MOTOR TRAFFIC

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 210, 4 August 1934, Page 10

MOTOR TRAFFIC

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION MEETS

A LARGE AGENDA

The monthly meeting of the committee of the Manawatu Automobile Association was held last evening, Mr N. H. Mackie presiding. Also present were Messrs E. It. B. Hoi ben, M. A. Eliott, J. Hodgens, J. Bell, S. Rosvall, A. W. Just, D. Coll is, E. S. Olliver and H. E. Edmunds. Apologies for absence were voiced for Messrs It. T. Jaggard and W. H. Brown. CROSSING EXTENSION.

The town clerk wrote stating that the City Council had instructed its engineer to confer with the association concerning the railway level crossing facilities at the Post Office, and a report was to he furnished. The chairman said the city engineer foresaw the difficulty of providing a ramp at the place mentioned as the Railway Department had raised one set of rails by nine inches and proposed to elevate the other set likewise. The speaker thought the matter should stand over in the meantime as [ the work would bo costly and cause inconvenience to incoming traffic to the Square. It was not proposed to construct a new crossing, but to extend the present one opposite the Post Office. Mr Hodgens said the City Council did not view the proposal with any satisfaction. Mr Holben: I don't think there is any urgency. Mr Eliott said that there probably would he a likelihood of more accidents if the work were done. On the motion of Mr Holben and Mr Bell, the matter was adjourned. AVHIROKINO BRIDGE. The Public Works Department wrote in regard to the AYhirokino bridge, near Poxton, agreeing that steps would require to be taken _ to j

make the structure more convenient for motor traffic. The matter had been discussed with the Manawatu City Council representatives and one proposal the district engineer (Mr H. H. Sharp) had in view was the provision of a passing place on the centre span, and the- improvement of the approaches to avoid the necessity of backing down the grade to give way to cars already on the bridge. The advisability of erecting certain signs could thus be held in abeyance. It was decided to inform the Wellington Automobile Association of the position. GENERAL. In regard to the suggestion of the association that a tralfic officer be stationed at the intersection of Rangitikei Street and the Square, and that a sign be erected, the City Council advised that the matter, was under consideration and an early reply could be anticipated. The Labour Defence League wrote requesting that resolutions be passed in protest against the prohibition of the right of free speech and assembly. “I think it is a little outside our sphere,” the chairman commented and the letter was received. Following a discussion of correspondence from the Wanganui Automobile Association, and the Rangitikei County Council, the committee decided that its own suggestion to the former body, that the condition of the Mangaweka-Taihape Road from the Mangaweka township to Mr Dalrymple’s property be improved, be supported by a letter to the Main Highways Board engineer. The Rangitikei county engineer reported that the county foreman had been instructed to carry out metal repairs and the poor alignment was being referred to the highways engineer with the suggestion that unemployed labour be utilised in its correction. Mr Mackie was unanimously re-elect-ed delegate to the North Island Motor Union for the ensuing year. Mr Mackie and Air S. I. AlcKenzie (secretary) were appointed delegates to the annual conference of the union at Napier. It was decided to recommend the Wellington Automobile Association to signpost the Forest Hills Road, which is often mistaken for the Pahiatua Track. It was decided that the name of the organisation be changed from Alanawatu Automobile Association to the Automobile Association (Manawatu), following the action of the North Island associations. SERVICE OFFICER’S REPORT. The service officer (Air V. Crichton) reported that during the period from July 13 to August 3 1121 miles had been covered. He reported on the issue of registration plates at Awahuri being delayed.' Although fees could be accepted the plates could not be issued direct. He proceeded: “I have interviewed Air Wanden, of the registration department, and he states that many of the suburban post offices are not staffed bv permanent P. and T. employees and they cannot issue plates although they can receive the fees. Also, the records are held at the main offices. It appears that the delay in the issue of the plates was caused through the records being hold at Feilding, and application was made by the Awaliuri branch to Palmerston North.”

Mr Eliott pointed out that application a week before the due date for registration plates would ensure their delivery by the required date. It was decided that, in the event of subsequent representations being made to it, the association express its opinion that the fault lay rather with motorists than the department.