CORRESPONDENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1921, Page 1

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE COUNTY MOTOR TRUCK

(To the Editor.)

Sir.—l see by hist meeting of the County Council they have decided subject to certain tests, to purchase a Leyland motor truck, but according to (report of meeting the clause subject to tests does not carry much- weight. It seems to be a foregone conclusion that a Leyland will be ordered. If such is the case, the members of the Council, who are responsible for the selection are not to be commended. Instead of getting expert advice or in sisting on a demonstration, they have listened to agents, or more eorree'ly salesmen, While admitting that the horse and dray system is past and that we must adopt more up to date methods of carrying out our public works, if wo are going to improve on the present system, why not adopt the very best and cheapest way, and get expert advice its to which is such instead of at present every individual member of the Council giving iiis opinion as to which make of traction should be purchased. I think it is safe to* say lull not one member is qualified to make a selection. The most remarkable part ot the huMii,“'.s is that the Engineer seems to lit? ignored altogether. The Chairman has been to Wellington seep the machine talked of working qnjer certain conditions and bad all its good points shown him by tho agents or by tbleir expert, and naturally he is quite convinced that this :is the vgry thing that the Council have Ijeen looking for. Quite so, it is a great improvement on our present system but if an article is procurable at the* qpne price that "’ill give from 25% to 50% better results why not adopt the latter.

Tlu* roads in this district are very narrow and the cross roads or places <f turning are few. For instancib take Like Ka.nieri road. If the machine leeided on was carting gravel, to say half, a mile above Havill’s at Kanien Forks before it could turn to pick up another load, a distance of about thro*? miles. That would mean, at least 30 minutes of the driver’s time and about •5s outlay for petrol and oil, besides ivpar and tear of machine. Other sections of the Lake, Kokatahi and Arahura will work out at about tbe same cost.

Tht' reason why this particular mntliine would have to ho driven to a cross Irotul to turn is because it is only driven qiy the two icar wheels, and cannot be taken oil' a hard surface. If it is, the wheels will not grip. Under jertain condituns the I eyland is a first class machine strongly constructed and well finished, lmt it will not suit for the purpose it is wanted by the Council. To give satisfaction the Council must hitvc it machine driven on its four w! f els. This class of machine will lake loads out of soft gravel pits with ease, deresit whore required and turn within a few yards without any strain or loss of time. It will also pull the road grader and save the cost of horses. I maintain that a four wheel drive machine will start and stop with less strain pn its driving parts, run wifi more ease, and its tyres will last longer, than any two wheel driven machine. A fjhijir wheel drive is constructed on the) 'iocomotivp principle, tl‘4 1 more drive the more power and less strain.

It would be well for County members to interview the managers of our local foundries on the two and four wheel drive system. They are engineers and know something of balance and power. I am sure they would give their opinion willingly. That will be expert advice and will carry more weight than that of a salesman. lam not an advocate for any particular make of machine providing it is a four wheel drive. T consider the best suggestion is to arrange for a demonstration. Get alt members and the engineer be present, anil .tpst as many machines as like to come along. The tests to be >vhaf the machine will probably be asked to do if in Cpunty use, such as pulling the grader, taking a load out of a. soft gravel pit, or turning off the road. There are two Leyland .machines here and I am sure the agents can arrange for one