THE MOTOR AND CYCLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 June 1915, Page 7

THE MOTOR AND CYCLE.

MOTORS AND TOLL GATES. At a meeting of the Stratford Automobile Association held on Tuesday last, the members present discussed the toil | gate question. The chairman (Mr. W. P. 'Kirkwnod), who was also elected Prcsisdent of the Association, gave a brief resume of the proceedings at the Toll (late Commission recently held in Stratford, and in the course of his remarks stated that it was his linn belief, if the 10,00') ears ill the dominion were taxed oil tyres, at an average tax of £2 per car, thus producing annually C 20,000, this sum would provide interest and sinking fund on it loan of ,CJ0O,0(IO to be spent on the roads in the North and South Islands, and would provide the best solution of the roads upkeep difficulty. This method would at least be the most equitable way of dealing with the contribution to be derived from motorists for the wear and tear of motor traffic on the roads. With the increase of motor car users, the annual revenue to be derived from this source would increase considerably. Mr. Kirkwood emphasised the point that the reading: question, as affected by motor trallic was jjjiot confined to Taranaki alone; the trouble cropped up throughout the dominion, and consequently should be dealt with oh a broad basis.

Messrs 'A. W. Reid and W. J. Newton, together with other members present, were entirely in accord with the President's views, and expressed strong opinions against the toll gate system.

XI3WIS AND NOTES. An effort is to bo made to have tli'c world's cycling c)iainpinnsjiip decided in America tliis year. The l!)ir> mootin,!,' was allotted to England,' but owing, to the war there is no chance of the classic events being decided in London this year, consequently the American' cycling authorities have approached the', International Cyclists' Union with :i ! view of having the venue changed to | New York. It is anticipated that th'c I request will be granted, as the interim- 1 tional Union will be anxious to keep the' series of classic championships intact. I Owing to the danger of collisions, when motoring through London streets ] —which are now kept in semi-darkness'' —it has been decided by the authorities that the kerb stones at all dangerous corners, etc., shall bo kept'whitened,' and thus minimise accidents. The suggestion emanated from the English Automobile Association and Motor Union. It is anticipated that similar provision will be made in all the large English provincial towns where lights have been considerably reduced. It is interesting to learn that the motor cycle and side ear machine' gun out-fit has been doing excellent work at the front. In the fight for the "now famous "Hill 00," it ia stated by ' the official "Eye-Witness" that the motor cycle machine guns achieved'a brilliant success in repulsing 'German counter attacks. For a considerable period "doubt has been expressed as to the actual value of the new arm, but'there can fie no question from now onwards as to their utility. Tli is means therefore that more orders will be placed''for these side car machine guns. There is no.' reason why this new arm should be confined to the British forces, and in all probability the French and Kussian armies will also obtain fleets of side car machine guns. People in this country have little idea of the gigantic dimensions of the American motor industry. According to Collier's Magazine, one of the most reliable of American journals, a sum of j £100,000.000 is annually put into oir- j i dilation in U.S.A. through the automobile building..'-Justry alone. This isapart from the cost of running the machines after delivery to the purchasers. | There are some 15,000 garages registered | in the States, employing nearly 100,000 I hands. Licensed chauffeurs total 17"),000, and in round figures another 100,000 are employed in driving commercial motor vehicles. It is estimated that the huge sum of £100.000,000 is spent an- ) nually on motoring in U.S.A., giving emi ployment to over 7">0,0fl0 men. In j eight of the most important States of America there is an average of one ear j j tu every 37 inhabitants. |