THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1929.
FOR
SURE TRACTION
SAFE BRAKING
EASY STEERING
PERFECT CONTROL
AND
EXCESS MILEAGE
under
all conditions
YOU NEED
FISK
ALL-CORDS
OBTAINABLE AT ALL GARAGES UPON REQUIST,
Sole Distributors:-
Tel. C.290.
PUBLIC RIGHTS
PEDESTRIANS AND MOTORISTS
are
GILMAN & CO.
be
4A, Des Voeux Road C.
A GARDEN CITY
"A TOWN FOR THE MOTOR AGE"
holders
TYRE WEAR
IMPRESSION OF MOST MOTORISTS
• USEFUL HINTS
THE CHINA MAIL,
DRIVING LICENCES
REFORM OF LAW OVERDUE
PRIVILEGES OF YOUTH
and
The opinion is almost universally: At present anybody over 14 years. held amongst motorists that the of age can obtain a licence to drive slower they drive the longer their a motor-cycle by completing a form tyres will last. Up to a certain and paying is. The same formal- point they are right, but the im-ities entitle anybody over 17 years portant fact that. 1 poor of age to drive a car, It is com- driver can do more dam-
mon knowledge that a reform of age
to res in the first five motor legislation is long overduo, yards of starting and the last and that the new Government pro five yards of pulling up than a poses to undertake the task at skilful man will do in a hundred the earliest opportunity. Mean- miles tour is very often lost sight while the Royal Commission ap of. In addition, the driver who polated in August, 1928, to deni uses his head" in pulling up after with the whole subject, has just a puncture is bound to get better issued its recommendations. results, In this connection it two of its conclusions are exciting should be remembered that every fierce criticism in many quarters. yard driven on the rim is equival For it definitely discountenances font to many miles of normal wear, any form of driving test as a con- and in some cases will completely dition for holding a licence; and ruin the cover.
its suggestions with regard to me- To realise how excessive wear dical tests, though vague, are con- may be avoided. the motorist must aidered by many people to err in first understand something of the the timid side. The Commission mechanics of tyre design. Assum-recommends that every applicant ing that the owner has followed the for a licence should be compelled advice given by his car manufac- to sign a personal certificate of his turers and tyre service station, and physical fitness, and makes rather has equipped his car with tyres of cloudy proposals for enforcing a adequate dimensions and has pump-medical examination in
ed them to the correct pres-cases.
sare. future results depend almost entirely on how near to a true
rolling motion can be imparted to the wheels,
For Overseas
certain
Every driver proceeding over- seas with his car has to pass a driving examination in order to
If it were possible to push or tow the ear on its journey, and not ap-obtain a pass which makes him ply power through the wheels, free of the Continental roads.
tyre.
No
skilful and  careless problems of a driving test. But A good driver, after un- no standardised road teat of a prac
follow
cf
It
13
Marquette
Marquette
NOW ON
DISPLAY
THE
BUILT BY BUICK
Pere Marquette was a hardy ex- plorer when North America was a wilderness-travelling great dis- tances on rushing rivers in light boats.
Like the explorer, the new Mar- quette has proved itself hardy. At General Motors Proving Grounds months of gruelling tests for speed. power, endurance, comfort, case of control. braking power, body strength and many other quali- fications that go to make up a car of Buick quality, assured Buick value and sterling performance.
Only after Marquette had proved its right to this name and to its Buick sponsorship was it released to
Drive it to-day.
you.
DRAGON MOTOR CAR COMPANY LTD.,
33, Wong Nei Chung Road, Happy Valley
Telephone Central 1246 or 1247.
QUERIES ANSWERED
ILLUMINATED WHITE LINES
T. A.- have a 1918 Harley- The white line has added greatly
motor cycle.
mag- to
the safety of our roads. neto model, and would like Probably no single invention bas you to help me out of a done more. Its chief drawback, little problem I have with it. In however, is the difficulty of seeing order to effect some repairs I had it at night time. The idea of hav to take the crankcase to pieces, 'and ing an illuminated white line is an in, reassembling I was unable to excellent one. One such од locate the correct position of the the North Circular road near small cog at the bottom of the train. Hendon recently, is most Can you tell me the correct position effective. It is equally distinguish- of this cog, and what its function able at night and during the day. is!
The installation is naturally rather expensive, but the expense would be worth while at all specially dan- gerous bends. In addition to this white line, it is suggested that transverse illuminated lines should be installed fifty yards or so away from level crossing gates,
The cog
cross-
Lyres would last for probably statistics are published about 50,000 miles or so. but, naturally, these tests, to which several thou- funder these conditions the machine sand licensed British drivers 'sub- would cease to be a motor car. mit themselves annually (they are. Examine, therefore, just how the carried out by clerks in the employ driver should act so that he can of the A.A. and R.A.C.). Two of avoid unnecessary wear, and still the examiners have told me their keep a good average speed. There personal experience, which is that are, broady speaking, two classes between them they have rejected of wear. The first is due to legi- one man and no women over a long timate abrasion caused by contact term of years; the man passed his with the road, and affecting the test successfully twenty-four hours: iread only: and the second is that after his failure. This might mean caused by undue stresses on the that only expert drivers proceed; yre as a whole, and is of greater overseas (though, such is not the moment a beth casing and tread fact). It probably means that a are involved. Perhaps the best very brief experience, such as; The idea of the Society for the A few weeks age the first in- way to illustrate the why and every new driver obtains by a Defence of the Public Rights of habitants moved into the new model wherefore of wear is to compare series of driving lessons, fite a max Pedestrians, which is to be started town of Radburn, a short distance the methods and actions of to cope with the ordinary routine shortly, was suggested by a remark away from New York City, across made by Lord Cecil when moving the Hudson River, in the State of driver. his Motorists Bill in the House of New Jersey. Radburn is the gaging first gear. will manipulate ticable character is likely to Lords. He expressed surprise that nearest approach to Letchworth his clutch so that he gets a smooth prove whether a man will act cool- no organisation exists to represent and Welwyn that has been seen in and even getaway, and second and ly and promptly and wisely in an the point of view of the walker. America, and is a semi-philanthro-third gear will The movement, in which such pic enterprise, the investors
so acute road emergency. I once saw who deanly that the bodies as the Ramblers' Clubs and have made it possible having limit will
passengers one of the best wornen drivers I not feel the the Holiday Fellowship in-e their profits to 6 per cent. jolt, as both engine and
alightest know throw up her hands and tereated, does not start out with When it is completted it will be mission speeds have been
trans- scream, letting go of the wheel. any hostility to the motorists as a community of 25,000
judg when a cyclist lost his head four such. Of course the motorist in persons, many of whom will find away can be quite rapid, and yet per answer to the proposed driving who classify R.A.F. pilots, but
30.000 ed to a nicety. This style of get-yards from her bonnet. The pro-te to the task of the specialists his capacity as a walking member jomplerment in factories in or near impose a minimum of wear on the test is that every novice of the public will be protected as Radburn itself, while others will be
automa- will be far more acute in intensity. much as the poor man whose life season-ticket
Once under way and the tically undergoes a far more seri These specialista work under cass
Davidson travelling touring speed reached, the throt-ous test already, either by paying and simple terms of reference. and pleasure in living are threaten- daily to larger commonites near te is eased back until the car is the agent who supplies his car, to They are given material of the high- ed by the inconsiderate motor-by. driver.
Radburn is called "A Town for rolling along practically by its own teach him the art of driving, arest class, from which they have to There is to be a big meeting in the Motor Age," and is so designed conserves both tyres and fuel.
momentum! This, incidentally, by studying under the acgis sift the absolute cream. The exa London in October at which the that to pedestrian needs to cross
some experienced friend.
miner for - Inotor driving. aims of the Society will be defined. a highway traversed by meter-cars the application of the brakes, and The next matter of interest is
licence must probably be a doctor Medical Tests The general purpose is to provide in the course of his ordinary
of far poorer qualifications. He the pedestrian with machinery for journaings about the city. here a good driver shows his judg-
4
The clamour for medical tests would be given a mixed mass putting his case in Parliament and typical section of the town is an ent by slowing down gradually, far more plausible.
human Material to sift, It is prob. ef elsewhere when encroachments area a fifth of a mile long, and two- so that, if necessary the car can be able, even perhaps certain, that arging from the very meat to the are threatened upon his freedom thirds as wide, down the centre of brought to a standstill by a slight licences are now held by a few
worst. Unless he commits crue and safety. The text. so to speak, which, for, about two-thirds of the essure of the brake pedal. people whose sight and hearing are injustices, often affecting a man': of the movement is the fact that distance, goes a closed-end, motor
Sitting leade this driver it is below any acceptable canons. entire career (as with transport
controls the oiling last year 6,127 persons were killed i street. On either side of this are
noticed that he sweeps
the car is even possible that a few licensed workers, for example). it will be system of the machine, and it is and 164,487 injured on the roads. houses set in rows at right angles and curves in a graceful fashion. drivers. suffer from some heart D his duty to pass everybody who is very important that it should be
Resistance
meshed correctly. The balance of will doubtless to the street. These rows are so without any semblance of a skid other functional trouble which com- not an obvious public danger, sup
the timing train as shown in your offered to such proposals as that of arranged that between each two of or roll. This is simply because he pletely unfits them for the road. Posing that under the circum- the Trafle Commission for allowing them there is a motor driveway, he slowed down gradually before But the only common disqualifica stances he can hope to identify the cog, turn the engine over until the sketch is correct. To set the small motor-coaches to travel at 35 miles giving access to the individual reaching the corner, and then, actions for driving are more subtle public dangers, which I seriously marks on the other timing gears an hour and suggestions will be garage. On the other side of each lerating slightly, the car seems and form matter for test by psy. question. He could not be allow are all in line, as per your diagram. made designed to restore the row there is a garden path leading to coast around at a natural angle. chologists rather than by the gened to discriminate other than by Looking down on to the crankcase, pleasure of country walking by away from the main motor highway Further, this man is not afraid to oral practitioner, who alone can be saying, "Fit to drivo" or "Unfit to restricting char-a-banes and heavy toward an extensive parked area, use the steering wheel, and if by put in charge of such tests withou: drive"; whereas we all know that small pinion, will be noticed, and bronze bushing, carrying the motor traffic to specified roads. with pedestrian walks several miles chance a slight deviation means vast
absurd many people who are safe at the on it a mark like an inverted "U". expense and an There are
many complaints from in length. In the words of the avoiding a patch of rough metal he dislocation of existing medical ser. wheel of a Trojan van would be The pinion should be meshed so the country of huge char-a-banes official description:-
will steer and it without hesita-vices. The worst disqualifications perilous at the helm of a Bentley. that the mark on it is alongside and using narrow lanes, to the incon Each house has two fronts, ation. Compare this procedure, with are psychological. The outstanding could not be allowed to say, in line with the mark on the bash- venience and even the danger of
motor entrance and a garden en that of the careless driver, and factor in the make-up of a good This man is safe provided, he ing. the walker.
trance. Friends arriving by there appears the solution of the driver is a lightning reaction. signs the pledge," whereas many automobile, as well as the green- tyre wear problem in a nutshell. a child darts out of an alley, or amen who are good drivers when grocer, the milkman, the exalman, Every time the careless man lets motor bus skids ahead of him, or sober, are untrustworthy after two all who drive, go to the motor in his clutch the wheels spin and some driver committs a betise, or beers or a whisky and soda; whilst through the motor column what you or service entrance by way of tear rubber off the tread in flakes. one of his wheels comes off, or his other men of the nervous sort-think is the cause of the following
closed-end streets Nor is that the toa! less, for severe brakes fail, or any of a hundred after a similar amount of alcoho- trouble? The car is a four cylin- now be holding: pageants of around which the houses are local heat is generated, the rubber other road emergencies develops in lic stimulant become both better der, and while driving along the
An entrance on the round that particular spot is de-a split second, the good driver au-
and safer drivers. World he, in gear slips into low gear without of the us "cycle display" other side of the house opens on vulcanised, and its wearing quall-tomatically does the correct thing any case, have the time to make, or any warning. It used to happen why should they not organise in the garden, at the end of which ties are rendered almost valueless. instantly. The bad driver suffers the ability to apply, any of the only occasionally at first, but of historic exhibit of cycles? There is a path for those coming on The same argument applies to pull from a time lag in any case, and foot. This path connects with ing up.
scientific tests which enable the late the trouble has been prevalent. are always local cyclists who could the footway system in the park pedal alone until the last moment, action when his time lag has ex approximate certainty that a man just how a gear can slip from high ahker, a high bicycle, and a large He leaves the brake as often as not, takes the wrong RA.F. examiners to decide with Frankly, we cannot understand help. Wigan held one recently and
included while the motorways or closed-and then presses it vigorously, one pired.
a hobby-horse, a bone end streets connect with wide for more wheels lock, and the tyre tioner
How is a general practis or is not, mentally and tempera- straight into low. The speeds of traffic avenues.
going A number of akids along the road
to sort
mentally suited out
to facing emer the two gears are so very far apart number of early pattern machines. these closed-end streets, with the is more damage to both the tread (as must occur in the first year of
The result the time lag factor, especially when gencies which occur at high that very few drivers could effect Those for ladies excited most in- houses grouped around them, and the cover.
speeds?
the change without noise. In fact, make up a block many times the
such a system) he has to shuffle
at ordinary driving speeds. it would her grandmother or her mother ever The only alternative which ap-be almost impossible to make the rede such things. Even the little size of the ordinary city block, handle his ar in such a way that plicans in a very short time. The tests should approximate in some ever, that the lever slips into the were not forgotten.
On corners the careless man will his way through hundreds of appears technically sound that the change. It is just possible, how fairy bicycles of the youngsters with traffic venues, as its the tyres squeal." In these days when motor traffic
He uses no problem frequently necessitates sudden dis-
boundaries and the long park judgment either for angle or speed. miner will
confronting the exa-simplified version to those imposed neutral position, and the revving of commended to those seeking novel strip in the centre. In the blocks and tearing stresses of a high order mounts the use of toe-straps. is a
be similar in charac-by the RAF. If this compara. the engine has led you to believe items for those shows which form greater danger than ever. Eren on
now being built the parks are to
tively logical procedure were that the gear has changed to the Part of the programme of nearly the track no one favoured them.
be joined by an under-pass where are imposed on both the tread and
scopted, we should have the casing.
to low position. If this is the case, every holiday resort.
The mere they are crossad by the traffic pair of stout elastic bands would
extract in the first street
Further, this man vill frequent must look to if he has the slightes: an enormous staff of highly may be causing the trouble. First grown commonplace and although Tear there are several possibilities which parade of decorated cycles has keep the feet firmly to the pedals. The inhabitants of Radburn will ly apply the brake fiercely on a cor- regard for the life and service of paid specialists from jow which of all, the selector rod may be bent much ingenuity is displayed one On the road the good rat-trap live in detached villas and in flats, er, hoping to get out of a difficul- his tyre equipment. Let the clutch are more valuable; we should have or notched in such a way that the such is very much like another. pedals will not give one all the proportions of each type to be tv Braking on a comer at speed in gradually to avoid wheel spin to face the high cost of such an ex- top gear cannot mesh fully; the An historical procession would the grip that is needed. Lea-determined by the actual demand. is, from the touring car driver's Speed up in the same, manner, traction, and put up with the delay selector spring (which holds the crate live public interest. ther bands on the soles make At present several hundred of the point of vier, the essence of bad Learn to change gears so that the involved in testing the two million small ball in the selector rod notch) houses have been completed and the dracing. Not only is the tyre like passengers do not move when applicants. In the second year may be weak. If either of these walk occasionally. With rat-trap first group of flats is under way. It ly to burs, owing to rolling changing either up or down. the licence-holders who had been conditions obtain the gear will tend
13 interesting to note as bearing under the rim, but the centre of Watch the road ahead for hroken graded A1 a year before, would be to slip into the neutral position at the gears. They will be marked to from the teeth and these hare the on the future of Ridburn that more gravity of the car itself is changed glass and loose metal. Ease up put through quickly; and the time the slightest provocation. The the degree of mesh, and the taper. double advantage of always giving than one-half of all residential so rapidly that there is real danger before reaching a corner, and drive required for testing the first-time strain of the constant slipping will if any, will show with a reasonable one the same grip. A good construction in the United States of overturning. Good driving is around it. Use judgment in ap applicants would be comparatively probably have worn the teeth of degree of clearness. If the mesh deal of the complaint about the is now in the form of flats. feet slipping on the pedala is due
habit, and it demands no further proaching danger spots or traffe brief. We could return our speci the gears to a taper, which would does not seem to be right, Inspect physical or rental effort than does blocks so that the speed is low alats to their normal duties, account for the gear slipping more the selector rod and the spring. to Insuficient ankling." If the
careless or dorenty handling enough to avoid skidding if it is Would the gaze be worth the can- of late. To check for the above Should the parts be worn the ankles are fully employed and the
Coodensing the position, there are found necessary to pull up the car die R. E. Davidson in the "New conditions, remove the top of the remedy fa, ef course, replacement pedals pushed over the top and
certain matters which every driver quickly.
StatesE IL””.
gear box and note the condition of with new parts.
The putting into force of a test of physical fitness for motor-drivers
will probably be advocated. An- other matter which is disturbing non-motorists in the country is the growing habit of motorists of driv- ing their cars over open downs and commons-this more especially ap plies to the motor-cyclist-with disastrous effect upon the peace of the countryside.
The Society may be expected to support the proposal, which was re- jected by the Traffic Commission, for making third-party insurance compulsory upon motorists.
DANGER OF TOE STRAPS
A
walking unpleasant and one does
pesiale one soon works tiny holes
the short,
grouped.
clawed round the bottom of the circle you will get full and ample grip with the rattraps.
2
A.S.W-Will you please tell me
roads, and the like. In the case of
gates
level crossings different coloured lights would be used the line would show red when the were closed and white when open. The lighting arrangements would be automatic in action, so that no labour would be necessary.
SEASIDE PAGEANTS
Many seaside resorts will
одо form or other. Instead
terest. Many a girl wondered how
This idea i