DRIVE ON SUMMIT ROAD

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22358, 23 March 1938, Page 11

DRIVE ON SUMMIT ROAD

“ONE OF MY BIGGEST THRILLS”

CIVIC RECEPTION TO SIR STENSON COOKE

“One of the biggest thrills 1 have experienced since leaving England nearly eight weeks ago was to be brought over your Summit road this morning,” said Sir Stenson Cooke, general secretary of the Automobile Association of Great Britain, at the civic reception accorded him in Christchurch yesterday. Welcoming Sir Stenson Cooke, the Mayor (Mr J. W. Beanland) said that their guest was not only a prominent figure in the motoring world, but also a citizen of no small repute. The association he represented was the largest motoring organisation in the world, and its position was to a large extent due to the foresight and ability of its general secretary. Mr Beanland said he knew that Sir Stenson Cooke was not too big a man to learn anything he could from the activities of automobile associations in the Dominion.

Mr H. C. Harley (president of the Automobile Association of Canterbury) said his association was honoured to have a visit from Sir Stenson Cooke, whose association had a, membership of more than 700,000. and an annual income of more than £1,000.000. He hoped Sir Stenson would carry away very happy memories of “the Britain of the South.”

Dr. S. A. Gibbs, of Nelson (president of the South Island Motor Union), said Sir Stenson Cooke had demonstrated the value of the motoring side of transport in the life of the community. He must be a proud man as he saw in various parts of the world the offspring of his association. Sir Stenson Cooke was warmly applauded. He said that New Zealand transcended everything he had experienced in the cordiality and generosity of its welcome to him. and no country could be more kind to its guests. He greatly appreciated the warm welcome and the kind compliments paid to his work.

Among t'.jse who attended the reception were delegates to the halfyearly meeting of the South Island Motor Union held in Christchurch on Monday. Sir Stenson Cooke, who arrived from the north by the steamer express yesterday morning, was met at Lyttelton by Mr Harley, and brought to the city by the Summit road. Apart from attending the Rotary Club’s luncheon and a complimentary dinner arranged by the Canterbury association, he had no engagements yesterday, and spent the day in visiting points of interest in the city.