AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15650, 24 July 1916, Page 5

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

BRANCH FORMED AT ASHBURTON.

A well-attended meeting of motorists was held in the Ashburton A. and P. Association Rooms on Saturday afternoon, for the purpose of considering the question of forming an Ashburton branch of the. Canterbury Automobile Association. The delegates from tho Canterbury Automobile Association were:—Mr A. S. Clarkson (the president), Messrs F. W. Johnston. J. S. Hawkes, P. R. Climio, and C. W. Hervoy (tho secretary). The Rev. Father J. J. O'Donnell was in tho chair.

Mr Clarkson on-timed the idea of the Association, whirh was to organise sub-rommit-tees in the different <. anterbury districts, whicn could look after the local interests of the motorists residing therein in conjunction with tie Canterbury Ar>»aicbile Association. Jf all the motorists in Canterbury could be linked up to the one big central organisation, it would trouu that its representations regarding subjects affecting motorists would carry gTeat weight with the authorities, and were maoh more likely to accede to the Association's suggestions or requests if the membership was truly representative of the province Ho suggested that a branoh of the Association should bo formed in Ashburton. to be associatod with the main body, and a sub-com-mittce should b« -appointed to keep in close touch with the Association. Tho Aesocitttion was worth supporting, as the followln£ J lß ' tlie works—amongst others — winch it carried ou't woulrL show: —Signj°f- T£ * a<^3 » agitating and assisting in the bridging of rivers, creeks, and watercourses, altering and improving dangerous roads, giving information and advioe on the condition of roads, tours, etc., supplying motor spirit at the lowest possible price to members, reducing freights on oars for touring purposes, opposing unreasonable legisiation and by-laws, subsidising* any work for the special benefit of motorists and supplying each member' with the official road maps of Canterbury. Johnston explained what good ® lm " ar Associations' were doing in -the Old Country, and he emphasised the points m which a sub-committee of Ashburton motorists, attached to the main organisation, could do a great deal of good in the interests of users of the roads. The Association wanted to get the whole of Canterbury motorists combined and their interests properly attended to. He considered, furthere should be a combination of all the motorists in New Zealand to import their own petrol. Such a scheme would be in the interests of tho trade as well as of motorists, for the cars and cycles would be used more. Good work had already been done in bridging the main waterraces but he thought many of theso bridges should have been placed nearer tho centre of the roads. Ihen the by-laws regulating motor traffic were not at first satisfactory P. . pleased to not-o that the speed limit across the Ashburton bridge had been increased from six to ten miles an hour. Jae sa.w no reason why a bridgo should not t>e built alongside the present railway bridgo over the Rangitata river, and also a bridge over tho Selwyn to save motorists having to make tho long detours they now had to make, i 0 that for 6ome years to como at least Ashburton would be well advised to 9J" tn a branch, and link up with Cliristclnirch rather than form a separate Association of its own.

Messrs P. R. Climie and J. S. Hawkes also spoke, and touched on the social aspect of the Association. If Ashburton decided o come in, tho Association would guarantee that the money subscribed would be spirit in the district.

v Af t? r 801,18 further discussion, Mr E. P. Nicoll moved—"That a branch of the Association bo formed in Ashburton," and tho was oarried unanimously. The following committee was appointed, with power to add to it 3 number:*—Messrs P. Nicoll, R. D. Johnston, T. J. Hunter, W. Andeiaon, and C. E. Edgar. Air Clarkson said til© Association was now revising its rules, and provision j»>uld be made for the representation of Ashburton on tho executive.

meating concluded with a hearty vote of thanks to the delegates.