MOTORISTS’ AFFAIRS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 12 March 1926, Page 4

MOTORISTS’ AFFAIRS.

SOUTH TARANAKI ASSOCIATION. .MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE. The monthly meeting of the executive committee of the South Taranaki Automobile Association was held last evening. There were present: Messrs \Y. O’Callaghan (chairman), W. A. Spragg, P. O’Dea, J. A. Duff, Dr. J. McUliie, and the secretary (Mr. W. G. Walkley). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs G. J. Bayley, L. O. Hooker, and S. C. Tonks. DEFINITION OF BOUNDARIES.

Mr. O’Callaghan reported that, in company with Mr. E. P. Cox and Mr. S. Ward, the latter representing the Stratford branch, he had conferred with delegates from the North Taranaki Association concerning the boundaries between the two associations. They had agreed, conditional upon the approval of the respective associations, that the Rugby Road should be the boundary on the northern side of Stratford, but had been unable to reach finality concerning the coast line boundary. The northern delegates had asked that Opunake be made the dividing line in this locality, but the southern representatives had pointed out that their association had already established a branch at Opunake, in view of which- they proposed the Cape Road, approximately „15 miles north of Opunake, as the boundary line. The Kina Road, five miles north of Opunake, was mooted by the northern delegates, who would not accede to the Cape Road proposal, but the southern delegates intimated that they could not accept this, and no finality was reached.

Mr. Walkley said that the respective delegates to the half-yearly conference of the New Zealand Union, recently held at Wellington, had also failed to agree on the question. When the subject of boundaries was before the conference, permission was obtained allowing the question between the North andi South Taranaki Associ. ations to stand over for subsequent settlement by mutual agreement. Mr. Walkley further explained that the South Taranaki Association had 25 members at present at Opunake and several at Riahotu, which was north of Kina Road. The association had certain claims on the area, in that it had already expended a considerable sum in providing signs in the Egmont county, and the limitation of the area to within five miles of Opunake would prevent the development of the branch to the extent it was anticipated! should be realised. On the motion of Mr. O’Callaghan, seconded by Mr. Spragg, it was decided to adhere to the original proposal that the boundary be a line running from the Cape Road through to the Rugby Road. ASSOCIATION BENEFITS.

Giving an indication of what could be done through the activities of the association, the secretary reported that he had been able to furnish a member, who was proceeding on a visit to Australia, North America, and! Great Britain, with letters of introduction to contemporary bodies in the centres to be visited.

Another member mentioned- that on a recent visit to Dunedin on the production of his membership card he had been given a discount of 2s 6d daily on his hotel hill, and the secretary mentioned that four other members visiting another centre had each been granted a discount of 2s daily for a period of 14 days. HOARDINGS DISAPPROVED. A letter received from the Vacuum Oil Company Proprietors, Ltd., expressed sympathy with the aims of automobile associations land. wi’lingneiss to co-opera.te in furthering their projects. The had lately refrained from placing its enamel signs along highways, as some automobile associations objected to the practice on the grounds that it detracted from the scenic beauty. The company’s activities in this respect were restricted to re-sellers’ premises, and where this practice had been departed from it had been done without the company’s knowledge or sanction. LICENSE CARRIERS.

A suggestion that pocket wallets inscribed with the association’s letters, “S.T.A.A.” and of a suitable size to carry a driver’s license and members’ ticket be supplied to members at a nominal charge was made by Dr. McGhie. It was decided to recommend the union that a suitatfie device be provided for carrying a driver’s license and member’s ticket, and also that the Government be urged to arrange for the adoption of drivers’ licenses of uniform size. HIGHWAYS BOARD SUBSIDY. During the course of soine\.remarks referring to business transacted at the union conference, the secretary said he had been informed by the automobile associations’ representative on the Main Highways Board that the board had agreed to the payment of a 50 per cent, subsidy on the cost of road, signs which were being supplied by the automobile associations. The subsidy could be obtained through the local authority administering the particular area.

Application for the subsidy would therefore be made in accordance with that advice. As by the end of the year the aJsociation would have expended approximately £l5O on signs, the subsidy would mean a substantial benefit to the funds. An item of particular interest to travelling members was the decision of the conference that official hotels he indicated bv a yellow diamond. Asked concerning the contribution to the itnion, the secretary explained that the South Taranaki Association’s quota had been fixed at £ls. The contributions of the North Taranaki and the Wanganui Associations had been fixed at a similar amount, while Hawke’s Bay’s quota was £25, Wellington’s £65, and Auckland’s £65.

CLUB RUN. The organisation of a club run, which' liad bten previously discussed, was again considered, and it was decided to arrange for ia run to the Opunake beach on Wednesday, April 14, provided the date is suitable to the Stratford branch. GENERAL. The dangerous nature of the highway on the southern slope of Mount Messenger was referred to by the secretary, who said lie had discussed the advisability of having a fence erected with members of the Noirth Taranaki Association. —It was decided to communicate with the northern executive suggesting that representations for the erection of the fence he made to the District Highways Council, and advising that any action taken would receive the' support of the southern body. The secretary reported that the total membership had reached 460. Of this

number 280 had. been enrolled igin.ee August. To meet the case of members joining during the progress of a financial year, it was decided that where enrolment occurred after March 1, the full subscription of a guinea be charged, such subscription to be credited to the end of the ensuing year on payment of an additional half-guinea.