1931-01-02 — Page 11

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 1931.

THE

CHINA MAIL.

SKIDDING.

AN EMANCIPATOR,

Experiments with Model Praise for Commercial

Motor.

THE CONCLUSIVE.

The results of part of the research work which is being carried out at. the National Physical Laboratory on behalf of the Ministry of Trans- port are contained In two papers which have been written for the Institution

Automobile of

En: gineers. The subject is skidding. The first paper is concerned with the influence of the design of the vehicle upon its behaviour through the locking of a wheel or wheels by severe braking; the second deals with experiments devised to show the transverse force required to cause sideslip when a wheel rolls over various kinds of road surface. These papers will be read in London, and will undoubtedly pro- voke acute controversy in the en- suing digeussjon.

The subject is one of such ex- treme importance to all motorists, remarks The Motor, that we have studied the papers with consider

01

ablo care. The experiments which the first is based were made with a small model, devoid of springs and fitted with solid tyres, on a concrete surface giving good adhesion. The authors optimisti- vally predict that the results will be found applicable to full-scale vehicles; this is opon to question, but arguments are rendered un- necessary by the fact that the re- sults reveal nothing that has not been known by engineers for many

years.

We are tempted to question the utility of a Government research into the design of vehicles from the standpoint of skidding when it is common knowledge that modern automobiles have advanced to such a stage that safety in ensured except on those, surfaces which provide altogether inadequate ad- hesion.

HAND SIGNALS.

or

new

Motor.

NEW TRAFFIC LAWS. THIRD PARTY RISKS.

Points for Motor Cyclists to Remember.

Motorists Forced to Insure.

London, Nov. 25, 1930. The part of the Road Traffic It is customary to regard every

development of industry as On Monday next, December 1,Act, 1930, relating to the provi- being beneficial to the commercial most of the first part of the Road]sion to be made against third come into force. party risks arising out of the use motor, inasmuch as It provides ad- Traffic Act will

As ditional scope for its use. That is History will be made that day. It of motor vehicles, will come into perfectly true, and is a legitimate will mark the beginning of a new force in Great Britain. way of looking at the matter. It era of traffic regulation in this from January 1, 1981, it will is, however, even more correct to country. We need hardly stress be an offence for any person to that it is of the utmost drive a motor vehicle on a road It is tho commercial the fact state that

in the service it offers, importance to every motorcyclist to unless he is covered against the motor, which has made thore developments know, on Monday morning, exactly third party risks specified in the

Without its aid, the what the law requires of him. Act.

The Minister of Transport, in possible.

now regulations

draft regulations, mobility it affords and the eman Ignorance of the cipation from railway dominance will not avail as an excuse for their issuing the

pointed out that in the case of the which it confers, they would be im-infringement.

In the current lague of Motor ordinary motorist this cover wil possible.

Cycling there is a lengthy digest of usually take the form of a policy the new laws affecting motor- of insurance. As evidence of com- cyclists. Glancing at the provisions pliance with the Act, the motor- that will take effect next week, the list when driving will need to have most important, from the point of in his possession a certificate of view of the average rider, strike us insurance which will be supplied as being those relating to danger-by the insurers and which must ous and careless driving. It must be produced to a police constable be realised that for the former ex-on demand, or, in the event of an penalties will be accident involving a third party, tremely severe exacted in the future, whilst the either to a police constable or to latter becomes for the first time any person who has reasonable specific offence. On the other hand grounds for requiring to see it, the widespread mis- Evidence of compliance with this (owing to

the subject), it part of the Act will have to be apprehension on cannot be emphasised too strongly produced when a Road Fund li- that the speed limit has not yet cence is applied for, so that motor- licensing authority or to a post been removed and that it still re-ists when applying either to a Its continuance until January 1 office for their Road Fund licences has been considered desirable by for 1931 will at the same time the authorities to allow further have to produce their certificate

of insurance. time for the police to equip them- with motor-cycles-for selves "speed cops" to come into being in substantial numbers. Motor Cycling the organization 01 welcomes

A

Take one such phase-the present factorles from tendency to move congested areas into rural districts, Were it not for the motor vehicle this decentralisation of manufac- turers' establishments would not be possible, states The Commercial Motor, for, quite apart from the provision of transport for the pro-, ducts of the factory, there is the conveyance of the workpeople to be considered. It is one thing to plan new and modern factory in a country district and to equip it with modern machinery. It is quite another to persuade several thou- of townbred and town sands living workpeople to come to that factory, and it would impossible but for the enterprise of coach owners and bus proprietors.

At every turn and in every way, therefore, the commercial motor the ends of industry and serves

usefulness is pleasure alike. Its augmented rather than diminished on, housing when, as time goes estates spring up around the fac- tory, forming yet another township, with all its needs: food, clothing, heating and other necessities, con- veniences and luxuries of modern life, every one of which involves fetching and carrying in some way or another.

indeed be malas in force.

It is doubtful if anything mors surprising can be found than a car which whistles to its owner when it requires attention!

Additional Cover.

175-

The Minister is informed that the insurance companies and underwriters have in hand the the necessary preparation of certificates in connection with all If one has insured vehicles, and that these this specialised force. to be charged for an offence under the Road Traffic Act it will be far certificates will be forwarded to better to be charged by a man who policy-holders without application (as soon as possible before the is himself a motorcyclint than by close of the year.

possibly bucolic village hobby with no knowledge of the superb

In all cases where the existing control which one has of a modern policy does not give all the cover machine and consequently with no required by the Act by reason of ability to decide as to what is dana limitation of liability in respect CAR WHISTLES FOR ATTENTION gerous driving and what is not.

of injury to third parties the ne- A proper seat for a pillion. pas-

cessary additional cover will have. senger becomes obligatory on solo

to be arranged for. It will be machines, if a passenger is to be of assistance to insurance com- and driving licences panles and underwriters if, for carried, will • not in future be the present, policy-holders will re- Such a car, however, already issued to boya under 16, although frain from approaching them in respect of specific insurance. exists in the form of the new Rover riders under that age, who have

and "Meteor." had six months' experience on the policies. "Light-Twenty"

with the science of road, will be allowed to continue In the case of employed drivers Even motor car manufacture as it is motorcycling. The physical atness the necessary cover will normally to-day, the car has yet to be made qualifications for holding driving be obtained by the employer, as to give audible indication when it licences. over which such a scare the Act provides that no person is time to fill up with petrol and oil, has been worked up in a certain may cause or permit another to engine is badly out of time. Back- but these new Rovers can and do section of the Press, do not seem drive unless when so driving hearing in the muffler is likely to oc whistle when the mixture is like-likely to debar from the road any has the necessary cover against cur on any car when the foot is

the suddenly removed from motorcyclist who can ride with third party risks. ly to become rich.

coasting The phenomenon is easily ex-safety.

The Act provides alternatives celerator pedal or when

car is "pushing" These are some poirts which to insurance in the case of per-80 that the plained. The air is filtered through "steel wool" and when this becomes should be kept in mind:-

sons or organisations which have the engine. Applicants for driving licences substantial financial resources and Theoretically, what happens is choked with impurities-which the

must sign a declaration of phy- are in a position either to deposit this, the sudden closing of the very existence of the filter have

£15,000 with the Accountant throttle results in a very high prevented from reaching the in-

The minimum age at which a General of the Supreme Court or vacuum in the intake manifold. terior of the engine-the mixture

licence to drive a motorcycle cam to obtain a "security" given by a This excess vacuum interferes with naturally becomes rich. On many

company cars. this passes unnoticed for days

or body of persons the incoming tharge, producing or months-and The new offence of "careless authorised to do so by the Act an over-rich mixture which is not perhaps weeks

driving" has been created.

guaranteeing to meet any default completely burned, and is heavier petrol consumption resulta. But on these Rovers a small whistle is incorporated in the air cleanering and the moment there is the slight- est. restriction in the main supply. the whistle comes into operation. The owner can then wash out the steel wool and the filter is good for many more thousands of miles.

•

Maný motorists appear to over- look the fact that the sole purpose of hand signals is to indicate to others their own intention, and that the driving of other cars behind. is no concern of theirs, whatsoever. The only signals really called for are those which indicate that the "driver js going to do something which may not be expected by thore who are following. In other words, the only signal which ap- pears to be really needed is to hold out the hand in the proper manner (not just dangle the hand over the side of the car or out the window) when it is intended to pull out to the right, either with the object of passing something turning down a side road. There is quite a large number of motorists who respond to the sound of the horn by a sweep of the hand. This in

tself is a laudable action as Indication that the warning has been heard; but how much better it would be to keep the hand on the steering wheel and pull to the left so as to give room to the other car to pass. Theoretically a driver is supposed to move his hand up and down when traffic in front compels him to slow down, and to nold his hand up when forced to stop. If all drivers would realise It is seldom, of course, that such that the object of hand signals is attention is required, but the fact own intentions, that this whistle is fitted shows the to indicate their and give these signals correctlyngths to which manufacturers of the handling of their care, as well high grade care to-day will go to a general safety, would be im- ensure economical and trouble-free

running. proved.

An

WE WISH YOU A

sical fitness.

be obtained is raised to 16.

races

"

#C-

conse-

A ban has been placed on rid-in the satisfaction of third party quantly pumped into the exhaust claims. Appropriate certificates manifold and mußter along with "off the road." "

The heat in Speed trials and

are are provided for in the Act and in the exhaust gases. specifically prohibited.

the Draft Régulations made there. the muffler then vaporises this Tampering with vehicles and under in these cases, and also in over-rich accumulation and when "joy riding" are made offences. the case of the local and police it reaches the proper state, it is Pillion riding may be under-authorities who are not required exploded by other charges from the This produces taken only with proper pillion by the Act to be covered against exhaust manifold.

the backfiring noises in the muffer equipment..

third party risks. In addition, it should be particu-

The Minister of Transport has the backfiring noises in the muffler. published notice of his intention If these explosions occur too fre- larly noted that:-

The speed limit is not yet to make regulations under Part quontly, it might be well, of course, II, of the Act, and copies of the to have the carburetter Inspected, Third party insurance is not draft regulations cari be obtained as cases have been known, where yet compulsory.

by any public or representative the needle valve is worn and an body on application to the Roads over-rich mixture has resulted, Department of the Ministry of leading to imperfect carburation. Transport. This part of the Act does not apply to invalid carriages lor to tramcarɛ.

abolished..

HAPPY NEW YEAR

WITH MANY THANKS TO OUR MULTITUDE.. OF PATRONS WHO HAVE HELPED US TO MAKE THIS OUR MOST SUCCESSFUL YEAR, AND WE HOPE THAT THEY WILL ALL CONTINUE TO PATRONIZE US DURING THE COMING YEAR.

SOUTH CHINA MOTOR CAR CO.

33, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL. Telephone 25644,

l'elephone 25044.

BRITISH COMMERCIAL MOTORS.

Examination of the Motor Regis, tration figures for the first aix months of 1930 reveals the fact that in the market for "quality" com- mercial motors the well-known Scottish built Albions topped the list with a figure more than 10 per cent. higher than their nearest com- petitor (also, incidentally, a British manufacture),

Albions have been doing good business with many well-known firma, among whom may be men tioned the Shell Co. of Australia Ltd, Messrs. W: D. & H. O. Wills (Australia) Ltd, Messrs." --Wm. Arnott Ltd., Bakera of Sydney, and Messrs. Tooth & Co., Ltd, the well- known Sydney Brewers. The Mel bourne Fire Brigade have also becn purchasing a number of machines of this popular make.

BACKFIRING."

Alarm is sometimes experienced by those who are driving their Brat car, to find that when taking their foot off the accelerator pedal, while driving along a level road, and especially down hill, to hear

4 series of loud explosions accor

LEAD

THE

WAY

B.

ON

S.

A

Sole Agents:

in the mufler, known as backdirini SINCERE'S

and there are probably very few chr owners who really know the cause, and may imagine that their

"Look at that new "Buick pulling so easily through this deep sticky mud."

"Yes pleasure to own a car like that to travel anywhere-with no fear of getting in trouble."

it must be a

NET behind the wheel of the new Bulck » U Eight to-day. Head out on a road where you can open the throttle or over routes where drivers of other cars, no, matter how costly, will not venture.! Then you'll understand the reason for the confidence motor car buyers have in Ruick why thousands of dollars worth of Buicks were sold — before the car was ready!

Buick with its tremendous horse-power, valve-in-head, eight-in-a-line motor, new synchro-mesh transmission, and its 37 other major features and improvements gives you a thrill absolutely new to your motoring experience.

We have a car ready to give you a free demonstration.

114" Wheelbase Buick Models 118" Wheelbase Buick Models 124" Wheelbase Buick Models 132" Wheelbase Buick Models

The

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BUICK 8

The Eights with Buick's Prestigė

THE DRAGON MOTOR CAR CO., LTD.

Telephone 30228.

.33, WONG NEI CHUNG ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY.

BUYERS GUIDE

MOTOR CARS. ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY.-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's

Road. Tel. 24759.

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

Road, Happy Valley. Tel. 30228.

CADILLAC Hongkong Hotel Garage, 'Queen's Road. Tel. 24759. - CHEVROLET, ——— Hongkong Hotel, Garage, Queen's Road. Tel."

21759.

FIAT MOTOR CAR.-A Cooke & Co., China Bldg., 7th floor.

Tel. 22221.

MARQUETTE-The Dragon Motor Car Co., Ltd., 33, Wang Nei

Chung Road, Happy Valley. Tel. 30228. MORRIS.-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road. Tel. 24709. OLDSMOBILE. The Dragon Motor Car Co., Ltd., 06, Wong Not

Chung Road, Happy Valley. Tel. 80228.

Tel. ROLLS-ROYCE.-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road.

24759.

•

STUDEBAKER.-Hongkong Hote! Garage, Queen's Road, Tel.

24769.

WILLYS-KNIGHT & WHIPPET MOTOR CARS.-Gilmar & Co.,

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

OUTBOARD MOTORS.-Rudolf Wolff & Kew, 54 Queen's Road

C. Tol: 22178.

MOTOR TRUCKS AND TRACTORS, CHEVROLET-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road. Tel.

24769. G.M,C. The Dragon Motor Car Co., Ltd., 33, Wong Nel-Chung

Chung Road, Happy Valley: Tel. 30228. DODGE

South China Motor Car Co., 33, Des Voeux Road. C. Tel. 25644.

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

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

24759.

WILLYS-KNIGHT & WHIPPET TRUCKS.--Gilman & Co., Ltd.,

4a,, Des Voeux Road G. Tel. 28011:

MOTOR CYCLES.

B.3.A.The Stucere Co., Ltd., Des Voeux Rond. Tel. 27767.. NORTON The Sincere Co. Ltd., Des Voeux Road C. Tel

27767,

MOTOR OILS,

GARGOYLE MOBILOIL-Vacuum Oil Company, King's Bldg. SHELL-Aslatie Petroleum Co., (5.C.); Ltd, Asiatic Bldg.

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

24769,-- ACCESSORIE-The Duro Motor Co., Nathan Road, Kowloon.

Tel. 50223.

Tél.

FISK TYRES-Gilman & Co., Ltd. 4, Des Voeux Bd C. Tel

28011.

T

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

Tel. 22221.

PRESTOLITE BATTERIES-Hongkong Hotel: Garage, Queen's

Road Tel, 21759.

WILLARD BATTERIES. Gilman & Co., Ltd., 4a, Des Voeux 3d.

C. Tel. 28031.

1.