AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 4 October 1924, Page 8

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

BRANCH FORMED AT OPUNAKE. AAith a view to linking up all parts of the district- of South Taranaki members of the recently formed Taranaki Association travelled to Opunake last night to attend a meeting called Mr C° O ‘in mSt 1 d in the rhß, I H monds was voted to the chan ant { there was a satisfactory attendance of motorists. After briefly outlining, the objects of the meeting the chairman . asked Dr. Thomson .president of the central body) to address the meeting. 1 1)1 ) /Thomson, 111 opening, said he hoped they would all decide at once to form a branch, for he was certain it was 111 the interests of all. He referred to the pre-war work of the old association, and said all must combine for union is strength” their motto so advised them. The toxin* proposals were such as to call for general discussion, and to make all parts lmk up with the New Zealand Association Already,✓he said, thev had been able to secure a reduction of the animal fee from £3 to £2, and that had saved members their subscription they needed to watch carefully other proposals such as tyre and petrol tax Hie secretary he added, had a list of aotels winch had agreed to give a. reduced tariff to members of associations, and this would give each when travelling a considerable .saving For these reasons it was advisable that each sub-district should form a branch. Mi. AA . O 1 Callaghan referred briefly to the benefits and privileges obtainable by joining the Royal Association 111 the Old Country to anyone travelling, and said that while thev could hardly expect so much yet in the Dominion, these w'ould grow' and increase as years, w-eiit on till it could be made a very big thing for motorists. Mr. R- O’Hea urged Opunake to join up with Havera, w'hose interests .were common, and stressed the influence they could have on local bodies in dealing with such questions as dangerous corners and oppressive by-laws. They could also take stringent steps to deal with careless motorists, and to insist- on such desired rules as drawing up in towm on the side on which they w r ere travelling. There must, he added, to secure results, be union all round. Dr. Thomson stressed the need for cordial co-operation with local bodies, and therefore it was doubly necessary jto have branches in every centre and get South Taranaki thoroughly organised. Each branch w'ould have its executive and send two delegates to the Provincial Council. They wanted to ‘‘boost” South Taranaki as a paradise, for motorists, and make known abroad Such attractions as their good roads, Dawson Falls Mountain- House. Opunake beach, and other attractive spots. Mr. AA r a.lkley urged close organisation, and said that South Taranaki w'--*.s the first to get out a list of hotels with reduced tariff for motorists. He referred also to the need for co-opera-tion w'ith local bodies, adding that the good roads were silent testimony to their efficiency of administration. He urged the adoption of the “wic-wag” signal at level crossings, and said that there w r ere a. number of dangerous crossings in Taranaki needing more effective warnings to drivers. The main, conference held this w'eek had dealt with a lot of important subjects. Dr. Thomson mentioned another important matter in the question' of .insurance on cars, which he considered should he reduced. He also urged the need of standard by-laws regard"io- maximum and minimum speed limits. The chairman, in concluding the discussion. said he felt sure all would agree there was every reason now' to form a branch, and that this'would be a. good move. He therefore moved : “That a branch of the South Taranaki Association be formed in Opunake.” Thi,? was seconded and carried unanimously. Officers .were elected as below 7 : President, Mr C. O. Edmonds: mcepresidents, Drs. AVatt and Church; '■"crefory. Mr J. Stephenson- executive. Messrs. Olouston, Lusk, AALggins. Smith and Brennan. Mr. O’Oallaghan urged thp executive to make a personal canvass, and said he was sure they would get in all motorists. They needed to endeavour to make the membership as strong as possible. On the motion of the chairman a fipartv vote of thanks was unanimously passed to the president an r 1 mem l-p-s of the .Smith Taranaki A=sneia- ■ n. who- had cniv 1 so far to assist in the formation of the branch. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded a good meeting.