AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 July 1941, Page 3

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION

I GREYMOUTH BRANCH MEETING 1 | A meeting of the Greymouth i Branch of the Automobile Association (Canterbury) was held last evening, present: Messrs P. C. Heaphy (President), W. F. Harley (Secretary), W. P. Hambleton, S. B. Quintrell, B. W. ! Caulton, E. McDonnell, J. Smith, G. I R. Harker, and Dr. W. McKay. ; Arising out of the minutes, the I Secretary reported that he had interj viewed Mr. E. F. Evans, Chairman of I the No. 12 District Highways Counicil, regarding Maruia. Mr. Evans said ■ that at present there was only sufficient money to provide for the upkeep of the main highway, and he did not think anything would be done in the . way of forming the road as far as the 'Springs. However, Mr. Evans pro- . mised to make an inspection when he j next visited Maruia. With regard to the renewing of I white lines on the centre of roads in : the district, the Secretary reported that Mr. Evans had said the work would be done at the first opportunity. The President said that he had stressed the importance of the matter and had urged that the lines be renewed as soon as possible. It was reported that arrangements are being made for the installation of a petrol pump at Springs Junction. The Buller Branch forwarded an invitation to the members of the executive, to attend meetings at Westport, held on the first Saturday evening in each month.—The invitation was accepted. Mr. Caulton complained regarding the presence of large potholes in Shakespeare Street, between Milton Road and the United Pavilion. These were a source of danger to traffic during the black-out. The President said that the road was to be tar-sealed next season, and that was probablv the reason why, as Mr. Caulton had said, the Borough Council were “letting it slide” in the meantime. It was decided to refer the complaint to the Borough Engineer. Dr. McKay said that a few loads of gravel were required outside Rugby Park, to improve the parking area. It was decided to make representations to the Borough Engineer. Mr. McDonnell referred to the j sharp turn-out at the car entrance to Victoria Park, and suggested that a “side road” sign be erected. The Secretary reported that the Patrol Officer considered that a sign was not necessary, as the visibility was adenuate. Mr. Harker suggested that endeavour be made to improve the appearance of the camping ground at Victoria Park, by the planting of’ a hedge and trees. The President replied that the Trotting Club intended to make improvements, and proposed to seek the co-operation of the Association. Owing to war conditions, however, nothing much could be done this year. Meanwhile, the facilities for motorists camping in the Park had been extended.

Lighting restrictions A letter was received from the Canterbury Association, giving details of the areas in which the lighting of motor-vehicles is restricted, and the erection of signs defining the limits of the areas. The Secretary reported that three notices had been erected, at the boundaries of the Borough of Greymouth. The President said that it was purely a Departmental matter, and nothing could be done but to accent the regulations. Personally, he throusht it was somewhat, strange that lights could be put full-on as soon as a motorist was outside the Borough boundaries; for instance, along the coastal roads south to Hokitika and north to Westport. It was a difficult matter to control, and' he supposed the authorities were doing their best. Certain anomalies were the subject of correspondence. In reply to Dr. McKay, the Presi-

dent said that parking-light areas had not yet been defined at Greymouth. Mr. Hambleton said he had noticed several cars with the right-hand headlight on, instead of the left. The Secretary said that this was a breach of the regulations. On the suggestion of Mr. Smith, it was decided to instal “cat’s eyes” at the north end of Cobden bridge, it be - ing stated that the entrance to the bridge was difficult to see at nighttime, when approaching it from the direction of Runanga. Mr. Quintrell suggested that “cat’s eyes” should also be placed on the lighting restriction signboards, and this was approved.

The Secretary reported that five signs erected by the Association about three months ago between Waimaunga and Ikamatua had been tampered with; the sign erected at the Serpentine, on the Greymouth-Hoki-tika road, had been destroyed. Others on the Hokitika road had been removed, and were subsequently found lying on the roadside near Paroa. Letter-boxes from Arahura were also found at Paroa. It was a matter for inquiry by the police. The annual meeting of the Association will be held next month.