MOTORISTS ACTIVE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 8 May 1925, Page 5

MOTORISTS ACTIVE.

IMPROVEMENTS SOUGHT.

BY AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the. executive of the South Taranaki Automobile Association was held last night, when there were present: Dr. \V, M. Thomson (chair), S. C. Tonks, W. O’Callaghan, J. A. Duff ill and W. G. W a lkley.(secretary). . It was decided to write to the North. Island Motor Union supporting the use' of distinguishing provincial letters in front of registi'ation numbers. It was pointed out- that a “T” .in the case of . Taranaki cars, and a “A” in the case of Auckland ears would be an improvement. . ‘ It was also' decided to oppose the' carrying of annual licenses in holders in cars, on the grounds that registiTitration plates were sufficient. The Wellington Automobile Association forwarded a copy o v a‘letter .bearing oil the high cost of county council administration, which had been krwarded •to the Acting-Prime Minister. The letter pointed out the latest published statistics showed that whereas the city and borough councils absorbed only 3.6 of their expenditure in administration and the Public Works Department 5.67 per. cent.;,, the'.county ( councils had an overhead administra-. tion charge of 9.26 per'cent. If the cost of county, council administration could be reduced to a level with that of the Public Works Department, a saving of about £IOO,OOO per hnnum would be effected —-a- sum sufficient to provide interest and sinking fund on : tlie capital cost of something like 600miles of bituminous surfacing at the standard approved by . the Highways Board. The Wellington Club had therefore passed the; following . resolution: “That in view of the large-, sums annually lost in consequence of the high cost of county council administration, tiie Government be Urged to set up an inquiry, into, this important matter.” The Wellington Club suggested that a commission consisting of, say. Mr G. T. Murray, of the Highways Board, a financial expert, and a representative of the county councils, could not fail to produce recommendationsl of the highest value. The secretary (Mr W. C. Wa’kley) was instructed to write to the ActingPrim© Minister supporting the proposal. " The secretary reported that thirteen three-feet “Dangerous Bend” signs' were ready for erection, and it was decided to place them at various dangerous bends between Patea and Hawera, Hawera and Eltham, and Hawera. and Opnnake. It- was also decided to take steps to have names of by-roads, erected and names of rivers marked on bridges. A sample of a handsome metal-plated badge with a monogram S.T.A.A. in the centre, to fit on a radiator cap, was, handed round for inspection. The badge, which evoked admiration, will lie sold to members at 12s 6d each.

The dangerous nature of the bend at the. top o.f the Tongahoe HilV on the south side, was discussed, it being pointed out that motorists meeting on the bend were lucky to avoid an accident owing to the narrowness of the road. It was decided to approach the - Hawera County Council in the matter, and if possible meet their representatives on the ground. It was also- decided to approach the 'Patea County Council with a view to having similar improvements carried out on the Patea side of the Mannwaoou Hill. V Messrs O’Callaghan and Wa’kley were appointed the association’s representatives on the general committee arranging the entertainment of visitors to the National Dairy Association’s conference. • The meeting then adjourned.