KNOW-ALL HUMBUGS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 275, 14 February 1929, Page 7

KNOW-ALL HUMBUGS.

UNDESIRABLE PASSENGERS. The first essential of a good car passenger is that he shall have complete confidence in the powers of the driver, but this is the thing that the driver-passenger rarely has. His methods of attack are various, sometimes he sits bolt upright on the edge of the seat and watches the traffic with almost-unbelievable concentration. Sometimes he indicates his feelings by suddenly stopping in the middle of a remark and finishing it only when the intersection has been crossed or a car passed, or 1 whatever simple manoeuvre you were J about to undertake. Sometimes he gives a sharp, disconcerting and dramatic intake of breath. Sometimes he merely jams his foot on an imaginary brake so that the floorboards of the car creak ominously. But whatever he does, this type of

passenger is not a peaceful person te have on the front seat. Equally annoying is the passenger who has no confidence in the man at the wheel. “ 1,(1 have Passed that,” he declares when you pull behind a car to avoid cutting in. “ You needn’t slow down much for this corner. I never do.” Here s a fair bit of road, you can let her out a bit.” And so on. . It is this same type that passes I remarks about the car itself. “ Clutch is a bit fierce,” he comments as you start off, and if your car is a Fordge he dilates on the easy starting and stopping of the Stuick. The speedometer, of course, over registers, and the springing is nothing to compare with the Churtz. A Beage would

have taken that last hill without a murmur, and he is sure the bus is not greased often enough. The timid passenger who gives advice is terrible. Wives, they say, are the worst offenders. They point out obstacles and dangers, only to be met ] with the reply : “ Saw that hours ago. You can keep your eyes on the scenery.” j When the traffic policeman is visible they tell you the minute he moyes his position, but if he is obscured from your vision and only visible to theirs they will never warn you that his hand is against you, and they will sit in disapproving silence while you ignominously bade. A husband, after 15 years’ driving experience, answers his wife’s re-

marks with “ Thank you, I might not have noticed it.” Few, however, are capable of as much control as that !