MOTORISTS’ INTERESTS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 17 May 1930, Page 6

MOTORISTS’ INTERESTS

ACTOMOBIJjE ASSOCIATION.

MONTHLY MEETING. The South Taranaki Automobile Association met last evening, Mr. S. C. Tonka presiding. Also present were Messrs G. J. Bayley, R. H. Leeee, W. O’Callaghan, J. A. Duffill (Hawera), S. A. Ward, Lyons, L. Moss, Carter (Stratford), C. R. Honeyfield and Dr. Simmons (Patea), and the secretary (Mr- W. G. Wai'kley). Apologies for absence were received from Messers Hooker and Moore. NORTH ISLAND UNION. Messrs Tonics and O’Callaghan reported briefly on the business of the half-yearly meeting of the North Island Union, held last month, which was attended bv them and bv Air. Walkley. Air. Tonks said that the meeting had been very successful, and had occupied a whole busy day. It was very pleasing to know that the report on “safety first’’ school posters was aejopted, and it was hoped the whole Dominion would be included, in which case-the expense to each association would be less. It was a great compliment to the South Taranaki Association that this was clone. Air. O’Callaghan endorsed Air. Tonics’ remarks and referred specially to the service organisations. It was hoped that it would have been possible to have one for the whole of the island, but Auckland and Wellington both had their own in operation. It was now .suggested that the rest of the associations should link up in one effective service, with headquarters at Palmerston North. The idea was that they would have all roads patrolled both north and south of Wanganui. It would be a big effort and they proposed to submit the scheme to the associations and to ask their views on the matter. Air. Tonks said that he considered the best combination would be North and South Taranaki, Wanganui and Manawatu. They were prepared to extend it to the whole of the North Island, but Wellington and Auckland would not co-operate. i Mr. O’Oaliaghan, in reply to a question, said that in the Wellington province there were five men out every day on the roads.

SCHOOL POSTERS. The question of a scheme for issuing posters to the pupils of the primary schools, illustrating the cardinal rules to be observed on streets, and what children should do when crossing highways, was the subject of a report by Mr.. Walkley to the North Island Alotor Union’s annual meeting in April. He detailed the scheme in operation in South Taranaki, by which sufficient posters are sent out to each school once a month to admit of one being placed on the wall of each of the primary rooms, with a leaflet for each teacher explaining the lesson the poster was designed to convey, and an outline of the suggested talk with the pupils. It was thought that if the North and South Island Motor Unions combined the resultant benefits would amply repay any reasonable expendu ture.

Air. AValklev stated that it would be necessary to supply 8700 a month for all schools in the island, to cover children from. Standard ITf downwards. A. tender for printing had been received and a monthly quota for each association was suggested—Auckland £B, Wellington £6, and £3 for each of the smaller associations. He added that the strongest argument in favour of the scheme was that, if the principles of 4 safe road usage were to he inculcated into adults, they must start by educating the children. Experience in America had proved that. such q scheme was followed by an appreciable decline in street accidents.

A motion that the union proceed with the scheme immediately and obtain designs for submission to the next meeting of the executive, and that the executive decide on the amount to he contributed by each association, received strong support and was carried unanimously.

GENERAL. Air. O'Callaghan ref e rred to the question of the scheme for regulating approach by motorists to bridges, and said it was not considered practicable and was dropped. He added that the right hand rule would be considered by the transport conference to he held shortly. Some discussion took place on the question of mutual insurance, and that of valuations of cars in the second year, which some members considered a too drastic reduction. It was pointed out, however, that the insurer should carry part of the risk himself, and that the greatest depreciation in value took place in the first year of the life of a ear. The matter will be given further consideration by the union. Air. Carter reported briefly on the sign-posting from Stratford to Ohara, and said that the work undertaken on this route had been completed. He added that Air. N. R. Cleland, chairman of tire Whangamomona County Council,* had undertaken the erection of sign-posts. During the course of the work, said Mr. Ward, nine members had been enrolled among passing motorists by the service officer. The chairman stated that since last meeting their service officer had done excellent work at various meetings, sports and racing, and had altogether given help to 294 motorists. The work of Air. Alclvee had been pinch appreciated and had 1 been the subject of letters of thanks received from several centres.

Air. Carter raised the question of a special service on the occasion of the British football matches in New Plymouth, with a suggestion that Wanganui and South Taranaki should work in co-operation with North Taranaki and have a man for various sections of the main road. The idea was strongly approved and it was left to the chairman and Messrs Carter and Walkley to arrange details of the scheme. ’ It was reported that 129 new members had been enrolled since last meeting. A member briefly referred to straying of cattle on the road, and said that he and bis party coming through Normanby had seen cows on the road at eight o’clock in the evening,.

It was resolved that the attention of the Normanby Town Board be drawn to the matter, stressing the great danger to the motoring public. MOTOR, STATISTICS.

The secretary of the North Island Alotor Union forwarded a copy qf a letter from the Minister of Transport with regard to securing statistics for record purposes. He .stated that the department was engaged in collecting all information possible, so that they could show the full ramifications of motor transport in the economic structure of the Dominion. He added that there was no record of the mileages run by various kinds of vehicles except those running on definite routes and on definite, time-tables. These mileages lie considered very important from the administrative point of view, ‘and an attempt Was now being made to collect the necessary information. Arrangements had now been made with the registrar of motor vehicles for a, small slip to be attached to every application for an annual license for the forthcoming year. The results of the inquiry would be made public and would he available for use by the union, if required. Owners of motor vehicles will he asked when renewing their licences to supply, as far as might lie possible, mileages run during the year to April 30 and during the life of the .vehicles. The totals would give light on the ramifications of motor transport in the Dominion and would help towards a real understanding of the transport problem. The .slip to be used would coyer all classes of vehicles and will include, besides the mileages covered, the time the vehicles have been on the road in the Dominion. TOWN PLANNING. The director of the Town Planning Board advised that there would he an inquiry at Hawera on Alay 23 into the question of determining the boundaries of districts. It was agreed that the chairman should he the delegate from the association.