MOTORING
SUPPLEMENT
OF
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH
SATURDAY 7th July, 1928.
Maing The Officiat. Organ of
THE HONGKONG AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.
N
Queen's Rond' East.
CURRENT
COMMENT
More Obstruction...
'A FLEET OF HUMBERS.
Our next shipment due here 15th, Jul;
PRESIDENT ADAMS"
Last week we called attention Although one realises the diff- culty of the problem of controll-to dangerous obstruction at the top ing pedestrian traffic in Queen's of Waterwork's Hill, Kowloon, Road East we do look to the time caused by Chinese stacking huge when the authorities will make a bundles of wood and foliage on serious effort to render, this some of the narrow corners there. thoroughfare less hazardous for We make no apology for bringing motor and other vehicular traffic, the matter forward again In view The problem is a growing one, for of further obstruction which was the dangers there to-day are in-caused last week-end; which was finitely greater than they were of an even more serious character, some months back, since which The Ford larry, mentioned last time many more motor cars have week, was again on view but was gone on to the roads of the Colony.placed on one of the most danger. There was a case only a week ago ous corners on the hill. It could in which a European motor cyclist, have been parked several feet riding with every cure and cau- nearer to the side of the road but tion,
into by a apparently the driver had not heedless youth who ran across given a thought for the safety of the
others and had put the vehicle road while looking ín
in such a position as to cause another direction. Ho ran
serious danger and incon- straight into tho machine,
venience to other traffe.. throwing it and the rider heavily
JA short distance, down the ought to be done to bring this fact to the ground, as a consequence
big brunches home to them. Horn blowing is de- of which the unfortunate rider Shatin slope,
trees were thickly spread feating its sustained a very badly sprained of
own purpose in this arm and shoulder. The Chincecover some three quarters of the Colony, for there is such a reckless youth jumped up and bolted for road for a distance of about 20 amount of it that people are be
run was
A fleet of 1928 Humbers, photographed on the sea front at Barmouth.
→
SENIOR TOURIST
TROPHY.
his life. At all hours of the day yards,' and one approach to this coming accustomed to the noise and Dodson's Great Win circuit, with Craig second, but both
Chinese wander aimlessly about particular spot was round a blind
corner. As the branches
size.
Speeding Cars.
Road Courtesy.
?
After a spill.
minules..
petitors, C. D. Lamb and W. Evans, collided on the ascent of Snaefell mountain, and both ro- tired, Lamb with a sprained ankle and Evans with a cut face. Simp- son still led at the end of the second take hardly any notice. One of the and existing Regulations states that a
retired with engine trouble in the next lap. Dodson shot past E. A. the roadway, few ever keeping to foliage were cut from the trets driver shall sound his horn when the pavements which are, in any they were allowed to drop on to rounding a corner but this is not
Simcock (Australia) to take the case, far too narrow to accommo-the road where a number of Chin- necessary if the man is driving
Douglas, Isle of Man, June 8. The Isle of Man's great motor had worked up to fourth place, with lead for the first time, T. Smith date the hundreds, of pedestriana.
on
Own his
aide. cse, were standing, who trimmed carefully The maiter is becoming sufficiently the wond. The danger to a car Many
cycle week ended' to-day with one his team mate, Graham Walker, drivers have 扯 habit serious to warrant the Govern-reaching this spot round the blind of
of the most exciting struggles ever only three seconds behind, sounding · their. horns ment undertaking the full com-corner, even at a slow speed, is several times when approaching ap. J. Dodson on a Sunbeam was seen in a Tourist Trophy race, G. pletion of the widening scheme evident when the big dron on the traffic pointsman-a proceeding the winner at 62.98 m.p.h.-slower malding the roads slippery, and T. The mist now came down again, which, in its present unfinished sea-side of the road is taken into that should be discouraged, which than last year's senior race, but a Smith crashed on the mountain state whereby wide and narrow consideration. The obstruction it would be if all the pointsmen portions of the road alternate to the confusion of all, was started was of such a flagrant character were alert and did not need "waking wonderful speed considering the and lost third place. Walker conditions: Dodson took the passed Simcock during the fourth years ago in the realisation that that a passing European civilian up" It has been proved that a
felt called upon to make the Chin- good driver needs but rarely to lead at the end of the third circuit circuit, and at the end of the lap the roadway was dangerously narrow. We do not know how ese clear the road, which they sound the horn, and we think that and kept it until the sixth, when was chasing "Dodson, who had much money would be involved in did with ill-grace. That such ob- far too little has been done to the fell. Graham Walker went up averaged close on 68 m.p.h. for the struction can be caused without, educate Chinese drivers out of the to first place and then had to retire 160 miles. At the end of the the Government's resumption of the shop-front space required, but apparently, any check, is no com- idea that horn-blowing is a neces- when half a lap from home, and fourth lap 22 competitors had we suggest that quite a large pliment to the Department con- sary concomitant of driving at Dodson remounting won by eleven given up. Dodson put up his speed on the fifth lap and slightly' expenditure would be justified to action. We hope that on future
cerned and calls for the strictest all times.
increased his lead over Walker, Rain during the night made sev-while Stanley Woods, holder of rid the city of what must be one;
Occasions supervisión will be
eral stretches of the course greasy, the lap record at nearly 71 m.p.li. of the most dangerously narrow
to render it un- We notice that The News of the but fortunately the visibility was was challenging Spann for third main roads in A city of this effected so
necessary for us again to bring World has started a campaign at generally good when the forty place both having passed Simcock, this mutter forward.
Home to bring back to Britain the eight competitors started out. Al- old and stately, etiquette of the though the rain was still falling in Dodson had a spill on the moun- Shek-0 Road.
road, in an endeavour to reduce the some parts of the Island, every tain during his sixth lap and pass- We would again call attention The summer is wearing on and number of accidents. Every day vantage point was packed with ed Craig-ny-Bas with his stand to the fact that after midnight ait in a great pity that the Shek-representatives of the paper are spectators. Many of the machines trailing and a bent footrest, but great many of the public hire Road has not been properly sur-sent out to take the numbers of cars were difficult to start owlr to the he tore by without stopping, hot in cars are driven at a greater speed faced. In some parts the road is whose drivers have been seen to unlucky No. 13, losing five minutes snatched the lead. Spann was and commercial motor vehicles wet, J. II. Amott, who curried the pursuit of Walker, who had than is safe. In fact at all hours quite good, but there is much that of the day, public cars travel much could be done to put the remain-carry out some act of courtesy or before he got away. The high still third, and T. Simistor had assistance. A weekly list is pub too quickly in the city, but at der of it into proper condition.hed and the drivers of vehicles, hopes of several were soon dashed. taken up Stanley Woods' place. night there are two places par This rand leads to two popular
At the Gooseneck corner, twenty- ticularly where dangerous speed-bathing Enches and the traffic named in the list will, upon applic-five miles from the start, O. Lang- Walker's Bad Luck
tion, receive a badge and a gratuity ing is indulged in. One is in Des in summer is quite heavy, but the of a guinea. There is much to beton akidded and had to retire, J. W. I
There were dramatic changes Voeux Road West and another going is anything but comfortable, paid in favour of the scheme, for Shaw, the Irish rider, had me- is along the Praya East. At the while tyre wear is at its maximum. there is no doubt that road courteor chanical trouble at the same spot on the last 37 milles circalt, for Ming Yuen Gardens the other if the work of surfacing the whole needs reviving
The other week soon after, while F. W. Dixon, the Walker retired at Ramsey and evening many hiro cars of the road could be put in hand the writer of these notes
was Middlesbrough rider, also took a toured home carrying E. Main waring, another unfortunate rider, engaged, and
pillion fashion. Spann had a exaggeration to say
Castle Peak Road; a broken and The first to complete a circuit chain break near Ballaugh, but speed of many of them was sheerly
pulverised magneto carbon effec reckless. Wherever Taking CornETA,
tually putting the car out of action: was J. Craig, the Irish rider, who patched up the damage and carried had started four minutes after the on at a tremendous speed to make function is being held, many pub-
There is still room for complaint During a two hours' wait, during first man, and had passed the seven up for the lost time, G. E. Row- lic cars gather to pick up business,
regarding the manner in which which time a motor cyclist had and a driver, when once engaged; some drivera of motor vehicles kindly taken a message to a Kow-riders ahead of him.He had lapped ley, who had not been in the first has no other view than to dash take bends and corners. A cer loon garage for a towing car to be at nearly 65 m.p.h, and stopped at six, began to tear through the field, away with his passengers; drop them at their destination, and dash tain few will persist in keeping sent out, there must have been be- the nita for a few seconds, but was and overtook every man except
of Wolverhampton, lapped at 67.94 back again in the hope of secur-to the crown of the road, and one tween twenty and thirty cars that 300 away again. J. H. Simpson, Dodson, and the latter finished
digor two incidents of serious colli-passed, and out of that number ing a second job. We are trustful of the value of speed sions being narrowly averted have only two drivers had the courtesy m.ph. and was first on time. The first despite another spill, at our notice. All to enquire whether they could be conditions soon took heavy toll of slightly under 63 m.p.h., 11 limits for they are often arbitrary lately come to and in themselves dangerous, but drivers know the shock experi-of any assistance. It so happened, the faster riders, Alec Bennett, the minutes before Bowley, who took unless the public hire cara drivers enced when rounding a bend by of course, that they could not (few winner of five T. T. races, going out second place. of this Colony learn to exercise seeing a car approaching right in cars carry spare carbon. brushes) at Cregwilley, J. Guthrie, the Scot-
L. Handley was delayed at the winner, C. G. P. Dodson, L. ordinary care and caution serious front at short distance, and al- but one felt grateful for the kind-tish rider, at Kirkmichael, and W. was won by the Sunbeam nominees, ly enquiry. Of the others, one Ballacraine, and later toured into Arcangeli, the Italian, and F. consideration should be given the though netual collisions are rare
cameruptuous. In question of imposing speed limits their hair's-breadth avoidance to
trouble.
eight other teams finishing com in certain streets where the frequent. The white lines on Hongkong there is undoubtedly the pits to retire with ignition Franconi, the Swiss, none of the
plete. Franconi also
the speeding evil is most pronounced. bends in our main roads are sery.room for a greater spirit of courtesy
ing a useful purpose but there among European.owner-drivers.
Visitors" Cup for the best per formance by an overseas rider.
were
it Is
no it would be much appreciated by stranded about 11 miles out on the toss at this hazard. that the all.
felt rather
are all many curves which would Road Surfacing Needed. New Licences.
be made safer: If white lines were The Licensing Department at laid down. Central Headquarters has been very busy this week in fasulug out Horn Blowing.
the approach to the new Taipo
com-
The manufacturers' team contest
Won
1,"0. 5. P. Dodson (Sunbeam) 4 2. G. E. Rawley (AdB)-0.4 28 41- I. T. L. Halen (Bcott)
20.18-60.89 Smith (Rodze-Whit worth) ***
421 53-
22 10-60.41
Gooseneck Victims.. The Gooseneck claimed another Some time ago we had occasion victim, for W. S. Braidwood, the rider, crashed and Oxhey to refer to the need of surfacing slightly injured his shoul the new vehicle and drivers' The chronic nuisance of ex-Bridge which was opened to traffic der, and two Coventry licences, and considering the large cessive horn blowing has again at the end of Inst year, but we number of licence-holders who given rise to complaints, one or notice that nothing has been done have presented themselves at the two relating to incidents in which in the matter. When the bridge hand although undoubtedly this counter the work has been ex-car drivers have vigorously used the was first opened the approach on work is badly needed. It is, how- & E. Mellors (Norton)" peditiously carried out There horn to acquaint, eople inside a the. Taipo Market side was in a ever, pleasing to note that some of are still many drivers who have house that the car has arrived. deplorable condition for the whole the largest pot-holes have been nerwice and M) 1 31 6060.78
European length of the new piece of road led in but this is by no means 10, A. R. Qolan (Triumph) not renewed their licences and Many Chinese and
It would benefit Amott (Rodge-Whit- they are again reminded that, al- drivers seem to be under the In-which was joined to the main road, satisfactory. though there is a little period of pression that if they incessantly there being numerous pot-holes of motorists generally if surfacing 12. Langman (Boot) #141-88.11 grace usually allowed by our sound the horn during a journey large size and thick layers of dust. operations were commenced to 18. T. Spann (A.1.3.) Police, the new licences must be they are thereby entitled to the There is a still no sign of sur-ring this stretch of road, into. RA. Lookman: (New Hud taken out as soon as possible. road. They are not and something facing operations being put in good condition.
5. 8. Woode (Norton)
7. F. Franconi (Sunbeam)
4
B. Duncan (Raleigh)
200-60.39
worth)
HARLEY-DAVIDSON CYCLES
We will have then the following Models in stock. L 7-9 H.P. "Harley-Davidson and Parcelcar model MX. (This cycle is sold to the Macao Post Office. Local firms who may be interested in parcelcara can make arrangements for a demonstration before we ship the cycle to Macao).
1. 7-9 HP. Harley-Davidson Combination Single
passenger aldecar.
1.
9-12 H.P. Harley-Davidson. Combination Double passenger aldecar,
3. 34 H.P. Harley-Davidson Singles. (Twin Ports Exhaust Nickle Plated) equipped with nickleplated speedster handlebars, speedometer, ommeter, luggage carrier, front stand and all the latest Harley Improvements. ONLY $650.00,
BOOK YOUR'S TO-DAY. PHONE K122
THE GASCON MOTOR CO.,
REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN ON ALL MAKES OF MACHINES. Tel. K. 1249
2, Kwong Wah Road, Kowloon. (Opposite The Steam Laundry)
A GOOD ASSORTMENT OF SPARE PARTS AND ACCESSORIES IN STOCK.
CHINA UNDERWRITERS, LTD.
FOR
ALL CLASSES
OF
MOTOR INSURANCE
WRITE FOR PROSPECTUS
HEAD OFFICE:-
TELEPHONE:
ST. GEORGE'S BUILDING, HONGKONG. C.1121-22
More health-more happiness
-less cost
per mile!
Goodrich Silvertowns
"Best in the Long Run"
If you use your car to get out in the open-you'll get an extra meaanre of health and happiness for your money in GOODRICH SILVERTOWNS,
These tires give you more honis, more days and months -of pleasure more miles on the open road. They last longer- and so every hour you drive costs less.
Bole Agents:
For Hongkong &a South China
UNIVERSAL MOTOR & SUPPLY CO.
Telephone 0.4915)
4 28 (doi59,10
61, Des Voeux Road, C.
44 33 82---6516
All sorts of Automotive Accessories also in stook.
15. I Arcangell (Sanbeam) 4:37 19—8TAI