MOTORS AND MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2187, 27 June 1914, Page 10

MOTORS AND MOTORING

[By Cmjtch.]

Insurance Rates Reduced, On Wednesday lie.xfc tho insurance 'rates for/ privately-owned cars will ho reduced fifteen per cent.,, and the comalso offer for the first tinio I a coniprohensivo motor-cycle insuranco policy. , \A general revision of tho motor insurance tariff is under considcraton, but will not bo completed for f eome. timo yet. Tho reductions to como into force next ■' week will apply only to the comprehensive motor policy and not to the present fire risk rate of COs. per cent.,, which will remain as hitherto. The classes of cai's affected by the 15 per cent, reduction are those used solely by their owners for private purposes, 1 and privately-owned • cars used by the owner personally for business. .The reduction in a. number of typical cases, as compared with the old rate and the English A.A. and M.U. policy, works out as follows:— Old rate. New rate. A.A. rate. £ s: d. £ s. d. £ s. d. lOh.p. car • • . at £-200 14 10 0 11 C 6 7 15 0 20h.p.ear . at£3oo 22 10 0 1?: 2 6 13 0 .0 30h.p. car : . ' at £500 27 0 0 22 19 .0 Iβ 5 0 The English Motor Union v and Auto-inqbile-.Assocation rate: quoted in the third column is given for the. sake of comparison, as it happens to he the only one advertised in the last issues of the' "Autocar" to hand. It practically represents the utmost. that the many thousands of motorists of the United Kingdom have been able ,to obtain by co-operative effort: It ' is well known that most of the" iiisiiraiice companies in the Dominion are not enamoured of; their experience of mo.tor'-cir insuranco. They etato that they find the moral hazard very great, and the wear and tear in the case of taxicabs and commercial vehicles 'is often appalling. . The Motor-cyclo Policy. . • The new feotor-cycle insurance policy will be on the Same lines generally ' as the. car comprehensive policy. It will cover accidental '. damage, third party risks (claims for injury, to, persons, excluding passengers, or damago 'to property), damage by fire, etc., loss of machino or. accessories by theft, and damago to machine whilst being towed o/ conveyed by rail or inland waterway. Tho owner will be required to bear the first 305.'.. of ldss "uii'ler any head.' The rates will be: ••-.' . • Over 4h.p.. 7h.p. 7 h.p. £ e. £ s. £ s. Machine valued at £40 ...... 5.0 6 10 8 0 Machine valued . . at £70 ! 5 15 7 5 8 15' Machine valued at £90,.,.... 6 5 .7 15 9 5 It is provided that the .machines must bo driven solely by tho proposer, and ■used solely for private purposes. Additional covers can bo obtained ■js" follows: —5 per .cent, extra, anyone may drive tho machine; 10 per cent, extra, 'machine may bo.used for business purposes; 20 per cent, extra, sidecar or pillion seat allowed; 25 per cent, extra, all three preceding" items covered. If two cycles are insured.by the same owner a reduction of 10 percent, will be made, and a reduction of 10 per cent, will ba made on tho second' year's premium if there has been no claim during; the first, year. As evidence of tho risk attaching to motor-cyclo insuranco, it, is pointed out by the companies that one. firm, with branches' through Now.. Zealand, had no "fewer tlian three motor-cyclo fatalities during last year. v .;.■,■■•••. State of the Roads. .. A motor-cyclist who canio through from Wanganui, via Foxton, a'day.or two ago,, states that tho road from Wanganui to Foxton is in excellent con.dition, but the metal from Foxton southwards is still plentiful. There is a deep holo full of soft mud on the Porirua-Titahi BayHoacl thattuotcrists! would do well to avoid. It is in the second cutting from the bay on the hill. • ' The Johnsonville Town Board, by distributing sleepers over tho road, is forcing 'traffic to consolidate .the Nbig stretch of broken niethl which it lias put down in the centre of the roadway. The approach to the eastern end of the iiutt pipe bridge is a veritable bog, but the worst can bs avoided by taking a wide sweep over the grass. Metalling is proceeding towards the north end of Lower Ilutt borough on the main road; there is a longish stretch by Mason's Gardens; another about a third of a mile long beyond the Taita Hotel, and several stretches of 200 or 300 yards each between there and Unper Hutt. Tho back road route through the Hutt from Waiwetu to Nai Nai' is in excellent order. ' The Basis of Taxation. As a tax oh motors is inevitable, motorists would do well' to exert themselves to see that it is on as equitable a basis as possible': The Union suggests a graduated stale according to tho weight of. the cars, as against the English system of taxing according to horse-power. If the choice is confined to those alternatives, there can be little doubt that the tax on weight is the soundest policy. But might there not be a better basis? The person to bo taxed is the person who does tlie damage to the road*. Two men may possess, say, 30 cwt. cars, but one may use his twice or three times as much as the other. Yet both'men would pay tho same tax. Mr. F. Basham, of Elt.ham, has suggested that the tax should be a tax .on petrol or on tires. Such a tax wouM, of course, bo directly in proportion to use. The idea is one on which a great deal- can ..be said, both for and against. It should be worth consideration, by the union conference. i> A General Assault. ; The motorist's blood'is being sought on all sides. First of. all. there is the Irtospcct of a Governnlent tax. _ Then comes tho Coachmaktirs' Association, wliich wants no less tlian a fixed duty, varying from £20 to £60, according to size, on all motor-car bodies imported. Mr.- Massey has promised to look into this matter. The deputation ■ which saw him last week on the subject pointed out that in Australia, the minimum duty on motor-car bodies was £10. Finally, comes tho Municipal Conference, for which a plentiful supply of motor-car remits is coming in. Road improvement Work. The latest county to come forward with a comprehensive scheme of road improvements is " Biiller County. Tho council has under consideration a proposal to borrow a sum of £35,000 for the purpose of remodelling 101 miles of the main county roads. The engineer estimates that the cost of the work where (he metal only, requires hauling, spreading, and rolling in will be £2 per chain. When crushed metal i.s required the cost will 'be £'3 per chain. On the Dsniiiston -and Millerton roads tar binding will be nfecessary, and tin. , cost is put at £0 per chain. The plant to be purchased includes two steam' motor-wagons, one 10-ton roller with'scarifier. one light roller, and two crushers. It is estimated that the saving in maintenance will pay interest, depreciation, and sinking fund, and that a subsliintiiil balance will also accrue ■ either for expenditure on other works or fur: I ho .relief of the rates. As already 'reported during .tha week, Franklin County is also proposing to gu

i in for an extensive road improvement scheme. The Kiwitca County Council lias decided to have an csiiroato aiiicJe of tho cost of forming a road frore Apiti to j L'cep-o'-Day, ttuis giving uireet access from Apiti to Olsingaifci ftiicl the other Main Trunk towns. The Waipukui'au CewHy Council has j decided to test a scheme for bettering j the condition of the county roads 4 If j has been decided to rtp a quarter of a | mile for testing purposes. The scheme comprises the asphalting of a strip in the centre of the read and, concreting a strip 011 each side for the wheel* to pass aloiiK. 'J'lio action tff t-h-fi IVellingtoit City anthoritips in pftmtiK* the centre train- ! ivay poles wint<3 has ficen muck .>p|*;e- j ciateu by City motorists. | Registration MSfte. . If the new Ifotor Bill maJfcs wgistra■tion an annual tiling, it would be an excellent opportunity to sweep right overboard tne pttseitt tsrapiioated letting and numbering dweribed lost week, I and start on sohw €OHipr»hoßMble j system that will be an aid and jiot an J obstacle to rapid klftiHiflcatwn. If the I initial letters of this ■ provinces were j taken as a basis and a two-ktter limit | fixed a comprehensible schema coflM | scon be drvisctT. As VCellington and Westland both begin vmli "W" a <lif-' ferent letter wowM have to bv? ftixmit', for the latter, say "G" for "Grey." Al-1 lotting tlio single letti*) , to i'fe oJiirf centre in each province the sclreme would work oxit thus: — A—Auckland. AA, AB, AC, ets.—Other registeimg .««■• thorities in Auckland I'rorince." T—New Plvmoutli, , ■ TA, TB, TC, et-Pi—Qthftr Tawnaki bodies, H—Xapier. i HA, HB, HC, etc.—Otlier Hawse's Bay bodies. W-Wellingtbn. WA, WB, WC-fJtlie.f \wHe&. N—Xelson. NA, NB, NC f eie,—OtHji- Kelsbß bodies. M—Blenheim. MA, MB, MC, ete<"-OtSi(?r Slnriberongh bodies. G—Ure.vmoiith, GA, CB, etc.-Otta- W-esHand kidjes, C—Christcliurel), CA, CB, CC,, ' «tc.-otli*r CjuitcrbHty bodies. o—DuniHlin. OA, 08, OC, etc—Otter Otago belies.. ■■ S—lnvcrcar'ill. SA, SB, SC-OtlMt SoatWawt bodies. Something on these lincv.with nuinerals beginning at onn hi escji casft would provide for 270 registering authorities, a greater number fen h#s boon, loitmii necessary in the wliote of tltd United Kingdom., Vti&i a feirr-fipiro liimt under each coitibinatioi',, cacls t&triet could have 9090 ears and srcles, a lignm. riot'likely to be osteeedod any where for some time, to coine. Sign-posting Canterbury. ■ i The' Cantei-bary Autoniobite Assjoftfei-.il tion has adopted a Standard eigtt-jiest,' and at the litst meeting d tho committee, it dealt- with teitdem iotf tllo , "supply of one b.Jj!idrcd signposts, . Tfioss are to be supplied i<> local iHithgriites fer erection on'main reads. 'Ffe says the posts a.*e to bo ptorkied. as soon as possible, and ffhen erected svl' l provo of great reflux to ftiotorisfo, 'fircy will bo distinctive in disiyaoSfer, and: in addition to Jetethig fiiffmg the direction of the roa.fcl; will have- tlio nnaic of the Cantej'lrtry Awt&inobijo Assoektion painted fri fi diaittoiid-sliaped spaco, ad is done by tlio Antomobifo .AssadH' tions iii other parts mf ilio world. '"■ In Case of Ancificrit, If a motorist lias the misfortune- to cause or sustain damage to biraseM , or his car, or''to ii.jjy gerswi m< relriftlo on the road, lie should at-enee nsceiv tain and mate a. it.gto of the names and addresses ct any .ptasoli or pei-smis-who witnessed tho occurrence, Koto j should also be inaifo of any ether fattors which way have a bearing on the question of liability for <]a.:ii»ge sus<taincd, such as wfetti_er tho veliicfcs were 011. their is.rftpfii- skies , fl.f the road, the distance apart, fho distaiico from the kerbs tones, iU«I,. at uight tinro, whether the 'Jattips wef-o bu-nrfng, and their positions, wJirthe' proper warning ! of approach was given., whether tho ear 1 skidded, and ss hrih. Ho should'also under no,.circwstftnces otter any nione': ! tary conjpe»sa'tjoii oi- mate any admission of liability wit Wit first eansvilting . a solicitoi- , . Taranaki's Tiol'[-dx..tes,' The Stratford corr-esponcleat of tlis "Taranafci Herald" soj-s {.he fotktoiie ad , absurdum wiH softrt be vcaetel in the matter of toll-gates, The North. Riding ; ratepayers in Strai.f<)rd Peiinty have' consented to a gate near tho AVa.ipuJ.tu ; bridge, but t : )ie Sfttrtli Riding claims «' share of the revenue, or in tjjo alternative, anothe.ir gate awar tb<p seuiOiern boundary of tllo wuniy. Tll.lt will be two gates for tjurteen niiks β-f tjie ni.*in road. But the borough mailitaiws ov«r a mile and a liatf of these tlt.trfeen miles and tlie Bflrotiigh Connei! slioiild get a proportionate iliart ef t|<? revenue or, in default, pat nj> «■ gate of its owii. ' There might be stupe ©fejectitm to a gat-o.' at the towfl bi'ide-e, as it would fmndfcro the southern hatf ef tire borough. B would thorefwe ha n.peossary in put. uj) a gate at Hjo flm% Bosd and aHotlwr lif.r tlie 'Warwick Road. The couifcH lws atiicndqct its .schcihjte of tolls by junking the f&rso for a cycle-car 25., tlte sanic as 'for a 'twoseated mntor^ear. A .Motor-Cycling SjtHt. Dissatisfaction has arisen in liMstwcycling circles mi dn'j&icliuifit in coitscquenee of the ikoismii of the North oa.n--terbury Motor Csx-lisfs 3 Club) to have , the side-caf trliils run over again, and a movement is under way to form ft ftow. club. It has h<?.a\ rlecidcd to ftxnfi a motor-cycle. sectioß of the i'ioi.oerCiub, and alroiuly 120 ni.eanli.ej-s have a'\%*nified their iirfefttion of jehiiai*;. Tlie trouble appears to ijßvs arisen ■ tlirotiglt the'action #f tho N.CM.C.C. in not awarding tho pnm tfl tlio Mt-sl ridei'i A;'B. L.". S.mtJi,-'afto it l»d liecii faiwid that H. Jones, to wWni the prize Was originally swarded, had jnatFo ft stop at Redclill's ivhieb the ebservci , faifed to note. Sinilh made a »n-stot> rim. Hints and Tips. ' . Tlio "De Dion Hafictbook" containstho folloisin« u.srfti! "Bmits for the Now Driver" :■?- Don't set out to df> with the horn and brakes what should be tlonft with tho bead flfid throttle. Don't toget "the other follow." Bui don't expect "tSitS otlier fellow" to remember ywt —probably be woft'ti Don't forget that the manufaetorcrs gave you a gear box to tninknisfi tho engine wsir, noisft) ni.d tedium ,of yonr progress. Don't begrwlgi? n good cer a good supply of goofl: "oil and gomd grease— tho water it nlso needs costs Milling, which fact levels up mattes. Don't ieole bae?c after yott jwss the n\an on si cea- ttvk'a tliss , sii:» erf ygnrs. Ho may 110 c lijTo rt, «iv;l i horn's gf;nerallv <so!nt>tlui.c* to wivteh alidad. Don't ex> aiipafl ivfcen yon can'l m ahead. '"Ahead" is the' plai* wliotb the collifiiuna crtnie from, Don't 'inn , fast a'-oiind canuu'R; ii c('sts n kit of rnW.wr. iSlow down, or even lift out. ynnr dutch for a winient, save money-, siicl urob-ibly sfei<Wina. Don't lot your riuteli jmnn Tutmo. It will: any clutch will, biii, it smuildirt lip nlhiwefl to t1« So. Don't, try ail-imt tn \vr,Vlt f|ti«clrn«t, cliangc-iilir-f'd lover, mifl gtiar h>% »v«ry I tiuio' \<m H'tul. iiiniflior u<'nf. Yowrs should be the suavtler i» mode prin^

cipfo. Tbo gear-box ifseif docs, tli!? i'ovtitor in. fo p«t oi; lire business. Don't insist on yarn , shore of_ the foad; aiiyhnrfy who doesn't give it to you instinctively is flangoroas coKjiiHiy —abreast, hoforu, or behind. Dou't "just got between" two other vehicles-—even wlie-n they arc stationary. Y<ja save liftlf a jniimto doing so. Xlie regular time J'nr fitting, painting, ajid varnishing a now wing is nearly a week.

i Here attd There. I i: Legal lighting-tip titue for motor-ears | find motor-cyrfcs :—To-day. 4.28 p.m. Ifest Friday, 4.31 p.m. j The Wowlville County Council has '. I b«!>n gazetted a registering authority j under t-ho Motor Regulatien Act. f Air. li , :. Ronton, for ten years(secretary of ilio Canterbury Automobile AβjToeration, lias offered, a trophy, value £8 35., to the member bringing in the largest number of men. members during the yciir, not loss than twenty; if the nembetf' reached forty, lie would increase tho value of the trophy to £5 ss. An American eoßten.pm'ary states that tlie wholesale price of ''gasoline" as marketed i» the Middle West by the Standard Oil Co., is to be- T-edu-ecd to thirteen cents. This, is equal to about 6d. per U.S. gallon. The difference Iwv twesu aij imperial gallon ami ;\ tJ.S. i gallon is sufficient to bring tho price ] vij) to 7<\. per gallon iieoordiug to Eviglisli standards. Evei! tlieit it is a. remarkably low figure ifi eortipaTisoii with retail figures prevailing iis this country, A Motor Association has been formed irt Burroalt. It is hoped before long to have a- good motor road right tliroagli ( to ifanSalay. J According to Mr. Erie Wiilfoi'd, tlm welWmowii write oh motoring, a grajd deal of tlip "carbon" tteflasit tliat ftcejimaktes in eylku'ler heads and en pistw| is due , t<l tile nluielniirm composition* e.f crank rasas, npAti which tlio inbiifintiug oil exercises .1 certain er&sivo artion. • People .who tratet ie leant to drive motor-cars arc not allowed to try t-Jicir 'prentice- hmis on the Auckland city traffic. Such k tire effect <sf a decisiei by Mr. F. V. Irtmet. S.M., when ;i fedy was charged svith having driven in P. oiisewby Bflail; wiilsmlt having first sat" isfus! the Eity Traffic Inspector of her ability .'to handle ft motor-ear, or having obtained it certificate of competency. O« tbi? occasion in question an a«Me«t liapjjoMccl througli tWB children running out j miescpeeted))' horn the pavement.