1935-06-11 — Page 2

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A SCHEME FOR TESTING

MECHANICS

Car Repairers Of The Old Days

Twenty years ago the adven turer who wished to run a sue- cessful repair shop for motor- cars cynically adopted a simple

He discovered prescription. really competent mechanic good appearance and pleasant address, who was appointed fore- man

A

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The garage was then staff- ed with the cream of that en- band of youthful en- arthous thusiasts who preferred the mo stor industry to a desk or a coun-

Many of them paid pre-s miums to learn the trade; should the supply of premium appren. short less generous tices run youths could be chartered at - nominal wage, The courteous and able foreman interviewer every owner on his first arrival at the shop, and whenever poss- Ible. came forward to receive in- tructions at any subsequent visits The fore- paid by such owners.

man kept as wary an eye on the youthful and inexperienced me- chanics as circumstances might permit. Moreover, he personally attended. if time allowed. to the ears of very rich, very important, or very awkward dustomers. As the mechanics neceived no wakes at all, or at most a few pence an hour, and as the bills charged for all time at skilled mechanic's rates, such shops were goldmines.

try the The chief drawback scheme was that only a highly exceptional mecharle coule puss- ibly keep all the victims of this unblushing piracy in a good tem- a time. many weeks at per for And if he could do this jealous rivals would soon recognise his merits. and bribe him to desert to Most their own repair shops. veteran motorists can recall this period, and remember how the wiser motorists of any named locality used to follow the local "super" mechanic, Sam Blank,

or whatever his rame was from shop to shop, as ever-increasing wages led him to change his place

twice of employment about year.

MANUFACTURERS' EFFORTS

ד.

"This bad old system is by no means dead, except that the raw and inexperienced fitter can now demand a more reasonable wage. Far too many repair shops exi by the efforts or a single com- petent man at high wages, ac- companied by a number of green youngsters, who learn their job at the expense of customers' cars. However, the Institute of Auto- mobile Engineers is fully aware of the abuses of the system. The manufacturers have endeavoured to destroy such shops by estab Ishing their own chain of service. stations, printing their detailed list of prices for every conceiv- able job on their own chassis of coachwork, and coaxing their clients to avoid inefficient gar- ages as they would avoid the plague."

But cars too often re- quire some small attention for a service station fifty miles away to be able to supply every need. And the "Institute is amply justi- fed in its efforts to raise the standard of the service' supplied at country garages.

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PRACTICAL TESTS

me-

The specification for the prac- tical tests includes every kind of problem likely to present itself in a long experience of garage work, and entrants are required to bring their own tools, except for those costly and cumbrous ma- chines which individual chanics are not expected to pos- sess The stipulations for the complete written examination ∙cover a two years' course of spare- ime study and include a list of recommended books. The organi- sation is flexfölę, permitting both test and examination to be taken. locally wherever suitable facilities under Independent supervision exist, and the fees are at the milnimum compatible with eff- cler.cy. The written examina- tions are not actually tramed or curried out by the institute itself, as it wisely accepts the standard course of the City and Guilds of London Institute in the appro- priate subjects as ar adequate standard. These can be taken at many local technical colleges The controlling committee mainly drawn from the ɑmgmber- ship of the LA.E. but includes representatives of the Commer- cial Motor-users Association, the Institute of the Motor Trade. the R.A.C... the Society of Motor Manufacturers, the AA.. and the two associations representing the principals and the teachers re- spectively or the techcleal ini- stitutes.

QUALIFIED AGENTS

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There are other reasons for hoping that the general standard of motor-repair work will prove rapidly. The more energe- tle manufacturers of motor vehi- cles have long since ceased to be reckless in describing dealers as their "agents." The motor trade passed through an evil phase in which cycle dealers and iron- call mongers were allowed to. themselves agents, and to supply cars in retum for a reduced com- miss.or without showing the sightest ability to assist the owner in his problems and disi- culties. To-day most reputable factories have ceased to supply cars except through qualified men. since the whole justification for the retail commission-often a handsome sum—consists in the retailer's dual capacity to "push" the sale of a car with success and to keep the customer happy and sutistled after purchase. With this en in view the retaller or hie foreman, or one or more of his mechanics, are not infre- quently summoned to the place ́ot manufacture and pass through a course of instruction in main- tenance, adjustment. and repair.

There are still unfortunately. many grossly inefficient repair shops in the country. especially by the roadsice and in villages, but the new scheme of the .A.E. will accelerate their disappear- artee.

LA TURBIE RECORDS

BROKEN

He

Jean Wimille broke the record for the La Turbie hill climb on April 18th, driving the "3.3-litre Bugatti with which he won the Algerian race ·last October: averaged 83.13 m.p.h.. knocking rearly two seconds of the record time set up last year by René Dreyfus:

It has completed an organisı. tion for testing and examining mechanics Ima two bratches of their art-mechanical and elec- trical-and it is hoped to add a third-metallurgical. An ap- plicant must satisfy the institute that he has undergone adequate training and accumulated suffi- cient experience. He may then be subjected to a written amination and a practical test" If he satisfies, the examiners_be will be given a large parchment certlacate, together with a small parchment certificate. together with a small pocket replica of the certificate and a buttonhole badge. The two latter issues serve to satisfy any dubious cus- tomer who may hesitate whether to allow an unknown mechanic to attempt some delicate opera- tion on a possibly expensive car. Nobody will appreciate this in- novation more than the honest mechanic himself, and any ger- age witch is staffed by these men with badges will soon acquire' an enviable reputation amongst local car-ownero. The committee of the Institute which controls the fests, examinations, and, badge issues contains, the names of at least u dozen: mer of inter-speed was 61.16 m.p.h.. but he was

national reputation in the techni- cal aspects of engineering,

As it was also the final test init the Paris-Nice trial, there were a good many normal touring and sports cars in this year's entry. F. S. Barres won the 1,500 c.c. sports class on his Le Mans Singer, averaging 42.77 m.p.h. Miss Jackle Astbury was seconă, on another singer, and about 15 sec. slower over the course. Erwin Niklaus (M. G. "Midget) broke the 750 cc. sports car re- cord at 38.81 m.p.h., and Mall- lard-Brune's 'blown' M.G. Midget smashed the 750 cc. racing class record at 52.11 m.p.h. Count "Johnny" Lurant won the 1,500 c.c. racing class with a pretty little monoposto Maserati at 54.26 m.p.h, and Jean Trevoux, who won the 1934 Monte Carlo Rally and has driven Bendleys at Le Mans, made fastest time in the 5-litre sports class with his Paris-Nice Hotchkiss.

His

2/5 sec. above his own record for the hill

›

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1935.

MOTOR

SOME HINTS

Engine-Starting By

Hand

'COM-

Inquiries Indicate that paratively few present-day moto rists have ever attempted to use the starting handle of their cars, not even to find out how it is put in place in order to turn round the engine let alone to practice starting by hand with the engine elther hot or cold.

And, yet there is never absent a possibility that the "only way In which the engine can be set going is by means of the starting, handle;,electric starters are un- doubtedly dependable up to a point, but they are not infallable, and batteries are not immune from risk of failure.

use

When magneto ignition was general there was reason for the ordinary motorist.

thë to shirk practice then needed to quality himself, or herself, for dealing with the emergency represented by en- gine-starter fallure; it was hard. work, and ever. the driver "know- ing how might well fall to put nis knowledge to practical when the emergency arose.

But with battery ignition, en- gin-starting by, hand, even with the engine cold. is comparatively "child's play," so long as one knows how to go about it, and assuming, naturally, that the en gire is in normal running con- dition. That is the acse though the battery be run down to an extent rendering it inrap- able of providing sufficient cur- rent to operate, the electric star- ter. for a battery must be nearly discharged to cause it to fail to give current enough to fulfil igni- tion requirements; and imme- diately the engine runs at a fair speed the dynamo will provide additional current and maintaini the supply.

NO NEED TO "SWING"

even

There is no need to "swing" an engine having battery Ignition when the starting handle is used, as there was with magneto igni- tion. If, therefor. the car owner will delve under a seat, or into the tool-box. to get out the start- ing handle and experiment in its usé, he will find that, with the ignition switched on (and retard- ed if manual control be provid- ed), all he need do is to push the handle-shaft "claw into engage- ment with the front end of the crank-shaft, and then give the handle two or three upward pulls to rotate the engine clockwise past that number of compressión points and away the, engine, will go.

"Truc. preliminary practice for a minute or so in turning the ex- gine before the ignition is switch- on is generally advisable. for there is a little knack in engaging the starting handle claw and pulling the handle up (never push down) without pulling the claw forward out of engagement. Faint pressure on the handle to- wards the engine while it is. pull- ed up is needed.

As indicating the advantage ""knowing how" in this connection the writer was.compelled for four days on end in January last to start -his

engine from cold by hand. One cell of the battery had a short circuit, so that only a 10-volt current was available. This

was not enough to enable the starting motor to start the engine when cold, but plenty when the engine was warm and also for ignition and lighting.

If the writer, Bke so many mo- dem motorists, had been unable to use the starting handle the car would have had to remain in its garage during those four days; awaiting the arrival of the good- as-new reconditioned battery that was eventually received in change.

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CHANGING. A WHEEL Quite a fair proportion of mo- torists the majority of them women, but a considerable mino- rity of men-would be completely at a loss to know how to go to work if the need arose for the spare wheel to be brought into use when and where expert "as- sistance were unavailable.:

They could not even say off- hand where the jack. jack handle,

JOTTINGS

NEW RULES FOR ROAD USERS

י

Changes In Revised Code

The Highway Code, revised in the light of experience accumulat- ed since its first issue in 1931 and in accordance with the changes in the road laws and regulations, was recently submitted by Mr. Hore Belisha to Parliament for ap- proval. He did not expect that it would arouse controversy.

As soon as it has been approved by resolution in both houses, copies of it will be distributed tree

to

all homes, made available in Post Offices, and furnished schools, magistrates, coroners, and police.

A committee of the Transport. Advisory Council, presided over by Sir Arthur

Griffith - Boscawen,

have drawn up the new code." They have entirely recast Mr. Her- bert Morrison's work, and its 107

of

NEW NAND SIGNAL: "I am going to turn to my, left.".

numbered "rules," plus appendix traffic signs and hand sig- nals, and supplementary notes" of explanation, comprise a much fuller and more detailed Com pendium of road and road. sense for all types of road user,

The new provisions include the following:

For Drivers and Riders

A new traffic sign Halt at

Major Road Ahead"

A new hand signal to indicate

Intention to turn left:

Soda priori Pedestrians!

A new rule directing them on the footpath "not to walk alongside the kerb in the same direction as the nearer stream 'of traffic,"

2.

An injunction to remember that moving vehicles require time to slow down, especially when the road is silppery

For Cyclists:

An injunction not to carry par-... cels or anything which might. interfere with control.

For all Road Users:

Avoid unnecessary noise. Be sure that alertness of sense of caution is not affected by alcohol or fatigue,

Keep dogs under control, whe-

ther on road or in vehicle, Learn the Highway Code.

MAJOR ROAD TRAFFIC

Explaining the new code Mr. Hore-Belisha said he attached great importânce. to the new traffic sign.

The code, he pointed out, will now definitely give precedence to traffic

on the major road "give way to traffic on the major road"- and a driver from a minor

road, unless he

has 'view

a clear of the major road in both directions, must stop be fore entering it.

The new "halt" sign is to be used as a warning sign for Junctioza where there's no clear view both ways.

ignal Red

HALT

AT MAJOR

ROAD AHEAD

New Traffic Sign

The new hand signal is a con- cession to common practice. In- stead of the "slow down" signal which according to the old, code,

and wheel-nut brace were to be meant one of three things-alow

found on the car, and could eer- tainly not jack up an axle 80 85 to have it safe while a wheel was removed and replaced. And yet a puncture may happen at any time and the policy depended upon by such people of waiting for a Good (and capable) Sama- ritan to come along and change the wheel is one that may involve a lengthy waft by the roadside perhaps arter dark on a cold and wet night!

down, stop, or turn left, ärivers, tri order to indicate their intention to turn left, shall extend the right arm and rotate it from the shoulder. in an anti-clockwise direction.” ⠀

The overtake signal or wave-on is now to be interpreted as "I am ready to be overtaken."

The new code is divided into sections addressed to, the various classes of road users, and gener- ally each section. Is complete in'.

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itself, so that cyclists and Dedes- trians-may each fed in it a code of their own But they are urged not only to learn their own code but also to make themselves ac- quainted with the other sections.

DAZZLE PROBLEM

· Among other important altera- tions beside tilose mentioned, drivers of motor vehicles (includ- ing motor-cycles) are enjoined to:

To drive well within the limits of their driving lights at night. dip their head-lights (except in special circumstances), and slow. down even to a standstill 1* dazzled;

Not to drive in a spirit of com- petition or retaliation:

Not to open doors of their vehicles without due care;

Turn slowly "from one road into another. giving way to crossing pedestrians;

Avoid overtaking at pedestrian crossings;

Give regular brakes and tyres,

attention to

The pedestrian code is con- siderably enlarged. Its leading rules are:

Never walk in the carriageway if there is a footpath; if none, it is generally better to face on- coming traffic (walk on the fight of the roadway)."

Unless there are "Cross Now" signals, do not rely solely on light signals when crossing, but watch the traffic. particularly turning trafic.

Do not stand in the road at blind corners or attempt to cross the road just as the traffic is about to start. Cross the road at right angles, and when there is a crossing subway or refuge,

use it.

Cyclists are enjoined always to when riding with dropped handle- keep a good look-out, especially

barz.

MOTORING

AND THE SPEED LIMIT

Manners And Methods

Few Government publications have been more eagerly awaited than the new Highway Code, which the Minister of Transport is soon to send as, writes a cor- respondent.

In it we are promised a Rule of conduct that is an amended version of the many that have been distri- buted for years past by the Safety First Association, and if what has been reported about it is true, we shall bave at last a chance of see-, Lng order take the place of seeing order take the place of disorder on the roads everywhere.

It will be impossible to judge of the success or failure of the thirty-miles an hour limit in re- ducing accidents until at least a full year has passed, but in so far as Increasing the peace of mind of the majority of road-users it is an unquestioned success al- ready. Now and then anomalous #situations arise, the just are pun- ished for the malpractices of the unjust, annoyance and inconven- tence fall on the innocent with the guilty, and everything is at present too "new and all.” Ma- gistrates take opposite views of the scope and intention of the new regulations, and we have had the stimulating spectacle neighbouring benches dismissing and admitting the same kind of charges. imposing here the full penalties, here letting the accused off with what amounts to a cheap Caution.

LOOPHOLES

of

It looks as if the law wore open to different readings and that, as Is sometimes the case with revolu tionary methods, there are holes in it through which some may successfully drive if not a coach and four, at least a motor-bicycle. Some of these incidents are regrettable not only because they set up irritation in the mind of a public that is, for the most part. honestly trying to help, but be- cause they bring the law into doubt. It must be made quite clear, for instance, what condi tions inevitably lead to licence-" endorsements for what is nearly

{)

always a purely technical offence. Some magistrates listen to rea- soned pleas of misunderstanding the often misleading, limit-notices- or their absence, of licences kept clean over many years, while others, equally sincere, adminikter the new law to its last letter.

Elther course inevitably raises the 'question-"What does endor- sement imply?" Until a short time ago it meant that the holder had been guilty of behaviour either reckless in itself or dan- gerous to other road-users (I ex- .. cept, of course, the early absurd endorsements for thinge like an extinguished tail-lampp, and it lay within the power of the Bench to cancel a licence with three en- dorsernents. If a driver's licence

is to be endorsed for simple. in- fringement of the limit, will that endorsement imperil it? Plainly. in the eyes of the Bench, the en- dorsement is looked upon in both lights, as a serious penalty and as a mere record, the. latter, per- haps, the less important if, as we have been told," all endorsements" are to be automatically cancelled at the end of twelve months.

RULES WANTED

It is to be hoped that the new "Code wil: contain definite rules. as opposed to well-meaning aug gestions about the ordinary business of driving a car on the public road, and signalling its intended movements. The code we have had for some time has done little, if anything to clear up the muddle. It has started new and incomprehensible Ways of signalling. just as the new lit has given birth to new ways of driving. Everybody who thinks about signalling at all is quite sure he is either (a) doing it ac- cording to the Code, or (b) better. Everybody who has a long driving experience can make his inten- tions absolutely clear, whether he uses the Code signals or not. Thousands either forget to sign- al until it is too late, make the wrong signals, or sublimely dis- regard the signals of others.

(Continued on Fare 3)

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