CLASSIFIED GARAGES

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 17 June 1933, Page 12

CLASSIFIED GARAGES

EXAMINATION OF MECHANICS ! i TRADE DEMANDS SERVICE. 5 1 ] TWENTY-TWO PER. CENT. EAliA T Ru.S. , The classification of garage employers with the necessary plant and facilities, together with mechanics engaged in the motor, trade, is at present engaging the attention or the New Zealand -notor Trade Association, and already the results for South . Tara- . naki and a number cvf other districts have been announced. \\ hen completed the classification plan is expected to ensure that in every town there will be one or more garages pledgee to/turn out first-class wont by firstclass rriec-hanics. trom 1925 to 1930 competition between motor traders to establish records for sales was the dominating factor in the trade, according to the* latest issue of the New Zealand Motor Trade Association's official organ. “The evils of such a policy were soon apparent, notably the fictitious values placed on used motor vehicles taken as trade-ins, and the neglect of the niain-fcenance ana servicing side of the business,” the journal says “Farseeing members of the trade saw the danger, but were powerless to prevent it, and now economic forces are operating which are rectifying the matter in a most unpleasant way. . “Heavy taxation and the high rate of exchange have so increased the cost of new; motor vehicles, and so reduced the purchasing power of the public, that the sale of new motor vehicles has shrunk to a very low figure, and the motor, trade can no longer exist on such sales. In this way economic pressure has forced the trade to meet a changed position and the importance of .servicing and ' maintenance is generally recognised. “The time is considered opportune -to try to put this side of the business on a better footing, and on this par ticular work the New* Zealand Motor Trade Association has been engaged during the past twelve- months. ... The first step was to secure the cooperation of both the employers and workers, and many’ meetings and a good deal of propaganda were necessary before this was done. Between, 409 and 509 motor mechanics have made application to be examined. More than half of these have already been examined, and the first series of examinations will be completed by the end of June.

“More than 200 garage proprietors have accepted the plan. A large number of these garages have already been inspected, and the balance will be completed by the time the examination tn motor mechanics is finished. It is therefore assured that .the new plan will be put into practical operation within the next three months.”

When the scheme is completed, the journal states, car owners will be able to' entrust the most expensive cars to garages classified as “A” grade, with the knowledge that the jobs will be handled by experienced mechanics. In the examinations already conducted the percentage of failures has been about 22 per cent., which is considered fairly high. Successful candidates are divided into three classes, the first two being honours classes. The following is a summary of the results of the examination of the 250 candidates already made: Class class 2, 27; class 3, 154; failed, 55.

PETROL FOR ENGLAND i SOURCE OF SUPPLIES. AMERICA LOSING POSITION. 1 For many years past the United States has been the chief supplier of ; refined oil products to the United Kingdom, says ‘‘The Motor” in an editorial. it has been difficult to ' arrive at figures hitherto, However, because, except as regards Persian i crude oil, the Board of Trade returns give no indication as to the source of the oils imported into this country (England), A survey has been prepared by the “Petroleum Times,” which reveals some very interesting details. The most surprising disclosure is that the United States is on the point of losing the position as ckiei supplier of refined products. Since 1930 its trade has declined nearly 342,000,000 gallons. or 17 per cent, of the total. Its J place has almost been taken by the i Dutch West Indies, and, according to our contemporary, the current year 1 should see the complete reversal of the order. "While still appreciably ahead of ali other suppliers of motor spirit, the United States is rapidly losing its premier position, and the Dutch West Indies is creeping up. In 1931 the United States supplied 42.4 per cent, of the motor spirit brought into this country, and the Dutch West Indies 6.9 per cent. In 1932 the figures were: United States 29.2 per cent.,' Dutch West Indies 17.9 per cent, j Persia was next with 14.7 per cent.,| against 10.1 per cent, in 1931, while' Russia’s supplies fell from 13.5 per cent, in 1931 to 8.2 per cent, in 1932. In lubricating oil the United States still has a commanding lead, but, even so, there was a decline from 66 per cent, in 1931 to 62.8 per cent, in 1932. With these figures in view it will be interesting to see how the situation changes during the present year. REAR*VIEW~~MIRRORS DISREGARD A COMMON FAULT. POTENTIAL SOURCE' OF DANGER. “Many motorists do not consult their rear mirrors when driving, and such failure becomes quite readily a source of irritation to other motorists a.nd a potential source of danger,” says the Canterbury Automobile Association in its latest safety first message. “Although the Motor Vehicles Act demands .the use of rear-view driving mirrors as equipment on all motor-

cars, it is a fact that many drivers have neglected to provide such equipment-. To know what is following is not as important of course, as the, knowledge of what is in front, but, w hat one sees in the rear-view mirror may have an important bearing on driving. Far too little attention is given To following traffic, and drivers are prone to allow their cars to drift to the crown of the road and cause following traffic to take risks in pass- “ Before direction is changed a driver should make absolutely certain that no overtaking traffic is near, and the necessary hand and horn si gun Is should be given to indicate change of direction. Even if a driver feels certain that no overtaking motor vehicles arc close behind, there is always the chance that a cyc-list without a light mav be peddling behind masked by the blind spot caused through the rear •panelling of the car.' “Every driver should have a serviceable rear-view mirror' and consult it habitually.”

THOUSAND MILES RACE BRESCIA TO ROME. TRIUMPH FOR BRITISH CARS; A 'great triumph for British small cars was scored m the international competition in Italy recently The course was over 1090 miles. Starting at Brescia, the racers passed to Boiogna, through Florence, and so to Rome Turning north again they passed through Terni, Perugia, Recanati. rorli, to Bologna, and then t.o Padua and Treviso, and so to the last stretch, west to Brescia again. Captain G. E. T. Eyston and Earl Howe, driving 12 h.p. M.G. Magnettes, gained first and second places m the HOP c.c. class against strong opposition In the general classification. Tazio Nuvolari, the champion road racings driver of 1932 and the idol ol the Italian public, was the winner m an Alfa Romeo, at G 7.46 miles an hour. Borzacchini, last year s winner, in an Alfa Romeo, and Von Brauschitsch. the German, in a Mercedes, were corn pelled to retire. Sir Henry Birkin in. the third Magnette, after a sensa tional start, also had to drop out at Siena with valve trouble before reaching Rome. The British victory proved tremend ously -popular--with the Italians. The three dark green Magnettes, with engines of only 1199 c.c. capacity, bearing on their bonnets small Union Jacks,, were .handled by their drivers with an inspired abandon which brought-: the.: crowds lining. the course to a frenzy of excitement. At times they reached speeds of 120 miles an hour: ' “ ' ~ Though they left an hour after the first ears, writes the “Morning Post correspondent, • the Magnettes jumped into the lead immediately, and they were the first to arrive back at Brescia, after completing the lOOOmnes course. „ TERRIFIC PACE.

From the instant the starter’s flag fell Sir Henry Birkin set a terrific pace, and achieved the amazing average of 88 miles an hour from Brescia to Bologna. After Birkin’s retirement Captain Eyston, with Count G. Luraiii as second driven*, and Lord Howe with Mr. H. C. Hamilton, fell into position, and, by some of the finest driving seen in any of the great Continental road races, held their places t.o the end. j Captain Eyston took 18 hours. 1 minute 4 seconds for the course, an average of 56.9 miles an hour. Lord Howe’s average was 56.8 miles an hour. Captaip Eyston's time was 30 minutes better than last year’s 1100 c.c. class winner, and his record was tlie only new .one this year. Lord Howe expressed himself as extremely pleased with the result. “We were using experimental cars,” he said, “and we are very happy and proud that it was an English car that was the first to cross the finishing line.” In all there were 98 entries for the raca arid the cars were sent away at minute intervals from Brescia. The trophy, presented by Signor Mussolini , for the fastest time between Brescia and Rome, was won by Borzaechini in an Alfa Romeo. Captain Eyston, in addition to the class prize, gained a silver' cup for the best performance by a foreign entry. llie course, with the exception of that for the Targa Florio, is probably the stiffest of any motor race in the world. The most dangerous section, up in the Dolomites, is covered in the dark. There were several accidents, but none was serious

NATIONAL ORGANISATION

Captain Eiyston. who described the race for the “Daily Telegraph,” dro\e to Bologna, after which his car was driven by Count Lurani. “Io the driver,” lie said, “the most striking feature of the race was the way in which the course had been prepared for the event. Only a national organ- j isation could achieve such a miracle. A few days ago many sections of the long circuit were under intensive repair, but all was ready for the race day. It was marvellous to observe tlie great care with which the organisers in all towns and villages, without exception, had suddenly thrown the whole of their energies into making matters safe and sound for drivers as well as spectators. “All traffic was cleared except tor heavy transport lorries, and it was possible to take all the busy cities in full flight without any danger. At night flares were lit by private enthusiasts at most of the crossways in congested areas, and illuminated arrows helped the ears to maintain their high average speed. All Italy turned out- to make the event a tiemondous success.”

SMOOTH TYRE DANGERS EFFECT ON STOPPING POWER. MODERN ROAD TESTS CONDUCTED Exports have established the fa r 't that worn tyres that leave a smooth impression on the roiiciwfty hrn c the dangerously low safety rating of 51 per cent. ’Tests have shown that a motor-car equipped with, tyres in this condition requires 76ft to come to a

stop on a wet bitumen road, compared with 51ft when the vehicle is shod with tyres the treads of which are in good condition. A careful tyre inspection was _ recently made by experts in New York with a view of ascertaining what percentage of motorists were driving on unsafe tyres. At the toll entrance on the new George Washington bridge, spanning the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey, 26,650 tvres fitted ,to passenger cars had treads absolutely worn smooth, and were unsafe for driving on wet asphait roads. No attempt was made to record the' varying degrees of safety in the remainder of the tyres inspected, although many were found that were far from being in a condition to ensure efficient traction. The figures quoted will serve to | bring home to motorists in this country the definite safety element that jis associated with driving motor ! vehicles on well-patterned treaded 1 tyres.

MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY AN UNWISE PRACTICE. RUNNING CARS WITHOUT OVERHAUL. Nowadays it is no uncommon thing to hear a motorist exclaim, “This car has not been in tbe workshop for two years,” says an Australian newspapei. Often the statement is made boastfully, yet there is nothing to be proud of, for if a motor-car has been used for-even, say, 8090 to 10,03!) miles' .a year it is an admission, unless the owner can effect his own repairs and adjustments,, that the vehicle is not properly maintained from a .standpoint of mechanical efficiency and safety.

A little consideration of the work | and stresses a motor-car has to with-i stand during two years’ service should I convince the average motor owner that, a risk is being taken, not only to, himself and passengers, but _ also to other users of the roads, if his ear is not kept in efficient order. It is neither good business nor safe practice to ignore the fact that a motorcar calls for and needs a careful inspection by a competent mechanicafter, say, every 5099 miles.

ACCIDENTS AT NIGHT. WHAT STATISTICS REVEAL. Statistics issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in the State of New York disclose that 50 per cent, of the automobile accidents in 1932 resulting, in deaths occurred after dark. Con-| sidering that less than a fifth of the j motor driving was done after darkness, the proportion of mishaps that took place during night hours was unusually large, and points to the fact that many motorists “drive beyond their lights” at a speed too fast to stop when an emergency suddenly arrives. It is stated by the above authority that during. winter months three accidents out of every four occur at night, while during the summer months three out of every four happen during’ daylight. The investigation showed that motor accidents during darkness are usually more serious than mishaps during daylight, the driver’s field of vision being reduced according to the efficiency” of the lighting system on the vehicle.

LIGHTS ON VEHICLES. LAW TO BE DISCUSSED. The law relating to lights on vehicles and the trouble caused by persons loitering on bridges will be discussed at tlie next quarterly meeting of the South Island Motor Union. The South Canterbury Automobile Association has written to the union enclosing a copy of a letter from one of its members, asking that the letter be discussed by the union. The letter draws the attention of the association to the danger created by persons loitering on traffic bridges. The writer considers that the association should endeavour to have legislation passed providing for penalties, and empowering traffic inspectors to deal with offenders. 1 In regard to lights on vehicles, says the letter, it appears that no attempt is being made to enforce the regulations. which are too lax \ chicles with one light, and unlighted motorcycles. and lorries are frequently seen on tlie roads. The writer considers that it is the duty of the association to keep the matter under attention until satisfactory legislation is enacted and until the means for enforcement are adequate and effective. The South Canterbury Association has instructed its patrol officer to submit facts- relating to any alleged breaches 'of the regulations.