable increase in employment at the Longbridge Works. •

The number of men employed in England on works of improvement and now construction on classified roads and bridges, excluding those on of /maintenance, repair, and reconstruction, is approximately 21,500. Skilled Scottish engineers, who have had years of. experience with American motor firms, are returning to England owing to the intense trade depression through which the United States is passing. They believe that Britain within a year will experience a great trade revival. A .puncture alarm, providing the driver with a signal on the dashboard • wljichi operates instantaneously in cases of "bursts, punctures,- or where the correct pressure in any tyre should fall "below tiormal, wa? recently' invented by a Sunderland, Englaiid, iaa«, ifc A. G. Skald* ....

PRE-SELECTIVE GEARS. driving made easy, new principle demonstrated No longer is it necessary {or a beginner to learn how to manipulate a g ear lever on a car, no longer will it be possible to put a car into reverse when it is intended to go forward in second, and no longer will a driver be able to advertise his clumsiness to those nearby by a crashing of gearsall these bugbears of motordom have been abolished by the) ArmstrongSiddeley Company's pre-selective gear principle, with which some of ,j;heir cars are now equipped. The pre-selective gear dial is placed on the steering-wheel beside the horn, so that it is constantly visible .to the driver. After he has started the engine by the use of a starting button, the gear indicator having been placed in neutral, the indicator is then removed to the low gear position. The car will , not move, however, until the ciutchl pgdali is:depressed, and the footlifted from' it. im exactly tho same/ way; as on ordinary, cars operated by a gear lever. Now that the car is. trav-' elling in low gear and it is desired to ' go faster,, the indicator is-removed to-; the second, gear position, , and the clutch pedal operated as previously described.

Obviating Accidents. 1 "When the car is travelling in top gear and it is desired get down to ''normal" (for use in traffic) the indicator may ..be brought back to . the latter speed for the purpose of turning round-.a but the clutch need not be used until, the corner, is actually 'reached. Agaid, if it is intended to climb a hill, the driver while travelling, in top may put the indicator at 6econd but he need not change down to this speed until the car shows signs of labouring. This is a feature which will be appreciated by those nervous drivers who fear to drive in hilly country in case they are unable to change down. Many Occidents have j occurred through failure to do this, with the result that the cars concerned have got completely out of control and gone backwards over a bank. Another great advantage possessed by nuch cars is that the change of gears \is always silent. • v Appeal to Women. There is no doubt that cars equipped with pre-selective gears will have a big appeal to woYnen as it makes driving so simple, and, as stated before, it obviates the need for knowledge of where to place a lever to-obtain, the speeds required. The only point of difference in regard" to the operation of the clutch pedal is that, whereas in a car with a gear lever it is necessary to throw the clutch out before changing gears, in the i new Armstrong-Sid-deley cars the clutch is thrown tiut after the gear is selected. The system is so effective that,"when;the indicator, is set at reverse while going forward, the car soon comes to a gentle stop and then goes backwards. It is not, however, , recommended reversing, should be carried _ out by such means, i the better way being first to bring the I car to a stop. "Roadster" was : given-, a. demonstra--tion-df the principle a;,£ew days ago and on taking the wheel found that all that had been claimed for- the new idea was correct. It is not surprising twinoipld has adapted, to such high-priced cars as the Rollsever, it is obtainable in a six-cylinder foiir-door .sedan car selling in. New Zealand at under. £400..- It will, be a. matter for surprise, if the .principle, not ultimately adopted'to! all makes of car, so easy does it make driving.'I 4 —■— l "■ v-J ' ' •. ■ 1 ■i.'.n' Efc'."* ■. ...... According to, a speech by a leadingtyre executive, in, Ohio, there will be a tyre shortage in the Unised. States next spring. He says, therearo now 2,000,000 fewer tyrei in stock - than there were a year ago.

FOR PASSENGERS. POINTS WORTH REMEMBERING. " No small proportion of passengers appear to need a few hints and tips on the subject of motoring. They ought to for one thing/that the safety of the car tmd its progress depend to same i slight - extent upon them and "their behaviour. * "For example, if they commence or con-' tinue to talk to the driver while he is anticipating or 'negotiating i a difficult i situation they will probably prevent him ■ from concentrating upon the*" driving i control of the car. Very few people" • can think of two things at once, and ] unless the individual" driver is able to i steer, use the brakes; and do every thing ieariwer

! tiyeJy, his jiit ep.ti<3tft„ uponJiUucluty maybe diverted at a critical moment. , ''Don't-/talk to. the -at i the wheel*''ought to be by car passengers,»-thg^d^r J»> jf to ■' ' Then, fche driver's the front seat Bhould give -him aa i much elbow roomyas possible. So many front passengers „ positively lean

on his left' arm,' a distinctly dangerous practice, and if a corner or rough stretch of road is being negotiated they positively lunge against him.- They should keep clear, and, when-a left-hand corner is being taken they should brace themselves to avoid" being "thrown", towards the driver by centrifugal force. Another thing, passengers should speak clearly—speak up—when addressing the driver. Whei\ his > companion speaks in a half-whisper,' or, with his or her head half turned to the left, a driver is prone: tp incline-his v head to and to take -his eyes off the road -a§ ,well. •• Some of the failings of passengers suggested above may be due to~ nervousmess. There are'some who barely, speak a word under ordinary conditions, buV as soon as any obviously awkward situation arises they commence to chatter; alternatively,. some , will sit .tight nor : mally against the left side of the front seat, but when emergency looms ahead they lean towards or against, the' driver, as though, seeking his-protection. I,—#.

NEW TYPE OF ■ ' - .VEffl€liEi^li« ROADAND BAIL TRAFFIC. ; #p ■; i-vhs* THE **RO*RAILER." the rails Jmd also on /the jroada hjwljeen* sa» The new hcvcr, sccois but an. ordinary road motor-coach of the orie-jScck type. Closer, inspection tw, in addition fa the outside pnou^ti^^ed' - the' xoaish ,1 are mounted on occenlryss^ fitted to an ■ Tail wheel*, m<Mer, and arc clear of tfce to»3- " , The ''ro-railcr" is the -combine in. one. and 'chcfep -operating* age, together.' with \ the '■ traniporc of the road vohielfi. "Oft, ran' be changed frojn road to versa at any place where a road-o& yard, adjoins tie railway. ■ urnl other than that incorporate! u, the design of the vehiele_* ia Vequir ejl/, except ihat l at - the dpoin# of c tho ground must, for a distance of a Jew yards, be of the top Of the > flails. & h or applicable to practically any'type of motor vehiclp, eithfir pw&jier <xr { goods, and J&;tr®iitors\ tors. The new vehicle';has 1 bfien' ' signed for use on braneh lines generally, and, in particular, on linos whore towns and villages 'ate -dls- " tapt from tho railway-;/ i «red that tho ''ro-rail6r'\irtay-provcr of " USE OF B^AKES. HORN-SOUNDING, pendente vice, - and Aibf'^origfeafe states tho >Bociation This observation applies novice drivers and those of-tiomg-'vx-perienoe, strangely.Enough.,;Th«?iom should; aot r be/depended or' ln gency. _While it is often helpful in avoiding .accidents, it should never be used* of 'the w»y..at ihe..-A. pereoff 'navy- awl 1 even > v if hj& 'does, may ijump "into your path instead; ofjtafcof if. . ,? , 1 The, horn ( uj fane pf the most abused adjuncts of motoring. Far too many motorists, drive on J x ihorn,^tHinki l ig by somf - strange, jfcooasa, .thai fwon-' tinual horn-sounding compensates "for high speedy and£ poor brftlcea, and 1 yeilds immunity from accidenL. All the warning -> devices in the world jrill not give &<rj&anx the right' of way, at an intersection if jbhat righff.of Way belonga- .to another driver> „The» bylaw expects, the., horn to be sounded at the - approach tQ^aiv 1 intersection, but that action mean that the speed approaching \or section spall be , excessive. , There ■&' absolutely ."no necessity for eotuidiiigi« "horn raucously for seconds on end when -near an -Intersection. Do -not overdo the .use,-of,the~horni do,not. blast -yonr wayVthroogb traffic,, arid' .travel at a. speed that ia safe t travel as if vour car had no horn at all. Good drivers areknown. by their/ua® m IN wtmb&toftor, < «\.V? V?