MOTORING IN OTAGO

Evening Star, Issue 22517, 9 December 1936, Page 15

MOTORING IN OTAGO

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION MEETING A variety of topics were discussed by the executive of the Automobile Association (Otago) at the monthly meeting last night. Mr F. J. Williams (president) was in the chair. MEMBERSHIP, Nominations of 40 new members were approved and three resignations accepted'. ST. ANDREW STREET PARKING AREA. A “ raid ” carried out by a traffic inspector in St. Andrew street on November 11, in accordance with a complaint received from a private individual, was the subject of a letter from_ a member of the association forwarding a copy of a communication to the town dlerk from 17 owners who. had parked l their cars in this street, and who had received a warning from the inspector for parking their vehicles over the prescribed period. The owner's concerned stated in their letter that they had never been in the habit of leaving their vehicles in front of the window of the person who made the complaint, and even if they had done so they would not have caused any inconvenience. “We recognise that there is a parking area adjacent in Filleul street, but ... we can produce evidence of owners having their cars considerably damaged while on this rank, _ windows being broken;, hoods cut with a knife, tyres punctured, etc.” —The letter from the member advising the_ association of the action taken against the motorists was received, and he was asked to report to the association any further action that might be taken. BUILDING COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION. A recommendation was made by the Building Committee that the building at present used by the association as club rooms should not be purchased, hut that attempts be made to obtain rooms more suitable to the association’s activities elsewhere. “ If we are going to take a 10 years’ lease on another building, how is the association going to own a building of its own? ” asked a member. “ When the question was discussed at the annual meeting no recommendations of any kind were made,” said Mr W. J. MTnnes. The Secretary reported that the lease on the present building expired next March. Mr P. W. Breen suggested that the question of the tenure of the club rooms be referred bck to the Building Committee, a motion to that effect being carried. LONG BEACH ROAD. The Waikouaiti _ County Council advised that on receipt by the council of £lO offered by the residents of Long Beach township for improvements to the road the work would be commenced. —The secretary _ (Mr W, F, Sutton) advised the meeting that the necessary money had been subscribed already, and he was instructed to forward the amount immediately to the Waikouaiti County Council. QUEENSTOWN-GLENORCHY ROAD. Arising out r of the proposal, discussed at the annual conference of the South Island Motor Union, that a road be formed along Lake Wakatipu, from Queenstown to Glenorchy, Mr W. J. MTnnes moved that it he a recommendation that the route for the road he surveyed.—A motion to that effect was carried unanimously. WARNING TO TRAFFIC. Because the construction of a new traffic bridge at Clarksville had reached a stage where it was necessary to cut into the approach of the old bridge in order to make room for the foundation of the modern structure, the county inspector of the Bruce County Council advised the association that the width at the Milton end of the bridge necessitated traffic slowing down and drivers being careful. It might be necessary to stop all traffic from using the bridge for some time. Every effort was being made to keep the bridge open, but if reasonable care was not taken by the users of the road when passing over the bridge, it would be closed to all wheel traffic until the danger was over.—The letter was received, an intimation being made that advertisements notifying ; motorists of tbe danger had been inserted in the Press. CAMPING AT MAKARORA. Facilities for motorists at Makarora, arranged by him because of the progress of the Haast road, were outlined by Mr L. F. Crawford. The writer stated that his section of 20 acres at Papson’s Creek, composed mostly of native bush, was ideally situated for a camping ground. Mr Crawford wrote that he was shortly opening a store and a tea rooms, and had already installed a petrol pump.—The letter was received. HANDBOOK FROM CEYLON. A complimentary copy of the new handbook published by it was received from the Automobile Association of Ceylon. The association’s forwarding let* ter stated that copies of the book were available for sale to members of the Otago body.—Received, ERECTION OP SIGNPOST. The erection of an extra board on the signpost at the Kingston-Cromwell junction at Frankton with the distance to Arrowtown marked on it was asked of the association by the Lake County Council. —The application was approved. ROAD SERVICE SCHEME, Owing to new conditions of employment and increased mechanics’ wages, Mr G. T. Gillies, Oamaru, advised that it was impossible to adhere to the road service scheme carried out under the auspices of the Automobile Association. —The Secretary reported that he had referred the writer to the North Otago Association, his action being confimed.