MOTORING AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 126, 21 February 1921, Page 9

MOTORING AFFAIRS

WELLINGTON AUTOMOBILE CLUB

A committee meeting of tho AA T clling(on Automobile Club was held at the secretary’s office, 12 Panama Street, last week. There were present: Messrs. C. Al. Banks, J. J. AVillinmson, AV. S. Wilson, and L. R. Partridge. The Wellington Motor Traders’ Association wrote, asking if the club' was prepared to co-operate with their association in making representation to the local authorities against, the erection of tho proposed toll-gate which the Hutt County Council has applied for permission to erect oi\ the Day’s Bay Road. It was decided to ball a general meeting of the mamboes of the club, also to invite motorists who are not members of the club, in order to discuss ‘he toll-gate question. The meeting will also consider the policy of setting up a vigilance committee, with a view to checking motorists who exceed speed limits. /A reply to the secretary's request to th.? Minister of Public Works for assistance to fence the Wellington side of the Rimutaka Hill was received. The Minister stated that after due consideration, he. could not see his way clear to contribute towards the cost of the fencing ns the road was under the control of a local body and tho responsibility for maintenance and improvement properly devolved upon that body. The Minister added that he considered that the very considerable assistance which the Department had given, and the work it had carried out in tho way of improving the road, was sufficient contribution by the Government. It was decided to notify the Wnirnrapa Automobile Association that tho club was prepared to make a certain donation for this object, but would like a further estimate of the total cost before allocating tho amount. In replv to the secretary s letter to the Minister of Public AVorks suggesting the deviation of tho road at Stokes A alley bridge with a view of straightening it” and making it more safe for traffic, the Minister stated that the Government was giving the matter careful consideration. °Tt was decided to write to the Hutt County Council, pointing out that the matter was so serious that the club suggested that the Commission set up for the purpose of allocating the cost of the bridge to the various bodies interested should also consider the. extra cost of straightening the road, and allocate accordingly. Tn response to the clubs request, the Patent Slip Company, wrote stating that a temporary bridge had been built and would be brought into use forthwith for the use of motorists when a ship was on the si in. A member wrote, suggesting that danger and speed-limit boards should be placed along the Worser-Karnka Bay Rond. Tie considered that along this popular summer resort, where there were manv sharp and dangerous corners the speed at which some motor drivers passed round the corners was dangerous. It was decided to apply to tho City Council to erect the boards. A member of tho club wrote, stating that when returning from Palmerston North lately, his car overtook, soon after leaving Porirua, a motor-wagon carrying picnickers from Titahi Bay. The driver of the wagon deliberately refused to allow the ear to pass, in fact, wherever the road was wide enough to pass, he drove over and prevented the ear passing, much to the apparent, amusement of the. passengers l . Tho committee decided’ that as these complaints had been somewhat frequent of late, provided tho member was willing to appear as witness against the offender’, the committee was prepared to prosecute. ’