1930-09-18 — Page 11

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1930.

TWO WHEELS ACROSS AFRICA.

made with small elephant tusks:

six tusks to a rack, tike în one of Alndlin's dream palaces.,

|

(Continued from Page 10.)

at

THE CHINA

MAIL.

berth as our light craft would have a nightmare: deep sand, pot-holes, been tossed in the air quite easily and whenever the road was hard it by one of these monstera. On all was badly corrugated. When they the sandbanks crocodiles were sun- saw me the natives would kneeli ning themselves; cranes, ogrots, down or fall prostrate on' the horens and wild ducks were legion. ground. But you should remember The evening of the third day, we that the country was conquered landed for prayers only (my pad-less than 30 years ago, and as the dlers being True Believers), and British rule indirectly through the resumed our journey towards Fort Emirs, the Hausa and Fulani Lamy. This night trip, on a river people respect any white man as a as large as the Thames at Henley, } kind of super-Emir. without lights, in a small dug-out which defied the laws of equili- brium, was a unique experience. I slept, one or two hours at the time, opened one eye, watched the erect figure of the punter in front of me and wondered whether or not it was Charon who was taking me across another and more faithful¦ Chari. Shortly before midhightful trip, we landed at Fort Lamy and I slept on a camp-bed for the first time

£100 and after a whole your of wanderings in the desert he had £15 left. He had graduated The following day 1 crossed, no Harvard and was, the son

of a fewer than four large rivers, and manufacturer in New Jersey. His on the wastern bank of the fourth curios were enthralling. Among -the Oubangai-I found myself other things he had a highly orna on French territory, I spent the

mented' camel saddle, a "selle do night at the American "Mission luxe" that should have graced the Evangelique de Bangasseù," which Oriental section of the Victoria

and Albert Museum, in London, is managed by a kind and ener getic woman. A clergyman had

A Leopard Rald. joined this mission quite recently;" I crossed the Chari the same in half-angry and half-jocular night, using my spotlight to help tolies, he expressed the deep dis- the. ferrymen with their work. An

missionary appointment he felt after, his first American

living a -vontact-with-his-dusky-flock-couplu-of-miles from the river spoke as simply as i could. in offered to put me up. He took me sango).. In America children to a small rondavel furnished with would have understood what I

a camp-bed. I lef: the door wide in six days.

I hired a light lorry and 24 said to these grown-ups, You open so as to get as much air as won't believe it, but the most possible, scrambled under the mos-hours later I was back with the motor-cycle and had it repaired elementary simile, the simplest quito-net and fell asleep. allegory, left them wondering at

without delay, And meuning,

I when enumerated five Biblical charac- ters, they forgot four of them?"

In French Equatorial Afries there are no signboards, and un-myself), who, gun in hand, was deep, crossed less you know the traditional name of the outposts, you will ex- information from the tract no natives. For instance, Fort Crám pel is called Bandore: rather hard on the tourist, isn't it?

my

Ngama Beau Brummel. Gradually sand was taking the place of the red soil. At Bumbari 1 erassed the last water flowing south and 50 miles farther I came to the crest of the Congo-Chari divide, the latter river flowing in to Lake Chad.

Before entering Fort Crampel, I came out of the cannibal country and travelled among people who did not file their teeth into points, a practice which gives to laughter a most devilish expression. Rub- ber trees lined the path for miles; fresh solution for inner tubes was quite handy.

During the night an uproar of bleats and shouts woke me up. In two seconds I was outside with my Mauser pistol and followed my heat (a pyjama-clad figure like

Kana's 80,000 Vultures, During the next few days 1 had a glimpse of Lake Chad, a huge swamp never more than three feet

a small section

Kano is a huge mud-city, and rounded by a wall 12 miles long. There are 80,000 inhabitants and as many vultures. The latter can be seen everywhere: in the streets, in the yards, on the roofs and on the walls.

From Kano to: Logo3 (755 miles) I had an interesting but unevènt- The sand disappeared during the first hundred miles. After having travelled for more than 1,500 miles in flat country, I was glad to be among hills once more. I crossed the Kaduna River in canoe and the Niger at Jebba';

After on the railway bridge. traversing Ibadan, the largest native city in Africa bar. Caico, 1 drove 110 miles through the paim belt, and arrived in Lagos..

Before I had time to see the the Camerooms under Atlantic Ocean, I was run in for racing towards a small cattle-kraal of

mandate and travelled | driving without lights and refus- of thorn bushes. A dark body French

Nigeria whirling above

toing to stop when ordered to do so the fence, two through, Northern

Kano.

ran The road, which shots, a savage grow expressing

by a policeman. wrath rather than pain, and com- parallel with the camel track, was ing closer wo

saw the body

of a full-grown leopard.

I stayed at the mission for a couple of days and while fitting my machine for a 400 miles' drive to Fort Lamy, I heard interesting tales about the tribes of the dis- trict. It appears that the father or next male relative of a bride does not accept payment of the dowry until a child is born. To- day, a man pays 100 francs (168) for a wife! The dowry is the seal which makes the marriage a valid оле. When a woman quarrefs with her husband she often says: "No futa sake oko teti mbi pepe" (you paid bag 1,000 trenes for me not), which means: You did not pay a thousand francs for me; I can leave you when I like."

Bushed Without Petrol.

HUPMOBILE.

Introduces New 1931

Six Series.

Aes one of the brightest pages in The name "Century" which signi- Hupmobile history-we refer to the popular "Century line first in- troduced by Hupmobile two years ago)-now appears on a new line of Sixes just announced by the Hupp Motor Car Corporation.

At Fort Crampel I saw several men afflicted with sleeping sick-

The Century Six Series comprises -ness. Some looked like skeletons;

a complete line for every occasion others were puffed out. The heat,

and purpose including the 5 pas- more than indifferent roads, made

Having strapped a four-gallon senger Four Door Saloon, Con- my drive to Fort Archambault an tin of petrol on the luggage vertible. Cabriolet, 5. passenger arduous one. The wind was blow carrier and transferred most of Tourer, 2 passenger Roadster with ing in my face, but it was like the

my kit on to the tank, I left one rumble sent, 2 passenger Coupe with scorching blast of a furnace, To carly morning with the intention rumble seat. The addition of the make things worse, the bush was of reaching Fort Lamy in two Hupmobile Century Six Series, with burning in several places. At days. The sand was very deep and the introduction of the Hupmobile every native village I would stop, whenever I dropped in second or call for "ngu" (water) and bathe first gear my back wheel dug itself Century Eight line and the present my head and arma. In one village in and I would come to a stand-100 horsepower. Eight and 133

Horsepower Eight brings

products Hupmobile

the

to five

I saw a tribe of giant natives-the still. I decided to stay in top gear

people very fastidious at all costs and succeeded tolerably separate lines of cars-one in the Ngamn about their appearance and smil well. ingly unwilling to do anything for a white man. One of them-a real African Beau Brummel-had his hair trimmed in the shape of a Towl's creat, and a couple of bone hairpins were stuck in it. He walked slowly, carrying a small round mirror in his hand.

The last 60 miles to Fort Ar chambault were very sandy. The first white man I met was a young American wanderer. He invited me into his tent for a drink and told me that he had just completed 4 camel journey through the Sabara. He left Algiers with

LEAD

THE

WAY

ON A

B.

S.

A.

Agents:

SINCERE'S

FOR A RELIABLE

OVERHAUL.

FIAT GARAGE -87A; 67B, Des Voeux Rd. C

That day I covered 195 miles and after driving on grass mats I came upon the Chart for the second time. On the other side of the river lived a native official, so 1 had been told. A couple of shots red in the air brought a cance within half-an-hour. I left my machine under the guard of Pro vidence and spent the night on the stoep of a very clean bungalow.

The next morning I discovered that my tank had sprung

a leak: and was empty. I still possessed a full four-gallon tin but would it

last til Fort Lamy?

Lamy five days later.

I had reached civilisation!

Many New Comfort Features. Outstanding among the many re- finements of the new Century Six Hupmobile are those made to im prove the comfort of riding and easy steering qualities. The tyres are of exceptionally liberal size, being 19 x 5.50 inches. Triple hydraulic used both shock absorbers are front and rear.

Contrary to conventional practice in cars of this price class, one finds adjustable front seats in all closed models. It is possible to secure, by this comfort convenience, three-inch variation in front seat distance from the foot pedal. In addition, the steering column may be raised or lowered for additional room under the wheel. These two features alone give generans com- fort and roominess

the new Century Six, which is further com- plemented by extra wide and broad rear seats.

to

a full

An exceptionally strong and well- braced frame contributes to the rid- ing ease of the

new Century Six.

It is of the double drop type which brings the car nearer the road, increasing the car's steadiness at

New Century Six" Cabriolet.

Six and four in the Eight cylinder groups, offering a complete range of prices to suit avary taste and

some car.

THE

BUICK

Our first shipment of the 1931 Model Buick Straight Eight Motor Cars has just arrived. We cordially invite you to come in and inspect the Eight with BUICK'S Prestige you will then understand why more than 2,600,000 people have chosen Buicks again and again. BUICK HAS AGAIN BUILT A BETTER AUTOMOBILE. Why not let us take you for a drive in one of these new Buick Great Eights

and let you see for yourself how much more Buick gives for less

money.

114" W.B. Buick Straight 8 Models 118" W.B. Buick Straight 8 Models 124" W.B. Buick Straight 8 Models- 132" W.B. Buick Straight 8 Models

M

G$1,530 to G$1,655 G$1,820 to G$1,930. G$2,160 to G$2,195 G$2,165 to G$2,705

THE DRAGON MOTOR CAR CO., LTD

Telephone 30228,

33, WONG NEI CHUNG ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY.

WHEN BETTER AUTOMOBILES ARE BUILT...BUICK WILL BUILD TREM

12 FORDS.

Reliability Prize

Won.

First prize for reliability in per- formance was won by a team of twelve Ford cars in the recent Brescia-Ponte di Legno contest 'in Italy, in which 220 automobiles participated.

The cars were required to run 119 kilometres, approximately 74 miles high speed. The new Century Six at a speed as nearly uniform as pos- engine has a bore and strokesible over a course that Included

The At 3 pm, the machine, stopped.

of 34"x 41⁄4”.

piston nineteen kilometres of difficult I was only 90 miles from my purse,

displacement is 211.6-the com- mountain road with many hairpin destination. Under normal. cir-

ratio For those given to comparison, It pression

to is 5

1.turns and steep gradients. cumstances I would have covered may be pointed out that the new. The engine is mounted on live

The race was a gala event in Italy. that distance in three or four Century Six developa greater horse- rubber, front and rear, so that Many of the participants entered hours. I actually reached Fort power and speed than its illustrious there is no metal contact between cars which they used in their busi- predecessors, develops a speed of engine and frame. This cushion of ness and carried their wives, chil- I hid the machine Among the over 70 miles per hour. Also, it rubber eliminates road noises. dren and friends as passengers, bushes, memorised the place very embodies many mechanical in- Minor engine and chassis vibrations Some of the Fords had already run carufully and walked to the next novations and refinements which are also absorbed. Silence is up more than 40,000 kilometres. villago, a distance of four miles. ordinarily are found in cars of much predominating feature of this hand- A loving cup was awarded the Some of the men were heathens higher price.

winning team by H. EIA. Torati, and almost naked; the others were

The erankshaft is of Exceptionally Roomy Bodles.

the Secretary of the Facist Party. The Moslems and wore flowing robes. A suggestion of spaciousness is four-bearing type and, is drill-Ford with the most uniform speed The women wore their hair in a created by the very outward ap ed for pressure lubrication was given a gold medal. kind of shingle, but it hung in pearance of the new

Century Six to all bearings. The. counter- hundreds of little plaits.

the Century Six The itself, being broad of line and weights of

the in-going air · BO that chicf, who was a heathen (because swung low to the road. The full are so designed and located as to only clean Bir enters the he was naked and quite drunk) crowned, heavy gauge fenders, provide the maximum balancing carburettor. The carburettor is a offered me his hut, but I know bet- which sweep gracefully, emphasize effect with the minimum of added plain tube type with an accelerating ter and commandeered a clean note of "big car" luxury, heigh rotating weight, thereby greatly re-pump-a new and very useful fea- grase mat which I spread under atened by an unbroken line from the ducing the bearing load. ture. It provides a positive and tree. I had no mosquito net and high, wide radiator to the newly marks the Hupmobile crankshaft as definite accelerating charge of gas no rug and spent a dismal night. styled tail lamp. The trim, high being the most scientifically de- when a momentary spurt of fuel is: The next morning I pushed the radiator and the re-designed sheet signed of any now used in engines needed. for a fast getaway. Here machine to the village with. the metal talloring at the front anywhere near its size and price.

you see one reason for the Hupmo- help of two boys, and 'after a valn

The valves of the Hupmoblie Cen bile Century Six's exceptionally fast convey an ngreeable sugges- attempt to secure porters. I cover- tion. of speed. In addition, tury Six motor are completely en-acceleration. ed the motor-cycle with mats and the

metal work closed, protecting them from grit

An outstanding mechanical fea- started to tramp towards Fort has been remodelled, until it'com and dust. They are lubricated both Lamy. A few minutes after sunset pletely covers the fuel tank, spring by pressure and by spray from the ture of the 1931 Century Six is the I reached the Charl, and as I knew ands and other unsightly acces crankcase.

powerful and fully adjustable cam

CaTide,

shoot rear

This

that it flowed past Fort Lamy 1 sories. The Interior upholstery is Its fuel system Includes a 15 and lever steering gear, whose decided to continue my journey by high quality mohair with a special gallon tank. Fuel is drawn to the instant responsiveness and flexi-

traffe, in- nap designed for long, hard waar. carburettor by a vacuum tankbility of handling in Fourpence A Day.

Special machine-buffed Bedouin on

whence turning and in parking, emphasise the dash from Two natives. entered ey service leather, in harmonising tones, is it flows to the carburet convincingly the restful driving

direct comfort of this car. In the capacity of paddlers at the used in the Tourer models. torby gravity in remarkable salary of fourpence a The bright and tilt-beam head proportion to the engine's require- A safety factor, of unusual im day. The canoe was of the dug lamp rays are controlled by the leftments. The fuel filter prevents dirt portance is the braking system of out type, ten feet long and 20 foot. This type of foot-controlled or water from reaching the car- the 1981 Century. Six Hupmobile Inches wide. It was generously light. has been endorsed by drivers bretter. The air cleaner is Midland Steeldraulic brakes are supplled with invisible apertures, and public officials alike, because mounted

intake used; they are positive in action designed, I suppose, to conduct the both hands are left free to control of the carburettor and filters with all parts fully enclosed. They fragrant river water towards arie's the car."

(Continued at foot of next Column.) are notable for their extreme power.

hot-feet-1 embarked in this crazy thing with two live chickens, some egge, a calabash of wild honey and plenty of monkey nuta,N

For three days I drifted down- stream, landing at sunset and sleeping in native villages. After the first day, I had run out of tea, sugar and salt. I shot wild duck and one of my, men harpooned a fish weighing more than eighty pounds: I saw many hippos, generally two swimming to gether We gave them a wide

New

Century

at the air'

and smooth, non-locking application at all speeds. They introduce a note of safety that is Instrumental, to a great degree, in overcoming the mental fatigue of driving at long pariods. Their unvarying depend- ability of braking action at all: speeds is a source of security and confidence that no experienced driver can fail to appreciate. Com fort and speed with safety fe, In-. deed, a dominant keynote of this nepest product of Hupmobile's engineering genius,

BUYERS GUIDE

MOTOR CARS.

ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY. → Hongkong Hotel Garage, · Queon's

Road. Tel. 24769.

BUICK-The Dragon Motor Car Co., Ltd., 33, Wong Nei Chung

Road, Happy Valley. Tel. 80228.

CADILLAC Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road. · Tel. 24769. CHEVROLET. — Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road. Tel.

24759.

FIAT MOTOR CAR.—A Goeke & Co., China Bldg, 7th floor.

Tel. 22221.

MARQUETTE. The Dragon Motor Car Co., Ltd., 33, Wong Nei

Chung Road, Happy Valley. Tel. 30228. MORRIS--Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road. Tel. 24759. OLDSMOBILE.-The Dragon Motor Car Co. Ltd., 33, Wong Nei

Chung Road, Happy Valley. Tel. 30229. ROLLS-ROYCE-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road.

24759. STUDEBAKER-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road. Tel.

24759. WILLYS-KNIGHT & WHIPPET MOTOR CARS,—Gilman & Co.,

Ltd., 4a, Des Voeux Rd. C. Tel. 28011.

Tel.

OUTBOARD MOTORS.-Rudolf Wolff & Kew, 64 Queen's Road

G1 Tel. 22173.

MOTOR TRUCKS AND TRACTORS.

CHEVROLET-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road.

24769.

Tel.

G.M.G-The Dragon Motor Car Co., Ltd., 33, Wong Nei Chung

. Chung Road, Happy Valley, Tel &0228 DODGE South China Motor Car Co., 33, Des Voeux Road. C.

Tel. 25644...!

MORRIS-Hongkong, Hotel Garage, Queen's Road. Tel. 24759, STUDEBAKER.-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road.';

Road. Tol 24759. WILLYS-KNIGHT & WHIPPET TRUCKS-Gilman & Co., Ltd,

4a, Des Voeux Road C. Tel. 28011.

MOTOR CYCLES.

NORTON The Sincere Co., Ltd. Des Voeux Road C. Tel.

27767, B.S.A. The Sincere Co., Ltd., Des Voeux Road. Tel. 27767..

OILS

MOTOR

GARGOYLE MOBILOIL—Vácaum Oil Company, King's Bidg. SHELL-Asiatic Petroleum Co., (S.C.), Ltd., Asolatie Eldg.

TYRES AND ACCESSORIES, ACCESSORIES-Hongkong Hotel, Garage, Busen's Road Tol.

24759."

"ACCESSORIES. The Dure Motor Co., Nathan Road, Kowloon.

Tel. 56226. We

FISK TYRES.-Gilman & Co., Ltd. 4a, Des Voeux Rd. G. Tel

28011.

INDIA TYRES.-W. R. Loxley. Ca. York Bldga. Tel. 22285. MICHELIN TYRES-A. Goeke & Co., China Bldg., 7th floor.

Tel. 22221.

PRESTOLITE BATTERIES.-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's

Road. Tel. 247BOVE ARE AN WILLARD BATTERIES, Gilman & Co., Ltd, 4a, Der Voeux Rd.

C. Tel. 28011/