AUTOMOBILE ASSN.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 May 1938, Page 4

AUTOMOBILE ASSN.

MONTHLY MEETING. I. The monthly meeting of the Greymouth branch of the Canterbury Automobile Association was held last evening, there being present: Messrs G. R. Harker (Chairman), A. J. Fairmaid, E. McDonnell, J. Higgins, R. J. ' Little, Captain Iles, P. C. Heaphy, J. I Smith, Dr. W. McKay and W. F. Har-; ley (secretary). An apology for ab-! senco was received from Mr W. P. j Hambleton. | Motions of condolence were passed with Mr M. .1. Fogarty and Mr Evans | (Otira) in their recent bereavements. . The following seventeen new mem- ( bers were elected: Mrs McEnaney, W. i F. Marsh, D. S. Nicholson, W. J. Grif-1 fen. J. S. Doyle, B. Lewis, W. Me- ! Neish, C. Cook, R. Kennedy, Mrs Johnston, A. L. Sutherland, R. Top- i liss, T. Howard, W. J. Benyon, W. S. Cumming, M. Treacy, and J. Gorton. I The secretary reported that there had been two resignations last month. The secretary stated that the branch's request for a telephone at Maruia Springs had not received much support from the Post and Telegraph Department officials in Greymouth, but he had taken the matter up with the parent, body in Christchurch, and they had worded a strong request for the installation of the telephone, to the authorities in Wellington. in- a discussion on petrol prices and freights., the secretary said that the C.A.A. were taking up with the Government the question of the extra fourpence a gallon, ■which was imposed by the Government during the slump, and was still being imposed despite the fact that the country was said to be back to prosperity. Prices of petrol in different parts of the South Island were discussed, and Mr Fairmaid remarked that, though petrol in Reefton was quoted at 2/1 and 2/5 a gallon, he had been charged 2/6 there, at Easter time. The chairman said he would like to see petrol at a flat rate throughout the country. The prices of other commodities such as cars, and flour could be standardised, and he did not see why the same could not be done with petrol. The Secretary said they had had a letter from the Minister of Industries and Commerce on the matter of a flat rate some time ago, and he had said that it. was impracticable. Captain lies said that he noticed recently that the Minister had said the price of petrol was to be reduced In price by a half-penny a gallon, but no reduction had yet been made in Greymouth. He asked if there was a "ring” in Greymouth keeping the price up? It was decided to make enquiries regarding the price of petrol in Greymouth.

GREYMOUTH MEETING. The Secretary said, that the South Island Motor Union had proposed holding their next quarterly meeting (in June) in Greymouth, but as the visitors would not see the West Coast ; at Its best in the middle of winter, he ; had suggested holding that meeting a> ' Oamaru. It was probable that a meet- ' ing of the Union would be held at ' Greymouth in December or March next.

The Secretary reported that he had • written the Minister of Railways asking that a modern wig-wag or system of flash-light signals be installed at the Tainui Street crossing, or failing 1 that, that the question of employing I a crossing-keeper be considered. The i .Minister had replied that ho would ' look into the matter. i A complaint was received from a ; member of the branch, F. Powick of I Waiuta, of the bad state of the ProI hibition Road. —It was decided to 1 draw the attention of the Inangahua County Council to the condition of the I road. i The secretary stated that it had I now been settled that Rough Creek, i nn the Otira-Christchurch road, was ’ to be in West Coast territory, and a I ford was to be put in, that would make 1 the creek passable at any time. The secretary stated that he had as[certained from the Public Works Department that a rough track, suitable for traffic to get through, would be put through the Lewis Pass with- ■ In fourteen days. The road was in a very bad state, and the Engineer did not wish to have any traffic trying to get through until the track was ready. The Williscroft bridge on the Springs Junction —Maruia road would be completed by the end of the month, and then the Department was going to endeavour to divert the Maruia river back to its old course. On the motion of Mr McDonnell, it. was decided to urge the Public Works Department to construct a footpath on the edge of the road between Dobson and Wallsend. Members figreed it was a dangerous road at night on account of the number of pedestrians and cyclists on the road. , Mr Higgins said it was a very bad road for meeting cyclists without lights on their cycles. One night this wek he had met anything up to twenty cyclists without lights on that road.

Mr Heaphy mentioned that at a bridge on the Dobson strait, and at the new over bridge the road was not level with the end of the bridge. This was a potential danger to motorists. It was- decided to ask the Public Works Department, to have the level of the road built up to the bridge. Mr Heaphy also drew members’ attention to the fact that at the overbridge. in course of construction at Kahinu, there was previously a t;wowaj- road, but one had now been closed, and the way left was dangerous. The ramp was too high and too steep, a motorist could not see another car approaching, and there was no room to pass' there. Members agreed on the danger of the spot, and it was agreed to write rhe Public Works Department in the matter. It was resolved that the Public Works Department be asked to place yellow posts at the approaches to the Kiwi overbridge. Dr. McKay spoke of the dangerous nature of the highway between Dillman’s and Harris’s. He said it was difficult for driving, and dangerous. It was decided to draw the attention of the Highways Board to/the state ■ of the road. It was decided that the monthly meeting of the branch be held on the third Tuesday of each month.