1929-02-20 — Page 2

Page

WHIPPET

FOURS & SIXES

INCREASED POWER

LONGER WHEEL BASE

CHROMIUM PLATED RADIATORS

LONGER SPRINGS

GREATER BEAUTY

And LOWEST PRICES ia thin respectire-classes

SHOWROOM "DURO" MOTOR CO., LTD. SERVICE STATION NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.

DISTRIBUTORS-GILMAN & CO., LTD.

MOTOR NOTES.

OUR ROADS-GOOD AND

BAD.

Shaukiwa Hill. and the road leading to Repulse Bay present perhaps the stiffest climbs to be found in the Colony. The surface is in a very good condition, and ro-surfacing work is being carried out on the section approaching Repulse Bay. The section just be roud the reservoir has been entirely re-conditioned, and the surface tarred. Formerly this section-1 series of sharp benda-was very dangerous in rainy weather, and bad skida on the muddy surface wore frequent. The sharp corner immediately after the passage over, the reservoir has been attended to; i is now much wider and better surfaced,

Work on the Morrison Hill corner, near the Royal Naval Hospital, has- now been completed, and is a great improvement to the approach to Happy Valley. It has been noticed, however, that there is a tendency fan many drivers to rush the slight gradient as they come out of the bottle neck in Wanchai. This road into Happy Valley is used by a great number of pedestrians, who unfortunately do not remember to keep to the narrow pavement re- served for them. In a tight fix, a "sudden swerve may result in Ju

serious accident,

Present-day cara" invariably have sufficient reserve power to take this giadient without fearing of strain- ing the engine. Furthermore, it -would be well to remember that at this corner there are two concealed exite for motor traffic-the Royal Naval Hospital approach and Ken- zody Road.

Exactly the same offence occurs on the other side of the Hill Drivers coming round the corner from Happy Valley take great pride in demonstrating the hill dimbing capabilities of their cars, resulting in a dangerous dimb" up the hill towards the cross-roads to Repulse Bay. Drivers also become distinctly annoyed when the traffo coustable on duty at the top of the hill refuses them the right-of-way. I many cases they just thanage to catch up to the procession of cars which have been given the signal to proceed and attempt to squeeze through, thereby causing a great. deal of inconvenience and sudden braking to cars on the other side.

A number of summonses' and fines have been imposed for "dangerous driving at this point. asd it is to bo hoped the police will resume action against these reckless drivers if the practice, continues.

Last summer the Kowloon Resi- dents' Association was instrumental in having a series of white lines painted on the road in front of the Peninsula Hote, in an attempt to do away with the continuous mis- understanding caused by traffic ap. proaching the Salisbury and Nathan Road corner. On the left-hand side of the road two white lines were laid, one practically in the centre of the road, and the other curving to the Jeft. The idea of the lines vas excellent, and if followed out would have brought about a solu- tion to the problem. The straight centre line indicated that cars wish- ing to proceed straight across into Chatham Road were to keep on the right side of the line. "In this man. nor the traffic constable on duty at. the corner would know the inten tions of he driver, and stop traffic. coming down Nathan Road towards the Ferry to allow him to crossin safety.

The other line, curving to the left, was for the guidance of n driver who wished to turn up into Nathan Road, and indicated to the traffic constable that it would not be necessary to stop ɑncoming car, co, the other side of the corner. At night, of course, the red-and green light signals must be cbeyed.

The idea on well for the first few days, and then some bus- drivers—who are generally too lazy to even change gear commenced to ignore the white lines and bonk- od for a signal from the traffic constable.

Slowly but surely the babit deve loped until at last all drivers. in- dading car owners, had to revert to hand signals for fear of a mis- understanding and probably an accident.

It is a great pity that the trouble and work carried out by the Kow loon Resident Association should be allowed to lapse into the dis- graceful state of affairs which daily

occurs at this corner. Today the white lines are regarded as a joke.

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20th, 1929.

It is satisfactory to note that strong wooden stakes have been placed round the dangerous bends along the Kowloon Reservoir, and have been painted white for better. visibility at night. Only recently aa accident occured to a party of European ladies on one of the dangerous benda round the reser voir, and were it not for the trees oa the bank, the car would have' dropped over the side, with serious results. The road surface on the corners near the reservoir is in a very had state, and a better tarred surface would be welcomed by aarious drivers. Better wheel grip would thus be afforded, add less risk of a dangerous skid. When the improvements to the road sur- face approaching the Hong Kong Reservoir are compared with the state of this road at Kowloon, it will be realised what is wanted.

MOTOR NOTES

THAT FINGER-TIP CONTROL.

IS REAL DRIVING-CONVENI- ENCE ASSURED ?.

A lady reader writes to ask whether the "Enger tip, control system in use on certain car is not apt to be extremely confusing and Nkoly to hinder the driver's action in an emergency. She con- fesses that she has not manipulated the control herself, but a friend possesses one or his car and she considering purchasing a car of the same make,

Well, in the first place we take it that our correspondent ties to the Enger-ip control embodied in the Willys-Knight Six and in the now Whippet. The control cozaista of a single button located in the centre of the steering wheel. It la a most welcome innovation and

controls the self-starter, horn, and lamps. At the same time, the con- trol is practically fool-proof,

certainly entail confusion Ina ↑ NEW ̈“GOODYEAR” TYRE, actual practice, however, it is sim. plicity itself.

The button is litted to operate the self-starter and pressed co sound the harm. There seeing to be no difficulty in working the con trob thus far. Kan de dress

THE DOUBLE EAGLE TYRE AND TUBE.

After a year of exhaustive: ex- permens the Goodyear Tyre & Rubber Co., have produced what is claimed to be the finest, strongest and the most handsome tyre which money can buy.”

WILLYS

KNIGHT

CARS & TRUCKS.

SHOWROOM SERVICE STATION.

“DURO” MOTOR CO., LTD.

NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.

DISTRIBUTORS —GILMAN & CO., LTD.

limited distribution is

cross-country dashes from Akron, tổ Los Angeles and retur

Then we come to the operation of controlling the lights, which done with a right-hand, turning movement. There is no need to

This new tyre, is intended to push or pull the button-just a honour the thirtieth anniversary simple turn is all that is necessary of the founding of the "Goodyear

From the central or “off” posi-organisation in 1998 and is to be

Only & tion, a alight tum switches on the produced in all the popular sizes

parking Light, Alight in from 30 x 4.50 to 33 x 6.75. It has expected because of the higher

The route taken was across the crease in the turn brings the dim a beautiful appearance and has claimed that the Double Eagle Arizona and New Mexico Deserts

value and higher 'price, but it is mers into action and a further been built enormously stronger than tyre will fil a very definite need by mountain roads where harsh, small turn to the right switches on any tire ever yet made. A few of for the ear-owner who wants extra rough surfaces, and the extreme the normal driving lights while an the constructional differences are quality from a desire to have the heat combine to break down any increase in the turning movement the lighter profile, virtually double nest and complete freedom from tyre in which weakness may exist, switches the headlights full on. thisk tread, deeper cut diamonds,

all tyre trouble. mind the extra plies, and the toughest com- Therefore, bearing

Experienced drivers of the test fact that, in its normal position the pound ever developed.

There is no doubt that a very cars average, under ordinary condi battan merely operates the light cords of "Supertwist" (the patent-fitting the best tyres obtainable making testa of the new Double real economy can be effected by tions, 800 miles per day, but in ing switches, while it is lifted to ed "Goodyear" tyre fabric which

when service conditions demand Eagle tyre they improved on this work the self-starter and pressed to practically eliminates carcases round the born, we consider the breaks) have also been incorpor such investment as a matter of average, reaching 800 miles every fingertip control to be the most ated, and in order to develop long good business, and no tyre equip 84 hours, in order to give the maxi notable advance in driving conveni wear more rubber has been placed ment of such striking appearance mam punishment to the tyre equip. ence since the self-starter and is between the plies: the carcass able at the present time for the

as this new production is procur- ment. distinct safety factor for night being also lined with sa additional Benefit of those who take a pride some having already given more layer of rabber. Dangers of blow in the turn-out and appearance of than 40,000 miles and so successfully. out punctures have thus been practher cars.

[ has the." Double Eagle " withstood - tically eliminated, the tyre having been so thoroughly constructed, tions as far as tyres are concerned, the producers are confident in the

Under the most adverse condi- † these and other factory texta, that with the finest materials available,

fleet of testing claim that this is the best tyre ever the ** Goodyear and regardless of cost or expene.

cars were driven on * series of constracted.

driving.

The System Explained. "Nearly every motorist has experi

Mess Gilmar & Co. the local enced the annoyance of having to

agent or the Willys-Knight Six and fumble, about with the foot for the the Whippet cars, will no doubt be starter button in the past, particu.only too pleased to supply further Larly when one has had to pull up information on request." and re-start among traffic. The convenience of having a starting · "utton close to one's hand canzot be over-stressed when dealing with the new device.

calty and danger to the motorist Local roads present another diff.:

A man has been busily engaged in painting white lines for directing traffic to the ferry wharf at Kow-which the new control obviatea. loca: This presumably is the out come of the Kowloon Magistrate's remarks during a recent traffic case, when a European was AUDI- moned for taking the wrong circuit round to the wharf. The owner.

drove his car down the middle way reserved for motor-'buses instead of going around, the ricksha stand. The summons was dismissed, as it was found that no signboard br regulation was posted indicating that the middle" passage was re- served for buses,

Nathan Road has been in a state of upheaval during the past two months on account of the pipa which is being laid in convection with the proposed water supply scheme. Following the recent rain- fall, the channels became sodden and soft. Plus the continuous rum. ble of 'bus traffic, the road has been reduced to a long billowly line of nasty bumps. It appears that the motor-roller employed VLI not heavy enough, so the large steam. reller is now tackling the job, and it is expected that Nathan Road will be soon its old set again, or perhaps even better.

sitates frequent "dimming" while Night driving in the Colony neces- the use of brilliant headlights is necessary whenever the road is clear. Sudden bends in the roads, with a nasty drop on either side awaiting the unwary are apt to be. decidedly nerve-racking at night, when one has to remove one's hand from the wheel to operate, a of approaching vehicles. lighting switch for the convenience

Therefore, the finger-tip control is a distinct safety factor in night driving since the driver has abso fate Tontrol of his fights at all times without removing his hand from the steering wheel,

A steering-wheel button sounding the horn is no novelty. Most cars are fitted with this comparatively simple device which has been in corporated in the new Willis-Knight Six and Whippet "models.

And How It Works.

Now we return to our correspon-

dent's query. At first sight it would seem that the embodiment of so many useful functions into comparatively small button would

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Prince's Building and 1a, Chater Road.

Telephones: C. 27 and C. 2487,

FINER

Heavier

*

The tyres are still in service.

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ERSKINE SIX