IN MOTORISTS’ INTERESTS

Evening Star, Issue 19844, 18 April 1928, Page 10

IN MOTORISTS’ INTERESTS

MEETHG OF OTAGO MOTOR CLUB \ ; Mr A. E. Ausell presided over a good attendance of Otago Mot :r Club members, who met last evening. CORRESPONDENCE. The Chairman of the Main Highways Hoard (Mr F, W. Furkert) wrote on April 3 stating that the alignment and visibility of the section of highway from Lookout Point to Green island had been thoroughly investigated, and detailed plans of the work were in course of preparation. The President said they had seen a copy of the plans that day, and there was no doubt that very great improvements would bo carried out. When the work was completed the motoring people of Otago would appreciate the work done.

Another letter received Irmn the chairman of the board stated that about two miles of the main highway between Swinbnrn and Shag River bad been gravelled, and was now in fairly good order. There was another length of about one and a-lialf milee which, when originally metalled, was left in a rough state because of the large size of the stones, but this was being improved from time to time. The balance of the road was reported to be in moderately good order, but the question had been taken up with the county council concerned. From this a discussion arose in regard to the state of the Milton road, Mr L. D. Coombs stating that it was no nso using gravel unless they also employed u mechanical grader. Mr Anscll explained that the necessity for having graders had been put before the Highways Board. Information was received from the clerk of the Waikonaiti Council to the effect that the amount expended on the main highway between Waikonaiti and Waitati from April 1, 1927, to February 24, 1928, was £1,G55 9s lid. Three-fifths of that amount was paid by the board and the remainder by the county. The President stated that this matter would form tho basis of a proposal to be put before the Main Highways Board in respect to the reconstruction of tho road to a higher grade in order to obviate the waste of such a large sum of monov in inefficient road maintenance.

Advice was received from the secretary of tho South Island Motor Union that the following resolution was carried at tho half-yearly meeting held in Christchurch on March 30:—“That the union recommends its affiliated associations to prepare (in conjunction with lota I authorities) and place before the Highways Board a. comprehensive seven years’ programme of highways requirements in their respective districts.” It was resolved that the matter receive attention from a special committee set up to confer with Otago local bodies. Mr Ansel! said it was the committee's intention to cal! a conference for the purpose of discussing the requirements of the districts and arrange a programme of work. say. for the, next five years. The findings of the conference would be placed before the Main Highways Board, as a feeling had been expressed that no serious effort was made to taek'o Otago’s reading problems

A letter was received from Mr J. Campbell, who applied for the assistance; of ilie chib in regard to the Tapa-nui-Waipahi road and for provision for deviated traffic during tho erect ot a new bridge at Arthnrton. ll the Clutha County Council could get the road to which he referred declared a secondary highway it could be put right with ease, 'and it was possible that the club could assist in having it immediately declared such. The matter of deviation was an urgent one, because it looked as i( motorists would he faced with having to negotiate a steep and awkward piece of road when the construction of the new bridge began. This matter was referred to tho committee’s engineer for inquiry and report. Tho Clerk of the Maniototo County Council wrote that it had been again reported that motorists drove at an excessive speed through Kycbiirn ami past the scliool. As a result accidents had boon narrowly averted. It appeared that motorists were paying no attention to the warning notices erected by the club, though these were plainly discernible, and it was feared that the practice of speeding would lead to some serious happening. Ho again drew the attention of the chib to the position in the hope that its fullest co-operation would be obtained. Mr Ansel! stated that they did not. erect such notices unless danger existed, and lie asked that, motorists should pay attention to them. A letter was received from a petrol and oil company expressing its willingness to co-operato with the elnh and avoid the erection of unsuitable rural advertising signs.—Received. GENERAL. Eighteen now members were elected. It was announced that tho quarterly meeting of the South Island Motor Union "would ho held at Tiniani on June 22. At the conclusion of the business ol the meeting Mr E. North gave an instructive lecture, on the electrical parts of a car and the care of them.