MOTORISTS CONFER

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 August 1939, Page 5

MOTORISTS CONFER

GREY BRANCH OF A.A.C. ANNUAL MEETING HELD. The annual meeting of the Grey Branch of the Automobile Association (Canterbury) was held last evening, Mr. P. C. Heaphy presiding over ’an attendance’ of about 60 members, including one woman. Among those present were Messrs. JI. C. Harley, president of the Automobile Association (Canterbury). G. S. Morris, chairman of the Camping Committee, and J. ,S. Hawkes, secretary (Canterbury). In welcoming the representatives of the Canterbury Association, Mr. Heaphy said that it gave him great pleasure indeed that they should have come so far to give the Grey Branch the benefit of their advice and experience. There were many momentous questions facing motorists at present, including the recent increase in the petrol tax. Mr. Heaphy also welcomed Mr. G. H. Chapman, of the Hokitika Branch, and Mr. J. B. Discaciati, their .Reefton representative. The Chairman of the Scenic Committee of the Greymouth Branch of the A.A.C., .Mr. F. A. Kitchingham, in

his annual report, stated that Mr. Basil King, Commissioner of Crown Lands at Hokitika, had proved a real live wire, and while preserving a sense of due proportion had done most excellent work in the way of scenery preservation. Main items of interest as regards this district since the last report was presented are: — (1) Messrs Ben Tindale and Aynsley surrendered a 100 acre leasehold property on the Greymouth East Town Belt, and this has been made into a. Scenic Reserve. From a scenic point of view, this was a valuable gift, because it rounded off the reserve which

stretched from the East Belt, along the hilltops between the town and the Omoto Valley. The thanks of the Association are due to the owners for

meeting the Association's wishes: (2) the bush on both sides of the old Marsden Road at the last hill before the road junctions with the newei road to Marsden has been reserved. This reserve stretches’ to Pine Tree Hill in one direction and for nearly a

mile in the other. It is satisfactory to know that the committee’s representations in this connection have borne fruit. There is now - over 600 acres of reserve in this block; (3) An area has been proclaimed about a quarter of a mile above the Taramakau Bridge at Kumara on the north bank of the

river, as 'well as a strip along the same bank of the river for 30 chains downstream from the main block. Negotiations were now pending with regard to several other areas. A board

to control the whole of the scenic preserves stretching from BarrytOAvn to Fox’s River has been set up under the name of the Punakaiki Scenic Board, and several of the members of the Grey Branch are members of the Board. Unfortunately the Board, like many other similar on ex has no fixed source of income. It is always difficult, to draw a line which will satisfy

both practical and aesthetic considerations, but it is probable that friendly discussions between the Board and the Public Works Department will result in a highly satisfactory improvement to the northern approach to the Porarari Bridge on the GreymouthWestport highway with the destruction of far less of the beautiful nikau grove than was originally intended. The setting aside of lands for scenic purposes is useless if the public continue the work of destruction with fire and axe and spade. It behoves every member of the Association 10 see that

he himself does not damage any reserve, and see that other people observe the same code of conduct —indeed, the community must develop a forest, scenic consciousness if the reserves are to be maintained intact. Some settlers, both near to and remote from towns, seem to think that the reserves are proclaimed for the special benefit of their livestock, but it cannot be emphasised too strongly

that the cattle are just as destructive as deer. In any case, it cannot be expected that the Government will permit a few landowners to appropriate

the nation’s assets. I wish to thank other members of the committee, and Mr. B. King for their co-operation during the year. This report and also the annual report. of the Branch, a resume of which was published in the ‘‘Star” yesterday, were adopted without discussion. On the motion of Dr. W. McKay, seconded by Captain E. D. Iles, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Messrs Tindale and Aynsleyfor their generous gift to the community.

OFFICERS ELECTED. The following officers were elected: President, Mr. P. C. Heaphy (re-elect-ed unopposed); vice-presidents, Dr. W. McKay and Messrs. G. R. Harker and E. McDonnell (re-elected unopposed); committee, Messrs W. P. Hambleton, A. J. Fairmaid. J. Higgins, M. J. Fogarty, A. Glen, P. W. Caulton and Captain E. D. Iles (town members), Mr. J. B. Discaciati (Reefton) ( and Messrs R. Little, J. Smith, S. Quintrell, T. Jacobs, J. Quinn and Captain F. N. White-more (country members). This is last year's committee with the addition of Messrs Jacobs (Rotomanu) and Quinn (Blackball). Mr. Heaphy explained that it was the desire of Hie commit tee Io increase the number of its country members, S" that all parts of the district might he represented. In returning thanks for his re-elec-tion as president, Mr. Heaphy said he wished to thank the members of the committee for their loyal and cordial co-operation during the past year. A great deal of work had been accomplished, but much more remained to be done. The Branch had now over 800 members, but it should be much larger. Many motorists were not members, though they were quite prepared tc( enjoy the advantages secured for them through the efforts’of i the Association. Some people asked; what was the use of the Association! when there was the Public Works De-; paitment to- attend to the roads and! such like matters. but ii was remark-; able what good results could be achieved by an organisation such astheirs, not by carping criticism, but' by co-operation with the various en-; gincer.s, and by being vigilant in at-, tending to the various matters brought under the notice of the AssoJ cialion. They bad had wonderful support from the various engineers, and, in the matter of loading during the past year, there had been the greatest progress ever recorded in the- his-1 tory of the West Coast. He looked!

for more progress during the coming year, and he hoped iliac the tar sealing programme for the year, which had been endorsed by the Highways Board, would get a reasonable run of weather, if that were the case, the tar sealing would be brought close to Reefton. INCREASED MEMBERSHIP. Mr. IT. C. Harley, on behalf of the. parent, body of Canterbury, congratulated the Grey Branch on Hie services it had performed in the interests of the organisation during the past year. The amount of detailed work accomplished was sufficient evidence of the enthusiasm displayed. It was pleasing, also, to find that the membership of the Branch and the membership of the Association throughout the West Coast had increased materially during the year. A strong membership was the best backing for the Association in its efforts in the interests of motorists. The Grey Branch had increased its membership during the year by 318 to over 800, and in tire whole of the West Coast, including Reefton, Westport and Hokitika, there were 1504 members. This was evidence that the' work of the Association was being appreciated. In his opinion, one of the main reasons for the increased membership on the West Coast was the fact that the province now had a really good and capable patrol officer. The patrol officerswere a fine speaking advertisement for the Association. They were rendering a great service in assisting people, and getting sign posts scattered over a wide area. He knew of no better way of the Association increasing its membership than through the work of good patrol officers. They had now four in Canterbury and Westland, and they gave- willing service at all hours ot the day and night. He knew from the letters received from motorists that this service was greatly appreciated. He considered, too, that the Grey Branch had been and was fortunate in its officers and committeemen.

With regard to the work of the parent body in Christchurch, Mr. Harley continued, the past year had also been a year of great progress. The year had shown the biggest increase in membership in the history of the C.A.A.. over 3000 new members being enrolled. The total membership of the Canterbury Association now was 11,700, after the roll had been purged. The year just closed had also established a record in revenue. They were very grateful for the road improvements that had been carried out in Canterbury during the year, particularly for the new bridges over the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers. It was interesting to note that in New Zealand, during the past financial year, the huge sum of £10,600,000 had been spent on roads, streets and bridges, compared with £9,000,000’ the previous year. The result was that they had something to show in the way of improved bridges and better roads.

THE PETROL TAX. Referring to the increase in the petrol tax, Mr. Harley said that the increase had come as a bombshell in Canterbury, and he Avas sure it had had the same effect throughout the country. “We consider and have considered for some years l past that the old lax of 10 Id a gallon was far too high,” Mr. Harley continued. “From time to time we had appealed to the Government for a reduction, so that, when I heard over the wireless that the tax Avas to be increased by 4d, it just took my breath away. The Prime Minister had not finished reading the Budget when someone rang up and asked me what I was going to do about it. 1 did not say much about it then, for I am afraid that what I might have said would nave been unprintable. The next day I said that the tax came as a. bombshell and was not justified, because .motorists were already overtaxed. I also said that to say it was a tax for defence was mere camouflage. A tax for defence should be a general tax, but this is a class tax. Why should the motorists alone pay for defence?” Mr. Harley added that motoring organisations throughout New Zealand were not letting the matter rest. It was the intention of the NoYth and South Island Motor Unions to send a strong deputation to the Prime Minister in the near future to object to the additional 4d. Motorists were going to make a strong fight against the increase, because, probably, no other country in the world paid such a high petrol tax as New Zealand did. INSURANCE PREMIUMS.

With regard to the question of the increased insurance premium rates for the West. Coast, Mr. Harley reminded members that the loss ratio from accidents throughout the West Coast Avas one of the highest in NeAV Zealand. It Avas very high indeed. Captain Iles: Is that not due to the visitors ?

Mr. Harley: The records do not slioav that. They refer to cars belonging to the West Coast.

Dr. McKay: Are the figures private? Mr. Harley: No, some figures have been published. Dr. McKay: I should like to see them.

Mr. Harley: I Avould remind members that they have the great privilege of insuring with their own organisation. Through the S.I.M.U. you are getting the cheapest car insurance in the Avorld. 1 don’t think members have much to growl about regarding insurance' premiums, for, with the increasing number of cars on the highways and the increasing tuimber of higli-poAvered cars, the risks are tremendous to-day. I would urge members to take care when driving. Speed is no doubt a big factor in accidents. In conclusion, Mr. Harley said that he would like to take the opportunity of expressing the thanks of the parent. body to Mr. F. A. Kitchingham, Dr. McKay, the Scenic Committee of ihe Branch, and the Punakaiki Scenic Board for their work in preserving the. beauty spots on the West Coast.

Mr. Hawkes said that 22 years ago that nigh', he paid a visit with .Mr. Hervey, then secretary of the Canterbury Association, for the purpose of forming a. Branch of the Association in Greymouth. Mr. H. C. Harley was elected president, and there were 19 members. It was very gratifying tc him that such wonderful strides had been made since then. The Branch was a credit to the Association. 'The beanties of the West Coast were at-

tract ing an increasing number of tourists each year, and he thought that, during the coming Summer there would be a great influx of visitors to ihis part of the world as a result of the Exhibition. There were now three main highways to the West Coast, from Nelson, by the- Lewis Pass, and by the Otira Gorge. People

were keen to visit the West Coast, and he was sure it was going to become one of the most popular tourist resorts of the South Island. ROAD SAFETY. Dealing with the question of road safety, Mr. Hawkes said that the number of motor vehicles in New Zealand continued to increase, and this was an important factor in road safety. In 1938-39 the number of motor vehicles showed an increase of 9.84 per cent., from 280,000 to 307,000, and petrol consumption had increased from 82 to 89 million gallons. During 1938-39, there were 4383 road accidents, with 246 deaths and 5635 people injured. The Safety Council was very concerned about the accident problem, and Avas endeavouring to combat it by propaganda and other means. It was a difficult problem with the number of cars on the road increasing, but individual motorists could do a lot. by exercising more care. Two of th? chief causes of accidents were speeding and intersection collisions. It was pleasing to note that during the year 1938-39, the fatal accident rate per 10,000 vehicles had decreased from 9.63 to 8.85. j i “There is a duty on all motorists," Mr. Hawkes continued. “to‘ exercise more care. That is the whole secret of good driving. Flash driving may appeal to some people, but it is not commonsense. Special care should be taken at. intersections, and after all hoAv much time do you save by rushing over an intersection? Reckless, careless driving is the cause of msny bad accidents, and many of them should never happen.”

With regard to the question of motor driving and drink, Mr. HaAvkes said that the proposal to prohibit a man from driving a car Avithin half an hour of having a drink Avould be almost impossible of enforcement. If it was attempted, it would be held up to ridicule. Besides, the fact of a man having a drink half an hour before driving Avould not be easily proved. Nevertheless, the question of drink and motor driving Avas a very serious one. There was nothing more dangerous than a man driving a car when under the influence of liquor. Judges and magistrates Avere increasing the penalties for this offence and Avere sending some motorists to prison, but he thought the most effective Avay of dealing with offenders Avas by cancellation of their driving licenses. The issue of warrants of fitness Avas, lie, thought, a good thing. Some motorists thought it a hardship to have their cars tested every six months, but it was obviously important. to have one’s brakes in good order, and he thought that, on the whole, warrants of fitness had improved the condition of cars on the road. Air. Semple was enthusiastic and was doing his best, to bring about better conditions, and to reduce the accident rate.

Mr. Chapman, of Hokitika, congratulated the Grey Branch on its fine annual report, and commended the valuable work of the Scenic Committee of the Branch. Air. Discaciati (.Reefton) also congratulated the Branch on the progress made- during’ the year. A great deal of vvoik had still to be done on the West Coast, particularly in regard to bridges, he said. The combined rail and. traffic bridges should be scrapped. especially since the increasing use of rail cars would add to the dangers of these bridges. BetAVeen Inan- t gahua Junction and Reefton, a distance of 22 miles, there were three of these bridges—all dangerous. He

hoped that during the coming year the Branch would keep this matter before The Public Works and Railways Departments.

QUESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS. Tn reply to a question as to whether it would be possible to have a notice erected on Riccarton Road/ Ava/ming motorists Avhenever the Otira Gorge Road was impassable, Mr. Hawkes said that no doubt something of the kind could be done, but the trouble was to get absolutely reliable information as to the condition of the road. Besides; the condition of the road might be such that, while some motorists would not undertake it, the others, who were better and more experienced drivers, would be quite prepared to do so. It would be a difficult matter to give definite information, but a notice could be posted, to give some indication asjo what the road was like. Of course, if the Gorge was impassable owing to snow, that information could be given definitely. Mr. F. Vv. Harley said that frequently when motorists left Greymouth the road Avas open, but was closed before they got to the Gorge owing to a slip. In the circumstances they could only do the best possible. Mr. Perkins said that along the road between Kotuku and Moana there Avas a ditch obscured by blackberries that Avas a trap for motorists avlw Avent too near the edge. Recently. his car Avent into the ditch and Avas there for two hours. In reply to a question as to whether anything had been done 1 about Pigeon Creek, Rotomanu, Mr. Heaphy said that representations would be made to the County Council on the matter. Mr. J. Smith complained of the number of pot holes on the road at the entrance to Runanga. Some, he said, Avere nine inches deep, and Avere liable to cause accidents, or damage to cars.

Mr. Heaphy said he understood that steps Avere being taken to carry out the necessary repairs. Mr. Smith said he wished to thank the Association for having had cats’ eyes placed cn the bridges to Runanga. In reply to a complaint from Air. J. Wilson, that a light on an advertising hoarding on the Kaiata “straight” Avas very misleading to motorists, Mr. Heaphy said he thought this was a matter that, would have to be sent to the Safety Council. Mr. J. Clark complained that three patches on the main road at Omoto had sunk, one to the depth of six inches, and were liable to break the axles or .springs of cars, lie also said that the light at the railway station coming into - Greymouth was inadequate. Air. Heaphy replied that the patches" on the road were over “greasy l/.cks,” and would take time to consolidate. With regard to the lighting at the railway station, they had made strong representations to the Railways Department, about two years ago, but these had been turned down on the- ground that the lighting was sufficient. They realised that the lighting was not good, and this’ was one reason why they wanted something done with regard to the level crossings at this locality.

Captain Iles suggested that some sort, of warning should be placed at. the “greasj’ backs” on the Omoto Road.

Mr. H. G. Carter asked whether anything had been clone wnn regard to requiring that extra large lorries should carry special lights at night, and to have white lines painted down the centre of roads in areas) subject to fogs. He also asked what was the position with regard to the dipping of headlights. Mr. Hawles said that regulations were to be introduced making it compulsory for vehicles of exceptional width to display special lights at

night. The marking of white lines down the centres’ of roads was 1 being carried out in many places, and there were now miles of white lines, but, of course, they were possible onlj’ .on bitumen or sealed roads. The dipping of headlights was now compulsory, and cars' without dipping apparatus had to have their lamps set in a permanently dipped pds'ition. At piesent they were trying out in . Christchurch a simple and inexpensive Australian patent, which, it was claimed, reduced the dazzle of headlights. The invention had still to be properly tesied. hut it liight make the dipping of headlights unnecessary. Before declaring the meeting closed Mr. Heaphy said he would like to move a hearty votp of thanks to their secretary, Mr. F. \V. Harley, for his splendid service. Speaking as president of the Grey Branch, he could say that Mr. Harley was the life and soul of the Branch. It would be impossible to And a keener secretary, or one so filled with energy and enthusiasm. He had a thorough knowledge of every road and by road'on the West Coast. The motion was carried by acclamation. At the conclusion of the meeting, those present were entertained to supper.