MOTORING
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THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.
SATURDAY, 20th. SEPTEMBER, 1930. Being The Official Organ of THE HONGKONG AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.
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Road Islands,
The road islands in the centro
of Nathan Road beyond the Prince
A
A Danger Spot.
the
THE ELEMENTARY ART OF DRIVING.
Over-Confidence After First Lessons: Mastery of Controls Necessary for Each Individual.
3.
ranky of
DREAM REALISED.
The Cape to Cairo Broadway.
400 THORNYCROFTS.
The "Cape to Cairo" railway was a dream of the late Cecil. Rhodes, who never lived to see it fulfilled, but how many people to-day are aware of the astounding fact that it is actually possible to, travel right through Africa from Cape Town to Alexandria by various types of Thornycroft motor vehi cles, which are running on regular services, either as buses or wagons, or combinations of these two types of vehicles for the accommodation of passenger and goods together, except for the stretch of Nile sudd (marah) which extends for some 800 miles South of Khartoum,
The passenger who set out to make this interesting transcon- tinental journey would travel the first few hundred miles of his jour ney by the road motor services of the South African Railways, whose fleet of over 400 Thornycrofts operate regular services in conjunc tion with the South African rail- ways from Cape Town to the farth- est limits of the Union of South Africa territory.
Edward Road junction, may impart
pleasing appearance to
At the outset
word to the better understood to reduce the thoroughfare, but it is questionable many who have joined the ever-number of accidents, even to their whether they are conducive to pub-increasing
new total elimination, for intelligence He safely. It is already noticeable motorists: Beware of over at the helm is the only practical that the farthermost one is deeply confidence. And to those experi- way out of mishaps. indented with wheel ruts, and the enced ones: Study the elementary
As Others See Us. inference to be gathered is that psychology of driving. | vehicles returning to Kowloon have Much in the way of instruction As we do not readily possess suddenly mounted the small sur- and caution is given to the rank the gift of seeing ourselves as rounding kerb before the island novice at the wheel. Long others see us, it will be no effort became noticeable in the headlights articles are written for his bene to call to mind that fellow we all We fully admit that the drivers refit, and detailed comments and of us sometimes encounter, often sponsible were careless, but quite illustrations are published to rather young, driving with much apart from that aspect, it does seem teach him the proper handling of noise a light aperta two-seater. unwise to take up valuable space in his car. He is faced with He seems to exclaim, if hot in the centre of such an important innumerable "Don'ts" and "Shall words, "I am a real expert at rute when no practical object is nots," and is looked upon as a
Driving," with a capital D. The to be achieved. It is easy to dangerous element until such time gears go in with a bang, and so visualise these obstructions becom- as he appears to have gained does the clutch, the accelerator is ing veritable danger spots when the mastery over his car.
touching the floor-boards, while land. adjoining the roadway has
Now, follow this same in the back wheels polish up the been built on. Then it is safe to dividual when the scare of roadway. Round blind. corners predict that children will make these driving has been overcome, when he goes, maintaining an artificial islands small play grounds, right all the exaggerated beginner's placid air of boredom and in the midst of fast-moving traf- "bogies" of motoring have lifted generally running most inordinate fic. When there is a possibility of from his imagination, and you will risks at cross roads. building wide, thoroughfares, we oft-times find him swing to an A driver, in short, who seems cannot understand the reason for extreme. He assumes that confi-not to remember that he is steer-
dence which is not born of experi-ing so many hundredweight of service of Thornycroft vehicles run Thence through Rhodesia by the wasting valuable space..
ence, and generally over-estimates metal through the air, and forgets by the Rhodesia Railways, and so his driving ability, until such about momentum until it is some-on through Tanganyika, Kenya, time as his judgment is quickened, times too late. Could this be Uganda to Mengalla, and the lower The corner at the foot of Lai perchance by some hair-breadth called driving? Well, yes-in the Nile." chi-kok Hill has been the scene of escape. He is therefore a more literal sense. numerous mishaps to motor vehic-likely source of danger when he
With the automobile of to-day Khartoum, the passenger would Resuming his journey again at les, and we understand that even first appears proficient and begins there is no need for affectation, travel by one of the large fleet of a recently as Sunday last, a six-to drive his car in the literal sense pride, or any abnormal and un- cylindered Morris car belonging than he was as a beginner. manly idiosyncrasy.
Thornycrofts employed in Smoothness
the to the Police Department, crashed Experienced Drivers Not and comfort characterise
transport of cotton by the Sudan over the embankment finally com-
Spectacular.
driving. It breathes swift rest Government, and farther North ing to rest on the level where the
The experienced driver
fulness, and should give man add-through Egypt by others running "Socony" tanks are erected. Work seldom spectacular, while the one ed opportunity for peaceful yet goods or passenger service by has been commenced on the erec with a newly acquired sense of rapid deductions.
private owners. Lion of a small building at this control believes for a while that the use of the word "driving" as journey is vouched for by a well-
I must admit that I scarcely like
The possibility of this road very corner, and a matshed has his lessons are at an end, and actually been built in such a posi-forgets that a car provides us all applied to the automobile. It cer-known South African transport tion adjoining the road, as to en- with innumerable opportunities of tainly corresponds better with authority, but even more tirely obstruct the partial view making fools of ourselves and what it means; it hints at force. croft vehicles so completely pre-
cattle, or chariots.
prising is the fact that Thorny- It suggests which was previously possible over being a menace to others. the turn of the bend. Surely the It is not wise to assume that The dictionary, amongst its de- dominate in South Africa that it shed could have been placed in the driving of a car is a type of finitions of driver and driving able trip on these vehicles only. is possible to make this remark- a position which would not have activity limited in its scope to the says: Having force-of impulse which are regularly operated by: to urge forward by force, to move Governments, Railway Companies actual. manipulation of its mechanism It encompasses
by physical means.
or private firms throughout this much wider field of thought and suitable word for the gentle art route of nearly 4,000 miles.
Driving, then, does not seem a It will be a great pity if the responsibility. In its
deeper of conducting such a silent and question of providing Hongkong analysis it is a progressive accom efficient piece of mechanism as the with suitable trans-harbour vehi. Plishment which, if thoughtfully modern car. Its manipulation is] carried out; forms an exercising
a speed challenge whereupon the really delicate. There is no one being overtaken immediately ground for the practise of con-wrestling required.
Is this the accelerates. and rapid decisions: sideration, calmness, alertness
reason why our continental For the promotion of increased frienda always refer to the driver safety every motorist should "Conducteur?"
added to the existing danger. The Vehicular Ferry.
cle transportation is allowed to
is
linger on unsolved. We have heard much criticism on the sug- gested locations for the landing stages, it being generally regretted that the tentative suggestions do ponder the question of greater not allow for the shortest possible efficiency in driving, remembering,
çar are
"Silence is Golden."
car
gur.
Now, are we amongst the type of persons who treat a light car as a heavy station bus, the tourer as a racing car, the light sporting roadster as a steam wagon, and,80 on?. Do we race the engine out of all reason and appear to have
assures that and thus do not obtain the best
journey over the water from point as we all do, how by the vigilance Silence is golden it is said, and to point. This aspect should be of those who are adepts in the this truly applies to the motor thoroughly explored, for it is ob- art of driving we have been car, for quiet working is a sure no idea of speed or pulling-up dis vious that from every angle, it is apared much serious trouble. sign of efficiency. This silence, tances, so that late and violent desirable to cut the time occupied Mastery of the controls of your when supplemented with real brake applications are necessary, in crossing to a minimum, Not machine is one thing but the driving ability, only are the costs of operation in-lessons of restraint and control of absence of strain and fatigue running results? Are we unable volved, but the volume of traffic your own voluntary and involun-which is otherwise so noticeable to restart on any steep incline! might easily be influenced by the tary actions with your
at the end of a long day's run. without being a danger to the one
behind?
Should we find that we answer hare or the tortoise. Road condi- any of these descriptions, let us Unquestionably, more than justtions often set the pace, but, if hasten to be more kind to our driving knowledge is essential possible, ateady, moderate speed neighbour and endeavour to now that the number of vehicles on the open road is preferable to graduate away and above car and their speed are rapidly on the dangerous rushes or incomprehen-"driving" in the literal sense, and increase. Individual tendencies, sible sudden crawls, especially thus reduce the toll of road including one's own, must be when occupying the crown of the accidents. Too many of ua
road.
attain a mild proficiency in a few The fact that we travel fast or lessons, and do not trouble to slowly is not necessarily to label improve any more being quite ourselves reckless or timid. It is content with the ability to make
finer points in driving are neglect ed. Alertness is what is needed; there is greater danger in an over-cautious dullness than in swiftness with an alert mind.
time taken in crossing, especially another, and by far the greater, When touring it is not advisable so in the case of a business man factor towards good driving and to adopt the practice of either the driving a visitor from one side of general safety.. the harbour to the other. It is true that there are difficulties in the way, but it should be possible to surmount these.
Bus Stopping Places.
It is noticed that bus stopping places which previously were somewhat badly placed, have been Borrowing Cars.
torists.
Drivers' Ignorance.
What, then, can be termed
1931 "Harley Davidson" Can be Cabled for Now.
SEE THE NEW MODELS EARLY. The Gascon Motor Co.
2, KWONG WAH ROAD.
Tel. 56242
KOWLOON.
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Tol. 23714, LOCAL AGENTS,
changed, thereby removing a One or two instances have oc- the motive that really counts, and a car start and stop, while all the source of complaint amongst mecurred of late of people taking a mental survey of our purpose is cara from parking places for a quite a good thing with which to "joy ride," to wherever their whim occupy our thoughts before start- dictates. Possibly the individuals ing out for a run. At the foot of Garden Road, who have a penchant for this par- let us assure it by being courteous If we are touring for pleasure, Stubbs Road, and probably other ticular foolery imagine that there to other road users, and refrain efficient driving or a first-class: points where illuminated traffic is an element of bravado in the from being exacting and short-driver? Is it not one with a well- control algnals are employed, many action, or are merely actuated by tempered, not fearing to give way developed sense of proportion and drivers are as yet unaware that the desire to let somebody see to other motorists, who perchance a considerate character a quick they may proceed against the red that they are able to manipulate may be on business and have little thinker? signal when turning into the flow the controls. The fact remains time at their disposal. of traffic proceeding to the left. that they are not only guilty of
"Yes, these fundamental qualities Naturally, caution has to be exer- collosal cheek, but at the same others frstis a good ralę to we care to look into things for Safety first the safety of are indispensable, for the more cised when other vehicles are time guilty of thieving, for such observe, together with a deter the purpose of advancement, the travelling on the main route in the is undoubtedly the offence com- mined refusal to cultivate the more do we discover that the same direction, le, to the left, but mitted by people who take things acquaintance of that twin brother external effect relies on the In many instances the roadway is which do not belong to them. The of ignorance, "Chance." quite clear, and yet drivers-hesi-excuse that by abandoning the
internal qualities. tate to proceed until the green vehicle thus stolen, they are appears very prevalent on our revealed at the wheel. So, what
One terrible offence which Character is often clearly F. 8. MOSES & CO., LTD., light is given. It should be an exonerated of criminal intent, does highways and by-ways to-day, is ever term we favour in lieu of
Sole Agents.
easy matter to instruct drivers in pot lessen the crime. It is to be the habit of thinking that because "Driver," let us be careful not to this matter, or for the traffic police hoped that exemplary examples a driver wishes to overtake drive in the literal senre of the monopolize the New Zealand miles of highway in the county on duty to give a hand signal. will be made of offenders, another car he has entered upon term÷Autocar,
AS WELL AS THE NEW FORD SHADES.
Arabian Sand, Dawa Grey, Niagara Blue and Gun Metal Blue.
NEW ZEALAND OIL.
HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT.
A Labour Member of the New Counties of the 48 states im has suggested that the Govern- county roads during 1929, the Zealand House of Representatives proved 45,481 miles of local and ment should enter into an agree. U. S Bureau of Public Roads re- ment with a British oil firm, and ports, There are now 2,710,087 petrol and lubricating oil market road systema
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