1927-03-19 — Page 13

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH

Built with all the skil of modern engineer- ing plus the experi ence of more than twenty years in bat- tery manufacture. THE DRAGON MOTOR CAR CO., LTD.

33, Wong Nei Chung Road, Happy Valley.

Columbia

Storage Batteries

B.S.A.

1927

MODEL

·O.H.V. 3.49 H.P.

MOTOR CYCLES

NOW ON HAND

A REMARKABLE

ADVANCEMENT

IN B.S.A. RANGE

THE SINCERE CO., LTD.

SOLE AGENTS

MOTOR SPIRIT

SHELL

MOTOR OILS

CENTRAL FILLING STATION OUTSIDE CITY HALL, HONGKONG.

The Aslatie Petroleum Co., (South Chian) Ltd.. Hongkong.

MOTORING SUPPLEMENT.

MOTOR CAR FIRE DANGERS.

Inventions for

Reducing Risks.

SATURDAY, MARCH 19,

1927.

MUD AND COURTESY.

Politeness Indicates Expert Driver,

Another ekid another car aeroplano, and the patrol tank By Capt. E. de Normanville overturned; another fatal fire frequently bursts in consequence, in The Daily Chronicle. Reports of this kind have been it being apparently impossible to

The driver of a car who is too prevalent of late, says an Ex-provont this from happening sufficiently experienced to be change, and it becomes necessary without using a prohibitively

WHAT 'IGNITES THE FUEL ?

1-TON CHASSIS G$1,190 14-TON CHASSIS G$1,640

to go into the matter with a viaw weighty tank. The engine is thoroughly at home in regard to to ascertaining what precautions therefore liable to be flooded with the main requirements of safo can be taken to avoid the worst petrol immediately after the driving should always spare any of all happenings: the catching crash.. fire of a motor vehicle with the awful consequences it invariably involves. Blippory roads are the

The main diffioulty, however, first contributory cause of some is to know just what it in that of them, and these conditions at ignites the fuel; as We have certain seasons we shall always already mentioned, an electrical havo.

spark is the most likely cause It is a remarkable thing, how-and, while we do not rule cut the ever, that for 30 years the motor exhaust system as a source of vohicle has boon steadily de- danger, experiments made by veloped, and that although the Air Force officials go to show highly volatile and inflammable that it is difficult to ignite potrol nature of the liquid fuel it uses is even when it is poured over a o thoroughly well known that metal plats which is boon hoot- Acts of Parliament oxist to pro-ed to a high temperature." vido for its safe storage andi

This process does, however, handling, its actual use in con- quickly result in the generation nection with a motor vehicle is of a highly inflammable, provon left very largely to, the free and explosive, mixture of air and unfettered judgment of the hund petrol vapour which will ignito rede of thousands of individual at the least provocation.

users.

NO QUIDING RULES,

Moreover, manufacturers of motorcars are left without any guiding rules as to chassis con struction with a view to safety. The result is that if one examines

In this counoction we may point out that at one time it was the custom of ear designers to placă the magneto and the carburettor upon opposite sides of the engine, whereas in these days this pro- cautionary measure is by homoans general. It is also becoming more very wide range of motor and more the usual practice to vehicles with a view to finding mount the carburetter in close whothezany rules of sfaty have proximity to the exhaust man- entered into the contion of ifold, so that, in the avont of designers, it will be in a overturning, petrol will flow remarkably large number of directly on to hot metal surfacos. cases that convenience in con- We could hardly believe that struction has been the main point such a field for invention as this striven at, and that little regard could have been ontirely ignored, i has been paid to the safety of the and we therefore instituted a driver or the passengers..

search at the Patont Office going

We find main tanks placed un-back some yours. It cannot be der the drivers seats- position aid, conaidoring the importance. of great potential danger in case of the mutter, that inventivo of overturning or collision-un-minds have been prolific in pro- We have der the bonnet (even more dan-ducing ideas, but gerous, while Autovac tanks can succeeded in discovering a fow, be seen sometimes over exhaust and in order to stimulate further pipes. A leak can develop quite effort we describe what we have easily at the union under the unearthed. Autovac, in the loads, or in the tunk itsolf, and some considera- tion should be given as to the position those occupy in relation

to possible danger hot-spots

LOOSE IDEAS REGARDING PETROL DANGERS.

INVENTIONS FOR REDUCING

FIRE RISK.

like the

An interesting device automa- tically to shut off the petrol supply in the event of the vehicle deviating from the vertical by moro than + predetermined We know too woll that there margin of safety-say 45 degrees exist very loose idons regarding has been invented by a Mr. Phillips This device is fixed what will and what will not ignito petrol; they invariably lead to in-inside the petrol tank at the outlet different and evon extremely orifice, and consists of a short caroless use of a dangerous fluid.outlet. nozzle containing a ball Light-hearted people will say valve whereby the flow of potrol that motor spirit will fall on red-is at once interrupted when a hot metal without igniting, and certain deviation is reached. This that a lighted match can be nozzle inclines downwards at dropped into a can of petrol and about 45 degrees (the prede it will not ignite. These are termined angle) and is in ap- foolish ideas and aro best loft to Pearance something those who have lost all interest in nozzle of a soda-wator siphon. It life as none of these clever people is mounted on ball bearings so as Ito bo free to rotato about a

Axis. can evor give a reasonable answer

A to the question. What ignites (normally) vertical petrol when a car collides or pendulum is provided to ensura overturns? It is a grim fact that as the swivel axis (which, of that, it often does so, but nobody course, coincides with that of the profits from the gruesome lesson.ehicle) moves out of the vertical, the outlet nozzle, at tho extrome The.recent fatality near Rodhill and of which the ball, resta, shall is a case in point. It was est-point upwards ie, when nor- ablished in evidenco by the drivermally ascending & hill it will that the main tank was under the point towards the top of the hill front seats. What actually hap-and if the whools of the car on pened to canso the car to take ono side go into the ditch the fire is never likely actually to be nozzle will point upwards towards known. One can only prosume the road centre. The moment tho that it occurred through the predetermined degree of tip, is fracturing or rupturing of some reached, the ball rolls by gravita- part of the petrol system or dam-tion info its seoting and cals the age to the main tank, following outlet orifice. A pawl is arranged which, if the engine remuined on the pendulum to keep the ball running, the passage of a spark, away from the seating in the through short-circuiting or other event of heavy road vibration on contact on the electrical systent, stoop hills.

caused the fire. Thus, presum This is the invention in its ably, is what does occur in most simplest form; a simple modifica- cuses of overturning or collision; tion is described whereby the but, not being of the order of valve can be kept cloned in the cheerful optimists who hold that event of the complete overturn- an over hosted exhaust will not ing of the vehicle."

fire potrol, we do not rule any

part of the exhaust system al

together out of the realms of £19,032,682 MOTOR TAX. possibility.

•

AIRCRAFT LESSONS.

The gross receipts from motor

This problem of how bost to taxation from December 1, 1925, mimimize fire risk bas received to November 30, 1926, were £19, great attention in connection with 032,682, states the Ministry of aircraft, it boing well known that Transport in recent statistics: fatalities often occur not through Rebates allowed in respect of the impact of disabled machine pre-1913 engines amounted to with the ground, but owing to the about £87,000. Approximately fire whichi so often follows bofore £192,000 was refunded on tho' the occupants can affect their es-surrender of 35,058 licences,

The total number of motor Саро. As in the case of an overturned car, such a fire attains vehicles (excluding tramcare and a fierce intensity in an incredibly trado licences) for which licences ourrent on November 30 short space of time and effectual wore

་

ly provente any attempts by was 1,519,000, Including 643,000 roscue parties to remove the motor-cars taxed on horsepower, occupants of the machine. 498,000 motor-cycles, 257,000 com- The force of the impact is often morcial goods vohicles, and $3,000 very great in the case of an motor hacknoys:

2-TON CHASSIB

·G$1,760 Delivered

surplus attention for the benefit might pass on culpability to the of other road users.

rond authorities.

This is particularly the caso Keeping Clean. when roads are very muddy. A considerate driver will always

Personally. I always practise a,

ondeavour to avoid puddles which little refinement of this gonera! may reasonably be missed-if rule. As you know, a driver may the splashing of pedestrians can sometimes have a short journoy thereby be avoided.

to do on muddy roads, but with a just-oloaned oar.

By going slowly the car can be kopt practically clean-if passing traffic does not splash it.

I do not know what the legal position would be if say, my car splashed and ruined a valuablo now frock worn by a member of the fair sex. I presume it would

When I see a car so driven in be legally the fault of "the such circumstances I always give elements," so that no claim could it as wide a berth as possible, so be substantiated; or the driver as to avoid splashing it.

Trucks That Do The Work

When men and equipment are put to the test, it is power, strength and reliability 'that count.

These are the very qualities most desirable in commercial hauling for any business.

Give Graham Brothers Trucks or Buses hard jobs that take unyielding endurance and they do the work.. They do it at low cost through- out their long lives,

►

Graham Brothers Trucks, with Dulye Brothers 3-Ton. Commercial Cars, mout 91% of all hauling requirements.

THE DRAGON MOTOR CAR CO., LTD.

Telephone Central 1240 or 1247.

33. Wong Nei Chung Road, Happy Valley.

GRAHAM BROTHERS

TRUCKS

Built by Truck Division of Dodge Brothers, Ine SOLD BY DODGE BROTHERS DEALERS EVERYWHERE

Studebaker Standard Six Duplex-Phaeton.

G$1,490

10

A-300

Open Car Freedom with Closed Car Protection

T

The Standard Six Duplex-Phaeton is mounted on the rugged Stude baker chassis, and powered by the quiet Studebaker L-head motor,

famed for its 100,000, mile service.

HE Studebaker Standard Six Duplex-Phaeton offers you the utmost convenience In open car design, for it assures you all the protection of a closed car for stormy, STANDARD SIX weather.

Deluxe Sedan

At the first drop of Sport Roadster

Tourer Berline

"

rain, roller side enclos Deluxe Victoria ures can be lowered in- stantly from the top where they are conceal-

BIG BIX

ed. Moisture cannot reach you, and it is Duplex Phaeton only a matter of rais President Sedan ing the curtains again Deluxe Brougham to open the car wide to the sunshine..

Tourer Berlina

G$ 1,710 One-Profit facilities

1,485

enable this luxurious

宁

1,700 and convenient, car to 1,630 be sold at a far lower price than would other- wise be possible.

1,780

G$ 1,785 We invite you to ride ,, 2,075 In the Duplex- Phae- 2,030" ton and judge its many 2,220 advantages for your ,, 3,765 slf.

THE HONGKONG HOTEL GARAGE. (The Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels, Ltd) Car Sales and), Phone Service Phono Accessories fo. 4759 and Parts C. 4602

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BUILDERS

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QUALITY

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75 YEAR 6