MOTORS & MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2491, 18 June 1915, Page 9

MOTORS & MOTORING

4 [By Clutch.] Conorete Road Experiment. An experiment in road-making is to be tried by tho Eketahuna County Council. At Saturday's meeting of the County Council the chairman (Councillor J. Dawson) asked permission to experiment by laying down two chains of concrete road. Ho stated that he felt fairly confident as to the result. He remarked that for' a period of three years tho main road between Eketahuna and Hanma, a distance of approximately 6 miles, had cost £1200 for maintenance. His idea was to lay down a width of 2 feet G inches in each wheel rut, leaving the horse-track metalled. It would be necessary to cover tho concrete with about an inch of fine metal or earth. He thought this could be dono- for about £4 per chain. Councillor C. Cross, in supporting the request, stated that the chairman, should bo congratulated ou his endeavour to revolutionise road-making. Tho old system was proving too costly. Ho suggosted that as the work was for the benefit of the wholo county the expenses should bo a charge on the general fund. Councillor A. J. Patchett said they must experiment if they wished to progress, and moved that the request be acceded to._ Councillor Parsons supported the motion. It was decided to authorise the chairman to lay down two chains of concrete road, the cost not to exceed £10. Speaking further on the subject, the chairman stated that the mileage of conorete roads laid down in America in 1914 was close on 2,000,000 miles. Main Arterial Roads. With a view to getting the Main Trunk road between Auckland and Wellington completed so that it will form tho basis of a, national highway, the Taumarunui Chamber of Commerce is calling a conference of members of Par- V liamont and representatiyes of Chambers of Commerce and local bodies, to be held on Juty 17. ■ - The council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce last week considered the matter of appointing a delegate to the conference. Mr. J. H. Upton said that Auckland wanted roads very badly, and to neglect these and make a main trunk road to Wellington was absurd. They ought to deal with their own roads first of all. Mr. R. Burns, the chairman, said that personally he was of opinion that the Government should maintain the main arterial roads, and the county councils should devote their energies to smaller roads leading up to them. Mr. Upton said that there were good roads in the South Island, but they had no roads here. Just ,outside Auckland at the present time the roads were disgraceful. The Chairman: Evei'y person wishes to get as much money spent on roads as possiblo. Don't you think the time has arrived when the Government should take over the main arterial roads p Mr. Upton: Provided you define what you mean by main arterial roads. This question has been agitating the Government for some time, and it cannot define what a main road is. Mr. M'Farlane said that he was in favour of any movement that would make the Government take over the main arterial roads. • -Mr. Gerald Peacock said they wanted the. Government to become responsible for theso roads just as it was responsible for-the railways. They should certainly endorse tho view that it was the function of the Government to look after the main arterial roads. After further discussion it. was decided to reply that the Chamber would be represented at the conference. It was in full sympathy with tho objects of the conference,' but thought the subject of arterial roads should be made a Dominion question. Alcohol Motor Fuol. Mr. Horaoo Wyatt, seoretary of the Alcohol Fuel Committee of the Imperial Motor Transport Council, writes as follows from London, under date of April 28:— "In July last the Alcohol Motor Fuel Committee of the Imperial Motor Transport Council had made all arrangements to proceed with its work of investigation into the possibilities of alcohol as a fuel for internal combustion engines, and tho best means of denaturing tho spirit, etc. The outbreak of tho war, made it necessary to modify the original programme, but the committee consider that some portion of the work should still be proceeded with, such as the collection of information as to' the sources of supply of alcohol within the British Empire, so that when the proper time comes they may be in a position to proceed with the scientific investigations originally decided upon. For tins purpose, a temporary office has been opened at 173 Fleet Street, and steps havfe been taken to obtain from all parts of the British Empire information bearing on various sisjjects of the question under consideration. "The importance of the work to whioh the committee is pledged cannot bo denied. It is hoped, therefore, that you will assist "this work by drawing attention to the following facts upon the committee is desirous of receiving information "1. The existing sources from which alcohol can be obtained. "2. The.manufacture of industrial alcohol from the raw material. "3. The present and prospective demand for fuel for internal combustion ongines. "The committee would be glad to hear from any of your readers who may be In possession of useful information on any or all of tho subjects mentioned above. The investigation is to be made in respect of the British Empire, but information of a useful oharactor 'indicating the progress that is being made in any foreign country would bo of value. "Mr. Lewis Hareourt, .Secretary of State for the Colonies and a Vice-Pre-iident of this Council has pointed out that the question of rapid and cheap communication is in many portions of the British Empire, second to iione in importance._ and as the improvement of communications is largely dependent on tho availability of a cheap fuel, it is hopod that you will do nil in vour power to assist the Alcoliol Motor Fuel Committee in obtaining all the information available upon the subject." Buying a Second-hand Car. Having choson a second-hand car which seems likely to suit one's requirements, so far as can be told from the bare advertisement, the next step is to iuspect the car and try it, when, if satisfactory, the bargain may be completed. The first thing to notice is the general appearance of the car. If tho .bodywork is free froiu faults, and tho varnish in good condition, the hood neat and not badly stained or worn, and all metal work brightly polished (nickel plating it betokens a car that is well cared for by its owner, for a superficial cleaning up at tho last minute will not restore a liandsonio appearance to a neglected car. The hood should be erected and examined for signs of rotting or tears'; tho hood strans and hood sticks should also be noticcd. So many people aro in the habit of conveying quite heavy parcels in the hood that cracked sticks and torn hoods are not rare. The wings and fittings, such as lamps, should be examined. Dented wings or lamps are the result of collisions, and denote a careless or reckless driver, and there may be other more serious, i bi». loss anparout,, damage, While ox-j

[aminiug the wings, attention should bo (riven to the condition of the springs. If tho leaves appear rusty and devoid of lubrioajit it shows that the owner does not give that attention to detail which is desirable, and uncomfortable 'riding and much squeaking may be oxncoted. Tires and wheels should be in good condition; tho tread of the tires may be worn, away, but if no outs aio visible there should still bo considerable life in the tires, while retreading would be nossible if it is necessary. Tho engine may be examined, and its oxterrial appearance will give a shrewd buyer a very good idea ot the amount of attention it receives. The water connections and water joints of tlio inlet and outlet pipes should be free from leaks, also the crank-case should be moderately free from oil. Traces of oil round the valve caps may spell over-oiling and compression leaking, while oil all over the flywheel is an indication of a slack main bearing. The carburetter should not flood, and there should be no slack in the magneto coupling or drive. The valve springs should not appear flabby, and the tappets should present just sufficient clearance. The owner should be asked to start up, and the ease of starting, noted. With the engine running slowly, t'ta regularity and slowness of running will give an indication of tho state of the i.arburetter, magneto, etc. Depressing the accelerator pedal, tile responso made by the engine will give, a further indication of its state of tune, for if it splutters instead of accelerating violently the carburetter is badly in need of attention. Ail umbrella, or walking stick, restod on the engine will act as a stethoscope, and by placing an ear to the other end or it any knocks may be plainly heard above the other noises. By moving the position of the stick a very good l 0 of the knock will be_ gained. A trial run may now be asked for, and the semoothness of the clutch should be carefully noted; tho case of changing gear and tfte quietness of the gear-box also. On top gear the gearbox should be practically inaudible, and the back axle should be silent. The springing should be tested over a -rough road, and the comfort of the bodywork, legroom, etc., given attention. The action of brakes should be noticed, and the engine power tested on some hill. ' At the top of the hill the car should be stopped, and the would-be purchaser should quickly dismount and feel tile Tadiator, gearbox and differential casing. The radiator should be hot at the top and practically cold at the bottom, but there should be no sign of boiling. The gearbox and back axle may be slightly warm, but if they are hot thev are in need of lubrication, or are under some undue stress. 1 The purchaser should ask to drive the car, if he can drive, and should notice the various points as detailed above. The beliaviour of the engine on tho_road!will afford a driver of any exnerience_ at all a very good idea as to Its condition, while dutch, gear changing, steering and brakes are- all tested. Finally, when completing tli© bargain it is only natural for the vendor to require more security than is afforded by a cheque and opportunity should bo given to refer to the bank.. Hera and There. Legal lighting-up time for motor-cars and motor-cycles: To-day, 4.26 p.m.; next Friday, 4.28 p.m. Most of the leading English bicycle manufacturers have decided to increase the prices of their cycles by 10 per cent. This measure is rendered necessary by reason of_ the increased cost of materials, and is muclito bo preferred to any reduction of quality, which was the onlypossible alternative. On account of the.terrific speed attained in the long-distance American motor-car contests, it has been almost impossible for the driver and mechinician to speak to each other. To. overcome this difficulty, several of the contestants in the "Vanderbilt" Cup and the American Grand Prix used with success a combination face guard which embraced two speaking tubes, one extending from the mouth of each person to the ear of the other. This enabled them to converse without slowing up.