MOTOR NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23689, 24 September 1940, Page 3

MOTOR NOTES

[By 1 Radiator.’] LIGHTING-UP TIMES To-day 6.35 Tuesday 3.37 Wednesday 3.38 Thursday 3.39 Friday 3.40 Saturday 3.42 -’Sunday ‘ .13 * Daylight saving commences. This month’s coupons—B and 9. PRODUCER GAS Shortly after the commencement of the war the Minister of Supply (Hon. D. G. Sullivan) appointed a technical committee, consisting of representatives of the Transport, Public Works, and Scientific and Industrial (Research Departments, to investigate in detail the application of producer gas to motor vehicles. This committee went thoroughly into the question, and the Government has now issued a brochure which briefly but concisely reviews the use of producer gas for automobile purposes and describes a plant developed by the committee to suit New Zealand conditions. .. . . , The advantages and disadvantages ot producer gas are set out and full detailed diagrams are given _ of the components of the plant. Hints are also given on running and upkeep. Tito committee experimented with different tvpes of fuel and finally decided on a plant designed so that it could be used with charcoal as well as specially-pre-pared fuels from coal. To enable motorists interested in producer gas to obtain copies without difficulty, arrangements have been made for the booklet to be sold over the counter of the Chief Post Office. The price is 3,d. AVERAGE PETROL BILL IN U.S. If a person operated a motor vehicle of average size and weight during the full 12 months of 1939 he consumed 724 gallons of motor fuel. _ He paid £32 for his gasoline, exclusive of taxes, which probably cost £l3 additional. These figures, which cover both passenger automobiles and trucks, are based on the average number of vehicles in use during the year. The study revealed that motor fuel consumption per vehicle in 1939 reached an all-time peak, which was approximately 50 per cent, greater than consumption 20 years ago. WORLD'S OIL SUPPLIES Many motorists, when noting the huge volume of crude oil drawn each year from the bowels of the earth, the annual output being in the region of 272,000,000 tons, have probably wondered what the ultimate effect of the withdrawal of such a huge bulk of liquid will have on the earth. The answer is that, since the foundation of the oil industry in 1859, the entire world’s production of crude oil would not fill a hole a cubic mile in the earth. DUAL TONES Two-tone colour schemes have been reintroduced in America, rather after the style used about a decade ago. The top part of the body is coloured in a lighter tone than the base. Interiors also embody a two-tone motif in upholstery, trim and instrument panel. INCREASE OF MOTORING IN GERMANY With the aid of Leuna gas, many larger types of car have been replaced in service in Germany. The net impression is that motoring has increased during the past three months—but a large part of the traffic is restricted to heavier cars and lorries.