1933-07-25 — Page 2

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, JULY 25, 1933

SPARKS

FROM THE PLUGS

Always Blame the Motorist BRITISH MOTORS Safety Glass Made Like

AN ANTI-MOTORING CAMPAIGN

IN BRITAIN?

WHO SHOULD PAY FOR ROAD FIRST-AID!

(Though written for Home consumption the following article bears closely on local conditions-and those going to Britain in the near future will certainly find it of interent,)

IN 1933

MAKING A GOOD START

a Sandwich

Two Million Square Feet of It in a Year and Not a Flaw....

EARL HOWE JOINS A.E.C. ONE OF BRITAIN'S MOST DARING DRIVERS,

WOLSELEY FOR GOVER - NOR OF N.S.W:

An order for a 16 h.paloon has Succeeding the late Field Mar-Company from Sir Philip Game, Biust been received by the Wolseley ahall Sir William Robertson, Earl the Governor of New South Wales Howe, P.C., C.B.E., the racing motorist, has been elected to the board of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd.

saley of recent years, for when he This is Bir Philip's second. Wol- was appointed he took his 21/60 with him h.p. saloon to New South Wales

The British Motor Industry saw, the close of 1939 with justifiable feelings of satisfaction at progress" made, with an optimistic outlook as to future possibilities. It bad' witnessed its

export increase during the year by no less than

One of Britain's most daring £700,000, and had reason to feel that its struggle to rehabilitate

drivere, Earl Howe bas, during the Without doubt, unsplinterable dually squeezed itself in the Motor Markets of the glass is one of the greatest safety hydraulic presses; in the other of his finest achievements was. in last six years, regularly competed World was

in warmed

in events at home and abroad. Ope dates from 1927, when he began at last bringing de factors in modern motoring. The several hundred pieces are treated this year's "Mille Miglia," when, track events. He has, since then, finite results.

The present year therefore open-pulsory in the windscreens of all having a breech-block like a big Magnette through what is known Trophy, has been four times in the law which now makes its use comat once in an "autoclave," or oven, with Hamilton, he drove as M. G. competed every year in the Tourist to enter for all the big road and facing the future with confidence ed with the British Manufacturers new vehicles is a wise.one. gun,in which the correct tempera-as one of the most perilous road Le Mans 24 Hour Race, and three It might be thought that there and pressure can be applied the 1,000 miles course in 18 hrs. 3 Monaco. At Le Mans he has, with and determination to leave no making of a sandwich, in which Emerging from these treatments," Certain interests are carrying or posal to make the motorist respon.dustry in a position of pre-emina sheet of celluloid forms the meat its layers so firmly stuck togethered to bring the team prize for has been second and in the Ger- stone unturned to place their in-sheets of glass are the bread while the sandwich is a complete unit, mina 34 seca, finished second in Sir Henry Birkin, been winner, races in the world. He completed times in the Grand Prix d motor cars, and much nonsense is the car driver who knocked down seen the advance "continued, in. would be a very simple process, that they cannot be separated by care of this type to Britain.

ence and the opening months have

the 1,100 cc. class, and thus help in the Grand Prix de Dieppe he deed, the total of British motor exports for the first quarter of the

His prominence in motor racing Ring, be has been fourth.

man Grand Prix, at the Nurnburg current year (£2,556,374) - was the! highest for the similar period of any year since 1927,

If all the anti-motorista get their way we shall very soon be back to the days of the red flag, writes Owner Driver in The Bulletin. an open war against motorists and being talked and written on the subject,

and again, for example, one sees cyclists barging across against traf fic lights with apparent impunity.

I suppose that, should the pro- sible for doctors' fees become law, auch a law-breaker would have to bear the cost of repairing him. It sounds unreasonable to me.

„Disregarding Safety Signals, Please do not think that I am

The nonsering is not confined to the anti-motorist; car owners are spreading themselves in letters to editors, and few of them appear to recognise the rights of other road-against cyclists. I have repeatedly users which is distinctly, unfortu-

nate.

Are Motorists Always to Blame?

I agree at once that the demand that doctors should be recompensed for their services in the many cases of road injuries to which they are called, but I do not agree that the entire responsibility for the fees should be placed on the motorist, simply because he is a motorist.

Statistics prove beyond question that thousands of road accidents arise from inconsiderate action on

the part of pedestrians and other road-users, and, as these statistics are suspected by the publicly. expressed views of many Chief Constables, "it is difficult to see

why motorists should be selected

for punitive action.

risks and

4!

end of April the number of cars Exports and Imports.

exported has reached 12,818 (value During the four months to the

£1,631,192) whilst for the same period last year the figures were

any mechanical means.

rough from the diamond cutting, After the edges, which are stil

the Triplex is passed to a contri have been polished on grindstones

an inch. This slot having been vance which digs out the celluloid to a depth of about one-eighth of

ed is filled with pitch to form a thoroughly scraped out and, clean-

Actually, as a visit to the Triplex Norton, near Birmingham, shows it (Safety Glass) factory at Kings

and can only be brought to a su- ia both complicated and difficult,

flaw in the glass or the celluloid, cessful conclusion by extreme care: said that the genuine cyclist is the

any deviation from the.

The tiniest speck of dirt the least real knight of the road. The per-

pressure or temperature when the son I am, concerned about is "the

correct cyclist who cares neither for his

components are squeezed together tight seal own life nor the safety of others.

any of these causes may contribute. The other day I was about to ported during the opening months-trained operatives and specially desent the entry of moisture. If this Although the number of cpra im to failure. By means of specially suddenly swerved right across ray total gross Imports of Motor Pro- gregate deal with over two million pass a messenger cyclist, when he of this year have increased, the signed machinery, which in the ag brakes saved his life, but I was so figures for the period under review year, rejections have been reduced path while turning right. annoyed at the way he turned his being £767,158

Good ducts continue to decrease, the square feet of safety glass in a him and brought him to ground, as period of 1932. head and laughed that I followed

as compared with to a minute percentage. £1,083,880 for the corresponding it were. His defence. was really

Excess of Exports couraging te continues a most en

funny. If I held out my hand

pleaded, "I should be holding it every time I wanted to turn," he out all day long."

46

8,771 (value £1,082,576).

feature.

Reports From Overseas. Frem all parts of the world come That reply reminded me of an-being made by the British Motor

reports of the other ident I witnessed is Lon. Vehicle. In New Zealand, imports steady progress don. One of those big youths of cars One might reasonably argue that machine, and who dart in and out $3.34 per cent. of the total car who propel a three-wheeled box Britain during 1932 were 9,537, or and chassis from Great politicians, like many civil and of the traffic with consummate con imports, as compared with a Bri- public servants, take the path of least resistance and that: as a tempt for all other vehicles and tish percentage of 71:29 in 1931 and ists are now compulsorily insured people, hit an old gentleman near 23.63 in 1930 Registrations of against third-party motorists organisations de little asked him, rather indignantly: 122.32 per cent in 1930 to 3.54-per Largate Circus The gentleman British vehicles have risen from more thus protest academically, admit, why he did not ring his bell. cant, in 1932. the easiest way to raise the neces. The youth was bursting with anger

In Australia, during the first.

of a total of 3.080 (or 47 per cent.). British vehicles numbered 1,449 out In Ceylon, out of some 14,000 vehi cles on the road at the end of 1832, while the figures for new registra- over 3,000 were of British, origu, tions there during the last quarter of 1932 show that, of 286 cary registered, 238 (or 60 per cent.) were British.

The object of this seal is to pre

to be created. occurs serious blemishes are liable.

polishing.

The final process is a thorough Meanwhile, however, the ingredients of the sandwich celluloid having been accurately a dozen separate inspections,

The two panes of glass and the have passed through something like cut to size, the former. by a dis- There are, generally speaking, mond and the latter by atwo main types of safety glass; the machinery in which they are ren-sheet-ginss. The former is the needle, they are passed through one embodying plate glass, the other

scopically thin film of gelatine and vision, without any possibility of dered chemically clean. The glass thicker, the better quality and the is then coated, first with a micro- more expensive. It affords clear The parts then go through an ap screens, the sheet being used chiefly then with a layer of special enamel. distortion, and is therefore used for locally known as the "cough mix slight irregularities, due to the met: ture" for ili small, though pun-hod by which it is made are of no paratus which applies a solvent, for side, and rear lights where its! gent, as said to be very healthy-consequenos. readiness for the pressing process. and then brings them together in

In this last two methods are used."

sary fees is to saddle the motorist can't keep ringing the thing quarter of 1933, registrations of In one the sandwiches are indivi.

with the responsibility which means, in the long run, the insur ance companies.

But he would be a brave-or a foolish-man who would: maintain, in the face of the recent report of the Safety First Association, that the moterist was always to blame. Still, the move is a warning signal to the Automobile Association and the Royal Automobile Club.

Those Troublesome Reflectors. Another warning light is the in creasing virulence of the campaign against motorists who are demand. ing that cyclists should be com- pelled to carry rear warning lamps. Frankly, I am ashamed of some of the disputante on this sub ject, especially those who are motorists.

-31

To say that red reflectors are useless, is to display either ignor ance of the subject or to convict oneself of prejudice. The plain fact, as I see it, is that, provided the red rear reflector is efficient and is properly fitted and maintain ed in the correct plane, it is a very efficient warning signal.

But the trouble arises from the fact that anyone can produce and sell a bit of coloured gings mounted in the flimsiest of holders and sell it as conforming to the law. Not only that, but the police seldom, if ever, take action against a ryclist riding a machine on which the reflector is in such a position that; unless the motorist's lamps were specially adjusted, it would not reflect the light...

at the question, and yelled-"I day long."

I imagine there is more than one moral in that story. Beads as Speed Tracks? Again, the statements by appar ently responsible people that since the speed limit was removed our roads have become racing tracks leaves me rather cold. It is true that on some main roads cars de travel faster than they should, but these roads are well-known, and vigorous police action could put a stop, to" the excesses which exist. My impression is that the average speed of cars has not. increased since the mit was removed.

What may have given rise to the impression that

hogging" 18 on the increase is the large number of "sports" cars to be seen to-day. These cars look faster than they really are and make much more noise than they should, but to say that they use the roads as rasing tricks is not in accordance with facts. It is a case of noise being taken for speed.

These "sports" cars rather amuse at more than about 45 miles an me. I seldom see them travelling bour, and still more seldom do I find a driver willing to engage in a scrap even with a homely look ing bus like mine.

Of course, the fact is that most

for the nine months of his present One manufacturer reports that season his percentage Africa and West Asia; by 54 «per. increases hare risen by 40 per cent." in North. cenfi in Europe, and by 33 per cent. in the Far Fast

STEERING GEAR FAILURES

· TREATMENT OF ALLOY STEELS.

writing on this important subject A correspondent to the Auto Car says":"

ACROSS THE SAHARA

TRIUMPH FOR 8 H.P. MORRIS

Another triumph for the small but sturdy British light ear, which registered. An 8-p Morris Minor has already won golden opinions in all parts of the world, has been two-seater is the, first car of so low an engine capacity, to cross the Sahara desert.

driver, Mr. Alan N. Cooper," a The fact was revealed by the

England on the completion of the Kenya coffee planter, on arrival in

mile journey from Nairobi, final stage to London of an 8,000

Although I have met many gar- folly of indiscriminately beating age propriators who appreciate the

of alloy steels of unknown coma 1931 side-valve model-second- and straightening damaged parts position, I cannot help feeling that hand, the car having already ac- Mr. Cooper purchased his Morris too many engineers Employed by complshed a considerable mileage, insurance companies to inspect and set out from Nairobi with one garages as to what kind of repair taken led through Uganda, Angio- damaged, cars, and to of these "sporty" cars are merely is to be undertaken, do not ap Egyptian Sudan, Belgian and instruct companion, Mr. Walsh. The route flaaby looking. A genuine sports preciate that experience gained in French Congo, Cameroons, Nigeria, car costs a lot of money, even the past with mild steel is apt to the Sahara, Algeria, Morocco, although it be of only. 'seven eight horse-power, and imitationed to parts made of modern alloy the desert between: Gao and Reg- or be worse than useless when appli Spain and France. The trip across I am strongly of opinion that the guards, and cut-away doors do not

knock-on hub caps, radiator stone steelart a meget law should be administered to the serve as efficient substitutes for

gan-over 800 miles was accom. cyclist in exactly the same fashion special camshafts, transmissions,

6 it is to the motorist. no rights which give him liberty and induction and exhaust systems. He has gear ratios, pistons, valves, plugs, to defy regulations, yet many But they look well, an what else cyclists defy them every day. Time mattersÈ ̈

THE EMIR OF KATSINA

Visit To Morris Oxford Factory

most engineers, have not had any of over 200 miles a day-splendid It is only air to point out that plished in four days; an average training in metallurgy, but, this going in view of the fact that a they should take the advice of those and the correct route frequently being so, it seems reasonable that severe sandstorm was encountered who have, and not merely remark lost. that they have repaired thousands of steering parts without any fur- ther trouble...

Considerable admiration for such

a feat was aroused when the party passed through Morocco and Spain, the public being as surprised that Mr. Cooper had got through as the officials at Gho had been horrified

There is little doubt that the only safe way of dealing with steer ing parts that have been damaged is to send them to the makers, who are usually the only people who at the thought of attempting Buch can state positively if they can be & journey.

·

The Emir of Katsina, accom- tested units. panied by his son, his priest, and which particularly fascinated him have been favoured with the Cooper and his friend met another rapaired or if new parte are neces- A most interesting occurrence Among the processer his bodyguard, paid a visit to the were the clamping of the complet views of the leading authorities on Morris Minor, manned by Mr. Gilg Morris factory at Oxford during ed chassis to rotating tumbrils, in steel in Sheffield on this subject and Mr. Kay, of Liverpool, setting took place neaf Reggan, when Mr.. his visit to Gt. Britain. Clad in order to be sprayed pneumatically and their remarks were much more out across the desert towards Cape their picturesque robes, the party with protective enamel while re- forcible than any I have ventured Town. This second party reached waze received by Sir William B. volving, and the use by the body to express. In addition, I have Morris and other executives, and shop trimmers, of magnetic ham. read letters from the leading car chout difficulty ch proceeded to make an exhaustive mers with which they extract in makers in this country. Belgiam, Mr. Cooper, paid a high tribute

their mouths. quick succession the nails stored in Germany, and the United States,

to his ches, performance, which After inspecting a range of danger of semi-skilled handling of loaded throughout with spare finished models the Emir purchas damage steering parts. A single Petrol, water skine, etc..

and they are unanimous as to the gave no trouble and was heavily oda Morris Major Six saloon, quotation will suffice front 14 A small gley monkey was CAT has shipped to Nigeria on heated to cherry red," straighten-tied ne à mascot, and enjoyed the ich thee, ixlied from ed, and cooled in air, had its adventure every bit as much as its

Castropath red iced by 75 per cent masters.

tour of the 82 nere-works

The Emir, who is keenly inter- it the latest forms of me- deal transport, followed with various stages

MOTOR CAR INSURANCE

LOWEST

QUOTATIONS

KA

QUICK

SETTLEMENTS

A. A. U.

ASIA LIFE BLDG.

TELEPHONE 30234

TRUST A THOrnycroft With Your Transport

DEAL DIRECT

THORNYCROFT

SIX-CYLINDERED

COACHES @ OMNIBUSES MOTOR VEHICLES

Pioneer Manufacturers of Commercial Motor Vehicles

Full Range

Sparas carried in Hong Kong and Shanghat,

4 or 6 Wheels

4 or 6 Cylinders

30 Cwt. to 10 Ton Loads

20 to 70 Passengers

JOHN L. THORNYCROFT & CO., LIMITED,

Pioneer Building, Nathan Road

TEL: 56769)

TRUST A THORNYCROFT WIT