1933-12-19 — Page 2

Page

THE CONTROL OF OUR

ROADS

How Motoring Has Stimulated Road Improvements

Without the motor vehicle, the classified, and that roads aught still have remained authorities responsible

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1933.

MOTOR

ON THE ROAD

The 1934 B.S.A. Ten

JOTTINGS

MANSLAUGHTER BY MOTOR-CAR

How A Charge May Arise

TECHNICAL RESEARCH Accessories Show Very Little Improvement

Though there has been nothing, but as the marine section of the of sensational import during the Show will reveal, the problems-an-" year concerning the metallurgical this score are mainly metallurgical aspect of chassis design and con- | in respect of weight reduction. struction progress has been re-" New accessories and fittings this ported as regards research into year are not notable: Arst, because problems of metals, and, in parti- | the modern car is replete with a cular, those problems which con- group of standardised fittings cern performance and wear. In which until recent years were this good work credit is due to the "extras," or did not exist; and, Institution of Automobile Engin second, because of the trend to- wards simplifying dashboards and eers and associated bodies for in-

a greater extent on terim and another reports of their relying to

self-functioning devices and auto- Developments in cast-iron with matle controls. nickel and other alloys, and cen- trifugal-cast cylinder alloy-iron and steel liners of the dry and wet types: brake-drums with and, renewable valve-seats; alloy and without heat-treated liners, and

the local for their The B.S.A. Teu is notable, ins- of stagnation to maintenance receive grants from much as it represents the applica- In that state which the rallways had reduced the Exchequer towards their uption of the Daimler transmission These grants amount to system to a low-priced car, so that them. It is equally true that the keep.

Manslaughter has been defined not exceeding four months On a widening, strengthening, and ot-some £45,000,000 per annum, and the fluid flywheel and the preselec

as the unlawful killing of another second or subsequent conviction the have their expenditure is entrusted tu ve gear-box are brought within her work to

they which

In addi- the reach of all. The model tested person without malice either ex-fins may be £100, and in nadition recently been subjected has not about 3,000 engineers.

An unlawful to the fine a term of imprisonment research labours. the necessity for relieving was the standard saloon priced at press or implied

On conviction been without its influence on the tion. growth of the traffic, nor on the unemployment has led to recon- £200, which is £10 less than the killing may be brought about in an may be imposed.

before a judge and jury the im infinite number of ways The 10- is struction of 976 miles of existing cheapret saloon model of 1930. 'it conditions" under which

first-class roads and the provision The original design the chassis lawful driving of a motorcar is Prisonment may be for a term not Foxceeding six months. If while one of those ways. Primarily which of 200 miles of new roads, as provided "a crneiform frame, un- Some of the stages by

been brought well as numerous bridges. It bly mounted power unit, so that by magistrates, but where a prima cause the death of another persou, derslung rear springs, and a flex-motorgar offences are dealt with mitting this offence a driver should be unfortunate enough to this change has

necessitated research into about, and some of the results' also

no great changes have been found to which it has given rise, were the relative value of the materials

operated.

+

ww

discussed by Sir Henry Maybury used and into methods of testing necessary for the 1934 series: The facie case of manslaughter is made it "may well be that er will be put composite ferrous and non-ferrous

in

the

two points to which we his interesting presidential them,

devoted of wish Sir Henry had Institution address "to Civil Engineers on Tuesday last. rather larger portion The subject

and address. 1s important.

A of his

could have had no better ex- INCREASE OF TRAFFIC

Sir Henry received his ponent first important appointment in!

years ago,

and

how

Another outcome 01. these

which, as a result, has arisen, can vehicles best be dealt with must be listen-dents ed to with respect.

ROAD FUND

a

Д

a useful part, awaits "ver, is a very comfortable car killed the action may be brought The offence seems to be of a somė→

second or subsequent offence a fine not exceeding £10.

what venial character, and the possibility of a prosecution for manslaughter resulting from its commission would appear

pistons and anti-friction bearing metals to withstand higher journ" al pressures are among the more notable of the year's trend. -

As regards Improved performan- 'ce, reflected both by greater mile- ages between repairs and higher speeds and better acceleration, the year has given many proofs of the steady research that has been proceeding in respect of better fuel and lubricants, Much remains to be done especially as regards the development of the high-speed and light-oil engine,

Research has been directed to- wards improving the ventilation of closed cars, and towards aup-. pressing what remains of noise in the running of the well-kept car.

Metallurgy is responsible to some extent for both improvements; the alteration of density in metals and alloys being reflected in deadening of "drumming and noise...

The all-metal body has affected so largely motor characteristics, even for the more costly models, that changes of type must neces-.. sarily be limited by the cost of

15 note- Nevertheless, it worthy of the confidence of mak- ers in the stability of the market that some are interested in a rem version to types which are best described as open-closed or fully convertible models.

A

SHOCK ABSORBER

FOR YOUR

BANK ACCOUNT

gear box is of somewhat larger out the accused person is committ- upon his trial for manslaughter. dimensions. but transmission de-et for trial by a judge and jury.

Careless driving consists in driv. arand without dus care tails in general are the same, the A motorist may find himself in- ing on

mostly being involved in a charge of manslaughter and attention or without reascu- improvements

(a) where he has unintentionally able consideration for other persons conchwork.

Horizontal louvres are used on caused the death of another personalog the road. The culpability is the bonnets; there is a new car by culpable neglect of legal much skin to that which is found in an ordinary civil. action for has been improved.

dies. New type has caused the death while he was damages for negligent driving. The the local government service forty changes has been that road trafic / *pron and the back view generally duty to be careful, or (b) where he

increased by leaps and bumpers and hub caps enhance the committing

fine since then as has

stabutary offenos, penalty for a first offence is

not exceeding £20, and for a second county surveyor, as chief engineer bounds. In 1832. the number of appearance of what is now a rory Both these aspects of his liability

or subsequent offence a Issued exceeded attractive example of an all-steel f

fine not Board and as driving licences to the Road

call for a little explanation.

exeseding £50, or imprisonment for Director-General of Roads at the 2,750,000; statistics published this body.

There is a Common Law obliga a term not exceeding three months. An engine of marked refinement Ministry of Transport. he has week show that this year motor

It is an offence to drive, without has the traffic increased by 11 per and a quiet transmission have made tion upan everyone who uses played a leading part in development that has taken place, cent over the agures of a year it desirable to study all sources of dangerous thing to take all reason- lawful authority, on to or upon His account of what has happen- ago. This development has, how-minor noises, with the result thaitable care that he so uses it as not any compon land, moorland, or by the even this comparatively clear to cause injury to any other per- any other land not... forming part ed is, therefore, written with full ever, been accompanied

son. I he fails to take such rea of a road, or on any road being knowledge and the views he put deplorable result that during six, saloon car is extremely quiet and forward on the situation months of 1932 no less than 4.814 quiet free from those little noiser sonable care he is guilty of negli- bridleway or footway, but it is

were involved in acel which go unnoticed in a noisier

gence. If BA the result of his not an offence to park on land within teen yards of a road on and 3,129 personis were

"The mare expensive models all negligence somene is injured in which a motor-car can be lawfully killed. It is therefore evident that

have have coach-built bodies and an & Derson or property he may be com- driven. The punishment for a first the progress which we

not without its gallon petrol tank with reserve in pelled, in a civil action, to pay ffence is a fine not exceeding £6, summarised Is disadvantages and that a problem, place of the 6-gallon tank on the compensation. If as the result of and for a

all-steel saloon. The latter, low- his asgligence someone has been Briefy, the argument is

the engineer follow The coming of the motor in whose solution

play

against him for the benefit of the car quickly showed up the neg-, can

attention. Again, we

wife, husbanci, parent, or child lected state of the country's urgent

unfortunately, Sir

who has suffered loss by the death. highways. su that local authorities think, rather

If the negligence which caused the were impelled by the force of Henry did not deal in detail with with his vide

death was, gross he may be con public opinion to spend large sums this matter, as

might well have

victed of manslaughter. It is a INTOXICATED DRIVERS on their repair. To relieve the experience he

to his

little difficult to give a definition Any person who when driving or ratepayers of the consequent done, with beneft both

of gross negligence. A higher de attempting to drive, or when in financial burden. Parliament im- hearers and to a wider audience. position

gree of negligence is required than charge of a motor vehicle on a private posed a tax on

motor- He has, however, some sugges- on the

ROAD IMPRESSIONS

that which would support a civil road or other public place is under cars, the proceeds of which were tive comments to make

action. It must be something more the influence of drink or a drug allocated to a Road Fund. The future organisation of our high-

closely The sturdy frame of this car a subject which

than the absence of ordinary care to such an extent as to be incap fund. which. It was pilmarily in ways,

able of having proper control of dust affects the pocket of every tax gives pronounced steadiness on the something in the nature of reck- tended, should be spent on

country. road, and the Marles Weller steer-leanse.

the vehicle is guilty of an offence. abatement.

for and ratepayer in the also used was

is vory transveras link the roada ing with

STATUTORY OFFENCES This is regarded, and it may be Improvement works, as distinct At the present time

under the control of 1,431 fight yet definite, while it possesses 1913 are from maintenance, and by

of this type of not

The statutory offences with which thought quite rightly, as a serious offence. For a first offence the He asks, the feature the latter had become the more statutory authorities.

will be passing on road shocks to the la motor driver may be charged are

driver may be punished, by magis therefore, how long it

trates the infiction of ang not important charze, It was, ther

£30 or by imprisonment not exceed- fore, decided to divide all roads, before the examples of electricity steering wheel. The driving pesi-contained in the Road Trahe Act,

exceptions] into three classes, and when this supply, railways, and even Lon- tion is comfortable, and there is 1900. If while, committing any of

in the these offences a driver unintention transport are followed and work of classification was taken don

the a central board. which would be front seats, while there are of ally causes the death of anothering four months, completed, after

no central controls: the person he may be charged with ..up And

hiatus caused by the war, it be self-supporting, will be establish hand brake being mounted on the mannaughter, and if the case is It is a question to which the right and being of the push-on proved against him he may be con- game evident that read mainten- ed.

victed of that crime. The offences, ance and improvement would have answer is not simple, and there type it does not obstruct the en-

trance when left on with the car in so far as they relate to the to be a national concern. The may be doubt as to whether con-

ordiny owner-driver, are the fol result has been that of the 176,701 solidation which is now so popu- stationary.

dangerous loving-Reckless Trilles of road in the country, lar is the best way to deal with

dring; careless driving; driving 42,995 miles, or 24.3 per cent., are it.-Engineering.

clsewhere than on roads; driving when under the influence of drink ar drugs.

+

A WEEK OF BRITISH FLYING NEWS

Bermuda United States Service

1

with good accommodation, and a simple but good interior finish. There is a sliding roof, Triplex glass is fitted all round, the separ- ate front rests are adjustable, and foot-wells at the rear give ample leg-room and a natural sitting

cours.

elbow room

or

2

A person is guilty of an offence under the Act who drives on road recklessly, or at ̈si spred or in & manner which ie dangerous to the public, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, in- cluding the nature, condition, and

use af the road and the amount of traffic which is actually at the time, or which might reasonably be expected to be the road. This is a serious charge. For a be first offerice the driver may punished, by magistrates, by the Indiction of a fine not exceeding £30, ar imprisonment for a term

Bath petal and loyer apply all four brakes, which are quite free from fierceness yet entirely ade- quate when the occasion arises.

Starting on a gradient with the fluid flywheel is simplified of course by the fact that the car can be held the fluid flywheel by means of the accelerator, thus obviating the operation of easing of the handbrake while accelerating which RO many find difficult.

There is, indeed, no doubt that for the average driver this system of control makes for greater safe ty."as there is never any drabt as to being able to effect a change of gear in an emergency, while the Establishment next year of 'planes will be able to fly without accelerator control further simpli

"let or hindrance from end to endfies 'traffic driving. regular air service between Bar- the United States, muda and

of the Empire routes. It is ou bellef, said Sir Eric, "that when probable early elimination of the

between Paris

we can do so

· Fall sector

the service will increase iri on the British extra- "Brindis

European routes "and a hint of a gain in speed and conventence."

the step-motherly change in

ADVANCE OF AFRICA. SERVICE the British postal He was able to talk in glowing attitude of authorities to air mali were terms of the results of the first Sallent points in Sir Eric Geddess complete year of working of the Africa service. speech to Imperial Airways share-England-South

It has run with splendid regu- holders recently.

The United States-Bermuda larity. Traffic has grown satis- service will be operated by Im-factorily. The demand for aerial perial Airways in conjunction transport in Africa is remarka-

The poppet-valve four-cylinder with Pan-American Airways, able; Bir Eric Geddes recalled that company that has been entrusted even before the new fleet of eight side-valve engine has found more

Armstrong

Lavour, but the mout interesting with the operation of long dis- tance overseas American air engined monoplanes was deliver- feature in engine layouts is centred to the Africa airway, then the new range of Sports" transport services, and thus occu- i ed pies similar position to the passenger traffic between Egypt models of 10-12 h.p. rating. Es British concern. It will provide and Central Africa had grown to gent. sporting events no doubt have wards cars of higher horse power the first link in one of, the trans- the extent, that the new feet greatly accelerated this develop- atlantic air routes of the future was of insufficient carrying capament, which, however, is only men

dian and Newfoundland

ments. Certain

and

of

popularity and will NEW “SPORTS”.

Whitworth four

MODELS

X-Wise Chassis Bracings

CARAVANNING BY TRAILER

Towning Auxiliary

This form of touring auxikary has been a conspicuous feature of this year. The cult promises to be permanent rather than evanescent; it now has its own press organ, and there has been no lack of types and improved models of bomes, ol wheels. As the trend seema tom (actual if not by rating) doubtless larger caravans will be favoured.

The route farther north, going city to deal adéquately with it, tioned in this survey as suggesting This section of exhibits is sure, to

rearrangement of the higher all-round standard of by way of Canada, must perforce and another

be interesting and inspected by tardy of development, the main Imperial Airways fleet average productions, since it my serres of motorists with experience be more

To-day, large be assumed that the true sports from this year's holiday on because

Was necessary. 01 prevalling weather

refined replica of the wheels." conditions; Sir Eric Geddes stated Handley Page Type. 42 biplanes model is

standard product

Portable wireless sets, though, nai that Canada is Hikely to be the work as far south as Kenya and

The question of frame stiffening last of the great Dominions with the new monoplanes from-Kenya

also deserves mention in this ecm- à yet featured as an accessory for are responsible for a fani which regular air communications to the Cape.

He recorded that mans carried nection. Many new models have cars, will be established. In the mean-

the chassis frame braced X-wise makes being listed with provision time and the march of aviation on all the British services out the middle, though the mode aerial and internal fixture to bold. of 28 pel and position of the bracing differ for their installation- BÌ nas falsifed many too conserva- showed an increase tive forecasts Imperial Airways cent. over the previous year and This and the associated use of live serial and internal fixture to hold have made considerable progress went on to say bluntly that the rubber for cushioning and insulat the set. Developments seem likely in negotiations with the Cana-growth of this class of tramel ing chassis components are factors to be postponed until the public govern-seriously hampered by the policy indicative of the marked improve authority decides the legality of understandings, adopted up to now, not only by ment in power acceleration and this sort of equipment. Users are our own Post Office, but also by speed, and the equally important divided or the point as to whether he declared, had been reached. Both official and commercial other administrations. But ap-quality of deceleration which dif- a wireless set in use on car is aviation in Canada are in cor-parently the dawn of reason is ferentiates the new models from more disturbing to the driver than dial touch with the British com- about to break Sir Eric went on their predecessor.

to say that "there are signs I Mention, too, may be made here Folllical obiectiors to British cannot go farther than that of of refinements in brake adjust aeroplanes nying from France postal administrations realizing inente and of improved brake into Italy along the Mediteira that the air mail services" are drums of special alloy cast iron, nean coast have obliged Imperial now being accepted by the public heat-treated steel, aid other Airways to send passengers and as a normal means of conveyance fails g

and that the public: The interests of owner-drivers malls from Paris to Brindisi by for mails train, causing Inevitable loss of will soon demand that its first have been studied in numerius de time. Now there is hope that class correspondence shall not be tails on this more, and there should the objections will be waived, and segregated for special treatment, be much less scope for copfainta inaccessible brake adjustment that Boon British transport and for special feen.'

pany,

....

passenger Alpagside. Possibly

the quality of the music or the entertainment at a given time is u factor to be regarded

The rear engine position has been discussed in technical circles for some years, but beyond & Contin ental example, and the Burner, Cromley, and Trojan products and the North patented design, the rear position has had to wait from

development till this year

remote.

to be

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A. A. U.

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