TESTING AN INVENTION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 13, 14 January 1913, Page 7

TESTING AN INVENTION.

PETROL CONSUMPTION.

Amounted on a two and a half horse power torpedo motor cycle, and travelling at a fairly uniform rate, Air E. R. Godward (says the Southland Times) rode 41 times round the quar-ter-mile track at the Caledonian grounds at Invercargill on Monday afternoon. The occasion was the testing of an invention framed by Air Godward whereby tbc consumption of petrol is diminished to a very surprising degree. The. results obtained at previous tests had been made known, and their nature aroused curiosity in many eases and incredulity in others. The test was carried out under the strictest scrutiny. The nature of the apparatus by which the saving is effected lias not been disclosed, as Air Godward maintains that it is as yet only in the experimental stage, From external appearances the engine is practically unaltered. The petrol and oil tank is slightly larger than the average tank, and a pipe whereby hot air is drawn off the cylinder into the tank is the main alteration in the mechanism. There was a fairly sharp breeze blowing when the test was made, and the rider ran an extra lap in order to satisfy critics that he had covered the required distance. He did a full 10 miles, at an average speed of about 22 miles an hour, and it was found that 31nz of petrol had been used, equivalent to a run of 467 miles per gallon. A test with kerosene over a five-mile run at an average speed of 26 miles an hour worked out at 3oz, or equivalent to 266 miles per gallon. After the latter test the ignition plug was removed, and it was found to he quite free of carbon deposit, a fact which will be noted with surprise by many motorists.