MOTORDOM

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 645, 23 April 1929, Page 6

MOTORDOM

G A RAGE GOSSIP I It is better to stop dead than to stop—dead. Production o£ balloon tyres in America is at the rate of 2,000,000 covers a month. The National Roads and Motorists’ Association of Australia has over 45,000 members. , A 7 h.p. British car engaged on an economy demonstration run from Johannesburg to Durban, a distance of 345 miles, achieved the remarkable figure of 87 miles a gallon. The National Automobile Chamber of Commerce of America has voted a fund for the encouragement of research for a solution of headlight dazzle. Mr. H. L. Rogers, managing director of Inglis Bros., Ltd., has been selected by the New Zealand Motor Trade j Association and the Wholesalers’ Asso- ! ciation as the representative of the motor trade interests on the Transport ! Advisory Council. The A.A.A. has recently issued a map of Niue Island, showing the roads, both permanent and native tracks, a street plan of Alofi, and the historic features of the principal villages. On the back of the map is a brief description of the island, its history and trade.

Football On Motor Bikes A Game with a Future; the Rules and Conditions Since its introduction a few years ago, motor-cycle football in Australia lias become so popular that it is evidently a game with a future. In consequence of the interest displayed in it by local clubs, the A.C.U. drew up a number of laws governing the game, based on the rules of Association football. In some respects motor-cycle football is considerably more attractive

that the Association game. For one thing it is much faster, and the presence of the speed element Involves considerably more skill so far as ball control is concerned. A member of a motor-cycle football team must be essentially a good rider, and ready to take risks. Public interest in the game is growing, although naturally the gates do not in any way compete with those attracted by ordinary Association football. RULES AND CONDITIONS As at present constituted, the laws provide that the teams shall consist of six players on each side mounted on solo motor-cycles of any capacity. ! The teams wear distinctive jerseys. The dimensions of the field of play are in accordance with those provided for by the regulations governing Association football. The ordinary type of football is employed and the game lasts 60 minutes, ends being changed at half-time. Goals are scored in the usual manner. At the recent Warragul carnival, Victoria, a motor-cycle football match was contested between Melbourne and Warragul. The match created a great amount of interest and Melbourne won with a close finish. Similar contests have been held periodically by the A.J.S. Club, New South Wales, at their outings. All the hoys are enthusiastic about the excitement of the game.—“A.J.S. Chatter.”

THE TRANSPORT BOARD MOTOR TRADE ASSOCIATION OPINION Tlie appointment of the Commissioner of Transport is reviewed editorially in the latest issue of the “New Zealand Radiator,” the official organ of the Motor Trade Association. The important position of Commissioner of Transport is to be filled by Mr. J. S. Hunter, who at present is assistant to the General Manager of Railways. Mr. Hunter has had a long and varied experience in Government departments, and may prove to be the right man for the position, but as all his experience has been on the departmental side it remains to be proved whether he has the all-round knowledge and experience which the position requires. The position is a difficult one, and calls for a man of more than usual ability and experience; the selection of a suitable man must have been a difficult one, and whoever was selected could not have satisfied all the requirements which might be considered necessary. While his knowledge of the railway business should be of great value in his new position, there is a fear that his interest in this branch of transport may make it difficult for him to take an unbiased view of the transport problem generally, and that motor transport may suffer in consequence. ' Time alone can show whether this fear is groundless, and we are in hopes that Mr. Hunter’s general experience will enable him to take the big broad view which the transport question requires. We feel sure that in undertaking the duties of this new and important office Mr. Hunter will receive the support of all sections interested in motor transport, and if the Advisory Council is composed of the right type of men and the Minister and Commissioner are guided by its advice, much good will result by concentrating motor transport matters in a separate department. (AUCKLA NL> A U TOMOBILB ASSOCIATION). Continuing the visits of officials of the A.A.A. to the country districts, Mr. H. Curd, a member of the council, will address a meeting of members at Cambridge on Wednesday, April 24, and at Morrinsville on Fxfiday, April 26. The various activities on which the association is engaged, insurance, legal defence and other facilities for members will be explained. Local motorists will have the opportunity of placing their opinions before the officials, who will refer these matters back to the Executive Council for consideration. The touring manager will accompany Mr. Curd and will be gathering information and details for the improvement of next season’s touring literature. Next Saturday Dr. de Clive Lowe, a member of the council, and the touring manager, will leave for the Urewera Country and will inspect the work which is being carried out on the new route to Lake Waikaremoana. At the same time, several suitable camping sites will be located and later the Government will be approached to set these areas aside as permanent camp ing grounds. On the return from the | Urewera Country Dr. Lowe will ad dress a meeting of members at Puta rum on Wednesday, May 1. The signposting patrol of the associ ation is now away on the Haurak: Plains, signposting the area betweer Kerepeehi, Waitakaruru, Te Kau whata, Oliinewai, Tahuna and Pate tonga. The assistant service officer is alsc away in the country districts, visiting Taupo, Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty Work is now starting in earnest or the revision of maps, guides and tour ing information and the associatior would welcome suggestions from the country motorists indicating nev> places of interest and any points con nected with early Maori history.