MOTORING INTERESTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 303, 20 November 1935, Page 2

MOTORING INTERESTS

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of the Manawatu Automobile Association was held last evening. Mr N. H. Mackie presiding over a fair attendance. There were several apologies for absence. The report (as previously published in the “Standard”) was adopted. Speaking to the report, Mr Mackie said it was pleasing to note that the City Council had appointed additional traffic controls for the Show, resulting in a great improvement. These men, with experience, would become very valuable adjuncts to the council’s staff, and it was to be hoped that the council would continue its new policy. In so far as the 50,000 Club dealt with the highways and traffic, it was deserving of the utmost co-operation and support in making the city’s parking facilities second to none, Mr Mackie added. In proportion to its area, the Automobile Association was doing a tremendous amount of work, equivalent to, or greater than, that of some of the adjoining associations because of the geographical position of its area. Thanks were due to the City Council, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Railway Department for the improvements being effected in the surfaces of railway crossings. It was intended to seek the City Council’s co-operation in having a telephone installed at the Esplanade motor camp, the president added. The balance-sheet showed an excess of expenditure over income of £lB 3s lid. Mr A. W. Just expressed regret at the financial position. He thought 1050 members were not sufficient. He asked several questions relative to the financial statement, Mr Mackie replying. Mr Mackie said the canvass for members had been continuous. He would defy anyone to suggest how the association’s work could be more cheaply performed —indeed it seemed to him that both the secretary and service officer were underpaid. The latter had given a great amount of voluntary service in addition to his own specific duties. “The association is very, very fortunate in having the service officer it has. If the working hours were listed they would be found to be about 12 to 14 a day, and he is only paid for eight, Mr Mackie added, also illustrating the magnitude of the secretary’s work. Mr Just moved that it be recommended to the committee to consider the appointment of a full-time secretary with time to canvass for members. —The motion lapsed for want of a seconder. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Patron, Mr A. E. Mansford ; president, Mr N. H. Mackie; vice-pre-sident, Mr R. T. Jaggard ; committtee, Messrs W. E. Barber, M. A. Eliott, S. G. Rosvall and E. R. B. Holben were re-elected to fill the vacancies. Returning thanks for his re-election, Mr Mackie expressed appreciation of the excellent work of the office staff and the co-operation of the members of the committee. No stone would be left unturned to increase the membership, but it was regretful that too many availed themselves of the signposting and other work without tendering assistance. The position of the association was perfectly sound. Mr Mackie also expressed pleasure at the fine service rendered by the committee members who had been reelected, also Mr Jaggard. Closing the meeting, the chairman assured the members of the associations’ and Motor Unions’ efforts to obtain the maximum ease of transport and other benefits without encroaching on the rights of other road users.