Star Ferry Parkling.
MOTORING
CURRENT
COMMENT
SUPPLEMENT
washed away, and it is apparent be a long one..
OF
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.
SATURDAY, 7th August, 1926.
Being the Official Organ of the Hongkung Automobile Association),
'Drivers' Record,
What is really required is a drivers' record... This could either be compiled by the Police or by the Automobile Association. It would, of course, be imperative that the record contained the photo of every driver registored, might be expected. Such a record otherwise substitution of namosi
It is not so very long ago that that the task of rebuilding it will would not only assist in keeping
we quoted official figures showing the remarkably rapid growing | Buses,
down wages, but it would also, serve as a valuable reference con- character of the driver. cerning the capabilition
and No
number of motor vehicles, expeci- The Bus Service to Pokfulam ally motor cycles, in the colony is again in and the result is that at no dis- residents in that locality tant future date the question of doubtless appreciative of parking accommodation will have return to what have to be brought up again. Already normal and convenient transport Association at the Star ferry, on the Kowloon facilities. The large Thornycroft Should, the Association take side, on a fine day, the accommoda-vehicles are back again on the it up, it would tion for motor cycles, provided by Repulse Bay run, although it is rest with motorists themselves to in turn the Ferry company, is taxed to most disappointing to would-be assist in the compilation of the ita attermost To a late-comer it bathers to find thom roserved for record, and any motorist re- is annoying, to find no place where residents only. his motor eyele or combination course, complain about such an chauffeur would gladly pay
We cannot, of quiring the services of A can be put.
Vehicles have often obviously necessary restriction, small fee. in return for the as- been placed at right angles to and but it certainly in front of those on the stand, but emphasise the urgent need for satisfactory servant. The stand- serves to surance that he was engaging à then an equally annoying situation increased transport arises as the owner of a rear cycle during the summer season, when to $40 per month, and if the facilities ard, ratos should range from $30 finds he has to move another from Repulse Bay is the objective of matter is tackled energetically, in front, in order to get out. many people who do not reside a great boon will be conferred on
Would it not be possible to en-there, but who wish to enjoy its motorists in Hongkong. large the present car, stand by bathing.
fall swing, and doubt the Police would welcome are such a scheme, and we feel sure the that they would rendor every become assistance to the Automobile in the mattor.
the Wharf and Godown Company's Professional Drivers. premises? The cost should not be great, and the benefit would be greatly appreciated by motor ists on the Kowloon side... Parking Offences.
While dealing with the question of parking at the Star Ferry, it would, perhaps, not be out of place
New Motor Sign,
ידי.
а
SHANGHAI ADVENTURE.
This shows the wrecked chassis of a car which was caught by an oncoming engine on Great Western Road Extension, Shanghai, where the road crosses the line. The car was carried several yards before it fell into the Fahwah craok. Our picture was taken after the damaged chassis had been fished out of the
Water.
viously stressed the urgent need for better facilities in this re- "spect, and it is a matter which
Year. 1923 -1284'
No. of cars, 1,989 2,590*
Valto, 4.
$25, 1
362,942
1925
1,071
$51,030
Period,
No, of curs. Value, £. Jan.-June 30 33,506 4,409.371 July Dec. 31 0,561 1,800,411 And cars of all types, powers, cheap as to-day. and qualities, wore néver 80
should receive the attention of the Government. True, garuges
The McKenna Duties were r8- Now that the tree and lamp have been built in the Peak dis- instituted as from July 1, 1925, We have heard much comment standard "have been removed trict, but the costly construction Therefore, the figures for last, recently on the question of wages from the junction of Ice House necessitates a comparitively high year of complete car imports ace demanded by professional motor Street and Queon's Road, a vast rant. It should he possible to divisible as follows:- drivers, and the time certainly improvement has been effected.orect buildings of less costly seems to have arrived when some We understand that in order that material, or oven to set aside. concerted effort should be made there shall be no mistake in re-certain areas in which motorists
formulate "a wages scato for gard to the e guidance of motorists who towards the Dairy Farm Corner, own garages of approved stand. one way traffic "up would be allowed to build their to branch the subject of the sign-dosire to employ a chauffeur. The a. sign will be erected giving and design and materials. The board probibiting parking on the question is by no means peculiar directions both in English and existing conditions aro à definite rout near the station. A number Hongkong, for we remember Chinese.
hindranco to the development. of of offenders were recently sam-reading comment from various
ECONOMICAL FLEXIBILITY. the motor car trado here, because. moted for this offence, and they parts of the East relating to the
Taxi Cab Stand.
people who would purchase a car same problem. As a matter of
Economical acceleration and declared that the signboard was not conspicuous, enough, and that fact, the only problem which Road, Central, is on the East object to being charged $25.00 circumstances is the outstanding The taxi stand in Connaught mainly for woek-end pleasure, flexibility of performance in all a white line should be drawn. is how to guarantee un-side of the Star Ferry in the per month for the housing of feature of the only four-cylinder There is, truth enough in this, and Some owners.pay as much as $70 number of motorists are in the animity amongst employers. contra of the roadway. Quite a
their machine. This figure, added engined car the Sunbeam Com- it is only fair to the motoring pub-or $80 per month to their drivors, habit of leaving
to general running expenses, pany makes, & nominal 14.40 h.p., their more prominent sign and it must be admitted that such unattended on the stand during pleasure, even although the in-wire-wheelod, El tax chassis should be exhibited, and a white amounts are excessive, and an the time taxisure engaged. These
motoring costly2,121 cc., overhead value engined, ling drawn. Admittedly, most effort should be mada to influence return to find their position takeri
itial outlay be small.
which retails at 1495, or, with's Kowloon motorists now know of such employers in the intorest of
two-seat touring body. at £625 this prohibition, bat humans are motorists generally.
complete; a Weymann saloou at forgetful, and a more striking sign would serve to remind them. It
coach-built salcon at .£795, in was stated at the Police Court that
euch case with completo equip FIGURES THAT INFORM.cles, howovor, is strictly limited ment. The supply of these vehi-
le that
a white line had once been placed there but had been obliterated. There is little labour or expense involved in painting a new line and this should be done as soon ns possible. Repair Work Needed.
The Probable Origin.
cars
up. In mast cuses, motor
makes..
4J
cyclists are the offenders, pro- GROWTH OF MOTORING. 700, a coupe at 150 more, and a
with
and
in face of the heavy demands on tho company for its six-and (By H. Mussac Buist.). eight-cylinder engined cars,
The four-cylinder type givos & The twenty-fourth annual revory ambitions performance for port presented at the recent moot. the price, the ceptomical running
of Motor Manufacturors and durability of the chassis, and the ing of the members of the Society scale of the accommodation, the cost, the taxation rating, the
Traders contains sone informa-luxury of the riding. The suspen- tive statistics concerning the brakes are growth of the movement and the powerful as they are free from
sion cannot be faulted.
proportionately as
bably in ignoranco. It should be remembered that the propor pluco appears to date back to the time not in the centre of the road. It The origin of these high salaries for them is on the sea side, and when motor vehicles were con- is up to those concerned to be- fined to people of considerable come acquainted means, who were prepared to pay observe the regulations. high rates in the driver, who was Distinctive Lights, Kiven charge of a high-priced vehicle. Conditions are totally
In America it has been decided It is time that attention was driver of former days needed to motor vehicles, to save confusion different to-day, and whereas the to legalise yellow rear lights for again called to the bad state of the show somo alight mechanical between the usual red lights ex ronds by the side of the several knowledge, that need does not hibited at night where there are railway and truek tracks which exist to the same degree to-day obstructions or level crossings, cross Nathan. Read and the road with motor vehicles chtainable at or where the road is up and the to Lalchikok, caused, apparently, moderate prices, while reliability rear lights of motors. This idea effect of the re-imposition of the need of attention. Ampliturle of either by the subsidence of the has been greatly increased. The is
lowest wage paid is in the many responts, and perhaps it. 2 commendable one, in
McKenna Duties as and from body space is achieved without in which they have been laid. At vicinity of $50 and even that is would not be out of the way to July 1, 1925. The number of projection beyond the wide wheel the end of Nathan Road there are unnecessarily high and beyond suggest that Hongkong should different vehicles licensed year track. Alike the traffic perform- three sets within a few yards of the man of moderate means/
adopt the same system. To the by year during the last three ance on the direct drive and the experienced driver his natura years is as follows:- road sense guides him safely past
rails or the unworkmanlike manner
each other, two of which are below the level of the road, and the other above.
Plenty of Drivers.
experienced, such a scheme
M
Year. Cars. Goods. Hackneys. 1925 382.638 181.235
73,369 1924 474,261 209,763 83,627
14 1925, 665,737,231,057 81,444
The
hill-climbing are quite remark-
able in the four-cylinder category, for flexibility, no less than for the actual maximum speeds that can be attained on the direct and
now made arrangements wheroby all the indirect gears, also for The Sunbeam Company has
In regard to our export trade in slow running on the top.
1924
Your No. of cars, 1923
3,255 11,007 1025 .17,772
Value, £.
1,203,063
2,003,637
4,183,906
During the period under re-
it is possible to acquire any of its standardised car types on the principle of payment by instal- ments.
St. Louis-The iron in a motor
THE GASCON MOTOR CO.
2, Kwong Wah Road (Opposite. The Steam Laundry) Telephone K.1242.
We take pleasure In announcing that we are expecting our first shipment of 1927 Harley-Davidson Motor Cycles- Solos-Combinations, and the famous "Singles," side-by- side valves as well as overhead valve motors.
They will arrive, just at the best riding time of the year. Book your order early and be the first to have a 1927 model on the road.
Big assortment of genuine H.D. spare parts and ac cessories in stock.
Repaire on all makes of motor cycles.
Across Africa by Jowett, using
3
Mobiloil
From Lagos to Red Sea
is the latest accomplishment of the sturdy Jowett car in the hands of Mr. Frank Gray Lubrication was the most "vital consideration of all, and there- fore Mobiloil was used exclusively throughout this wonderful journey. The same quality of Mobiloil that con- tributed so largely to the success of the trip is sold by garages. and filling stations everywhere. The use of Mobiloil on Jowett cars is approved by the manufacturers,
GARGOYLE
Mobiloil
Make the chart your guide
VACUUM OIL COMPANY.
down almost to a stop unless there are many reliable drivers would assist him greatly. At It is necessary to slovi: From enquiries, we learn the such dangers, but with the less) nasty jolt is to be suffered, but with considerable experience be-night there is nothing more con- this should be totally unnecces-hind them, who are out of work. furing than to see a red light passenger cars, the figures for the sary, if some effort were made to and who would welcome an op- or lights ahead and wonder three years in question are us keep this part of the track in con-portunity of accepting a position whether they are the tail lamps follows:- dition. All the way to Laichikokat a salary of $30 per month. of motora or not. As every motor these rafla are met with, and to Some of these men are actually here however, "appears to bo the humble motor cycliat they are working as coolies, although there fitted with a rod rear light, por- a bugbear. As long as the re-are many owners who would haps the best way to carry out clamation work is going on, so long ongage them at a reasonable the will the tracks be there, and so salary. After all, the work is by yellowinstead of red lamps placed view, however, our imports of
idea would be to have long will motorists have to put up no means hard, certainly prufer-on the road where there is any with an avoidable inconvenience. able to coolio work, and yet thore danger. The scheme is certainly passenger cars still exceed, alike car, which may have been listed
is no means of bringing them in worth considering, and would en-
in numbers and in value, our ex-at severlil thousand dollars when Most of the roads which have We naturally do not wish to mediately whether there was a
touch with prospective employers. able the motorist to decide im- ports, the figures concerning new, is worth only $10 a ton as been closed on account of storm dictato to owners who have been vehicle or road obstruction in
Passenger car imports boing as junk, according to the operator of damage are again opon to traffic, employing a servant for a num-front of him.
follows:--
an automobile salvage yard hçre, thanks to our Roads Department. ber of years, and who are satisfied
who handles about 6,000 cars a It will be some time, howover, to continuo paying high wages, Private Garages.
year. before cars are able to proceed but wo do think that something
The profit in operating an ["automobile graveyard," said this around the Island on account of should be done, certainly in the which confronts the prospective Against this we have to cun parts in the machine when work- ties. Brakos signal devices, from main plants have exosaded
Perhaps the greatest problem
Science is being called on to man, lies in the discovery of good solve our prosent traffic difficul- during the past three months. the great damage between Tytam intercats of ownere, and to a con- motorist in Hongkong is where sider ro-exports, which in the men start to tear it up. Such illumination and organization are previous records. During March and Stanley. One portion of the siderable extent, in the interest of to garage his oar should ha. bo- case of completo passenger cars Parts can be sold to individuals among the factors which are ex74,265 curloads of automobiles roadway has been completely reliablo unemployed chauffeurs, come an owner. We have pro- are as follows
pooted to relieve congestion. wore shipped by rail.
Roads,
1925
Year. No. of ears, Value, 2. 1023 16,428
2,708.730 1024 13,300 33,067
2.820,927
6,208,702
or country dealers.
SCIENCE AIDS TRAFFIC.
CABLOADS OF AUTOS. Carload automobile shipments