MOTORISTS' AFFAIRS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 30, 5 February 1935, Page 13

MOTORISTS' AFFAIRS

ASSOCIATION MEETING'

IMPROVED FINANCES'

An improvement in the finances of the Automobile Association (Wellington) Incorporated was reported at a meeting of the executive committee last evening. The chairman (Mr. E. A. Batt) presided/over an attendance of eight members. •

The finance committee reported that the total /subscriptions received to January 31, 1935, amounted to £4313, thus exceeding the same period a year ago by £406. The January, receipts were £4 less than those for January; 1934. ■ ■ :

Reporting on the suggestion, from the executive of the. North Island Motor Union-that the associations in the North Island.should have uniform subscriptions,-'; the committee stated that the majority of the" associations charged members £1 Is while the .Wellington Association's charge was £1 os reducible, to £ 1 if paid by, December 31. \ .If ah increase: were made to £1 .Is it" would irieari-an/addition of appraximatejy; £200; ts . thef. funds, but "the;,cqmmittee. did 'jam -'recommend a change.,; It.'prbposed iri>:future to endeavour to enforce t6,.'a greater degree the payment of £1 5s irt the case of members who do not "pay until after December 31;. -.. ■ ■: " . '

As six sign-boards between the Makerua Junction, jiist beyond Shannon, and Aker's Toll Bridge have been destroyed beyond-^repair and the posts removed from the ground, the committee recommended that a reward of £10 should'be...offered to any person supplying information that' will lead to a conviction., ■-i •.-•"■'

Mr. E. Palliser said the 'roads committee had considered "the matter and he suggested joining with the' Manawatu Club in, offering a reward, as it also had had signs destroyed an .that vicinity. ... - -.-'.,. •

Other members ■expressed the opinion that it. would be. better to attempt to catch the vandals than'-to':'offer a reward. . '•. ' , . '-v .'V-> After a brief discussion1' the was approved.. v " '":.\.*..-•'. \. , REPORT ON ROADS. : ■fThe roads committee reported''that the Main Highways Board-.had advised that instructions have been issued.for a survey of the ' Makerua Swamp Road and possible deviations. The association suggested td' the board last November that the road should be surveyed with a view to. its being .declared a main highway to take" -the place of.; the existing road which traverses hilly country between-Shan-non and Palmerston North. . • j' 1 The committee recommended 7 the erection of a number of signs- and stated that representation's were being made to the Railway. Department regarding the ; growth at the southern end of the Paraparaumu level crossing. Good progress was being made with improvements to the road north of Porirua where the Main Highways Board was eliminating bad bends. In reply, to a request made to the Railway Department the. .committee received a letter from the manager of the Bus Department in which he indicated that he was ; unable to issue a definite instruction to- bus drivers to leave a sufficient distance between moving buses for; overtaking cars to swing in between them if necessary.The committee recommended ! niaking further representations. ,

As the improved lighting in Jervois Quay had removed much of the risk there, the committee recommended sending a letter of .appreciation to the City Council.

The committee reported that it was negotiating with the Railway Department regarding parking space for private cars at the new railway station. Mr. Falliser said there were a number of points about the parking space to be provided at the new railway station, and until more information was .available nothing further could be done. Provision would, be made for taxis to set down or pick up passengers and similar facilities should be available for private car owners.: .'

The report was approved: • ,;: ",' . '■'■■ :.; services: ;(GivEN^h^o'^ The service; officers irepoitedihavjh'g secured 180 new. members, assisted 140 members of the Wellington1 -Association, and 39 members of Other associations during December .rand January.1 A large" number of who crossed Cook Strait were, assisted with the shipping of their cars. ':■.,'■•■■'•■

A request was received "from Wangariui for co-operation in carrying out a motor rally at the end of thismonth. It was decided that the Wellington Association would assist with the starting, of competitors.> ; from. Wellington and,would patrol the road as terras the, Manawatuvßiver. ■' .?,'■'