MOTORING INTERESTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 251, 20 September 1933, Page 10

MOTORING INTERESTS

MANAWATU ASSOCIATION MEETING. The annual general meeting of the Manawatu Automobile Association was held last evening, Mr N. H. Mackie presiding. Apologies for absence were received Horn Messrs A. E. Mansford, W. H. Brown, W. It. Roulston and S. J. Brookie. In his report, which was taken as read and adopted, the president stated, inter alia: “Notwithstanding the lack of material improvement in conditions generally, the year just closed has been a satisfactory one, inasmuch as the association has maintained its service to members in spite of its reduced income, and shows a slight excess ol income over expenditure. To those members compelled by stress of circumstances to temporarily relinquish their membership, we express the hope that the coming year will bring a change for tho better and that renewals of membership will be possible, so that as individuals they may take advantage of the many and varied benefits offered and collectively assist in maintaining and extending the services which have proved so valuable in the past. Signposting has been continued and the standard and efficiency maintained. It is hoped to have mileages shown on most, if not all, of the signs before the holiday season. A revised North Island map will be available and first-hand information can be obtained by members. The secretary will telephone or urgently telegraph any part ol the Dominion at the request of any member desiring information regarding roads, etc., if the information is not already in the office, and members are invited to avail themselves of this service. Lectures to school children have been continued and are greatly appreciated. Members are invited to offer any suggestions regarding this work. ' The association endeavoured to arrange for the appointment of senior hoys at the various primary schools to supervise pupils in traffic, but as the Headmasters’ Association considered the danger small and the liability for responsibility undefined the proposal was not proceeded with. As far as can be judged the valued and ready co-operation of the masters and teachers with the service officer has resulted in the exercise oi the necessary care by the children, hut I would like to again impress upon all motorists, the necessity of driving correctly, carefully and courteously past schools, hospitals, etc. “The service dealing with stolen ears has been responsible for the recovering of several during the year. The parking patrols have performed a valued service in the city in wet weather and fine, and members and others are commended to show their appreciation by some contribution for this service. Undoubtedly the presence of these patrols has prevented the unlawful conversion of numbers of cars. “Mr C. Sweetman resigned from the committee owing to his transfer to Auckland. He was a very active committeeman and we were sorry to lose him. On behalf of the committee, I desire to record my thanks to the City Council and local bodies with ■whom the association has worked so harmoniously, to the Press, to the sister associations for their co-opera-tion in the common cause, and to the secretary, service officer and the staff who have loyally, cheerfully and efficiently fulfilled their respective duties during the past year.” Reference is made in tho report to a new service which' it is intended to institute this season. It is proposed to arrange one or two day tours to interesting localities, in this and other districts, later in the year. The assistance, that will bo given to members, will be of an extraordinarily, comprehensive character, eliminating many seeming complexities and formalities. The following notice of motion .was moved: —“That the title of this association be altered to The Automobile Association of Manawatu, Inc., and that the approval of the North Island Motor Union be sought at the discretion of the committee.” The following amendment, formally moved by the president, was carried: “That the consent of the North Island Motor Union be obtained at the discretion of the committee to amend the title of the association, namely Manawatu Automobile Association, Inc., to the Automobile Association (Manawatu), Inc., and that -when such consent is obtained Rule I be amended accordingly.” Mr Mackie said that the object of the notice of motion was to bring the association into line with others, and from a domestic point of view it would he of value. He observed that it was purely a minor matter. The following notice of motion was carried to amend Rule 14 : “The annual subscription shall he £1 per annum,” from “The annual subscription shall be £1 ss, and shall he reducible to £1 if paid before December 31, or, in the case of new members, within one month after election.” Mr Mackie commented that the notice of motion would bring the association into line with others and would permit of easier work for the office staff. The following notice of motion was formally moved in regard to the size of the committee: —“That Rule II he amended by deleting t)i£ words ‘twelve members’ in the first sentence and substituting therefor ‘ten members.’ ” There was considerable discussion on the motion, which was lost, it being explained that in some cases attendances at committee meetings (sometimes through unavoidable circumstances) had not always been as good as could be desired. The election of officers resulted as follows: —Patron, Mr A. E. Mansford; president, Mr N. H. Mackie; vicepresident, Mr R. T. Jaggard; committee Messrs H. E. Edmunds, S. G. ltosvall, J. Hodgens, E. S. Oliver, D. Collis, W. E. Barber, A. W. Just, E. R. B. Hoiben, M. A. Eliott, J. A. Bell and Dr E. C. Barnett. A warm tribute was paid to the genial service which Mr Mackie had rendered the association as president. In reply, he said he had been associated with the committee since its inception and it was the happiest family with which he had come into contact. Reference to the fine work of the retiring vice-president (Mr Edmunds) was made by Mr Mackie. On liis motion the association placed on record its appreciation of Mr Edmunds’s services as president and vice-president. Mr W. L, Fitzlierbert did not seek j-e-election on the committee and it was resolved to place on record the association’s appreciation of liis very fine services. Mr Mackie spoke especially of his work in connection with the motorists’ camping site at the Esplanade when he was chairman of the reserves committee of the City Council. A vote of appreciation was accorded the Press for the assistance rendered the association. Subsequently the meeting went into committee on matters of confidential constitutional interest.