A MODERN MOTOR-CAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2419, 6 February 1909, Page 4

A MODERN MOTOR-CAR.

"V> AN AFTERNOON SPIN IN THE COUNTRY. Great strides have been made in recent years in. the improvement and perfection of motor-cars, and through the courtesy of Mr. Skeates, of the firm of Messrs 80-ckaert and Skeates, the well-known cycle and motor dealers, a “Times” representative was, yesterday alter noon, enabled to enjoy a most delightful jaunt into the country on one of the. most up-to-date 1 cars procurable -at the present The route chosen was through MMcaraka and Matawhero, over bridge, and along the Tvairoa road as far as the top of the bill known as Gentle Annie. Here a halt was called while the occupants of the car enjoyed the delightfully cool breeze and the panoramic view of Gisborne and its surroundings. The car made its way at a surprising rate Up the tortuous slopes oji the bill, and although heavily laden negotiated the sharp curves and difficult turns easily. To the jaded townsman the bush-clad slopes of Gentle Annie were a most pleasant ' relief from the brick and plaster of ( the town, and going up the hill many were the exclamations of delight at some particularly pretty piece of scenery. G'oming down, however, it was a different matter. To begin with, at the summit of the bill the car had to Ik? turned on a road not much wider than itself, with a high ban!-: on one side and a sheer drop of several hundred feet down a steep slope on the other. This in itself was thrilling • enough, but worse was to come when the descent was in gross. Sweeping round sharp curves/; hugging the bank, or dashing madly down a short sharp declivity, Mr. Skeates gave a magnificent display of driving, and before the bottom was reached the occur)ants of the car bad forgotten their fears in a wondering admiration of his skill. The return journey was made via Makauri and the Ormond Road, through AVhataupoko to town. Although the roads were in places very dusty, it was a most pleasant drive, whether flashing along a level stretch at a speed over 30 miles an hour, or proceedings, y more leisurely and being initiated in- ' to the mysteries of the car. Tiie car was a most handsomely furnished 10-12 horse-power Durracq, capable of carrying live adult passengers, fitted with both high tension magnets and coil ignition. Mr. Skeates, who is probably the most travelled motorist in the Dominion, has had great experience with ears of all descriptions. He has motored all through Europe, in every country except Russia, and is a most enthusiastic motorist. He claims that the ear

in which the trip was made yesterday is extremely suitable for the district, as being short and powerful it is specially adapted for hill climbing. A most notable feature of the mechanism of the ear is the change speed gear. The lever is placed directly under, and only an inch or two from, the steering wheel, thus obviating the necessity of stooping down to change the gear, and minimising the risk of running off the road. The change in speed from first to second, and from second to third, were frequently made during the trip yesterday, and the method.of doing so ap-x pears to be simplicity itself, and operation is effected with absolutely no effort on the part of the driver. The consumption of petrol is economi- * eal on the ear. a gallon being guawantoed by the makers to be sufficient for a journey of 2-5 miles. The driver has a wonderful control over the car, and in order to demonstrate this yesterday. while going at a very fast pace, all the brakes were applied and tiie ear brought to a standstill in very little more than its own length. This particular class of ear is a most comfortable one, and it was with a feeling of sincere regret that pressman relinquished bis seat and' once more returned to soruiu toil.