1928-06-23 — Page 9

MOTORING

ECONTA

SUPPLEMENT

OF

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH

SATURDAY 23rd JUNE, 1928.

Being The Official Organ of

THE HONGKONG AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

statamba 11:2219

Call Box Wanted.

CURRENT

COMMENT

that all public hire vehicles in this Colony should be insured'against third party risks, as are the pre- sent taxicabs. "It is admitted that many bar owners and drivers have little or no means beyond the value of the car they operate and that if unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident could not hope to

direction to compel publle hire

success it will be issued to private pay anything in the way of com- motor car drivers in 1929 and understand that, officially. It is pensation to injured persons. We It has often been brought to our motor cycles in the following year.deemed to be a step in the right notice that, apart from hire cars The private licence will be much obtainable from garages, there are the same as the public, the main no facilities in Hongkong whereby difference contemplated boing that a resident who desires to call a the former will be smaller. public car can telephone, for ane. Most of the garages close at mid-Engine Numbers Wanted.

night and after that hour it is

new cars

cars to be insured in order to safe-

DIDN'T BELIEVE IN INSURANCE!

NEA

guard the public, and this is a viewpoint with which the majority of motorists will undoubtedly agree. There is no doubt as to its With the commendable idea of worthiness as an expedient, but impossible for any person living perfecting the means of recovering the view is held in other quarters out of the centre of the town to stolen cars and tracing any altera- that, to be logical, the authorities get into touch by telephone with tions which might be effected in ought to insist on insurance by either the public hire cars on the any particular car, it is required rickshas, truck pullera and others streets or the taxicabs. It has that all owners, when applying for of no monetary substance who use been suggested to us that this is a their new licences on July 1, the streets to the possible danger serious omission in the organisa should notify the police of the of pedestrians. "All or none" is tlon of public hire car services and numbers imprinted on their en-what they any should be the ntti- that something ought to be done gines. to remedy matters. One proposal

The engine numbers of tude, but the matter should be re made is that the Traffic Depart-arrived in the Colony have already on that score the suggestion re

that have recently dueed to one of reasonability, and ment might be responsible for the been recorded and also a consider garding public hire motor vehicles provision and maintenance of aable number of others but the will doubtless be accepted by the enll box-say somewhere near Blake Pier-recouping itself for majority of the older vehicles have majority of residents as being a the cost by making an extra It is in the interests of the owners

not had their numbers registered. worthy one. charge against all publie hire themselves that the police are put Road Up Ägnin. vehicles. of course, if the drivers of our public cars had pre-in the event of a car being stolen ting this scheme into operation, as

A lot of inconvenience has been perly organised themselves they would have made provision for it can be readily identified by the caused this week by the state of telephonic ordera long before now, that the engine itself had not been junction with Pedder Street, owing engine number, provided of course Queen's Road Central, nor its but they are, as is well known changed, which would be extreme to the fact that it has been "up" divided among themselves. We have heard the fear expressed by improbable, and in Hongkong for the purpose of cable laying. these operating taxis and public practically impossible. Cauce The road is narrow and dangerous cars that the provision of a tele-have been known where ordinary and, although we fully realise the! phone for call orders would on number plates have been taken necessity of laying cables, it becasions be abused by some per-from one car and fixed to another should be interfered with as little verted humorist who would think with yesulting doubt that could as possible. Almost every few It funny to call up the number and have been removed had the engine weeks there is a recurrence of this

numbers been known.

trench digging'on behalf of either send a car on a long distance on a

the Government or the public false call, but we do not think that Limiting Public Cars, this kind of senseless annoyance

utility companies and it does seem would be experienced to any great Now that taxicabs have made better ca-ordinated. 'Searcely has a pity that this work cannot be extent. It is certainly true that their re-appearance in the Colony the tarmac hardened on one side with many cars waiting in the and as others are to follow it before the other is again being Home Law Out of Date. centre of the town for orders after would appear to be reasonable if picked up. Perhaps in the future, midnight and with more than one the Traffic Department placed when we reach a more ideal state to grumbling about the various recently distributed to motoriste The private motorist is so used The Police in Shanghal have resident al such places as Happy limit on the number of other of affairs, there will be a tunnel iniquities of the 1903 Act, which handbills in English and Chinese, Valley, the Peak, Pokulum, etc., publie kire motor vehicles. desirous of getting a car sent out, Chairs and rickshas are limited to under every streat for the purpose still governs the behaviour of all pleading for less noise when there is no method by which con-what the authorities consider an cables. Rond transport has now respondent of the London Morning

of housing all necessary pipes and rond Motoring Corps military hospitali tanel can be effected. It is adequate number and there is developed to the pitch where some Post, that he does not give a Daily News was entering the Muni Just as a reporter, "say the N. C. serious flaw in our transportation every argument in favour of thing ought to be done to prevent thought to some of the regulations cipal Building in Hankow Road, services and one that ought to similar principle being applied in this frequent interference, with which continue to hamper commer-a doctor jumped out of his motor engage the sympathetic onusidera-the case of motor vehicles. There trafic. At any rate, for the imme-cial motor transport in this coun-car, waving one of these bills and

is no doubt that the standard of diate moment, we hope to see public hire cars is quite high Queen's Road put back into usable and that they serve a public

repair as quickly as possible. 籍 limit is The work of improving the want but unless corner on Stubha' Rond, at Maza-Put on their number we shall Senseless Obstruction,

tion of all concerned.

Road Improvements.

zine Gap, is rapidly nearing com-have even more overcrowding and pletion. The work of aetting back jostling on the public standa than now. Some might argue that it

try.

This Isn't an insurance ad--but the owner of this car refused to listen to Oakland (Cal.) agents Importuning him. to tako a policy. A week later, the car's brakes slipped on an incline, and it wound up in this manner, wrapped around t metal pole.

ROAD TRAFFIC HAMPERED.

Ti

NOISY MOTORISTS.

Shanghai Doctor's Experiment.

In

calling out that he had a little story to tell. He told that he had been At a time when everyone is experimenting for two days, and agreed that road transport is of the results were interesting. One vast importance, it is interesting morning he drove through all the Last Sunday afternoon a large to note that no vehicle over two principal streets in the Central number of Chinese were busily tons in weight may travel at more District, out to the far end of the the retaining wall has been finish-should be left to the law of supply engaged in carrying branches cut observant motorists

than 12 miles an hour. Many French

Concession, back and ed and a P.W.D. roller is now at and demand to exercise its own from trees, with a considerable amused, after having pursued af the Central District again, and he have been through the busy Chinese streets of work conditioning the extra pices of readway that has been added, regulation of numbers, but we are amount of foliage attached, at the motor-omnibus at about 30 miles did not sound his horn once. It is a very fine improvement and inclined to think that intelligent top of Waterworks Hill and for a

an hour, to see the legend "Speed the afternoon he drove through the should do away with the necessity direction in this matter is, as in so short distance down the Shatin 12 miles an hour! painted on the Yangtazepoo and Eastern Districts, of stationing a traffic officer at the many others, better than a policy side of the hill. To the average side of the chassis.

of laisser faire. As old cars go motorist, who has become accus- reminder, which has to be placed that, he said, was automatic, for:

This little and blew his horn only once, and spot. It is also now possible to off the road, through being deemed tomed on this road to this bugbear on every vehicle over two tons in he found it difficult to concentrate: get a very good idea of the tremen- dous improvement that will be unserviceable, new public hire of protruding branches obstruct weight, means exactly nothing.

licerces could be Issued

He repeated the experiment the effected when the work at the

ining the roadway and his view, this eastern end of Kennedy Road and rotation, thus maintaining the would not seem unusual, but the Consider what would happen if next day, when he blew the horn

great amount of by the Royal Naval Hospital is present excellent standard.

obstruction every vehicle of over two tons did twice only, and again on one oc caused on Sunday at several of rigidly conform to this speed limit.said that, when concentrating, he casion it was automatle, for be completed. Progress seems to be South China Market, rather slow, but it is a very big

the most narrow and dangerous Motor transport would become a found it a great temptation, which, undertaking, and it is obvious that There continues to be excellent corners on Waterworks Fill colis joke, and the railways would have of course, could be overcome with

Not content it all their own way. the P.W.D. is going to make a good reports from Canton and through-for strict censure.

practice and patience. What be particularly noticed was that really there was no occasion to sound the

job of it. We noticed last week out the provinces of Kwangtung with carrying their huge bundles Fire Engine's “Limit.” end that there is some further and Kwangai regarding the exten- in such a manner as to obstruct patching being done on the road sion of motor roads. The Depart fully a quarter of the roadway, London omnibuses, though it is horn. Whilst the two were talk- between Laichikok and Castle ment of Highways at Canton has the people concerned had stacked true that their schedules do not ing, three motor cars, Chinese Peak, but one cannot resist the very kindly sent us a long article dozens of these bundles on both allow for an average of more than driven, passed down the road, all conclusion that the Government is and map explaining the projected sides of the road at several of the 12 miles an hour, would never be with their horns sounding contin just "niggling" at what ought to schemes of rond construction, in most dangerous corners. At one able to keep anywhere near this uously. There was very little traf- be a big re-conditioning scheme. Kwangtung and if all the work is or two of these corners the reduc schedule unless they could exceed fic in the road (which is quite wide) carried out according to plan there tion in the available width of the the speed frequently. London and all moving in the opposite dir- New Form of Licence,

should, in the course of a few road was such that two cars streets would Bterally be blocked ection and no podestrians crossing, not have passed. In with crawling omnibuses, and which shows that horn-blowing. in With the beginning of a fresh years, be a fine network of main could licensing year, a new form of roads throughout the four districts addition, at the top of the hill just traffic congestion would be double sheer force of habit. The medical man ventured the interesting licence is to be issued to drivers into which the province has been before the descent to Buntin, what it is at the moment.

opinion that there would not be any of public motor cars. Up to the divided. We learn this week that Ford lorry had been parked on the

As a matter of fact, there are more accidents if horns were barred present these llechces have been the new motor road from Wuchow side of the road into which the printed en a single sheet of paper to Nanning, in. Kwangsi, is being bundles were being placed and on few commercial vehicles thich do altogether. Whilst making his ex- with reservations for. endorse-opened to traffic and that it is the other side was a stream of not exceed 12 miles an hour for periment, he drove for a large part ments and inspections, valid for possible to drive for over 100 miles Chinese, carrying bundles of wood. nearly all the time they are on of the way at 80 miles per hour and Considerable difficulty along it, although the surface is The view from both directions the road, while daily, with the did not find himself in difficulties at has been experienced with this as yet indifferent. At Kwang-was completely obstructed and advent of the new rotor-coaelios, all.. form because it easily became torn chowan, in the south of Kwang-thero was room for just one car the speed of these giant vehicles or was lost. The new licence will tung, excellent progress is also to pass between the lorry and the gets higher and higher. Whether This was one of the this is a good thing or not da a take, the form of a small book being made with roads and it is carriers. About six inches long and four evident that in a few years' time most flagrant cases of careless matter of opinion, but the fact re Inches wide, This book, which the South China market for motor obstruction that has come to our mains that if this speed limit could. The latest Fierce-Arrow truck Seemingly, no attempt be rigidly enforced heavy road with five apeeda forward and two has a seven-speed transmission, will be valid for four yeara, con-vehicles will be a very big, ono, notice. tains space for the usual reserva All of which la good news for whatever was made to supervise transport would cease to ba of any

this work It is high time that use tions on separate pages. It is enterprising local agents,

steps were taken by the Depart To cap the whole matter, I can best be left to the imagination, believed that this type of licence Third Party Ruskos.

ment concerned to prevent Chinese noticed the other day at a certain that it bore the acmewhat mis- will be a great improvement on the There has been much comment wood-carriers from acting in this London fire, after an engine had loading legend "Speed 12 miles an

come roaring up at a speed which hour, If the new form fa a this week regarding the suggestion highly dangerous manner.

· one year.

old method. It will be convenient

to carry.

!

7-SPEED TRANSMISSION,

reverse.

Our next shipment due here 15th;

" PRESIDENT "ADĀMS””

per

HARLEY-DAVIDSON CYCLES

We will have then the following Models in stock... 1. 7-9 H.P. Harley-Davidson and Parcelcar model MX. (This cycle is sold to the Macao Post Office. Local Brms who may be interested in parcelcars can make arrangements for a demonstration before we ship the 'cycle to 'Macao).

1. 7-9 H.P. Harley-Davidson Combination Single

passenger sidecar, --

1. 9-12 H.P. Harley-Davidson Combination Double.

passenger sidecar,··

3. 3

ILP. Harley-Davidson Singles. *(Twin Porta Exhaust Nickle Plated) equipped with nickloplated speedster...handlebars, speedometer, ammeter, duggage carlarfront stand and all the latest: Harley Improvements, ONLY $650.00.

BOOK YOUR'S TO-DAY, PHONE K1242.

THE GASCON MOTOR CO.

REPAIRS UNDERTAKER ON ALL MAKES OF MACHINES. 2, Kwong Wah Road, Kowloon. (Opposite The Steam Laundry)

Tol. K. 1242

}

A GOOD ASSORTMENT OF SPARE PARTS AND ACCESSORIES IN STOCK."

CHINA UNDERWRITERS, LTD.

FOR

ALL CLASSES

or

MOTOR INSURANCE

+

WRITE FOR PROSPECTUS

HEAD OFFICE:-

TELEPHONE:

ST. GEORGE'S BUILDING, HONGKONG. C.1121-22

More health-more happiness

-less cost per mile!

Goodrich Silvertowns

Best in the Long Bon"

If you use your car to get out in the open-you'll get an extra measure of health and happiness for your money in GOODRICH SILVERTOWNS,

These tires give you more hours, mora days and months of pleasure more miles on the

open road. They, last longer and no every hour you drive costs less.

Sole Agents:

For Hongkong & South China

UNIVERSAL MOTOR & SUPPLY CO

81, Des Voeux Road, O.

Telephone 0, 4915)

All sorts of Automotive Accessories also in stock,