MOTORING INTERESTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 26 January 1926, Page 6

MOTORING INTERESTS.

SOUTH T VBAXAKI AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION. .MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. Manv matters of vital interest to motorists were discussed and much valuable information given at a meeting of the executive of the South laranaki Automobile Association, vhicu was held last night in Hawera. I here were present: .Messrs. S. C. lonks (acting chairman), L. O. Hooker, G. J. Bariev, W. A. Spragg, B. H. Lecce, Dr?. Thomson aud McGhie, and the sccietaij (Mr. W. G. Walklcy). The secretary reported tlnit the membership up to date Avas 302, that bO road signs had been erected and sixty more were readv to be erected; that all the membership badges had been distributed and more were required—-a hundred more were to be ordered. He added that he had consulted the engineers of Hawera, Eltham and Egmor.t Count v Councils with reference to roads, bridges and distances from point to point, and a list was being prepared—the work was partly done —of all roads and bridges and rivers to be marked with a sign and also of idle number of danger notices required. It was agreed that black and white signs should be adhered to, and an order was given tor the manufacture of the number required to cover Hawera and Eltham counties. The secretary said he hoped by the end of the linancial year to bring the membership up to 100. MOTOR REGULATIONS. In connection with the new motor regulations, the secretary reported that a complaint had been made by taxi drivers who owned very heavy cars, that they were rated as lorries and had to pay an extra £l2 10s because they were said to be in competition with tne railway. 'The matter had been, he said, referred to Wellington and Auckland for an interpretation of the regulations. CAES AT RACE MEETINGS.

The question of safety of cars at rice meetings and other events where ears collected was discussed. The chairman said he oelieved the clubs would supply the men required to bo on duty if the Association provided extinguishers in case of fire. The principle was approved, and it was decided to see if the underwriters would supply the extinguishers. The chairman remarked that in view of the Egmont meeting to be held in a week, it would be necessary to interview the committee on Thursday evening. MEETING OF UNION.

Advice was received that the halfyearly meeting of the Now Zealand Union would be held on Friday, February 12, at New Plymouth, and it was agreed that as matters of very great importance to South Taranaki would be discussed and decided, it was essential that strong representation of the Association was necessary. Messrs. P. O’Dea and Vvb O'Callaghan (Ilawcr-d, S. Ward (Stratford) and the secretary were appointed to be the delegalos from the Association. It was agreed to consider and frame remits to be sent forward to that meetTKAFFIC RULES. A matter discussed, of interests to tourists, was that of stock on the road. A set of traffic rules was received from the Union, and it was generally agreed that the Association should endeavour, as far as possible, to work in Avith the Drovers' Association. GENERAL. A matter briefly discussed was whether the guests of a member travelling with him in his car should bo entitled to hotel concessions.—lt was unanimously agreed that the concession should apply only to .the member and his family. II was agreed io write to the Main Highways Board in reference to tak ug in a portion of the road to the mountain beyond the Stratford-Opuuake Road. The privilege of honorary membership was given to Mr. T. M. Ball, chairman of No. 7 Highways Council, aud to the engineers of Hawera, Waimate West, Egmont, Eltham, Patea, ani Stratford County Councils. A request from the Hawera Fire Brigade for support to secure the anna .1 meeting of the Fire Brigades’ Association avus strongly supported, the members agreeing that it Avculd be an excellent; move, and 1o do ail in their power to assist. It was reported tii t.‘. the meeting Avoultl cover five days, aud that about lot) delegates would be present from all over the Dominion. The matter of safety first posters for schools Avas introduced by a letter from the North Taranaki Association, but it was resolved that no action be taken. The resignation of Mr. A. E. Wiggins (Opunake) as a member avus received, owing to his rcinoAml from the district. It Avas unanimously agreed that the salary of the secretary be £SO per annum from tlie beginning of the curre. 1: year owing to the largely increased amount of Avork that had fallen on jus shoulders. The mailer of direction posts f,v people passing through Hawera Avas discussed, the ,-haii-man remarking on the niimher of tourists who appeared to have difficulty in knowing which avuthe way to the centre of the I.OAVn. He referred to a schedule of directions issued by the Auckland Association, and said it Avould tie a good, move to do something similar here.—lt was agreed that some such system should be followed, the secretary mentioning that a complete map of the Dominion vis being published. It was left io Messrs. Baytey an I Hooker, with the secretary, to go in o the matt.i r of erecting signposts at t ne points of entrance to and (‘gross from Fla worn. The matter of ‘‘cut out" on moto--cycles and the nuisance caused avus brought up, and the secretary agreed to sr<» t Ik; franic inspect or on the jiirtticr. A question Avhirh hud been briefly discussed at previous meetings Avas that of mutual insurance as carried out by Wnirarapa and other associations, and it was agreed that it would be very desirable to hove a comprehensive scheme. 'the matter Avili liaA'e further attention later.