CONDEMNATION OF DECISION

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21961, 9 December 1936, Page 20

CONDEMNATION OF DECISION

♦ CARS ON LYTTELTON WHARF MEETING OF SOUTH ISLAND MOTOR UNION The Lyttelton Harbour Board's decision not to allow cars to approach the ship's side at the wharf at Lyttelton was described as “ultra conservative and doubly parochial” at the quarterly meeting of the South Island Motor Union at Queenstown. After a discussion it was uaammously decided that a letter be sent to the . °° ard asking it- to reconsider its decis • Mr F. W. Freeman, a member of the Canterbury executive, said that he w - sorrv to ticsr this resolution o LvUelton Harbour Board., The union must look to “knockbacks as stepping stones on the road to success, this was a knockback. The land is busying itself with leagues, automobile associations and so on. all with the same aim— to popularise the South Island, ’he said. ™ at Lyttelton we have an anachronism. What is true of Lyttelton is not true of other ports. At most ports cars are allowed to go to the ship s side but Lyttelton has no such amenities. Trains provide the only exit and access for passengers. This is not right. We used to get a square deal, but now we onlv net the widow’s mite. I move we write to the Lyttelton Harbour Board asking that it give due and proper consideration to allowing access by motor-cars to the ship side on one of its seven or eight wharves.” The motion was seconded by Mr D. J. Wesney (Southland). Speaking to the motion. Mr F. W. Johnston, another member of the Canterbury executive. said that the harbour board’s attitude could only be decribed as “ultra conservative and doubly parochial.” The board was not looking ahead and not assisting to keep Lyttelton as one of the premier ports of New Zealand. Hundreds of tourists came to the Dominion by way of that port, and the speaker felt sure that they would greatly prefer to get into taxis or cars at the ship side. The board’s decision was very much to be regretted. Reciprocal Arrangement A request was made by the Australian association that the union should sign an agreement with it for the operation of a “triptyque” system under which the associations in both countries would plan trips for visiting motorists and would facilitate customs arrangements. A motion was carried approving of the scheme and leaving the details to the executive. A proposal was made by the Southland Association that a reciprocal arrangement should be made with the Australian associations with a view to granting the privileges of honorary membership to visiting members. The matter was referred to the executive, which was asked to make the necessary arrangments. In response to a request for an additional motorists’ representative on the Main Highways Board, the Minister for Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, advised that the board was considered satisfactory for administrative purposes. and no alteration was contemplated In reply to representations for an Improvement of the lights on locomotives, the Minister for Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, advised that electric lights were being installed on the engines as rapidly as the equipment could be manufactured. It was hoped that all the installations would be completed by July. A letter was received from the Marlborough association outlining the objections which it had made to the wharf charges on motor-cars at Picton and to the freight charges on cars between Picton and Wellington. The secretary reported that the Government had promised to reconsider the wharf charges later, and the executive was instructed to continue the pressure for a reduction. New Speed Limit The secretary reported that the executive had consulted the Main Highways Board about the advisability of erecting signs to indicate the areas in which the speed limit of 30 miles an hour applied. The executive had been advised not to act hastily, as it would be necessary for the transport department officially to define the limits. The executive had agreed that it was inadvisable to erect signs until definite information was available. It was decided to ask the chief Government traffic inspector to visit the South Island and define the areas in conjunction with the automobile asso : ciations, the county councils, and other local bodies. Mr Johnston expressed the opinion that, owing to the congestion which so frequently occurred, the time had arrived, when more than a single line of traffic should be allowed. It would be a good idea, he said, to persuade local bodies to give the scheme a trial on such occasions as race days, for the education of traffic inspectors if for no other reason. Mr A. Donaldson (Christchurch) was elected to a vacancy on the executive. After a discussion in committee, it was decided to commend to the National Safety Council the advantages cf school patrols and to take some further action in financing the scheme.