AUTOMOBILE ASSN.

Grey River Argus, 13 May 1935, Page 8

AUTOMOBILE ASSN.

GEEY BRANCH MEETING. A meeting of the Grevmouth branch of the Canterbury Automobile Association was held on Friday evening, Mr G. R. Harker piesiding and the following members being present: Dr. W. McKay, Capt. E. D. Iles, Messrs W. Sampson, H. G. Garde, L. AV. Louisson, W. J’. Hambleton, E. McDonnell and AV F. Harley (Secretary).

The Secretary said that, in company with the Chairman. Messrs Heaphv. Kitchingham and Hill (architect) he had visited the camping ground at Victoria Park, and they had gone into the question of renovating the shed discussed at the last meeting. There was a fair amount of work required, in fact it looked to him that it might be as well to build a new shed for campers. The alterations and improvements required were estimated to cost in the vicinity of £9O. He had spoken to Mr Hawkes, of the Canterbury Association on the matter, but he had said that he did not consider that the Association would spend that amount of money on the shed unless there was some means of obtaining some revenue from it. If there was some permanent agreement between the Association and the Trotting Cub, and perhaps a fifty-fifty division of the proceeds, it might be possible to have something done, but in the meantime no progress had been made. In regard to the question brought up at last meeting, the Stationmaster had promised to look into the matter of two trains running on the double tracks over the two crossings, and to see what he could do to obviate the danger. Regarding the extension of the period for the reduced return freight for cars between Otira and Springfield, Mr Brittenden (District Traffic Manager) had said said that he thought he could get it extended to six weeks, but they had heard nothing further. In response to a request from Canterbury he, in company with Mr R. Trevor Smith, had gone to Arthur’s Pass and had met Mr Langbein. Canterbury District Highways Board Engineer, to go into the question of improvements to the highway from the Waimakariri to Arthur’s Pass. Mr Langbein had stated that he expected tenders would be called and approved for the construction of the Waimakariri bridge by the end of this month, and that the bridge would be completed about this time next year. The huts were to be moved over to the Coast side of the Bealey immediately, and work commenced on the approaches from that side. The Bealey River had made two fords and looked as if it would block traffic after rain. Mr Langbein had decided to place a large groyne upstream to turn the water away from the highway. He (Mr Langbein) had also made a note of eighteen or nineteen small creeks which required culverts, and he hoped to do the work out of maintenance in the next two years.

The Main Highways Board wrote acknowledging the Association’s request that the Board expedite the construction of the Kumara JunctionFlowery Creek deviation. The letter stated that the views of the Association had been noted, and would be considered when the Highways Board programme for the ensuing year was being drawn up. The letter was received.

The Grey County Council in reply to the Association’s letter wrote stating that, although visibility was certainly bad, it would be expensive to widen Healy’s cutting, near Nelson Creek. It was not possible to do the work out of maintenance, but an effort would be made to secure a special grant for the work. It was considered that the cutting at the north side of Ahaura was of ample width, the trouble being that vehicles huggfed the inside of the curve. The owners of the hedges near the Big Grey bridge would be asked to (rim them.

The West Coast branch of the Farmers’ Union wrote asking the Associa tion to urge the Government to complete the main South Road beyond Weheka, which would be a great benefit to the farmers in that district, and the West Coast generally. The letter was received, without discussion. The Canterbury Association advised that new members joining from now on would be only charged £l, making them financial to July 1, 1936. The West Coast Hockey Association wrote asking if the Association was prepared to assist in the provision oi cars to entertain the Indian hockey team, on Tuesday, June 25. The Secretary was instructed to inform the Hockey Association that, as in the past the Association would not supply the cars, but would leave it to individual members. It was decided that the Chairman, and whatever members ■were available should inspect prospective camping sites at Punakaiki, with a view to selecting a site, and that in the meantime the matter should be referred to Mr F. A. Kitchingham. The Secretary said that owing to the danger to motorists through the slippery surface created, he had written to the Canterbury Association asking them to take up with the Highways Board, the matter of people skiing on the road at Porter’s Pass. The Chairman reported on the ground covered by the deputation to the Minister .of Employment, to urge the compjet ion of the Kumara Junc-tion-Flowery Creek road, stating that the Minister had given a very favourable answer.

On the suggestion of the Chairman, it was decided to draw the attention of the Public Works Department to the, crown being formed on the road between the Teremakau bridge and Kumara Junction.

Mr Garde suggested that a white rail should be placed around the dangerous corners at the north side of the Ten Mile.

The Secretary said that the District Public Works Engineer (Mr Smith) proposed to have all the bridges leading into Greymouth made two-w’ay bridges. It was also the intention of the Highways Board to build a new bridge at the Taipo in the coming year. Mr Smith intended, to do a lot of work on the Otira road this coming year, but the slips at Turiwhate had absorbed a lot of money. On the suggestion of Mr Garde it was decided to request the County Council to raise the road loading to the golf links, on both sides of the railway, crossing.

Captain Iles said that he had thought it was the intention of the Railway Department to construct an end-on loading bank for cars at Greymouth, but the new bank was little better than the old one.

The Secretary said that there were no end-on trucks for use here. If an end-on bank was constructed truck?, would have to be brought from Otira when required. • SHUNTING PROBLEM. Dr, McKay said that he considered

that something should be done regard-1 ing the using of the main highway, be- ; yond the railway station as a shunting | ground. It was bad enough to be ' faced with the railway crossings, but i surely it was not necessary to use the j main highway as a shunting ground. I Did it surpass the ingenuity of the railway engineers to get the lines for shunting near the hill, where the loco sheds had been removed?

The Secretary said that he agreed something should be done. It was especially inconvenient for motorists when long trains were departing. He quoted a case where the road was blocked for ten minutes and thirty cars were held up. The engine should not be out on the main highway. The Chairman suggested that the Railway Department could be written to, asking that shunting over the main highway be minimised as much as possible, and that the expresses be kept back off the road. Dr. McKay said that he was thinking of a bigger scheme than that. The present system was too antiquated, and the change had to come some day. The Secretary: They do not even keep a crossing keeper there. The Chairman referred to similartrouble at the Cobden bridge crossing, which in his opinion was as dangerous a crossing as there was in New Zealand.

The discussion then lapsed, Dr McKay stating that it was a big question that could probably be gone into further at a later meeting.