1928-12-29 — Page 7

Greetings.

MOTORING

*#2

SUPPLEMENT

CURRENT

·COMMENT

OF

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH

SATURDAY, 29th DECEMBER, 1928.

Bàing The Offiɣlal Organ of

THE HONGKONG AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

16939 DEN BEA DES DE

wner

were also included. We under- The President and Committee of been dropned. There can be no stand that the scheme has now the Hongkong Automobile Asso-question but that every elation extend Greetings and the should be fully covered against Compliments of the Season to third-party risks, because even the Membera.

most cautious drivers are liable to The Automobile Association of meet with serious accidents. Great Britain sela Greetings to the Officials and Members of the Most Important. Hongkong Automobile Association,

The most important point is The Committee and Members of the Chinese Club send the Season's that every owner is not in the Greetings to the Committee and financial position to meet any Members of the Hongkong Auto-legitimate claim which may arise

mobile Association.

WARLIKE USES.

Armoured Cars Built for U.S. Cavalry.

PONTIAC'S NEW SUIT.

The latest addition to the United States cavalry is an armoured car troop. Just as the infantry found Lanks effective in combat, and has adopted them as part of its arma ment, the cavalry has found armuured cars similarly use ful, particularly for reconnais-

and

.sunce

THE NEED FOR VEHICULAR FERRIES.

Sessional Paper Admits Desirability.

attractive to the owners of the vehicles:"

four years ago,

En-

"We have given considera- tos to the provision of better facilities for traffic between Hongkong and the Mainland, particularly for vehicular traЛe. The only feasibla method without great ex- penditure of money is the pro- vision of forry boats. There are numbers of these In existence at the present time, Some of the most important are those crossing the Thames, the Morsey, the Clyde, New York Harbour, and San Fran- ciaço Harbour

We consider the cross traffic be tween Hongkong and Kowloon in growing sufficiently to war- rent the provision by the Gov- ernment of a good vehicular and passenger ferry service." If that opinion were justified In the year 1924, it la doubly justified to-day, taking into consideration the heavy increase in local motor traffle, and the rapid development of Kowloon and the new Torri- taries... Even the modernisation of Kowloon as rapresented by the building, and recent opening ́of tha: finest hotel in the East,· fa any argument in favour of providing un-to-date harbour transportation facilities.

For some years, the question of providing modern and adequate vehicular transportation across And finally, there is the Report the harbour between the Island of on the Mainland, has been Williams and Mitchell-Harbour Hongkong and the New Territories of Messrs. Coode, Fitzmaurice,

Development · Consulting frequently discussed, the opinion gineers, which was presented over being generally expressed that an improvement in the present system communication is essential. Upon purposes.

completion The view expressed in thei

laid of the War Department's Sessional Paper recently

to And out before the Legislatlye Council, exhaustive tests. what cars were best able to with-came therefore, as a great dis- stand the rigorous stress of army appointment to many commercial- as the result of an 'accident, and life, two stock General Motors cars firms who use motor vehicles for the position may arise where a Pontiac six-cylinder and a the transportation of merchandise, Imember

tho of Misleading.

public is LaSalle eight-were chosen as the as wall as to the large number of There appears to be no regula-seriously injured, and yet the most practical for military pur- local residents who, owning motor cars, have been eagerly looking tion focally forbidding the use of individual responsible for that poses.

be quite unable Carries Three. Men.

forward to the time when the foreign car, registration numbers, injury, miny

bear

the herden of pay- The light armoured car is a Mainland would be linked to the though the confusion which is able to arise as a result, i cerfing adequate compensation. Insur- Pontiac six-cylinder, carrying Island by means of a vehicular

a matter which demands ance covers that responsibility, crew of three men (one driver ferry service. tainly

One private car runs and is justice to everybody, when and two gunners). Its armament

The Report itself, reveals ample: attention. about ilongkone bearing a Home ever a car is bought, the owner consists of 30 calibre machine- justification for the immediate

rear ким

on anti-adoption of the scheme, if only in number plate, in the centre of should fully appreciate, and make guns,

aircraft mount, with a cruising a modified degree, as the follow- which is the Hongkong number.provision for his responsibility.

radius of 150 miles. The Ing extracts show: By night this is particularly mis- Mule Carts.

car is armoured against 130 leading, giving the effect of five!

calibre bullet in front of the numbers receded by a letter of We have frequently referred to

driver. The car carries 5,000 The alphabet. Surely the great the obstruction caused by the

rounds of 30 calibre ammunition. value in number plates is the fact unwieldly coolle-drawn trucks, as The windshield has been removed,

ears, can be immediately well as to the damage they do te and one-fourth inch armour in that identified and traced, if necessary, the roads. One of the main points When Brences are Issued, it has been that of obstruction of stalled in its stead. This armour

in busy

in of height sufficient to permit tho. should be definitely laid down that the holding up traffic

to the slowness and driver to look easily over the top. no other Tuber should be streels dus

A belt of armour also covers the vehicles. these jawkardness exhibited.

A machina Now, our attention has been drawn back of the front seat.

over the wind- to another form of batruction, gun is mounted With a larger number of people namely. Military mule carts. These shield, in position to be served by going out to the Fanling Races, are employed in the transportation the gunner sitting next to the in of stores, etc. up and down the river. The tunneau is open, and difficulty

experienced in

via Stubbs Road, and has a machine-gun mounted on it! securing transportation from the Peak, station to the course, the few motorinis pre complaining of the ready for fire against aircraft or bases that are in the New Terristraction caused when a line of ground targets. The car is equip

the road. ped with two removable scats In tary being insufficient to meet these carts

Usually string of mule carts the tonnenu to provide for addi- demand. One or two lorries were

u LaSalle The medium car is used at the last Meeting, but they climbs the Stubbs Road, and for tional men if necessary.

considerable distances, are not exactly suitable for pas motor cars may be seen slowly senger work. Under the circumfollowing in low gear. The cars stances, the use of these lorries are obstructed for several minuten, solved the immediate question of because on account of the many how to convey people to the bends in the road, it is sometimes Course, but even so, there were impossible to puss abend, especially not enough to cope with the whole when there is much downward ranges above 780.. There are on

Fanling Races.

of

nre on

line of

of the traffle. It might be possible trattle. Exactly the same happens

to induce a few public hire cars on the downward journey.

to go out, and should the fare be

a little higher, there could really "Mules, Transport, Urapteen."

be no complaint. In any case, it

is up to the Offelals concerned to

It is generally understood that

eight-cylinder, armed with a 30 calbre machine gan. The one eighth inch armour plate is prout against the service. bullet at all ranges above 80 yards, and against the armour-piercing ballet at poris in the armour for pistol or

rifle fire..

The speed of both types of car on the road is the same s other touring cars In their class. There

"There is considerable cross harbour, transport of goods and materials in lots of less than five tons. These are principally for local consump- ilon and include general mor- chandise, pleco goods, pro- visione, wines, tobacco, and elgarettes, dairy products, fruits, mutton, poultry, vege- tables, fruits, fish, household furniture, etc. The cost of transport on a number of tho above articles is at an agreed rate por package, crate and/or basket: in such cases, it has been found difficult to com- pare the costs by present the cust of methods with transport vin vehicular ferry." It may have been difficult to compare the costs, but it is surely obvious that it would cost a firm far less to drive its own lorry to Kowloon, load cargo with its own employees, than to engage labour on the ether side, hire a junk, un load on to the Praya, and then load

w

this Bide. We should imaging that a true comparison would leave no possible doubt as to which method would be the most expeditious and economical. The Report goes on to deal with

One paragraph of the Report opens in the most promising mans

ber:

"The investigations which have been made would indicate that better facilities for cross harbour transport are very desirable."

But hopes are dashed to the ground by its conclusion."

"It would therefore appear that at the present time, a vehicular forry would be un- able to earn suficient return to justify the cost of installa. tion."

public--that is, of course, if purposes over rough country, and can be closed so as to afford over: swine, the comment in regard to that a vehicular ferry would not{ make some arrangements for the mules are employed for Milltar is a folding armoured top, which market produce, fish, catile and

large public is desired,

patrons are to the encouraged.

Compulsory InsuṛḥNCE,

ELEC

Every endeavour is being made

under such cortions they are without doubt indispensable, but we cannot understand why they should be used on excellent noter roads. Surely the motor ferry is the ob-

head protection when needed, but ordinarily the top will be open and the crew will fire over the sides,

vlous solution. However, we sup- OUTBOARD' BOATS. at Home to compel owners of pose that "Mules, Transport, Ump- motor vehicles to insure against Leon" have been requisitioned for third-party risk.

The question duty in the hill districts of Hong- Sydney Club Formed.

has been before the House of kong, and that it has yet to dawn Commons on several occasions, but on somebody at the War Office that nothing has been definitely settled the bills of Hongkong are traversed yet, as there are many difficulties by some of the finest motor roads in to be overcome.

the world. In the meantime, if mule carts must be used, we think that the Transport Officer might

In 'Hongkong,

A few months ago a compulsory give the order that they proceed at insurance scheme, was suggested intervals of not less that one hund for Hongkong, In the first place it red yards between each vehicle. being intended to deal with public This would eliminate the major cars, but later on private vehicles [part of this obstruction.

TO FIND WATER.

ENTHUSIASTS JOIN.

The growing popularity of out- board motor boating has forced upon participants in this sport the necessity of forming a separate club, and to meet this end Mr. Arthur Gurr a well-known flying man and speed enthusiast, has founded and registered the New South Wales Baby Hydro-plane Club.

The club will be a purely mobile one with temporary headquarters fitted with special body and equip at 129 Pitt-street, Sydney. Al- ment to meet the exacting re-ready over 30 members have been quirements. A vehicle fitted with enrolled, and Mr. Gurr expects to heavy dow-hung frame was rincrease the membership to more Special Truck Fitted. quired, with a body and driver's than a hundred very soon,

cabin built accordingly. Instead The object of the club will be to of the usual fixed top covering the donate prizes and hold races at driver's comparimént, a folding Beyulur weekly intervala canopy type was selected. This different parts of the harbour and will allow the trick to proceed such other places as will prove through country that with an ornatisfactory. For service in Central Australia dinary truck type of cabin would. A meeting will be held. at an and the territory beyond, u G.M.C.be impassable. The wheels are early date to elect officers, and truck has just left Melbourne for steel spoke single wheel type, fitted Mr. Gurr feels assured that the Oodnadatta. The truck is going with large heavy duty pneumatic club will be a success, Into the interior of the continent tyres.

OPENING NORTHERN

ROUTE.

>

on

primarily on a water-finding ex- The chassis to also fitted with anticulura the chassis in similar to pedition. Bore will be made as auxiliary petrol tank, 15 gallons the standard G.M.C. T-40. Two circumstances warrant, the idea capacity, from which an alterna-canvas and screens are placed on underlying the expedition being tive supply of petrol can be drawn either side of the body from the the future dovelopment and open-in conjunction with the main tank top of the front of the fareboards ing up of a through northern supply by opening a tap provided and down to the rear of the run in the petrol pipe Installation, ning boards. The body is of stan

rouie.

The vehicle selected, a G.M.C. Two extra spare rims, tyres, and dard well-side type, with flare- model. T-40-B chassis, has been tubes are carried. In other par-boards fitted at right angles..

these being:

"It is considered that the vehicular ferry deal with this trate in the early mor- ning and offer better facilities than exist at present." Other statements admitting the necessity for the provision of vehicular ferries are:

"Part of the fire fighting appliances of the Colony are located In Hongkong, the re- mainder in Kowloon. A vehicular ferry would provide facilities for utilizing almost the full resources of the Fire Brigade on either side of the Harbour,

A vehicular ferry would, facilitate the transport of prisonera and hospital cases between the Island and main- land. An average of about 60 stretcher cases per mouth are transported across the bar- .bour. The present method of handling cross harbour patients is very unsatisfactory and would be eliminated by a vehicular forry, It Is estimated that the Fire Brigade, Police and Motor Ambulances between them would do at least six to a

dozen trips cach-way dally.

The proposed ferry installa- tion would be of some service to the Post Office and the Im- ports and Exporla Dopart- ment.

There are about 1,800 private and public motor cars and cycles in the Colony. The general opinion appears to be that these vehicles would be transpired across the har bour in much greater numbers if improved facilities were provided at a passage rate

The Latest 1929 HARLEY-DAVIDSON

A NEW WONDERFUL 45 TWIN.

HERE IT IS THE 45 TWIN, THE MOTOR-CYCLE MAGNIFICENT, THAT THE WORLD HAS BEEN WAIT-

.TING FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON TO BUILD,`

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9 GALORE THAT STAMP IT THE PEAK OF MODERN

MOTOR-CYCLE ENGINEERING.

THE GASCON MOTOR CO..

REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN ON ALL MAKES OF.MACHINES,

Tel. K. 1242

2, Kwong Wah Road, Kowloon. (Opposito.The Stoam Laundry). ...........

A GOOD ASSORTMENT OF SPARE PARTS AND' ACOEBJORIES IN STOOK,

CHINA UNDERWRITERS, LTD.

FOR

ALL CLASSES

OF

MOTOR INSURANCE

WRITE FOR PROSPECTUS

HEAD OFFICE :-

It may be quite correct to say

earn sufficient return for a num- ber of years to pay for its installa- tion, but it cannot he asserted that The it would not justify itself. justification lies in the step of progress Its provision would assure, for it cannot be denied that the very keynote of the suggestion. If Hongkong Progress 16 is to remain isolated from the papulous districts across the har- bour until such time when the expenditure involved on a vehicu- conclusion that "the cross traffic GARAGE PER FLOOR, lar ferry shall be definitely guaranteed a suficient return, those responsible show 1

ST. GEORGE'S BUILDING, HONGKONG.

between Hongkong and Kowloon is growing suficiently to warrant

TELEPHONE: C.1121-22

lamentable Inck of foresight and the provision by the Government Self-contained Flats.

enterprise.

As a matter of fact, it is highly probable that the immediate re- turn would provide considerably more than

and maintenance

operating costs, and It will surely

of a good vehicular and passenger ferry service."

CHICAGO EXPERI-

MENTS,

Millions of dollars have been spent in building and developing roads in the Colony, and although in some cases, heavy expenditure In trying to solve its parking has aroused adverse criticism, It and garaging problems, Chicago be admitted

munt that trafe

has to be conceded that the road (UB:A.) is experimenting in many increase as the years roll by.

building of the past is proving of ways.· There is a broader and wiser immeasurable benefit now. It is Many new fat buildinge there aspect than the mere return on quite on a parallel to urge that now include a garage on each floor capital expended. The develop what is tantamount to road com- for the convenience of tenants, ment of trade in general, and the munication between Hongkong and The cars are taken up by elevators, motor vehicular trade in particular Kowloon has been required for and occasionally by ramps. should be taken into account. The years past, and is more than ever A number of office buildings fact that a much wider motoring desirable at the present moment. have been constructed, in which aren would be thrown open to It was because of this recognised parking space is provided on the motorists would prove an induce-pressing need, that the Report now roofs, Heights of these buildings ment to many more people buying under review was drawn up, and have been limited to 10 floors. cara, and from this angle alone, Set in andto of the ample Plans for the future include un- there is the increased revenue substantiation therein of the derground garages, basements in fram licencing taxes.

|-|||-claims for vehicular forries, it ap- office and flat buildings for park- Primarily, this progress and pears that the Government is lacking, speelal type roots on omeo development of the Colony of]ing the vision to see the imineasu-} buildings to store cars, combined Hongkong demands that the able benefits to be derived from garage and office buildings, and present barrier which divides it connecting Hongkong to Kowloon ramps in office buildings, so that into two separate traffic areas in a manner which is dictated in cars may be driven up and park- should be removed; and the only the Interest of the Colony's pro-ed on the same floor as the owners' way of removing that farrier is to gressiveness. It is to be hoped suites, Agen adopt the schime of the experts that further consideration of tho] To escape the dangers of ex- who compared Hongkong with matter will result in the removal haust fumes, special ventilating other equally important cilles in of the public's present disappoint- systems are being installed ' în the world, and then came to the ment,

bulldings and tunnels.