Page
WHIPPET
FOURS & SIXES
'INCREASED POWER
LONGER WHEEL BASE
CHROMIUM PLATED RADIATORS
LONGER SPRINGS
GREATER BEAUTY
"
"And LOWEST PRICES in their respective classes
SHOWROOM | “DURO ""MOTOR CO., LTD.. SERVICE STATION | NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
DISTRIBUTORS -GILMAN & CO., LTD...
HAPPY VALLEY FOR LEARNERS.
IT'S CLOSE TO THE CEMETERY!
STUDEBAKER
"EIGHT"
RECORDS.
CALCUTTA-BOMBAY,
THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1929.
MOTOR NOTES
TOLL-GATE CHARGES THE LURE OF THE
IN BRITAIN.
An American who' had been told that the best way to see England was from motorizar a few days ago ordered one by wireless while travelling across the Atlantic. On. arrival at Plymouth he started off in the car in blithe mood for Mar- gute, taking the coast road. the journey he was called upon to pay seventeen toll-gate and rond fees amounting in the aggregaze to
about £1.
On
When he reached Margate he was
BALKANS.
THROUGH THIRTEEN
COUNTRIES.
BAD ROADS AND SHAKY
BRIDGES.
The average Briton's tendency to depreciate his successes or, at least, to keep silent on the subject has ever been a national characteristic, and in these days of self-advertine inent is even more remarkable than before. It has its disadvantages, however, because it undoubtedly tion from the, often, bombastic stories of more pushful competitors. minimise a succesful achievenient When the Briton is inclined to and, in fact, almost to apologise for it, the world in general is liable to place a similar value upon
|
After landing at Ostend the first part of the itinerary was through Belgium and Germany with no in- cidents, worthy of note, except-per-- haps for an amusing event at Bayreuth, where the landlord of the local hotel, being somewhat lacking in garage zecommodation, housed the car in the hall, where it spent the night entirely blocking the
between passage
kitchen and dining-room
The road conditions in Czecho Slovakia proved vile, although to-
wards the Austrian frontier the pertion in the middle is mettled, width is considerable, only a small the remainder being a quagmire in renched in safety, and the attrac wet weather. However, Vienna was tions of the fine city, good music, fine pictures and buildings were greatly appreciated. Then follow garian plain to Budapest, where a few more days were spent. Condi- and the road to Belgrade after the tions then became more primitive, Jugo Starian frontier had been
WILLYS
KNIGHT
CARS & TRUCKS.
SHOWROOM SERVICE STATION
"DURO" MOTOR CO., LTD.
NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
DISTRIBUTORS:-GILMAN & CO., LTD.
phraseology: What these Balkan their inhabitants make up for in cities lack in Macadam and Tarmac kindness and hospitality."
through the wild and picturesque From Solia. the route led down valley of the Struma into Mace donia. Just north of Salonika, the travellers were warned that they
looking characters did "hold up " sare enough, two rather desperate the car, and were suitably removed,
A new road record between Cal-asked what he thought of the Eng affects trade which receives stimula- Fed a run across the great Hun- f.might be held up by brigands and,
Several peary, ago. Happy Valley cutta and Bombay was established was the venue which the Police by a stock model Studebaker Preai chose for learner drivers to take deat Eight Roadster recently. The Tessons and novices were required car, which was driven by Mr. to confine their experiments to the Dewey W. Smith, special Stúde. roads surrounding Happy Valley.baker representative, covered the In those days trafic was consider 1,466 miles between the two cities ably less than what it is to-day. in 41 hours and 30 minutes, lower- The round-the-Valley tram serviceing the previous record by six
was non-existent and there were no hours. 'bus service of any kind.
A recent case revealed that the police are still requiring a few, if not all, learner drivera to remain in the Happy Valley district. Ad. ittedly the district had been one of the best and most. handy areas in former years for the learner to practice, but surely the authorities must know that Happy Valley is no longer the quiet area it used to be.
New Area Wanted.
The Hotel 'bus service and a large number of public and private cars and motorcycles pass Leighton Hill Road between the Police and the Craigengower Recreation Club. Hore the P.W.D. are raising the road so that only half of it is avail. able to traffic and even experiences drivers have to proceed cautiously The growth of the residentia district in Wong Nei Chong Road and in Wong Nei Chong proper has resulted in a greater stream of irakic passing to and from that road, whilst on the Morrison Hill side the increased motor, 'bus and
tram service makes the road ex-
tremely dangerous for the pedes trian and certainly no learner- drivers are happy there.
lish countryside. "It is beauti- ful," he admitted, "but so it ought to be." He drew from his pocket a number of coloured all passes Look at my admission tickets," he said..
I.
A Source of Grievance, “
The suitability of British motor-"I Toll charges have been a source
cara for overseas is a case in point. of grievance to the travelling pub- Undoubtedly, a great deal of hos lie for many years, and attention terested parties has been circulated tile propaganda inspired by in- The rua was ocially timed by automobile associations in Calcutta is again drawn to the question by on this subject, but it must also be and Boobay,
a report that the right of collect admitted that a certain amount The President Eight's Calcutta ing tolls in respect of Hurrows, as it were, gone by default by Bombay record is the second of its Bridge Somerset, offered by reason of this national obsession ind made in India within the last aaction, realised the record sum of for keeping silence. Every day in year. On April 15, Mr. C. E. Perry, £830 per annum on a two years all parts of the world British cars manager of the Vacuum Oil Com lease. This represented an increase by their performance are giving the model Erskine Six Tourer, com and is a significant indication of suitability for local conditions. pany in India, driving a stock of £300 on the previous best figure, le direct to talk about their un- pleted the 398 miles between Ban the ever-increasing value of these goon and Mandalay in 48 hours. rights to the people who possess was fire them, owing entirely to the greater The best previous time and one-half days.
volume of modern transport.
a
--
Roth ruas were considered re
An official of the Automobile A markable feats since they were sociation said to a Press Associa made in extreme heat and over tion reporter: "It will surprise bad roads, which at times were Do
the public to know that there are more than deep-rutted tracks. In 88 bridges and 65 toll roads in the dian newspapers were enthusiastic country." The charges vary con- in their praise of the cars and siderably, but it is possible to spend drivers.
a considerable sum in the course of The latest Studebaker record in
a comparatively short journey, and India closely follows
મા record-
there are all sorts on the Atlantic City charges,
of curious making run
the United States, speedway in
Very High Charges. stock model President where Eight Roarister travelled"
30,000 For instance, at Tuckton Bridge, Stude, owned by the Bournemouth Cor miles in 26,326 minutes. baker now holds 126 official Arteri poration, there is a charge of one records, 11 world records, 3 penny to take across a baby's pram, international records and 48 Austwopence for a motor-car, and one tralian records,
halfpenny for a pedestrian. In Ltd., are the local agents.
The Hong Kong Hotel Garage, several cases workpeople are obliged to pay one penny or a halfpenny when going to and from work. At Shoreham there is a charge of four- for the body, and at Swinford pence for a hearse and twopence
is a charge of one farthing for Bridge on the Oxford Road there
every calf, swine, sheep, or mb.. rely new line of Willys-Knight high, such as at Dunheur Bridge on The reception accorded the en- "Some of the charges are very sixes, outranks in public acclaim the main Lincoln Road, where the Knight history, which goes back case of a tradesman who desires to any previous reception in Willyscharge per vehicle iss. In the ore that fifteen years when Willys-cross and recross several times a Overland introduced its first Knight day this is very expensive. It is sleeve-valved motor cars.
impossible to get to the Isle of From radiator to trunk racks, the Sheppey unless you cross the King's new Willys-Knight Sixes, which are Ferry Bridge, where there is a offered in a wide range of body charge of ninepence. Further on models and colour combinations, towards Hull, at Bubwith, there is are entirely different from any another ninepence to be paid al- former models, This 15 accom-though the two points are only plished through the new body de about five miles apart. Between sign which brings to the low priced Bentham and Lancaster is a toll Willys-Knight field, the highest de road for which is has to be paid gree of artistry and craftsmanship: for cars." SUCCESSFUL TESTS BY WAR For more than a year engineers and
The breaking down of the Jockey Olab premises entail the frequent coming, and going, of gangs of coolies and workmen and further, the growth of the residential dis trict has resulted in a very large umber of children proceeding to and from their homes and Hoppy Valley, and these children can do without the risk of being run over by a learner-driver.
A good number of moter accl. dents have happened recently in the Happy Valley district and the time seems appropriate for the authorities to consign learners to another and jesį dangerous area.
-ARMOURED "BABY"
MOTOR-CARS.
OFFICE.
ROUGH, DRIVE.
NEW WILLYS-KNIGHT SIX.
ACCORDED FINE RECEPTION.
designers have been working on the design of the new models.
Modern Lines.-
Not alone do the exterior lines
POLICE SUMMONS DISMISSED.
of the car bring out a striking de. ALLEGED TRUCULENCE OF A sign of modernity but the interiors
The popular "baby" Austin motor-car is shortly to appear in are marked by unusual roominess
a new and unexpected role.as the far passengers, rich upholstery. result of exhaustive experiments quality fitments and every comfort
tions in reconnaissance work.
right forward side.
CONSTABLE.
A case which arose from a street
just completed by War Ofice ex- that makes for enjoyable motoring scene between a City police con perts, to ascertain the best sub- There are five wire wheels, the stitute for motor-cycle combina- spare mounted in a leader on the stable and a motorist was decided against the constable at the Guild- Officers responsible for the deve In mechanical features, to pro-
hall Police Court, when Mr. John fopment of the Mechanised Force vide utmost convenience
the Lawrence, of Kingsland High- recently reps ted to the Director of driver, the new Finger Tip Con street, was summoned for causing Mechanisation that metorcycle trol" is aed-an outstanding fea an obstruction with his motor-cer combinations were found to be un-ture in all products of the Toledo in Moorfields, satisfactory for scouting work and manufacturer.
for
JA
This feature, by Police Constable Panther said that tests should be carried out to means of a button in the centre of that while he was taking particu- ascertain the suitability of some of the steering wheel, gives, the driver lara Mr. Lawrence beaame excited the "baby" motor-cars now on the complete control over all the func waved his arms about, and caused market.
Caterpillar Wheels.
tions of starting the motor, operata crowd to collect. He told Mr. ing the lights and sounding the Lawrence that if he continued to act like that he would take him in- to custody.
is That is not True."
The "baby" Austin was subject | hom. ed to severe road tests, extending The new dash panel contains all over many thousands of miles. It the instruments conveniently group. was fitted with caterpillar attached in a décorative border. ments such as are fitted to tan
Mr. Richard Eagle, defending: I am not going to mince matters, but suggest that it was because Mr.
These cars are powered "by a kettes, six-wheeler troop-carrying Wallye-Knigh six-cylinder sleeve forries, and artillery limbers-and valve engine with a bore of 2.15/18 Lawrence resented your behaviour then driven up steep gradients, inches and stroke of 41, giving along rocky pathways, through a piston displacement of 177.9 cubic you took out this summons. That
is not true. hogs and streams, bracken and inches and developing an actual
"
woodland, and finally bartled over horsepower of 3 at 3,000 rpm. Did you not say to Mr. Lawrence, an embankment on to rough ground On this power plant is "found the I don't want any of your argu- welve feet below. Its only mis- addition of a manual heat control ment. I've got a place for people take was to finish upside down, to the header which is & material like you "Certainly not. though the engine was still running. aid in the warming up process. When you answered this man, did We understand that the Austin This is operated from a hutton on you do so na emphatically as you Company have been asked to sup the dash.
hare answered me this morning 7- pply one hundred chasasi na early as Testa conducted by the Willys-No, sir. possible. Special bodies are to be Overland experimental department built for them in Army workshops. in various section of the country corroborate the police evidence, A motor-lorry driver, called to These bodies, will allow for the show a high speed and power de said that a motor car that was not accommodation of driver and obvelopment with the same amooth Lawrence's caused the obstre - server, a rifle rack and ammunition ness and quietness characteristic of box, and possibly "an emplacement the Willys-Knight sleeve-valve en- for a concealed machine gun..
gine.
2
Messrs. Alex Rong & Co., Ltd,
Messrs. Gilman & Co. are the local agents.
tion.
Mr. Alderman Collett, without calling on the defence, dismissed the summons-
are the local agents.
Amateur Motorists,
A good example is afforded by the account of tour in the Balkans by Mr. J. W. Fitzwilliam and bis brother, both amateur motorists, with a Humber Fabric Saloon. Having heard something of Balkan roads it was obvious that hard wear and rough conditions would be encountered and that ex- pert help would be quite unavail- able in many places. The car select- ed had a fabric saleon body, and the makers fitted it out with spare parts of every sort and description. So successfully, however, did the CA stand up to its work that at the were returned to the works at end of the journey the packages Coventry unopened.
reached was an endless succession. of potholes and oper culverts which, with geese, children and pigs made the passage through the villages a alow and hazardous
undertaking.
In and Out of Holes. Between Belgrade and Soffa real. Balkan road conditions were met with For mile after mile, the car.
bounced, not in and out of pot- holes, but rather from ridge to ridge of exaggerated corrugations, so that a good clearance such as the Humber possessed was essentia). Tinder such conditions driving be came very tiring and, now and then, where a comparatively good stretch of road appeared, the driver was tempted to open out. The travellers came to the conclusion, however, that it was some trick of the Balkan road maker for, time after time, when they had accelerat chasm would appear, and they were ed to 30 or 40 m.p.h., & gaping faced by a broken or rotten bridge... After passing the Bulgarian fron- tier the road at times blended it self with the river bed and it meant moving boulders and wading through the stream before a way could be found.
Mr. Fitzwilliam and his brother were enthusiastic about the warm welcome they encountered in the Balkan cities. In their
own
Later, in Salonika, however, it was learned that the two brigands" were gendarmes actually trying to warn the Humber and its crew of the dangers ahead.
The glorious scenery of Albania and its picturesque inhabitants were thoroughly appreciated; in fact the travellers were so impressed with that little piece of mediaeval Europe that they were moved to wonder whether civilisation has modern amenities as trains and not gone too far and what such
trams, paved streets and theatres bring which can be worth more than the simple outlook on life of those brave and courteous people.
on-
The mountain scenery of tenegro was most impressive, and provided a good test for the hill climbing capabilities of the Hum ber..
After leaving Cettinje, wonderful mountain road with twenty-four hairpin benda led to- wards Ragusa and the Dalmatian Coast. From Trieste the itinerary proceeded through Riva on Lake Garda to Milan and Stresa, and 80 into Switzerland, „við the
Simplon pass.
PITFALLS IN THE WAY OF TAXATION ALTERATIONS.
the Chancellor of the Exchequer There have been suggestions that should increase the petrol tax and reduce the direct tax on vehicles.
Viewed in its connection with the commercial-vehicle industry, such suggestions can be considered 'na most unsatisfactory, says The Com- mercial Motor,. for the heavy vehicle, whether it be used for goods or for passengers, has a com- Paratively heavy fuel consumption, and any reduction of vehicle tax which might be obtained is hardly likely to offset the increased tax on its fuel.
Already the addition to the al- most overwhelming taxation "in- creases to which the commercial vehicle was subjected only a short time ago and the tax on petrol have, in many cases, converted pro having increased the running cost fit into loss, the latter tax alone of many vehicles by £1 or more per week..
attention.
There is, however, another aspect of the subject which should receive The petrol tax is allocated to de-rating, whilst the... bulk of the vehicle tax goes towards the upkeep and construction of roads. Any alteration of the balance in the manner indicated would benefit the rates at the ex- pense of the roads
By the time France was reached any of the so-called colonial " thirteen countries had been travers variety, over 4,500 miles of ronds ed during the cour, and the Hum-good, bad and sometimes almost ber, without any special prepara- non-existent. In Budapest, by the tion, bad survived without the least way, it was learned that there was trouble at the hands of two a Humber which had been running amateurs under conditions which in the city for sixteen years, a" fact are generally considered to rival which speaks well for the reliability
(Continued on nezt Column); lof British cara..
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