THINGS YOU AUTO KNOW

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 955, 24 April 1930, Page 10

THINGS YOU AUTO KNOW

A search through the papers lately has revealed to me that a type of article, hitherto very prominent a-holiday-time, has apparently been overlooked this Eastertide. I refer to the useful and instructive columns usually appearing under the heading “Hints for the MotoristCamper,” or, perhaps, “Aids for the Camper-Motorist” or, even more help, fully, as “Dont’s for the CamperistMotor.” At any rate, 1 came across a news item today to the effect that a very large number of motorist-campers were on the road this Easter, and it occurs to me that these people must sorely miss the fatherly guidance of the happy little paragraphs which previously have been such a feature of the automobile sections of the papers during the holiday periods. In order, therefore, to keep faith with those masses of motorists who expect and look for these items, and who would be grievously disappointed if none appeared. I have endeavoured to write up a list of the more important hints,. basing my choice on the type of stuff that has been handed out before. For quick reference in time of emergency’, this column shou.d be cut out and pasted up on the windscreen just in front of your line

of vision. If you are a back-seat driver, you can cut it out and stick it on the neck of the man in front. Those with more leisure and forethought might prefer to mount it on stiff cardboard and frame it. They should then burn it. However, herewith the 101 Helpfui Hints for the Holiday Motorist, as approved by the “highest authorities.” Many towns in New Zealand can be reached by road, but before starting on a long journey it is as well to see that you have plenty’ of benzine. Don’t drive fast down a steep hill if your brakes are broken. Should the steering wheel come off in your hand when you are doing over 50 m.p.h., a good plan is to remove the top gadget and do some-thing-or-other to the thingumibob-Jl forget the rest now but it wouldn't matter much, anyhow A useful accessory to a long motor trip is a spare tyre. Should the car break down, it may be from one of several causes.

Ckjt of ‘bfcUERWThere are many styles of small motorists’ tents on the market. Before pitching camp on a racecourse, it is advisable to see that a race is not in progress. It is illegal to drive at excessive speeds through many New Zealand towns. As a general rule, camp fires shornnot be built less than six inches away from the benzine tank of your car. It is a serious drawback to the comfort of a long motor trip if the car springs are broken. The trouble can usually be rectified by the substitution of new springs. Remember that the further T OO drive the more benzine you consumeIn pitching a tent, the simplest plnis usually the easiest. ' If your self-starter refuses to ton" tion after a night in the ope.i, there generally a reason. If your matches become wet, n “ can be made by the Indian or rubbitb stick method. . , _ Select a dry stick about IS ’ n /: Y long and five-eighths of an inch tha Sharpen both ends, and obtain a sno • dry piece of board about four inches wide and two feet long. A wad old dry newspaper completes 1“ materials. ■, Break the stick in two, and laf over the newspaper. Split up - board into short sticks and lay the also over the newspaper. . . Then borrow your friend’s mate and set light to the pile.