1929-09-11 — Page 2

Li

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.”

DRASTIC MOTOR LAW CHANGES.

ROYAL COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS.

HIGHER PENALTIES FOR DANGEROUS DRIVING, '

DRIVERS TO BE PHYSICALLY FIT.

The first report of the Royal Com-j mission on Transport on the control of traffic on roads, recently publish ed, is, as far as the motorist, both private and commercial, is concern ed, the most important official docu- ment that has yet been issued. Among the drastic recommendations

There should be no general or special speed limits for moter cars or motor cycles, provided all wheels are fitted with pneuniatic tyres, and with regard to speed limits for mechanically propelled vehicles other than motor cars and motor rycles certain alterations should be made in the present law. Motor omanibuses and conches, if all wheels are fitted with pneumatic tyres, maximum should be permitted speed limit of 35 miles an hour. Goods vehicles, if not exceeding 2 tona unladen weight and if all wheels are fitted with pneumatic tyres, should be allowed a maximum speed limit of 30 miles per hour. These speed limits should be rigorously en-

forced.

The penalties for dangerous driv. ing, should be considerably increas ed. There should also be penalties for minor offences of a definite character, such as failing to observe a road sign.

New Deinition of " Drunk." There should be a new definition of the offence of being drunk while in charge of a car.

"

Every applicant for a driving licence should be required to make a declaration na to bia physical fit ness to drive.

All cars with headlamps to carry a dipping or swivelling device, which it would be an offence not to use.

The case for compulsory third party insurance is so strong that an attempt must be made to deal with it.

The holding of an insurance policy should be a condition preced- ent to a vehicle being licensed.

Rond authorities should provide fout-paths on all new and recon- structed roads and on all old roads where none now exist, and where the width of the read renders it possible.

Controlling Trame.

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 11,

MOTOR NOTES

reads to drive with safety at bigh speeds. The law at present is de fective in that the penalties are "not sufficiently severe, its administration has also been exceedingly defective, in some places, owing to the dis

AUSTIN GEAR® CHANGE.

easy of operation than is the new system.

Quite a feature of the change is the lever itself. Previously a com paratively short lover necessitated

inclination of Benches of Magis GATE REPLACED BY, BALL. the driver bending forward some

trates to inflict anything beyond small fines."

The penalties for dangerous driv. ing should be greatly increased. It is recommended that facs should be raised to a maximum of £50 in the case of a first offence" and £100 in the case of a second or subse quent offence with imprisonment ́as an alternative in either case; upon a second or subsequent conviction the licence. should be automatically suspended for a period of not less

than six months.

In addition, it is suggested that if any person fails to draw up.at a white line in towns where there is traffic control, or passes an island or central lamp-post on the wrong side, or fails to go "dead slow" on approaching a major road from minor road, or fails to slow down or drive cautiously through a danger zane, or fails to do the same when passing during school hours a warn ing notice indicating a school, he should be guilty of an offence. Any person guilty of the offence should be liable to a fine not exceeding £20, and in the case of a subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding

INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT.

Austin care, but improvements are There are no yearly models of embodied after they have been proved to be eminently desirable and thoroughly reliable. There are many advantages associated with this policy. Firstly, the actual cost of plant and tools represents quife a large proportion of the price of a motor-car. If plant has to be altered and tools re-made to cater for a change of mode, then some- body must bear the burden of cost. and the somebody cannot but be the eventual, buyer of the car. By incorporating improvements as and when they have been tested, tried ad proven, not only is better ser vice given to the buyers but the factory is able to cater for the work without any lessening of pro- duction due to extensive altera- tions. The factory, in fact, takes these alterations in its stride, and thus the buyer is not penalised anyway.

what in order to operate it. In addition to this the lover bad to be moved a fair distance between

ench speed. The present lever is long and cranked and the hand of the driver fall readily to it, "no matter what speed' the car may be in. Although this lever has been. so lengthened, the movement be tween each speed has besa reduced. Another important advantage is that the increased length with the added leverage makes for extreme lightness.

Under the previous change-speed. system the reverse gear was pro- tected by a malety catch which pre vented accidental engagement. This was a useful feature because all those motorikts who have memories of their novitiate on a car not so protected will recall how very easy! it is to make mistakes over the reverse position, with quite alarm. ] ing consequences.

This safety business has not been cverlooked

now that the ball change has been adopted. In order to engage reverse gear it is necce. nry for the driver to lift the ball (by means of the lever) afterwards The Austin Company recently placing in a specified position. This changed the method of gear chang-lift requires a certain definite phy.

or to a term of imprisonment fut exceeding three months. "In all the above-mentioned cases the on its Twelve and Sixteen Models. The gate has been re- charge of dangerous driving may be brought against the offender if the circumstances warrant."

Pillion Riding.

It is also recommended that the Minister of Transport should be given power to make regulations regarding pillion riding en motor cycles.

An important recommendation is that which concerns the actual roads. It is suggested that all roads throughout the country should be graded in accordance with their degree of importance and at road junctions, etc., trathe on the roads of lesser importance should give way to traffic on the more important

The Commission are of opinion that "legislation on the subject of the general control of traffic on roads is long overdue, and should be enacted without delay. "The pre- sent statute law on the subject, passed many years ago when motor traffic was in its infancy, is ob solete, and many of its provisions are generally disregarded." They also point out that the sooner an obsolete Inw which is clearly" no anger applicable to present circum-road. stances, and which public opinion refuses to support, is repealed or amended the better.

Referring to accident, they pay n tribute to the "great care and skill exercised by the drivers of omni- buses in London."

In their opinion the Minister of transport should be empowered to order an inquiry into the cause of any accident in which a

motor

vehicle is involved, and such an in- quiry should be obligatory in the case of any accident to a public ser- vice vehicle in which the death of a Passenger is involved.

The qualifying age for a motor

More Sevare Fenalties. cycle licence should be raised from 14 to 18 years, and in the case of

With regard to the abolition of all goods vehicle, which exceeds speed limits for motor-cars and tons unindened weight or of a public cycles, they believe that this would service vehicle, the driver must have render the law against driving to attained the age of 21 years. the danger of the public exceeding Persona driving animals on a roadly important, particularly as we after dark should be compelled to realize that, in their present condi- carry a light,

tion, it is not possible on many

It goes on and on

The Austin 16 h.p. 6 cylinder Touring car is now in Hong Kong and costs $3,050

Austin 7 h.p. Metal

Saloon at $1,690 and Touring car

at $1,425

have arrived.

no

sical effort altogether distinct and apart from those efforts exerted to manipulate forward speeds. In other words there has to be a de faite intention on the part of the driver before reverse can be ob

placed by a ball, and the lever has been both lightened and lengthen ed. Since this change there is no need for even the veriest novice to cult to conceive anything more fumble his gears; it would be diftined.

last proposal,

which WAS first brought to their notice by Sir Arthur Stanley, who appeared on behalf of the Conference of Motor Organisa- tions and was subsequently elaborat ed by other witnesses including re- presentatives of the Automobile Association, the Royal Automobile Association, and the National Safety First Association.

The alteration of the change speed lever has necessitated the modification of the selector forks inside the box. There are new solid steel drop forgings of great strength. The top gear pinions are now made with a number of castel latiors which fit into corresponding notches. This system replaces thr dogs of the previous direct drive. and makes for greater strength ad ensior engagement of top because there is less lag.

In keeping with the improvement to the gear change mechanism, the adjustor on the clutch withdrawal shaft has heen out with finer eerra tions to allow for still more precise

They think that in the course of On the minor roads, con-

time these customs, though in some spicuous notice boards should be

cases not possessing the force of erected at auch junctions, bearing law, will become universally respect- the words" dead slow." The adoped and obeyed, and would do more tion of this recommendation should to ensure safety than any legisla-adjustment of the clutch pedal. not relieve drivers on the more im portant road of responsibility for caution nt rond judetions.

Road signs should be uniform in design and intention and not more than are actually required should be erected. The duty of erecting them should fall on the Highway Author- ities, subject to the supervision of the Ministry of Transport..

They also consider that the use of Automatic light signals should be én. couraged to relieve the police...

"Code of Customs."

In conclusion, they recommend that the Ministry of Transport should issue a "code of custom" "

for the education and guidance of users of the highway. The Commis sion attach great importance to this (Continued on nerț Column.)

and on

Have you ever watched water gliding smoothly and effortlessly beneath a bridge, never checking, never stopping but going on and on? That is how an Austin travels. There is no hesitation, no faltering, as it eats up mile after mile of the road. You can find better companion for long, strenuous journeys. For its reliability and lasting quali ties have helped to make the reputation of British motor engineering throughout the world. The Austin is built to give satisfaction not for. a year, or two years, but for as long as you demand its services. For the man of moderate. means the Austin 7 and 16 h.p. models are an investment which cannot be beaten. It will be worth your while to see one before deciding on your next car.

Austin

ALEX. ROSS & CO. (CHINA), LTD.

Prince's Building

Service Stations & Showrooms:

Hond Koad

Chater Road.

Kowloon Salisbury Road.

tion,

(Continued on next Column.)

1929.

WILLYS

KNIGHT

CARS & TRUCKS.

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

DISTRIBUTORS -GILMAN & CO, LTD.

AGE OF "MOTORIZATION."

"TERRIBLE THING" SAYS EVEREST EXPLORER.

Mr. T. Howard Somervell, the explorer of Everest fame, address- ing schoolboys at Kendal described this age of motorimation as a ter- rible thing because people were actually forgetting how to use their legs He prophesied that just as the little toe was gradually disappear- ing because of its uselessness so lega had become weaker and smaller.

This opinion, which attracted wide attention in the Press, is not generally shared.

The examples of Mr. Ramasy MacDonald and Mr. S. Baldwin, who are enthusiastic walkers, are quoted by opponents of Mr. Somer- vell such as the Vice-President of Surrey Walking Club, who declares that walking is in the ascendancy. He says if thousands of people are awheel there are just as many aloet, the plain fact being that people get out of doors more' nowadays.

A felt washer wie previously Acted in the gear box front cover to prevent oil leakage. This need- ed periodical renewal," and hai, therefore, been abolished in favour of an oil return groove cut in the zover itself,

It was foreseen that many owners of the gate change type" Austins would wish to bring their cars up",

U.S. WORKS FOR THE AUSTIN "SEVEN,"

MODEL TO COST £100 IN ·

AMERICA.

A company has been formed for "Seven" car in the United States the manufacture of the Austin

of America.

It is hoped that by this time next year 100,000 cars will have been turned out. The American model will be sold for

about 8500 (£100).

I have been negotiating to form this company for two years, Sir Herbert Austin, chairman of the Austin Motor Company, Ltd., said.

"There are no small cars of this"

когда

type in America, and we shall have no competition to contend against. „ The company will be controlled by aa American board of directors, and the majority of the workmen. will, of course, be Americans, al- though

British technicat workmen will be sent over.

The car will be of the same type 123 those manufactured in Germany and France, except for one or two minor alterations. The business will be run on a large scale."

The works will be at Butler, Pen- nsylvania.

SUPER SEVEN.

to date by fitting the new type of | ROYAL OWNER OF TRIUMPH gear change. In order that such owners might gratify their desiren the top cover carrying the gear lever was designed to that it could be adapted to it the old type gear boxer, The expense of the change over is not great, and the work is such that it can be carried out by aay Austin Service Agent.

You'll admire

BEAUTY

of the NEW

CHEVROLET

FOUR DOOR SEADAN... G. 8980. TOURER .... ROADSTER

G.$790,

G$790.

12 TON CHASSIS

G.$755:

CHEVROLET

The Outstanding Chevrolet of Chevrolet History

the

To the ever-increasing number of must now be added the name of owners of the Triumph Super Seven

H.H. Prince George of Russia, who has recently taken delivery of a Super Seven Fabric Coupe.

When people who are accustomed

to the finer things of life see the New Chevrolet, they appraise its value much higher--because it seems almost unbelievable that such beauty could be provided at such low cost.

Have you seen the seven beautiful models of the New Chevrolet ? We invite you to visit our show-

rooms.

THE HONG KONG HOTEL GARAGE

25, Queen's Road Central.

Tel. Central 4759.

The New Chevrolet Coach Upholstered in Blue Corduroy.