MOTOR NOTES.
Motorists-N.B
The annual ball of the Hong Kong Automobile Association takes place at the Peninsula Hotel on Friday, January, at 8 pm. Tables miny be backed at the main entrance of the Hong Kong Hotel.
Driving Courtesy.
Courtesy in driving means safety. Discourtesy is generally due to one of two things, hurry or ignorance. There is a Chinese proverb which
SAYS
Murder is sometimes, excus- able rudeness nover."
A Great Work Completed. The great work of relaying over a mile of Nathan Road, Kowloon, is now finished. Once more the full width of the road can be used without dodging from one side to another. The surface of reinforced soncrete will now be able to hear the terrific knocks imposed by the constant heavy 'bus traffic.
THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1930.
MOTOR NOTES.
MOTOR CYCLE,
NOTES.
THE "POPULAR " MOTOR
CYCLE.
'SAFETY FIRST!"'
TEN SIMPLE RULES.
The conscientious observance of ten simple rules for safe driving, The "popular" motor oycle prepared by one of the foremost analysed from the Buyers' Guide traffic authorities, would materially would be a 500 cc. single cylinder, reduce the number of traffic and overhead-valve type, with a three-highway accidents, and at the same speed gearbox, mechanical lubrica tion, and fitted with 26 x 3.23 tyres. The average weight of motorcycles listed for sale, ranging from 147 elu.
time result in a decidedly more eficient use of cars, according to A.
for
EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE, ¦ A PLEA FOR THE PILLION..
WHAT ABOUT THE HORSE-
AND-CART?
A leading article in Votar Cycling, commenting upon the clause in the Road Traffic Bill which would make it illegal for
ried on
Since the introduction of the regulations concerning the new neiss created by road vehicles more than one passenger to be ear- a solo motorcycle, says: number of commercial-motor owners
It is entirely wrong to say that a has been prosecuted and many have solo machine with two or three up been warned because their machines is overloaded. The factor of safety were alleged to be making undue reigned to the factor of safety noise. No doubt in most of the porting and propelling a sidecar.
THE ROAD TRAFFIC BILL.
AN OBJECTIONABLE CLAUSE!
· What The Motor regards as the worst feature of the Road Traffic Bill in the retention of the old reckless and dangerous driving clause practically as it appears in In view of the the old Act of 1903. greatly increased pensities offences under the clause our con- temporary considers it to be the greatest flaw in the Bill and con tinues: A daily paper which has not shown itself favourably dispos
peats in effect what we atuted last week when it says: There is not the at present on
Statute Book, and ought not to be, a law making it a penal offence to do a certain act under certain undefined cir- cumstances which it is unlawful to
under other undefined circum stances.'
how many horsed-van owners have The clause talks of all the been summoned in the past few driven on to Aned as much as £50 streets horse-drawn vehicles which circumstances of the case. and a months for allowing upon
the if, in the opinion of a single individual-constable
or private citizen-it is considered that traffic might reasonably have been expect ed to be on a road.!
R. Erskine, President of the Stude-ed to motorists on all ocensions reappreciated by the average goods. baker Corporation
said Mr.
The many complications and new safety requirements imposed to 1,200 eel, is 257 Ins. The light-by modern trate conditions are Some criticism, however, must be made of the thick layer of sharpest machines weighs 115 lbs., while ably covered in these ten command flints, laid over the tarred surface the heaviest is 410 lbs. The cheap-ments for motorists, "
They were compiled at after action had been completed. eat motor cycle costs £19.10.0, while Erskine.
the dearest costs over £180. It was very nasty to drive over,
the request of safety workers by and has created havoc with tyre
Dr. Miller McClintock, director of Research, which The Studebaker the Erskine Bureau for. Street Traf- Corporation endows in Harvard University as its contribution to the solution of modern traffic and safety problems...
milenge. However the buses with
their heavy tyres soon put matters right. but not without great loss to the 'bus companies.
MOTOR CYCLE FOOTBALL.
Two years ago several motorcycle football games were played between members of the European Y.M.C.A., Nathan Road Trets.
Kowloon, and the Motor Cycle Sec Now that the road is clear again, tion of the Hong Kong Volunteers. one can't help noticing the condi- The games were most spectacular, tion of the Nathan Rond trees.and those who had the opportunity They do not seem to have the bright of playing thoroughly enjoyed the green look about them they had a fun." These games are all the few years ago, when Nathan Road go" at Home, where thrills and was free from 'bus traffic. At that | dever riding are always popular. time tourists to the Colony use Now Year's Day Game.
to refer to it as a pretty avenue," rather than the busy thoroughfare it is now.
Unfortunately, two severe ty- rhoons left the big trees bare and with big ugly gaps through the loss of large branches. These storms denit a severe blow to Nathan Road, com- pletely demolishing many of the Antiller trees and somehow this road has never looked the same since.
A Now Light Signal.
The match played on. New Year's Day at the Kowloon Football Club ground between Lieut. Howard's team and the Volunteers was the
first to be played before a grand- stand. It provided a thrilling in- terval during the football match, and all those who watched the game and clever iding shown by Banks, énjoyed every moment. The dash
Williams, and Howard were fen- tures of the game. There are many young enthusiastic cyclists in the It is gratifying to note that a Colony who would he only too eager green and red light signal has to have an opportunity to play in beca installed at the cross-ronds of a team, and we hope the match at Nathan and Prince Edward Roads.the K.F.C. will not be the last we This is probably the busiest spot shall see of these evente, on the mainland. Cars returning from Fanling and the beaches on the Castle Penk Road, and 'bases
Motor-cycle football might even from Un Long and Laichikok con- be extended to the big “Charity” verge into the narrow strip of road | football-games. If it were possible leading to this cross-road. 'Buses to extend the half-time interval going to Kowloon City turn here, while the Shamshuipo buses bound for the Ferry even go out of their way to turn at this point.
Now Recruits,
The policemen on duty at this point are generally new recruits who are being given a "try out under the eye of an experienced officer; but often chaos results when a moment of quick thinking is required. He is seen to wave his miserable stick frantically, benefit- ting neither side. At dusk, on week-end evening, with the head lights of buses in Nathan Road, it is impossibic to see which way he is pointing. Recently white armlets have been supplied to these officers, with a little improvement. The
light signal is very badly need ed here, and it is hoped it will soon be put into operation.
Bus Company's New Premists,
The Kowloon Motor Bus Com- pany's new premises at the end of Nathan Road, opposite the Ford Garage, will be ready by the end of the month. The Company will immediately take over their new premises, shifting from their present position.
It is n very imposing building of three storeys, with a central tower. The garage and workshops are at the rear, with two large side entrances. It will have accommo- dation for over 50 of the Company's large buscs, while living quarters for the employees are provided in the building. The new premises have cost the Company $250,000.
Thrills Galore, Spectators who witnessed the Tourist Trophy. Race in Ireland re- cently were provided with thrilla galore. A story is told of one spectator who took up a position near a bad-corner, right on the edge of the road. Just before one of the. big racing cars reached the corner) the "driver" took both hands off
the wheel to adjust his goggles. In
It
a second the spectator, was a quar- ter of a mile way, going strong was a long time before he could be persuaded (a) to return, and (b) that the car had its steering wheel on the left and not on the right '. side, and that the "driver".
only the mechanic!
Ford Factory's Water.
WAS
It is stated that 500,000 gallons of water per minute, or three- quarters of a million gallons a day, are required at the Ford Motor Company's works at Rouge, Dear- born, Michigan. The water is con- veyed to the works by a turbel two and a quarter miles long from the Detroit River. Ninety per cent. of the water used is for cooling purposes. This provides a vivid idoa and skḥmunalinity-of-the-i corus meletak in America, where the daily output is over 8,000 çarı.
|
At the "Charity" Matches.
from 10 to 20, or 30 minutes, a short fast game of motorcycle football could he played to the great henefit of the spectatore. However, if it is not possible to, extend the half- time period, then a game might be played, before the big match, any event, I would certainly be an added attraction to the big football games. →
THE RELIABILITY TRIAL.
In
Hats off to the Motor Cycle Section of the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps for their fine efforts to hold another reliability trial for motor-cyclists.
very successful trial was organ. sed by them two years ago, since when motor-cyclets have kept ask ing each other when we would have another.
"The rules are based on traffic studies made by the Bureau in city and ruburban arcan with an cati- mated total population in excess of 10.000.000 people. The ten pointers which it is believed motorists should always bear in mind whether dris- ing in the city or in the open cour- try are:-
1. Keep your car in sound condi
tion.
2. Keep your car under control - It is dangerous if you cannot stop in the assured clear dis- tance ahead.
3. Keep your eye on the road :--- One second's inattention may mean an accident.
4. Never fight for the right of way-The only real utility of right of way rules is et inquests or damage suits.
5. Go along with the procession :-- You have no more right to "drag" traffic than you have and jeopardize yourself others by uznecessary "cutting
to
6. Be as courteous on the road as you are in your own home:- Give other drivera ‘and especi- ally pedestrians a fair chance."
7. Know your local traffic rules ...and obey them exactly:-They are the motorist's safety code. and book of etiquette combined. 8. Take pride іг your driving
skill: If normal people are nervous to ride with you, some- thing is wrong with your driv ing..
9. Don't mix liquor, worry, or
anger with petrol,
10. Study local maps and experi ment for shorter and less 'con- gested routes; you may be BUY- prised at the time you will
save.
:
The course of the New Territory Circuit at Kowloon chosen for the trial is a very popular one, and the length of the trial, same 30 Since that date motor cycling has miles, will satisfy even the most grown immensely popular, and the hardy. An entrance fee of $3 is number of riders has greatly multi-asked, and without exception all plied. There are, therefore, a large motor-cycle owners should make a number of new owners who are point of entering. cazer to have the experience of competing in a trial.
(Continued on next Column.)
It is hoped that after this trin: regular plans for half-yearly, or even yearly, trials can be made.
B. S. A.
FOR
R
POWE
SPEED
SILENCE
SAFETY
ECONOMY
RELIABILITY
The Best Value in Motor Cycles
SINCERE'S
SOLE AGENTS:
༄་
The fact that there is a care- less driving clause does not affect our firm and unflinching opposition to the reckless and dangerous driving clause in relation to the new and greatly increased penalties, for we are convinced that with no speed limit motorists are likely to e convicted of dangerous driving with grave injustice."
cases where convictions resulted the
Who is there so rave as to vehicles were unnecessarily noisy,
The spirit of the regulations is declare that the motorcycle will continue indefinitely its present characteristics! Who dare state It is not at all that the two-seater motorcycle on motor owner. easy matter to silence business vehicles of some classes, but all are
greed,"
Bays The Commercial Motor "upon the desirability of reducing road noises and vibration, and the co-operation of owners is assured. One wonders, however,
cause undue noise.
"For quietness, the solid rubber. tyred vehicle cannot compare with the preumatic tyred machine, but tor real, rattling uproar the steel- tyred horsedrawn van or dray is in a category all its own. The steel tyres cut into the road surface, and where the camber is severe or the load heavy, do much damage: but that is by the way it is the noise We are complaining of at the moment. How many of the horsed, van operators have been summoned for the noise they cause!"
which a third passenger could be carried in complete safety may not some day be as familiar on pur roads as the sole machines" of to-day?"
attracted by the lights of the car.
wild animals at night which were
"Soveral months prior to this ruz, C. E. Perry, a business-man of Rangoon, made motoring circles in Burma sit up and take notice when he blazed his own trail between Rangoon and Mandalay in a stock Erskine Tourer. The trip was made in 48 hours.
"Although the distance is only 395 miles, the utter absence of even a semblance of read and existence of dense jungles and wide stretches of thick elephant grass barring the way, made the record-breaking time even more significant,"
|
MOTORING IN INDIA.
RECORD BROKEN.
The record between Madras and Outacamund, India, has been broken. by nearly three hours by & stock Studebaker, President Eight Road-
stor.
The car
was driven by A. L. Nageldinger, a resident of Madras. Outacamurd is a large hill station to which residents of Madras and the surrounding country migrate with the advent of hot weather. The distance between the two points. is 40 miles, the last fifty over wind- ing mountain roads climbing to sa altitude of over 7,500 feet. Nagel- dinger completed the trip in D hours, 10 minutes, nearly three hours faster than the, former re cord.
The feat was greeted by enthu siastic Press comments throughout. India particular stress being laid on the fact that the Studebaker used was a strictly stock car.
T
"This achievement, recalls the amazing speed records established last April by C.-L. Clark of the Swiss Engineering Company of Bombay," said Studebaker- Erskine dealer in commenting on the record. "In a cross country. run between Bombay and Calcutta. and Bombay and Delhi, Clark like- wise drove a stock Studebaker 'President Eight Roadster.
Four hours and twenty minutes were clipped from the Bombay- Delhi record, the President over- coming mud and sand storms which at times all but obliterated the road. In face of there difficulties the President covered the 904 milse in 24 hours. 10 minuten · elapsed. time. The Bombay-Calcutta run of 1,460 miles was made in 40 hours, 15 minutes, 7 bours and 20 minutes faster than the previous best time. Here again, obstacles innumerable beset the President, including even (Continued on "preceding column).
Beautiful design
Ease of Control-Remarkably Low Prices
IN
IN THE 1930 Willys-Knight "70-B”, Willys-Overland presents the largest, most stylish and most powerful Knight-engined car ever offered at such a low price. There is now no price barrier to the smoothness, power and speed of the patented double sleeve-valve engine. Thousands of new owners may now enjoy the advantages of this superior engine at a cost no higher than that of
less modern motors. many
The 1930
PRICE LIST
FOR
WILLYS-KNIGHT 70-B CARS
TOURER SEDAN ... COUPE ...
/ ROADSTER
$3,450
$3,900
$3,800
-
Ka
$3,450
PLE
(All prices and specifications
iubject to change wotthout notice)
WILLYS-KNIGHT
Agents:
GILMAN & CO., LTD.
4A, DES VEUX ROAD.
TEL. C. 290,
70“B”
Garage & Service Station : DURO" MOTOR CO., LTD.
132, NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON
TEL. K. 228.
LA D C