1930-01-22 — Page 2

MOTOR NOTES. ·

Willys Kaight Shipment. Messrs. Gilman & Company, local agents for the Willys Knight "cura. have received another new ship.

ment of the new Willye Knight !70

B" models. These modela, are on

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1930.

MOTOR NOTES.

CARS.

view at the Duro Motor Garage, BOOSTING BRITISH Kowloon. The new models are new equipped with an extra sparé wheel, making six in all, and a additional rear bumper. The cars in their new colouring are particu larly attractive.

Vehicular Ferry Service. It is reported that a Chinese cor- cera has applied to the Govern- ment for a franchise to vehicular ferry service Hong Kong, and the mainland. The idea is to run the service between pier Yaumati and Wanchai, a

run a between

heing made on the new reclama

tion."

to the

ROOTES £1,000,000

COMBINE.

BIG PLANS FOR EASTERN SALES.

Mr. C. W. Abrama, Far Eastern representative of Messrs. Rootes, Ltd., one of the largest British mo- for agents and distributors, arrived here from Singapore by the F. & O. 6.8. Karmala,.

Many letters from motor-owners

Mr. Abrams is making an exten- have been written to the Press on the subject of an up-to-date vehi- sive tour of the Far East to visit cular ferry, but the weird contracmotor-dealers in connection with a tion fortunately supplied

the Kowloon huge scheme to put British cars mator public by

remains. on the market overseas and to com- Godown Company still The number of cars in steadily in pete with other makes. creasing on both sides of the far- hour, and the need for an adequate, ferry service is very great.

Rive Taxi Offer.

In an interview, with our repre- sentative, Mr. Abrams said that Messrs. Rooter had joined with The Blue Taxicab Company, who tour manufacturers in England, the have been running a very etheient Hillman, Humber, Bentley and service of Hillinan taxicabs on the Commer Commercial Trucks, in a mainand for the past two years, £1,000,000 combine for this purpose. Jave introduced a ticket-book with The scheme was. A sound financial one, and was backed by the Board cheaper rate for their many.eus-

of Trade. The object is to offer tomers. These booklets, which are 83 each, will be ready for sale atars of these four manufacturers to the end of the month, and are ob-dealers overseas at a substantial tainable at office at the corner of discount which will enable the cars Nathan Road and Pak Hoi Street, to be sold at a competitive prices. opposite the Po Hing Theatre. To do this, Mr. Abrams remarked The booklet contains ten 10-cent that it was necessary to equip the tickete, five 20-cent tickets, and ten cars with special mechanical fea 40-cent tickets. Thus ench booklet tures, upholstery, and springing so will save a frequent user of those as to make them adaptable to over- taxicabs 81 per book. It has been seas conditions.

Mr. Abrams" has made arrange noticed that these taxienbe have become very popular with fishments for models of these four hour residents living in the heart makes to reach him at every port of Kowloon, where buses do not he calls at, so that he is able to ac pass the door and the rickehe takes tually demonstrate the capabilities too long. A party of friends en- of the cars and not merely depend rase a taxicab and share the small upon a picture in a catalogue Ac. cos!, which works out at 10 cents companying Mr. Abrams is one of each, plve quicker and more com- the very new Humber models which fortable travelling, and most im- won much praise at the" recent Olympia Show in London. It is a portant of all, a longer tiffin hour.

16/50 II. P. Sedan model, and has for the past few days. graced the

Eus Tickets May Go Up. It is rumoured that the price of the monilly tickets on the Kowroads of Kowloon. loop bus services will be increased next month to seven dollars. The everetary of one of the 'bus coin-

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(Continued on gest Column.)

panies has been approached on the of the finest and most exhilarating matter, but.. states that there is runs are to be cured in the cold

Every-

nothing, defnite settled. thing depends upon the introduc

tion of the new taxes (petrol and

Appearance or Efficiency?

wenther. Of course, the drivers needs to he well wrapped up; but there is nothing to equal the bruce seaking) which are under considering tonic of swift passage through For by the Government. It is pro- the air on a still winter's day, posed to increase the seating tax by $10 per ecat on the 'huses. The secretary tale mentioned that there will be a probable alteration of the seating arrangemetit, making a arzer maker of fist-class 'reats. and redaring the number of third-mechanical perfection clars seats.

Somo Bus Facts."

The following interesting para- graph refers to a very interesting question of selling points of a car. We are of the opinion that

or rf ficiency, becomes of secondary im- portance to a great majority of In the matter of increasing the motor car owners, when mechanical price of the monthly tickets for the condition is compared to appear Kowloon Lus services, holders Aner. The average owner will and have little tause to complain. The does go out of his or her way, to serviccs on the mainland arc, per- show the new, or new appearing, are to friends, and acquaintances. haps, as oficient as the tramway service on the Island, and have While there may be some mechanical been brought up to a high standard features or conditions of which they of regulation. Both hus services are inclined to complain, still their and the tram service on the main-natural pride in the appearance of land demand $10 for the price of the car, has the effect of making

.

THE TRAFFIC PROBLEM.

COMMENT ON BRITISH

LEGISLATION.

A Java Victory. Mr. Abrains has already made a complete tour of Java and the Strait Settlements. Speaking of the motor-car dealers in Java, Mr. Abrams, said that they were per- haps the most pessimistis people in the world. For days he could not even get a word with any dexier, but eventually managed to persuade five Press representatives Although he was not conversant to take a ride in one of his cars, with the road surface or gradients of the famous hill climbs in that district, Mr.Abrams took the car to the summit, some 4,000 feet above sea-level, at a speed which amazed them. Hitherto only high-powerextremely heavy penaltica-muck Americans cars had been able to reach the summit at anything like

that speed. "The point, which ap pealed to the Dutchmen," remark- cd Mr. Abrams, was that the radiator was not hot, yet it was a continuous climb for eight miles."

Silent Banning.

Both the Hillman and -Humber care are fitted with four gears and n silent third. Sitting in the rear seat it is almost impossible to teil whether the engine is running in top (fourth) or third gear. The Humber can attain a top speed of over 80 m.p.h. and 50 m.p.h. on third. The straight-eight Hillman can easily better 10 m.p.h. on the fint. The upholstery and springing of these cars also won the approval of those who rode in the cars. Mr. Abrams said he was the first re- presentative of Hillman and Hum- ber cars to visit Java, and he came away with substantial orders. The ears which he had with him were purchased immediately after demonstration ride.

the

In the Strait Settlements Mr. Abrams said the Hillman cars were already well-known, being one of the most popular makes there. He received 148 orders for Hillman cars to be supplied within four months.

Cemmer Lorries. Speaking of the Commer Com- mercial truck, Mr. Abrams said that the manufacturers were un- able to come down to a competitive price in the 13 ton class "but in the two-ton class they will defy competition." The Commer lorries are fitted with six-cylinder, 25 I.A.C. H.P. engines which develop 67 hrake horse-power. A fentures of these tracks is the huge radiator, which overcomes all fear of over- heating, and a silent third gear ratio.

Hong Kong Roads. Speaking of the motor-car indus- try in Java and the F.M.S. Mr. Abrams said that the car industry was progressing by leaps and bounds. During his short visit to Hong Kong he made several short tours over the roads both on the Island and Mainland, and remark

that our road were as good an those in any country which he had visited. He thought there whet splendid market for British cars in China, and the scheme would go far in popularising the British nakes.

Mr. Abrams is visiting Shanghai

risit Indo-China and Sinm.

their monthly tickets, against the them actually boastful of their pur-and Japan, and on returning will

83 of the Kowloon 'hus services. "

We have been given sorte inter- eeting fucts by a representative of a Kowloon 'bus service, who de- nies that the companies are able to make the profits which are led to many believe. It was pointed. out that receipts from a single 'bus ab Kowloon rarely exceed $30 per day, whereas over $100 per day has been received by one of the mainland bus services. The latter service collecte as much as 85 per trip, against a meagre dollar. or so on a mainland 'bis. The 'bus services on the mainland are one- Case 'buste, and can take a passen. per to almost any part of Kowloon, whereas on the island the 'bus only serves cerlain sections which are incet patronised by travellers.

Loitering at 50 m.p.h..]

A prophecy has been made by Pinfestor Morgan, of the Institu tion, of Automobile Engineers, of a time when special roads will allow cruising speeds of 100 m.p.b. and motorists will be fined if they travel at less than 50 mp.h.

Already something of this nature has taken place,wide highway has been constructed in U.S.A. con- neeting New Orlean with another big city. The minimum speed limit is 40 m.p.h.1

Winter Driving.

As a rule Man's a fool, When it's bot he wants it cool; When it's cool he wants it hot, "Always wanting what is not. Such is human nature. Just as the hot breath of summer drives people out to the beaches for a cool dip, so the cold blasts of winter imprison them at home, beaido-s blazing fre There is a tendency for many owners to lay up the ch in winter as if they were fair- weather instrumenis of joy. Some (Continued on nézt Golumn.)

chase and new possession."

B. S. A.

FOR

POWER SPEE D SILENCE SAFET Y ECONOMY RELIABILITY

The Best Value in Motor Cycles

SINCERE'S

COLE

AGENTS,

"Surely at the present time the angle of approach to the road pro blein," says The Light Car and Cycle-car, is first to provide adequate and fully co-ordinated means for administrating sound legislation and then to, consider providing the good legislation to be administered. It seems, how ever, that the reverse procedure is likely to be adopted. The Road Traffic Bill aims at suppressing all of manner of abuses by means

"RE-PURCHASING- USED CARS.

LANE, CRAWFORD'S OFFER.

What must be quite unique in Hong Kong is the scheme of Messrs: Laas, Crawford; Ltd. of re-pur-

USE THE CORRECT PLUGS. MOSQUITO STOPS RECORD chasing any car bought from the

RUN

firm.

When the engine is not at its best it is usually the sparking plugs AN AUSTRALIÁN ADVENTURE. that get the lion's share of the blame. The modern sparking plug, The attempt of a Whippet car to is, however, very reliable and break the world's engine non-stop efficient, and if the engine is slug record of 1,005 hours, down in Bris gish, does not idle smoothly, or bane, was recently brought to an misses momentarily at different untimely end by nothing less than speeds, it will probably be found a playful mosquito. It is surpris that wear and tear, leaking ignitioning to learn that they grow mos cables, a weak coil, worn distribu-quitos, of such enormous size there to be capable of stopping a for points, or faulty carburetor

motor car, but such scems to be the adjustment are the real causes.

fact. the plugs are at fault at all, then most likely an adjustment of the gap setting, or a good cleaning, is all that will be necessary to cure

heavier than might reasonably be the trouble. considered advisable in view of the

extremely controversial nature of

many motoring offences:

If

Again, there are "hot" and "cold" soengines and the sparking plug used should be suitable for the conditions prevailing in the combustion cham bers. In the engine which has

in

How is justice to be done these cases1 Who is to determine whether motorists are driving reck

tendency to foul its sparking plugs

"'hotter

type of sparking plus should be used in preference to the one which is normally recommend ed

43

on

This guarantee re-purchase the scheme is carried out

basis of very attractive percentages on the original selling price after periods of from three to six months. A definite rate has been drawn up as follows:-Three months' use, 75 per cent, four months. use, 71 per cent.. five months 68 per cent, and six months' 63 per cent,

This scheme should prove very popular in a busy port like Hong Kong, where short visits are made by business-men and Army and ". Naval officers who may be called sway on short notice. Backed by a firm with such a high reputation in the motoring business of this Colony, the re-purchase plan is a sound and secure one.

A Definite Rats, Unlike any other re-purchase reasonable

waere

บ

The car in question had already covered 2,500 miles, having 500 hours to its credit, when it suddenly snuffed out while idling. At frst the cause of the stoppage was a complete mystery, but upon break business

is made, Messrs. Lane, ing the seals it was discovered that offer

large mosquoto had become firmly Crawford's specify a definite rate lodged in the small air vent of the which they guarantee to re-pay. vacuum tank thereby stopping the To any buyer wishing to use his car flow of gasoline.

for a longer period than six months, a special quotation will be made. In addition, free inspection of the car is promised at least

The official report of the test he beca pomotive author ities, however, after explaining the failure, goes on to state:-..

"A new vacuum tank was put in

place, no other work of any nature being done, and a supervised road perfect order" thus proving that test made. The car proved to be in John M. Mosquito was the sole cause of the stoppage of the engine.

lessly or otherwise? Is it to be the same bucolic village constable," who is the first link in the existing administrative chain? Surely be fore the courts are asked to throw

If the engine becomes overheated a man into gaol, to fine him heavily and spite through the carburetor, and disqualify him from holding a it may be that the mixture is too driving licence they should be pro-weak, that the cooling system needs vided with expert evidence as to attention, or that the valves ars the precise nature of his offerice.sticking slightly, but an improve- "cooler type of plug than is

Young woman appearing at Acton Suth evidence could be given only ment may be made by fitting a by expert witnesses. It is likely

for her bushand, accused of having that unless a force of traffic police usually recommended.

When 10,000 miles has been re- ineffective brakea on a car I am like that which is in operation in the United States. comes into being, corded, which is a good average disis new wife, and if you deal with tance for a year's driving, a new him leniently I will see that it does grave injustice would result

not occur again. set of plugs should be installed. sume instances.".

RA

In

LOW PRICE

once a month.

Some rearcns why this scheme should appeal to numerous buyers are that there can be no doubt about the quality of the, car offered it the firm is going to buy it back.

percentage guarantee will only cost $1,500 car on the basis of the the owner-$2.00 per day for six months; should, the owner go on leave within a few months, ho would not have the warry of finding a bayer. For owners going Home on leave. Messrs. Lane, Crawfords can also arrange for the owner to have a similar service on arrival in England.

PRICE OF WHIPPET 4' TRUCK

H.K. $1,500

(All prices and specifications

subject to change without notice)

LOW UPKEEP

low cost per ton mile

For speedy, economical light-de- This advanced commercial unit is livery, the Whippet Four Truck is extremely easy to operate. Its up- winning high favour with progres- to-date steering mechanism is in- sive operators who keep a close

stantly responsive to effortless check on efficiency and costs.

directing. Extra big four-wheel The Whippet Four Truck is scien- brakes, quick and positive in their tifically engineered throughout. Its

action, assure maximum safety. high compression engine gives fast

The nearest Willys-Overland deal. speed, lively pick-up and plenty of

er will gladly demonstrate the power for hard going and steep

Whippet Four Truck to every oper climbs. At the same time, this engine is remarkably economicalinator who seeks prompt, reliable its consumption of petrol and oil. service at exceptionally low cost.

WHIPPET FOUR TRUCKS

Agents

GILMAN & CO., LTD.

4A, DES VEUX ROAD.

TEL. C. 200.-

LONG

MODEL 26-d

Garage & Service Station : "DURO" MOTOR CO., LTD.

132, NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON

TALK. 226.

ECONOMICAL

LIF