AUCKLAND AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 184, 6 August 1925, Page 8 (Supplement)

AUCKLAND AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

FACTOR IN COMMUNITY LIFE.

ITS ASPIRATIONS REALISED. PROGRESS DURING THE YEAR. The Auckland Automobile Association has added another year to its young life, and although it is just over its majority, having been founded in 1902, it has for several years been equipped and functioning as a mature individual. But never previously in its career has it displayed to such a degree the full force of its faculties. True, it had previously manifested, itself in' the community life of the -city, but -was mora or less feeling its way along difficult and unfamiliar channels. It w-as in consequence .regarded sceptically and criticised as actuated by purely selfish motives. To-day, backed .by its solid combination of over 2000 . members,, it, helps to form those channels and is an important factor in aiding civic administration, with particular attention to those matters affecting its own sphere; its opinion is not now lightly esteemed and is a useful check on and aid to municipal administration. Its benevolent work tho association has continued and extended, and with a commendable spontaneity it has served the common weal. A review of the recent activities, reveals the fact that motorists are at last realising the necessity and the advan-

Road Information. ! Perhaps one or tne greatest helps to ' touring motorists is the organisation of road reports. A regular flow of reliable information regarding the conditions obtaining on all the main routes, reaches the information bureau, and members have only to inquire where and bow they may travel. Day. week, or fortnight tours are arranged and sectional maps prepared giving the names of towns, distances, hotels, road conditions, rivers, dangerous hills or corners and scenic, or other items of interest to be encountered en route. To support this, constant attention to. sign posting is maintained and in this respect an order for 500 direction and 200 danger signs has lately been given, and it is hoped to have these erected during the coming season. The Motorist and the Tram. The City Council's by-law enforcing a compulsory stop behind stationary tram cars left room for misinterpretation and a concise statement of the various points over which arguments were likely to arise was prepared and submitted to the traffic department for confirmation before being circulated. .On..September 15 another new by-law became operative and which dealt with parking and traffic control. Owing to A.A.A. representation, several streets 'were set aside as parking areas, and several of the sections of the by-law-were made more lenient than they might otherwise have been. Motorists have appreciated the City Council's provision allowing unlighted cars to be parked under the glare of street lamps, and it was somewhat of a shock to find that the police department had issued a number of summonses early in May under the Lights and Vehicles Act. Naturally a statute law overrules a by-law, hut in this case the Act was long out of date and the police action was resented as no notice had been" given of the privilege under the by-law having been withdrawn. The secretary of ti.e association. Mr. Ceo.

Danger on the Road. Although it is only a short time since safety zones were lighted, the old regime of daily smashes has almost faded from the public memory. The A.A.A. took very strong action in this matter, but it was some time_ before the City Council decided to light the zones and then more considerable delay on the part of th© power board before the work was done. Notification of level-crossing, dangerous corners, bad hills, bridges, etc.. are all .included in the daily routine, of the A.A.A. information bureau, and in this respect it is worthy of mention that the greatest assistance is afforded the association by the Auckland City Council and the various county councils and road and town boards with which it comes into contact. Useful Help Given. To demonstrate to public bodies the value of adequate road maintenance, the A.A.A. agreed to pay half the wages of a man to be employed on a stretch of road between the Panmure bridge and Howick. in the Manukau County. AVhen records of the cost of maintaining this section are finally compiled it is hoped to be able to prove to the counties that it will pay better to keep a man permanently on a certain stretch of road. maintaining the surface, rather than allow the road to become very bad and then have to reform it.

Very successful outings and gymkhanas have been held during the season, as many as 300 cars turning out to an afternoon function. Everyone knows of the Muriwai Beach races and the splendid performances recorded at the last races, and all who make the trip appreciate the day's outing, the racing and the energy of the A.A.A. in organising the event. Whenever an example is to be set or a lead given the A.A.A. loses no opportunity. The City Council Traffic Department has expressed its thanks to