C.A.A.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19463, 9 November 1928, Page 4

C.A.A.

HISTORICAL SURVEY. FROM 1904 TO 1928. The following is the second instalment of the history of the Canterbury Automobilo Association, which celebrates the 25th year of its existence this year:— Dangerous Speeds. At a meeting of the executive held on October 29th, 1904, reference was made to the action of some members who persistently drove their cars at a speed dangerous alike to the occupants and to the public generally. The committee pointed out that runs were instituted for the pleasure of all those taking part, and were not to be considered as occasions for testing the relative speed of different engines. It was also pointed out that nothing would do more to prejudice members of local bodies against motors and motorists than the practice referred to. With these facts in view, the committee earnestly solicited the co-opera-tion of every member of the Association in their efforts to put down what, if it was allowed to continue, would prove a great menace to their interests. The sub-committee appointed to consider the City. Council by-laws duly met on November 23rd, and after carefully considering each clause seriatim, recommended that the City Council be urged to make the following alterations:—

By-law 274 (which provided for a speed limit of 6 miles)— That this by-law be jtruck out and that section of the English Motor-car Act, 1903 (which fixed the maximum speed, at 10 miles per hour) be substituted. By-law 275 (which provided for the constant sounding of the horn) —It was recommended that the by-law should be altered to provide that the horn shall only be sounded at intersections. ♦ By-law 282 providing for the locking of wheels of all vehicles when standing unattended in the street—lt was recommended that motor-cars be exempted from this provision.

In April, 1905, Mr A. H. Smith's offer of Club rooms in his garage was accepted. Driving on Hills to Akaroa. A long discussion took place in reference to a series of by-laws enacted by the Akaroa County Council, one of which prohibited cars being driven over the hills between Little Itiver and Akaroa between sunset and sunrise. A letter was sent to the Akaroa County Council pointing out the hardship of the prohibitive part of the new by-laws. Mr W. J. Hopkins having been served with a summons for driving his car between the - foot of the Little River hill and akaroa between sunrise and sunset it was resolved to ask Mr F. W. Johnston (the hon. solicitor) to represent the Association and prove if possible tliat the by-law under which the summons was laid was vires. ilt was reported that all candidates at the recent City Council election had pledged themselves to support the improvement of city streets and regulation of traffic. . It was reported that every amendment submitted by the Association had been adopted by the By-law Committee of the Christchurch City Council. It was resolved to write to the Colonial Secretary asking that draft copies of any proposed bylaws affecting motoring should be submitted to the Association prior to such by-laws being sanctioned, Jt was decided to vote £1 Is towards the good roads movement. Dr. Thacker (president) offered a trophy to the most suitably attired motorist (lady or gentleman) attending the opening run on October 28th to Mr H. Gardner's" residence at Irwell. In October, 1905, Mr B. M, Macdonald reported that he had interviewed the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and that he was endeavouring to arrange a motor parade at the Bhow.

Waipara Bridge. The Tramway Board wrote stating that in future trams would stop clear of intersections. It was stated that £ISOO had. been placed on the supplementary estimates for a bridge over the Waipara, 6 feet wide. It was decided to interview Sir Joseph Ward with a view to obtaining an extra foot in width and to place on record the thanks of the Association to Mr A. W. Rr' herford, M.H.R., for his untiring efforts to secure a traffic bridge over the Waipara.' It was decided at a meeting held in November, 1905, that the Association take part , in the ceremony of laying the Exhibition foundation stone. A gymkhana was held'on Boxing Day, December 26tL, .1905, at the Metropolitan Trotting Grounds, Addington. In May, 1906, it was decided to write to the Exhibition authorities pointing out the necessity for a garage at the Exhibition. The attention of the Ashburton County Council was drawn to the fact that a previous resolution to bridge the water-races on the Main road had not been carried out. Vexations Charge.

It was reported that a vexatious charge of furious driving had been laid against the president's chauffeur, and it was resolved that Mr F. W. Johnston defend the case on behalf of the Association,

In July, 1906, the Ashburton County Council wrote stating that suitable bridges for motor traffic would be placed over the principal water-races in the county. It was resolved that other associations be written to with a view to the circulation of petitions to the Government for removal of the duty on motor tjres, and that each association be requested to bring pressure to bear on the M.P.'s for their particular district. In August, 1906, it was decided to write to .the Hon. Hall Jones, also the Inspector of Police and all road boards, drawing attention to the growing practice of persons driving vehicles on the roads without lights after sundown.

It was resolved to communicate with the various road boards asking that posts painted white be erected about 30 yards from each water-race, or that where a telegraph pole was about that distance a portion should be painted white. On Saturday, March 9th, 1907, a gymkhana. was held at the Exhibition, North Hagley Park, Mr J3. H. James being superintendent. One-Day Test for Cars. A one-day test iver a course to Ashley Gorge, via Eangiora, Glentui, East Oxford, Eyreton and Ohoka was held on Thursday, Ap-> 18th, 1907, for ears np to 12 h.p. in one class, and over 12 h.p. in the other for prizes of £5 5a for each class, the limit of speed for

cars up to 12 h.p. to be 14 miles per he it and for cars over 12 h.p. 18 miles per hour.' Cars start from the Carleton, small cars at 9 a.m. and large cars at 10 a.m. . . The trial duly took place, but owing to the insufficiency of information supplied by observers and discrepancies in times recorded, it was resolved that it be run over again. The trial was re-run on May »tn A start was made fron. the junction of Lincoln road with St. Asaph street, thence via "Talswell via ansdowne to Tai Tapu, Motukarara, Kaituna, Birdling's Flat, Little River, Hilltop, and Barrv's Bay to Duvauchelles, returning by the same route. The following were points, Ist; Talbot, H. T. Adams, 99 P °SmV D Crozier, 98 L .ints Ist; Bex, A. E. Preece, 97 points, 2nd. . . The executive carried a motion asking the Ins ector of Polic Jo institute a rule that when a constable is about to take the number oj. a car for the purpose of issuing a summons the police sL iU give notice to the driver by holding up his hands. (To be con'" uea.)

AN EXCLUSIVE ROAD. If the approval of Parliament can be obtained, England will probably soon havi) its first fast motor road, the proposal on foot being to construct a special highway for motor vehicles' from London to Brighton. Then, if this proves a success, similar tracks will be constructed in other parts of the country, linking up important centres. A syndicate, known as Motor Roads, Ltd., under the chairmanship of Lord Askwith. has been formed for the purpose, and it is proposed to lay down two concrete one-way trackß; a charge of about Jd per mile will be levied on private cars using the road. There will be no level crossings, all roads and railways, etc., being passed by meanß of bridges or tunnels, while all towns and villages will be skirted. There, will be no pedestrian traffic and no speed limit. The first road, it is estimated will cost three million pounds.

Motor tourists must now pay a tax on entering and leaving Spain.