MOTORS AND MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2175, 13 June 1914, Page 10

MOTORS AND MOTORING

[BY Cwjich.]

Unllghtetl Veh'clos. Motorists have verj; good ground for complaint at the Jaxity oi inauy local bodies in enforcing their lighting-up bylaws. On Saturday last tho writer motored through to i'almerston, covering tho stretch from Manakau 1o Palmerston after dark. A larm number of horse-drawn vehicles and bicycles were passed going in and out of the various townships, and it was quite the exception for them to be lighted. Although it was bright moonlight during most of the run it was frequently difficult to see the traps against dark backgrounds until right on top of them. Tho secretary of the ilawke's Bay Automobile Association, Mr. C. F. Iletlcy, in a letter on the subject, points out that in many districts There are no by-laws at all regulating this matter, and adds: "In our own district we find that the Town Board, which has control of tho main road for a distance of three to four miles, has not passed and does not seem disposed to pass any by-law oil the subject. The result is that on this particular road there is a constant .stream of .vehicles of all descriptions at night without any lights whatever. The road in question is one which runs from N'apier through Taradale into tho country, and the traffic on it is very large." Af tho meeting of the association last week it was stated thai as many as fifty unlighted vehicles were counted on tho Taradale l'oad on ono evening. A national law for tho lighting of vehicles is an absolute necessity with motor traffic increasing as it is doing now, and what is more some adequate means of enforcing the law- is badly needed. As Mr. Hetley points out in his letter, the Automobile Associations are finding that there is not a sufficient number of polico in many of tho districts to enablo a constable to be spared for the work.

Level Crossings Danger. The Railway Department is leaving the level-crossing problem very much whore it was, despite its new regulations and proposed notice boards. Many of tho crossings could be made very much'safer than they are at present at comparatively small cost. Tho crossing on tho main road between Puekaknriki and I'araparaumu is a case in point. For motorists coming south this is as safe a crossing as could he found anywhere, as there is a wide view of" stretches of the line on both sides. Going north, the'position is different, tho road approaches at a lower'level than the railway and climbs up sharply over the line. From an ordinarily low ear it is impossible to see what trains may be coming south. Hero the whole difficulty would be solved by slightly raising the-road and giving a level run on to the line. Similar instances can be found anywhere of crossings that could easily bi> improved. It would bo an excellent move if the various automobile associations and motor-cycl-ing clubs would go over the crossings in their districts, and tlien unite in making joint representations for improvement.

State of the Roads. The main road from 'Wellington to l'almerston is generally in good going order, but there are many long strctciics of new metal between Waikanae and Oliati. fho metal is, however, being rapidly worn down, and cars which track the full cart width arc ablo to clear a lot of it that narrow track light cars have to plough through. So far as the surface of the Toads is concerned there is little to chose between the Lcvin-Foxton-Palmereton road and the route via Shannon and Linton. The Shannon road is, of course, the shorter but by way of .Voxton one escapes the numerous switchback hills.

The small stream.'on the city side of Paraparaumu has been bridged, and there are now only two water-splashes on the run to l'almerston. Nelson motorists have just collected £25 to bridge Oldham's Creek on the Blenheim Road, and if some one would pass round the hat in Wellington no doubt enough could'soon lie raised-to put culverts over the two streams remaining on the l'almerston Hoad.

The Bulls-Greatford road is stated by Mr. Tiioms, the Rangitikei County overseer, to have been much knocked about during tls wet weather by motor traffic, and is to be scarified and rolled.

The Timikina-Wangachu road has been badly cut up by traffic and is also to be scarified and rolled.

The Uangitikei County . Council is taking steps to have gorse hedges and trees obstructing the view at bends and corners of the roads cut back.'

The stormy weather experienced in •the Pongaroa district during the past few weeks causcd considerable damage to the roads in the Akitio County, principally owing to land slips. The Clifton County Council has raised tin rates at the toll-gate between Waitara and Urcnui. Tho scalo is as follows:—Private car, under 20 b.p., 2s. Jd.; over 20 li.n., 55.; all cars for hire, any h.p., os.; bicycle, CJd.; motor-cycle, 9d.; motor-cycle with side-car, Is.; motor lorry, up to 3 tons, 55.; traction engine, up to 12 tons, £1; up to 8 tons, 255.; each trailer, 10s.; traction engine for threshing and plant, £1. Tho'five miles of road up to the foot of Mount Messenger is now up to tlie axles in mud, and is' said to be the worst stretch between Waitara and Awakiuo.

During May about a mile of tho main road in Patea County was metalled as follows:—Moumaliaki, 9 chains; borough boundary, 22 chains; Fainvoather's Hill, 81 chains; opposite Sir A. Powdrell's,' 291 chains. The Patea hill has also, been patched with metal taken from tho bridge, and Waitotara hill with shell rock. The metal has been removed from the deck of tho'Patea bridge. Views on the Union Schedule. The proposals of tho Automobile Union lor tho taxation of motors seem to meet with very, general approval. Not many motorists have gone into tho difference between a taxation on weight and one on horse-power as prevails in England. Tho light American cars, so much in vogue in New Zealand, aro hit hard by the schedule, and a little American two-seater will often pay half as big a tax again as a big (i vesoated English touring car. There can be no doubt that the heavier car is trio one. which knocks tho road about tho most. Tho Union in drafting its schedule did not anticipates tho cyclccar—or in its later development tho light carboom, and its scale begins: "Motors not exceeding IScwt., £1 10s." It is contended, and justly, that the little Bcwt. and Ocwt. runabouts now to be seen about the roads should come in at a lower rate, say, "Motors not exceeding lOcwt., £1." These cars are to light that they do little damage to a road.

Another suggestion in that provision should bo made for the endorsement of 'tho. annual licenses issued to drivers. The English Act provides that every conviction under the Act shall he endorsed on the license. This does not apply to a tirst or second offence consisting solely of exceeding any speed limit fixed under, the Act. The Court way also suspend a license for any term it, thinks lit, or disqualify ft person for obtaining a, renewal of a license 011 its expiration. Tim licenses must be produced when demanded by n. police constable. As in other countries, there is in New Zealand a small minority <.f drivers who need In bo brought up with :t. round turn and prevented from bringing motorists generally into disrepute.

Taxation in America. An insight into tho stato cf the motor-laws in America was given in a recent issue of the K«tr York "Post" reviewinp: tho season's legislation in tho various States. Massachusetts, New York, and Rhodes Island iiavo just adopted laws repairing fights on all vehicles at night. Maryland has prohibited speeds exceeding 85 miles an hour, and limits trucks, weighing .four to eight tons with load to 15 mii'®., chose over eight t«® to 12 fiviles, and traction engines to sis miles. Virginia lias' prohibited, the fitting of trucks, tractors, or traction engines with cleats or lugs tliat will do injury to roads treated with bitumen or other tinder. A number of nesv taxation laws were passed. Kentucky has fixed registration fees for motor-cyeles at five dollars, cars of 23-horse-potrev and less, sis dollars, of 25 to 50-hofsn-jwwer, it dollars, and of more than 50-horse-porer, 2(1 dollars. An Ohio law provides a. fee of t«ro .dollars for motor-cycles, three dollars for electric vehicles, five dollars for all other motor' vehicles, and twenty dollars for dealer's licenses. Chauffeurs must be examined and pay owe dollar for registration. .Mississippi fixed the rates, at which motor vehicles are permitted to uso the roads as follows:— • 2,-iQ dollars; electric vehicles, 4.8(1 dollars; commercial vehicles up to WOO pounds capacity, 8.40 dollars, and exceeding this capacity, 16.80 dollars; all Sther motor vehicles, 3f> colli® per horsepower. The funds go far road improvement and ropair. A flat fee of two dollars is required for registration and number tag. Motors for Farmers;. So far as weight or type of machine is concerned, thero is no genuine "farm automobile." Thus writes Mr. Dennis Stovall, a practical farmer, in the "-Manitoba" Free Press." He adds thai personally ho has tried three types. First the lifctlo runahowt, then a heavy •10 h.p. machine, and finally a' light live* seater. All had their advantages and disadvantages. Mr. Stovall continues: "So, after having tried mtt tho three types of cars on the farm, the writer would still be unable to sa.y ttai any weight or size uf machine is bast adapted to tho country. He does believe-, however, that the manufacturers will b.) led to make, amojia; their numerous models, a certain typo of car for the farmer. Not a few of them are already doing this. Such a ear will not differ from the city machines oxiept in the style of its body. As has been pointed out, the particular work that tho farmer has to do necessarily requires, a different form of body from that asttally employed in cross-coufvtiy . travel. Bather than having tvws hedi4 or beds for his "machine, there will be oho which, with a small amount of effort, can be changed from a touring to a geasrai utility form. hen a farftuir is taking a load of produce to town ho cfoes not mind if his car looks liks a truck or n wood wagon, but wli.cn lie makes k pleasure trip, or goes with his family to church, ho prefers to have his ear look as up-to-date in form and line as the best of them. jSo the problem, after all, remains more with the body Maker than with tho mechanic,";

Motor-cycling Notes, The motor-cycling clubs tvhicii took part in the Palmorstoii Conference last baturday aro to be GQJigi'atulatfl.d ou ■ the successful result of their laljotrcs. . Much work, however, remains to ije done before the- Auttt-cscie Union of New Zealand (North TsJard) is mi itsfeet, and doubtless tlio npw body will. have to go warily for a- wljil© until the various clubs settle clown to the new conditions and tlio many benefits' m • union are fully appreciated? Tlio respective scope of the union and the clubs,is a matter that is wtftli yoing into carefully, as ivitacss the bittor dispute that has adis-oit ki New : South Wales through it de'icctivo understanding on this point. The r.cy Morning Herald," in writing v of tlio position thoro last Week, said] "'There is some doubt as'to whether the Auto-cycle Association of South Wales, in appropriating the holiday i dates at Easter and Christmas time l'rn:>-: < tlio Sydney and Now South Wales! Clubs, respectively, is acting within the powers ordained by its cqusiiuitioa. The j association was formed,' it is mcier-, stood, to govern the sport ji-i the State, and not to take up the stand -of a pro- i motor. _ However, there is, it appears, a i clause in the constitution whkji implies that the association shall' tafe any o.c- i tion -which is considered jmimcj in the best interests of the spurt, and if it * can be reasonably shown that the holding of the inter-State trials by the gov-. crning body is for tlio betterment of the sport generally, then the assoeia-' tion is undoubtedly acting well within : its rights." The inter-State trials ate old-stand' ing fixtures and the Victorian Clab, as well as the New South Wales, was om objecting most strongly to tfeb association taking them over. The "Herald" holds that it is in the best interests of the sport that the A.C.A. should take over control of the trials, and sno-st onlookers will agree that the competitions will have more interest if con t rolled bv the governing body than if they remain purely inter-club fixtures. All'tlio friction would probably have been saved by a clearer understanding at- the start. ' Although the A.C.U. ooiiatittrtimi has to bo finally drafted, the putforward at Palmerston nppi&r to cover the ground pretty thoroughly and" provide that all racing, etc.,' shall k- entirely under the control of tlio A.C.U. and not the clubs. 'I he position of the movement now is that the delegates will probably meet about September when the constitution will be finally officers elected, and the A.C.U. come inta active esistl ence. • The Wellington 'Motor-evcling CM* continues to flourish. At 'ifesuay night's meeting of tlio committee «o fewer than eighteeri new meiivb-MS were elected. first place in the North Caiit-e! burv Llub s reliabdity trial has been awarded to H. Jones (6-8 h.p. King), with "full marks. A. B. L. Smith (3*6 hp. (%«.,) was second, with 909 ma,rfc-s,. «it of ;i possible thousand. 'ITio tmj was t<j Akaroa, via Sumner, Todu'mgi<a\ T'riiuii, Port Levy, I'igeon Bay to -Summit Read-', thence to Duvauchello and' Akaroa. a.ml returning to Christchurch, via " Tai Tapu. Road hnnrovemont Work. Tlio roading proolem was disetwsed at the Clifton County Council mooting jastweek, and tlio Taranaki "News' 5 reports that during tlio course of the dfeeossion Councillor Elliott referred to a psese of the main road from Wait a re to Urenui, which had been laid down with gravel twenty-eight years ago, awl lia.d only been re-coated once. Broken beads metal with the same traffe had' only lasted lour or five years.' The groat benefit, derived by treating read siM-faccs with a preparation nf tar war. also touch, ed'on, and a suggestion was matte by the saute councillor thai a coiumu'.ve oV fk« council should visit Sonih Taraimki on a road inspection lour, 'l itis was adopted, and a ronimitten consisting of tlie chairman, Councillors Kennittgloti and Jlieks was appointed. A course in the training of highway engineers will be ofl'cred by SkswehussctLs liislitulu of Technology. The announcement. will attract mo-io than ordinary attention in view of the i'ficeut

revelations in regard to highways in many States. W.'iy not a New Zealand University coarse? TVro iinwera Coanty Cornicil lias dcciclut! to purchase new road roller, with scarifier attaehed, at a cost of £780, delivered nt llav.'era raihvav station. The Hav.-cra Coaucit docided to prepare its own material for tarring the roads ■ A proposal to improvo some ol tk»3 main roads on tlio Meroiaiu'jga Plains will eoraw up at aest meeting of the Ua«°k«' H \ ' nuunl, wllcn. Councillor Cross® will move: "Tliut tho road from the Napier .Soroush knuidary to Hastings, via Clive, and I'rom Hlie Napief fidroisgli boundary to Taradaio. bs formed with the ftest broliea metal, properly soiled ia ai.id top-dressed, with a. suitabio covering of asphslt; and that a lean for this purpose, including the parchasd of ordered snsthincfy, be raised; aftd that the coisiiril eiKlflavour to institute a motor and patrol tax to sover bierest on said loan." Last Year's imports. Falter details of last year's motor isn. ports than previo«siy published iit this column are given ia tho "Trado licvievr" : —lmports of motor-cars, during the year mided December SI, 19.13, totalled 52913 chassis and 12731 Wdies, of a iralao of while parts and materials for these aftd for steam, iiiotortari'is'.s vnae imparted to the value of £274,737. The number of motorcycles imported in tho J'ear was 2601, valued at £51,459, at;d parts and materials for these totalled £80,190. This is a grain! total for fiars, cyefes, awl materials cf £1,034,895. Fully 06 put ce»t. of the cycles were of British origin j of tho cars 1042 eamc itma tho United Kingdom, 963 from.the United : States, 811 frem Canada, GO from Franco. 13 from Germany, 1!) from Australia, aftd 6 from Belgium and Italy, Nclssn Motor By-laws. _ The Waimea County Cfeuiieil, controlling the to'tuutry distriots around 2f«Json, has doeided to have motor by-laws drat'tfld providing that tho Irani ®f a motor shall he Upw& imnjediately before reuading a cw.jh-t : thai; tho rule of tho road shoiild bo enjkntecd, especially at all corners; that tho speed at all corners should be reduced.; that signposts be ereeted at all dangerotts points; that Side- cars aheiikt carry lights in addition to the light on the- motor eyole; that no special speed limit shcmld be fixed throughout tho .eoanty; that all slow traffic, stick as drays and traaoas, should bs compelled to canry lights as well as mote i'apid t»affis; that any pcr-» son duly appointed by any local body should We the save power as is' already gii'tei to any police constablo to oa&so drivers of vehicles when eallcd ufOB to stop. A motion tknt it was dfesirahl© that legislation shobM be passed providing far an annual tax on motor ears and motor-cycles was lest.

Hints, Tips, and Queries. j A correspondent wishes to knew whether it pays to hare tyros retwaded'. Perhaps sotjo renders can give him their experience. * Professor Hutton, ef the ' nical Department of tlio Asitomobilt) Claii at Ainerie-a, whose prsvinw it is to study nil such matters, says that the only material damage which comes to tyres i'rom chains is when they are Improperly placed. Vuku a rihatk i.s too tight tho links naturally imbed themselves in the sitae itnti eventually do great harin, but when th® chain is placed kosely so that as the wheel turns the chain works around the tyre freely the rubber is not ifijured. Tlio o-ivnei's of cars with underhung worm, drives should inahe a- point of frequently ascertaining whether tho ™.l is ap to tbs earreot level, Thft (pianiity of oil carried is. small, asifl should it fiill njucii below tlie propct level tb.ore is risk daniagfe. _ In nearly every acetylene gas pipe lino there art; short lengths of rubber tubing which porish and crack in tho ■eoiirss of time, and call for periodic renewal. If ntetel tfibmg be nsed, this is liable to chafe through at points vrhert) it rubs; a leak may also ocew at ttas point where tho burner screws into its socket. To tow for leakage, smear the parts with soapy water and turn <m the gas; the fonimtion of hubbies will indicate weak points. The "Anteijar ? ' suggests that to prolong tho life cif corns it is well to run them alternately in opposite dsrsetaoas from time to thfte, and also to interchange either the front wheels *>r the tyres therega, This is duo to tho fsct tlwfc tho front wheels gfe generally' splayed otitw.artfe at the top, and only oh® side of tare tread engages the road. By changing the ewers, the other side of tho trend Inny bo used. With some, dc'tiiohablo wheels, tls.e w!ie/;ls themselves can be-changed ro'oitd,' tho hiskle ti> the outside, without necessitating the fouioii'al of tho covers. If your petrol consumption i.s unduly heavy, it is well to make sure that the carburettor dniss not alloAv air to be drawn in at its junction with th© iii.lct pipe. Also test nil joints and unions at earimrrtter, tank, and filter for fcakaqe. Bo'avy stecsring is aoaetimea duo, not to any defect i>i_ the si<>eri«jV gyar 'Of ■a lack of lubrication, but to ii)sufficient inflation ftf tho tyres, j Hera and Titers., | Ijogai liglttiag-up time tor motor-cars I and motor-cycles; To-day, 4/28 p.m. No:t Saturday, 4.20 tt.ni. I _ Tho Canterbury Automobile Associa-1 tfOM is joiuiisg with tise police in ti« I search for a, motorist, who is to havft driven tsff afiev aii accuknl, wiih-' flut stopping to see what dasiaae had I done. " j Tho Ratifiitiksi Comity Cotmcil has pttfcßascd a 5-s'eator fed motor-ear for' the use of its engineer (Mr. S. Mjiir) i The Wtmgaimi "Herald" complaiiis that there, is a great lack of cfetivc : eonttol of motor in V\ ' | Several accidents have eccurrftd' Fatoly! oftsn tbroogli no fault of tito drivofs [ but- largely thratigh the absence ef proper traffic bv-iws. The Mai'ton •"Advocaio'.' states ttvat Mr. Probble contompfates laattsnrfttiMw a motor bus service bciv,von towiiskip and the Jivisetfou at tho cud . this mouth. A fui.y-hor.'je power car of the latest' desigu is to bo put on the road. The Pahiatua and Ekctahmw County Councils arsf giizcited reaistcriitft authorities wider the Motor Regulation Act. , Slcssrs. P. 8, M'!,e:ui, J. S. Handyside, atid R. Dancai) hsve been appoiutmd Ui _ rejiTOseut tlsc, Hawke's Bay As- | sodai-ion at tim conference <.jf the New ZenlaiKl AMtomobikt Union to bo held |nt Wellington on Jaly 10, The Canj terbnry Association's delegates wili be fit. Sii.rtiwon, and Messrs. A. Morteit, F. A s '"- Johnston, and W. K. Mills. At the instawo of tho Wairarapa Aatflmobile Association the 3l&sterton Oouirty Council has decided tfcat in future all bridges in the county as they require painting shall lie painted white so as. to rmiihniso the risk of acc'riieht. A fruitless effort to hove tho dangerous approaches to the Pakowhai Bridge improved was made by Councillor O. P. Donnelly at tlits last meeting of the !.fr.v, ke.'s Bay Cotmcil.