MOTORING INTERESTS

Evening Star, Issue 21138, 25 June 1932, Page 8

MOTORING INTERESTS

ACTIVITIES OF SOUTH ISLAND UNION QUARTERLY MEETING AT WAIMATE The South Island Motor Union held its quarterly meeting at Waimatc yesterday, Mr E. W. Johnston (Christchurch) presiding over the following delegates, who wore welcomed by the Alavor of Waimato (Mr G. Dash) Messrs P. W. Breen (Otago) and W. T. Uilchio (Timaru), vice-presidents; Messrs H. C. Harley (Nelson Automobile Association), W. L. Gqddes (Marlborough Automobile Association). E. W. Freeman, J. S. Hawkes (Canterbury Automobile Association), G. A. Havimui (Pioneer Sports Club), J. Palliser, J. M. Jenkins, R. Wilson (South Canterbury Automobile Association), G. A. Manchester, W. Gcddes (Waimato Automobile Association), H. Hay, M. S. Holmes, J. W. Petrie, and Captain Cox (North Otago Motor Association), J. L. Passmore, W. MMnnes, G. Thorn, - W. F. Sutton (Otago Motor Club). J. R. Haigh, J. Ronald (Southland Alotor Association), and W. G. Walkley (Executive Committee, North Island Motor Union). KINGSTON-QUE ENSTOWN R OAD. In reply to representations by the union that the Kingstoii-Queeustown road should bo completed by unemployed labour, the Minister of Public Works wrote stating that the representations would receive consideration. MOTOR CYCLE INSURANCE. A letter was received from the Minister of Transport (Mr J. G. Coates) explaining, in reply to a query by the union, that the increase in premiums on motor cycles was made in order to place this branch of the insurance business on a sound financial basis. Figures for past years had shown that payments by way of claims in respect of motor cycles wore actually in excess of the premiums received, and in the circumstances there was no alternative but to increase the premium. ONE-LIGHT DRIVERS. A letter was received from the Canterbury Association drawing attention to the dangerous practice, which was becoming all too prevalent among motorists, of driving with only one headlight, and urging that steps should be taken to have the regulations governing car lighting more strongly enforced. It was decided to write to the Police Department and to the local authorities requesting that stops should be taken to have the regulations more strictly enforced. SHARING EXPENSES. A letter was received from the Southland Motor Club asking the union to support it in a protest against the regulation prohibiting motorists from offering to carry passengers conditional on the latter sharing expenses. The President characterised the regulation as an absolute absurdity. It appeared to be merely a pin-pricking imposition to force people on to the railways. It was decided to forward a protest against the regulation to the Minister of Transport, and to point out that while the union deprecated the practice of private motorists advertising for passengers. it did not agree with action being taken with respect to the sharing of expenses among bona fide friends. FLOODS ON MAIN HIGHWAY. " That on account of the M'Nab section of the main highway between Dunedin and Invercargill being repeatedly impassable on account of flooding, we urge the necessity of having this road raised above the flood level.” In moving the adoption of this remit Mr Passmore said that only recently the section in question had been closed for thirty-six hours, and on five occasions since April 1 the Alain South road had been blocked ou account of floods in this locality. The Public Works Department at present had a large gang of relief workers employed on an adjacent section, and he understood that there would be no difficulty in having the work carried out by unemployed labour. Air Petrie seconded the motion. Air Jenkins said that the same difficulty existed in South Canterbury, where floods frequently blocked the road between Timaru and Waimatc. He did not think that the question brought up by the Otago Alotor Club was one for the South Island Alotor Union to deal with. After all, it was more or less a local matter, and it seemed to him that the remit indicated a certain amount, of parochialism on the part of Otago and Southland, Air Hnigb pointed out that the South Canterbury Association could take the same action as the Otago Club had done, and the union, ho was sure, would be only too pleased to support it. The remit was adopted. NARROW BRIDGES. The following remit from South Canterbury was defeated:—“ That where bridges are narrower than the roadway some distinctive sign, consisting of three reflectors placed perpendicularly, for the bridges at night should be adopted.” Further remits touching the question of warning signs on bridges were submitted by the Southland and Otago Clubs, which suggested that unanimity should be exercised in the erection of reflecting lenses on bridges, and that the red lens should be placed on the left and the white lens on the righthand side of the approaches. At the suggestion of the chairman both remits were taken together and were carried.

BALCLUTHA TRAFFIC BRIDGE. The Otago Club submitted the following remit; —“ That the Highways Board be asked to treat as a matter of urgency the reconstruction of the Balclutha traflic bridge, and that the cost of the work he defrayed from the money sot aside from highways fund for urgent works.” Mr Breen said that at any time the Balclutha bridge might bo declared dangerous and dosed, and its dosing would involve a long detour. The proportion of the cost of the bridge to the various counties had already boon allocated, but the question of the Highways Board’s share had been hold over on ’ account of the highways estimates being cut down. The remit was passed. CYCLING MATTERS. The Canterbury remit—“ That endeavours be made to have the law amended so that the rider of a bicycle and the drivers of vehicles other than motor vehicles bo compelled to observe the ‘ off-side rule ’ at intersections ” was adopted. The Otago remit—“ That the necessary steps be taken to make it compulsory for cycles to have the rear mudguard painted white ” —was adopted without discussion. EVIDENCE ON COMMISSION. The Chairman brought up the question of the taking on commission of

the evidence of motorists who, when charged with an offence, were unable to appear personally. He considered that the taking of evidence in this manner was a reform which would entail merely an alteration in the procedure. The executive had communicated with the Minister of Justice asking that the reform be brought about, excepting in such cases as when the offence involved the death of or accident to some person or the arrest of the motorist concerned. The executive’s action was confirmed. ANNUAL MEETING. It was agreed to hold tho annual meeting at Christchurch on Wednesday, September 28. DELEGATES ENTERTAINED. In the evening the delegates were entertained at dinner at the Royal Hotel by tho Waimatc Automobile Association.