Motor and Cycle

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 67

Motor and Cycle

■By

DEMON.

Tlie Otago Motor Club’s agent at Alexandra has advised that the Vincent County Council has decided to remove the rock at the end of. Alexandra bridge,, and that the work has already been commenced.

“ When motor cyclists take out - their crdinaiy license they should be compelled to take out an insurance against accident,” said Dr G. F. Rich, medical superintendent of the New Plymouth Hospital, at a meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Board. “I have always thought these patients are a loss to the hospital. They are a class of patient lacking in responsibility. One sees them tearing along the road on their motor cycles and one wonders when one will see them in hospital. They are a very heavy charge, not only on the maintenance, but also on the staff. They come in as emergency cases at all hours of the night and they require many anaesthetics and the most expensive apparatus in the theatre.” The matter of issuing a New Zealand hotel list and motor car camp book for both islands was discussed at the motor conference at Wellington the other day. One member expressed the view that all hotels should be asked to provide a clean towel when a motorist called for a meal When tariffs were mentioned another member said that concessions were granted to so many organisations that the concession rates became ordinary rates. It was reported that it was too late to issue a combined booklet this year, and the Northland South Islands Unions will each supply the other with copies of its booklets.

LIGHT IN THE TOOL LOCKER. The annoyance caused by the occasional need for roadside repairs and adjustments is tempered, and the delay which they cause is minimised, if all necessary tools

pressure than the old, thin variety mounted on a large diameter wheel. The introduction of the early “semi-balloon''' and then balloon, or moderate pressure tyre, however, inaugurated a movement which has continued until now it is possible that the wheel as such will almost disappear. The early type of wire wheels, with-their multitude of long, thin epokes, is shrinking steadily, while the hub has grown remarkably, and as a consequence it has been predicted that before long the wheel will vanish altogether and the tyre will be mounted directly on the hub. A movement in this direction is noticeable in recent models of American cars to reach Australia, the section of tyres having expanded still more, adding to the comfort of driving. Comfort, ho-wever, is not the only feature of the smaller diameter wheel, but increased stability follows the lowering of the centre of gravity of the car, while acceleration and deceleration, or stopping power, both benefit from a smaller wheel. The appeal of the balloon tyre on the score of looks was a strong feature which assisted its defeat of the high-pressure tyre a few years ago. English cars are also being fitted with wheels of the more modern type, small in diameter and with short spokes leading from a hub of wider diameter than the kind in favour three or four years ago, and these are now available for replacement purposes on existing cars in Australia. MAKING MOTORS MIND. By W. B. Franklin, Service Manager’ of General Motors New Zealand, Ltd. The spark plug is the sturdiest part of the engine not made entirely of metal, and must withstand the widest changes in temperature from hot to cold and cold to