1929-11-16 — Page 17

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,

HINTS MOTORIST

THE

MOTORING SUPPLEMENT.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1929.

"AIR SAFETY.

RIGHTS & WRONGS. POOR VISIBILITY,

SHATTER-PROOF WINDSHIELD.

Dead Engine Tests,

Employer's Accident Liability.

Coachwork Which Spells Danger.

ALBERT L. CLOUGH –

SLOW LEAKS IN TYRES.

The 'plane left the ground in 11 seconds, and climbed to a height of between 2000 and 3000 feet, when each of the Armstrong- Siddeley engines was 'switched off in turn for a period of 10 minutes, and the aeroplane was flown on the remaining two units.

BY A BARRISTER.

"BLIND" DRIVING."

מס

It is a commonplace to say "that The time has come to utter a accidents will happen; when they word of warning on the subject of do it is the lawyer's job to find out a tendency in motor car coachwork: what rights and liabilities arise that has already reached the dan- In the olden days, out of them. There must to-day gerous stage. be thousands of commercial travel when cars were novelties and thone iers on the road driving cars, and who drove them adventurers it is the purpose of these notes uncharted seas, the seating accom. briefly to examine the liability of modation was such that one sat on an employer to u commercial travel--not in-the body. Exposed to ler or his deperidents, should the every wind that blew the stalwarts traveller, be killed or injured when endured hardships that the modern driving on business a car provided spoiled child of progress would not

tolerute for a moment. by his employer,

TWO WERE ENOUGH.

An air test with a view to safety first was recently carried out in The gradual escape of air, Why is this and how can it be cor- England on an Argosy aeroplane from a tyre and Ita premature rected?

delivered to Imperial Airways. deflation is always a nuisance, as

Answer: Somehow or other this

When the test was made there It entails Inordinately frequent cylinder does not get an ignitable visits to a "free air" station or re-charge when the engine is throttled was little wind, but the weather course to the pumping equipment down. If this has always been the was hot, and the air somewhat of the car. Running balloon tyres case, faulty intake manifold design bumpy, in an over-soft condition is may be the case, but if it is some even more rapidly destructive to thing that has developed during them than to tyres of the more rug- your use of the engine it is the ged high pressure type. When result of lack of gas tightness of one tyre "goes down" faster than this cylinder or air leakage into it the others, the most likely pre-from the outside. If its valves seat sumption is that. Its valve imperfectly or its platon-rings fall leaks. Turn the wheel until its to hold compression or if its inlet valve-stem is at its uppermost posi-valve stem is loose in its guide, tion, remove the valve cap and im-its intake manifold connexion is

It was found that a height of merse the stem in a tumbler full leaky or its head gasket is not tight of water. If bubblea escane its missing at low throttle is not at over 200 feet could be maintained with any one engine stopped, while from the valve stem, the valve all strange.

flying at an air speed of between leaks, Possibly by screwing in

Question: I have been having 75 and 80 miles per hour. the valve-inside or plunger more! tightly, with the slotted end of the so much trouble from punc-

With the two wing engines cap, the leak may be stopped, but tures and stone bruises in the rear if not, screw out the plunver, tyres of my car that I should running the performance was a wet

and replace like to replace them with the next little better, the machine climbing fatal cases is £500 its packing it. If this does not prevent leak-larger size that will fit my rims steadily, with the centre engine age, replace the old valve inside but do not feel like buying new stopped. with a new one, testing "it for larger to for the front wheels tightness. Occasionally a Valve as well just now. Would it be prac- seat ticable to carry the small tyres, stem kas

defective 21 And no plunger will fit air-tight in discarded from the rear wheels, it. In this case have a tyre, re- for spares to take the place of pairman ream out the seat or have both of the sizes used. Would it a new stem put into the tube. "Inde any harm to run with tyres of case the valve tests, "tight," different sizes on the rear wheels, the

and in case of tyre trouble. Some say leaka tube itself should be removed and lested for that it will injure the differential. air tubbles under water, after it has been lightly inflated. Note

if

5

The behaviour of the engine switched off was interesting for it was found that the airscrew con- tinued to turn the engine at a very Tow speed for about five minutes when it stopped. To start the engine again, the aeroplane was speeded up to about 100 miles an hour by diving slightly.

Newest type 460-510 h.p. Jaguar engines, with reduction gear, were used, and one engine had flown more than 450 hours without

Answer: The regular équipment of this car is-30s-1.75 inch balloon how the tube Iny in the tyres, and we presume you intend casing, so that when the leak has to adopt the 31x6.25 inch size on been found its position therein ean the rear wheels. It will be per-overhaul. be identified and examined to see fectly practicable to use the two

there is 11 n inside fabric custoff tyres for all round spares, ja break at this point, which has at least until you fit the pinched the tube or a nail

wheels with the larger tyres. Tem other sharp object,

Just porary use of slightly different tire protruding through the casing, iameters, on the rear wheels, will that has made a minute puncture have no appreciable effect upon the in the tube. Occasionally a tube differential. is found to leak slowly where the valve stem is inserted in it.

front

Question:-The crankshaft of my engine has too much end-play. How can this be taken up and is it essary to pull the engine down

Question-Number one cylinder of my four-cylinder engine does not fire at all when running idle or

to do this job? or when the car is moving slowly on the level, but it fires all right! Answer: The amount of end-play when I give it considerable gas.lis regulated by the clearance al

a prac.

“A Godsend” this driver called it. The efficacy of the new Ford shatter-proof windshield. Should it ever become recessary to turn into a telegraph pole to avoid the possibility of a worse crash, it is just as well to have the protection of a windshield that will not shatter. Cases have been reported where these wind- shields have deflected bullets, although they are not represented by the Ford Motor Company as being bullet-proof.

The Workmen's Compensation But the pioneers had one great Act, 1924, provides for payments advantago: they enjoyed beng made in certain cases to a tleally unrestricted view, not only workman injured by accident aris- of the road ahead, but also of their ing out of and in the course of own front mudguards. In those. his employment, but, it is provided days the ability to see at a glance that no liability shall fall on the the precise location in space of the employer in respect of injury near front wing was not so im caused by the employee's serious portant as it is at the present time and wilful misconduct, unless it for a quarter of a century ago the

of overdoing some- ran off the rail,". The carrying results in death or serious and roads, to all intents and purposes,mistake permanent disablement, while the were deserted, and one might travel thing which, done in moderation, of fashion to extremes in this case,

in payable on them for 'miles at a stretch would be good. The old seating as in so many others, has been our amount maximum

without seeing any vehicles except arrangements were ridiculous; they undoing. We must now go back Exclusions,

an occasional farm cart and the could be improved by alteration few steps on the road that leads Any person employed otherwise, butcher's baker's bov behaving with along certain well-defined lines to complete sunity, and the body- than by way of manual labour a pony much as he usually behaves Those lines were followed until we builders must help.

excluded from the A year is whose remuneration exceeds 350-day with his light motor van.

Sheltering in Our Dug-Outs! Act, or, in other words, no one

Then, as motor cars began to whose remuneration exceeds £350 Act does not say "is paid at the for protection from the elements, year it will be noticed that the come into general use, a cry arose rate of £350 a year," but this does and inch by inch we sank down into not imply that a full year's work the body, and so the body sides

for over $350 is necessary) can grew ever higher and higher about restricted. elaim the benefit of the Act unless us. And as we sank so did our they are "employed by way of mas- range of view become ual labour." To many it might No longer did we look almost per- seem obvious that n commercial pendicularly down on to the road traveller is not so employed, but over the end of a short, squat it was bek in 1907 by the Court bonnet, Engines lengthened and that a bus driver who 'had to do bonnets naturally fallowed Butt:. running repairs (doubtless a not and as the radiator receded Into lowed between the bronze flange on infrequent necessity in those days) the distance it grew in height; the the centre main bearing and the was engaged in manual labour tops of the front wings changed checks of the crankshaft. It should within the meaning of another their position horizontally with the be about 0.006 inch. We believe Act. On the other hand a driver radiator, and this process has gone that you cannot do anything to the of a horse tram is not a manual la- on until to-day we are often sitting upper half of this centre bearing, bourer and in the writer's opinion so low in the body, and the scuttle without pulling the engine down, a commercial traveller who drivers and bonnet top are so high, that but you ought to be able to adjust a car, and is above the Elou a year we cannot without craning our this end-play by the use of a new limit, would not to-day be held to necks unwards and sideways sce bearing cap, with its flange ad- be "employed by way of manual our front mudguards at all. justed for the right clearance with labour." and such a person there Now this is by no manner of the crankshafts cheeks, which on fore would get no protection from means as it should be. In present peration can be performed after the Workmen's Compensation Act, traffic conditions, far from having

to ourselves, we 1925. merely letting down the oil-pan.

But though he is outside that forced to share them with hordes Act, it does not necessarily follow of other cars, many of which are of but scanty that an employee and his depend driven by persons. ents can have no claim against the experience. In such circumstances employer, At common law (that an ability to see easily precisely is, apart from Acts of Parliament) what is going on around us, and it is the duty of an employer to see exactly where our own wings are that his business is properly con- in relation to those of other carş trolled and one of the corollaries is highly desirable. We may, our- of this is that proper machinery, selves, be not over-skilful-at any must be provided. Thus, an ac rate, we may find great difficulty cident proved to be due to defect in estimating to a matter of six tive steering gear might involve an inches or so where is the outside employer inability at common edge of our near front guard, when law. The Employer's Liability that guard cannot be seen save by Act, 1880, has modified in favour of an acrobatic performance which the employee the rules of common distracts our attention from other law, but it will be seen that only important duties. a" very small percentage of road Even the experienced motorist is accidents are likely to come with not alw too happy when he is

SIX

THE SUPER MORRIS

Important, technical feature

18 hip. (R.21.C.) engine, reith crankshaft balanced both statically and, Jynamically.

in to ever to on top.

Overhead valves with pent-reof, anti-knock head.

Light, non-kick steering. Triplex glass.

Body for lung, but with

ample clearance.

Den 20.mp.g.

£378

HE ISIS SIX may well be described as the Super Morris. The body and chassis are built together in one-piece creakless unit. Every pedal, lever and switch is so light and so conveniently placed that you have the utmost control at speed. You have the famous. Lock- heed hydraulic brakes, You have springing that eliminates all road shocks. And look at ffe, bodywork itself.

The magnificent British coachwork-finished in real cellulose lacquer, in colours chosen by experienced artists-allows ample room for five. Four wide doors give easy entrance. The front seats, pneumatic cushioned, are independently adjustable. The whole interior spells comfort and luxury -pile carpet, roof ventilator, and such well-thought-out details as the rear blind worked from the driving seat. Dipping headlights, double bumpers, stop light and electric windscreen wiper are but a few items of the equipment that comfort and convenience demand.

See this magnificent Morris, try it on the road. Such a car for such a price is indeed a new triumph for Britain's greatest motor manufacturers!

THE HONG KONG HOTEL GARAGE

25 Queen's Road Central⚫

PRODUCT OF MORRIS MOTORS (1926) LTD.

Tel, Central 4759.

CHAIRMANI SIR WILLIAM R. MORRIS, BT,

the ronds

are

in the scope of the common law. thus dri.ing bling in a crowded Not for Commercials. thoroughfare; what the discomfort

It is, then, on the whole sub must be to a novice those of us. ject to the qualifications indicated, who served our apprenticeship at above, a reasonably accurate state the wheel, many years ago can but ment to say that a commercial guess. That it must be acute is traveller making over £350 a year obvious, and that it contributes in gets no protection from the law no small degree to the minor either for himself or his family it collisions which occur with such he is injured in a motor accident, lamentable frequency is unques- and in view of the over-increasing tionable. tell of the road every prudent per son so employed might well consi der the advisability of taking out a personal accident policy.

THE

Moderation the Solution, The problem is in reality not difficult to solve. The trouble is due' principally to the all-too-common

INEVITABLE PARODY.

If you can drive a car and keep.

her moving

From day to day without a minor,

smash,

pro.

Thus, average-hunter's

phecies disproving That soon or late you'll surely

have a crash. »!

'"

If you can hold your course

when, all about you,

Mug drivers do the things they

shouldn't do,

And though the people in your

car may doubt you,

Still keep your head and take

her, safely through.

If you can dodge jay walkers

without cursing,

And treat them just as though

they own the road, While harsh rebukes within your

mind you're nursing, You hold your tongue though

to explode.

If you can pick up horse-shoes

in your tyres,

J

When miles away from home;

without a spare,

Get out the patches, spanners,

levera, pilers,"

And jack her up and mend them

then and there.

1

If you can then hop in the bus'

and start her.

Not curse the poor old horse that

dropped the shoe,

Nor think bad luck has made of

you a mártyr.

But just admit the blame is all

on you.

非

If out upon the road while you

are speeding,

You come on other folks in need

of aid,

You stop und proffer help they're

badly needing, With not a vagrant thought of

being paid.

If you can drive from year to

year and never

Be charged with breaking any

traffic laws:

Placate the traffic cops. with

manner clever,

And do not need a lawyer's

learned saws.

If you can strike a road that's

smooth and level,

Which has a view

miles ahead,

extending

And not stop hard and drive her

like the devil,

But hold her at a steady galt

instead.

If you should find your radiator

boiling

(A possibility you'd thought

aburd)

While up a mountain side in first

you're tolling,

You stop and let her cool without

a word.

If you should have the motor

pulling badly,

While baby cars pass by in

daahing style,

(Their drivers grinning, as they

will do, surely.)

You beckon them to pass-you.

with a smile..

If you can do all that is herein

stated

Things that by mortal have not

yet been done

Above all motorists you will be

rated.

"And, what la more, you've dreamt it all my son.

(Sydney Sun),

The NEW

The

Silvertown Tyre

Balloon That

extra

heavy

Cives

More

Miles and

BETTER SERVICE

ALL SIZES IN STOCK

Next time. TRY GOODRICHI

Sole Agents for Hongkong and South China,

THE CHINA MOTOR SUPPLY CO.

(28-28A, Des Voeux Road, Central.

Telej bone C. 1668, (Branch Cee:-468, Yat Tak Head, Canton.'

JOHNSON

the consistent

WINNER

DACE after race-in speed

Rcials fnd test runs the

new Johnson Sen Horse is a consistent winner, "New rec- ords are being made all over. the country by the Sea HorseE These consistent victories prove that Johnson speed- power and dependability are Inherent. Together with the new Release Charger-provid- ing certainty and case of au« tomobile starting the New Underwater Exhaust-bring-" ing quiet operation — and many other Jobason im«. provements. Let us take you for a ride with a Sea Horse.

For full particulars apply to

ALFX. ROSS & Co, (China) Ltd.

Johnson

Outboard Motors