MOTORING INTERESTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 71, 21 February 1940, Page 10

MOTORING INTERESTS

MANAWATU ASSOCIATION. EOXTON CAMP FACILITIES. The committee of the Manawatu Automobile Association met on Monday evening, Air W. H. Brown presiding. Also present were Alessrs T. AL N. Itodgers, T. R. Lees, J. J. Stevenson, D. Coilis, E. R. B. Holbcn, W. J. Amies, H. N. Howe, R. R. Alorton, R. J. Melver, W. E. Barber, and Dr. E. C. Barnett. Reference was made to the need for more attention to conveniences, including cooking equipment, at the Foxton motor camp over the holiday period. Air Brown said ho understood the Foxton Harbour Board collected at least £IOO in camp foes and he considered a sum should be earmarked for improvements each year. It was decided, on the recommendation of the signposting committee, to arrange for a deputation consisting of the president and Alessrs Holben, Morton and the secretary (Air S. 1. McKenzie) to wait on the Harbour Board with a view to improvements being carried out. The North Island Alotor Union wrote advising that it had protested to the Government at the proposal to reopen the contentious question of absolute liability in motor _ accident cases without the union being _ represented on the committee investigating the matter. The chairman remarked that the union had tackled the subject successfully in the past and it could be left in their bands. A motion on those lines was carried.

It was decided to urge the Public Works Department to make some improvement to the road where the ramp over the level crossing at Longburn is being constructed. Mr Rodgers raised the question of blue lights on taxis which, in his opinion, gave rise to confusion, and the matter was referred to the North Island Alotor Union. Air AI. 11. Wynyard wrote stating tliat as soon as plans and preliminaries were completed tenders would be called by tile Highways Board for the erection of the Bulls bridge, in about six months’ time. It was decided to write thanking Air Wynyard for his action in the matter. SIGNPOSTING WORK.

The patrol officers reported that during tile last six weeks 87 signs had been renovated and 34 new signs erected. Tile opening of the new coast road at Wellington had necessitated an alteration to all AVcllington mileages on signposts both via Foxton and Shannon. 'J his bad been completed. The repair of signs and the erection of many new signs were also being undertaken.

On the recommendation of the signposting committee, it was resolved to raise signs on various main roads so that they would not be obscured by grass. A letter was received from the North Island Alotor Union advising that in December a conference had taken place with representatives of the union, the Labour Department and petrol resellers, when an indication bad been given that there was not likely to be any immediate alteration in the hours for the sale of petrol. In view of the subsequent petrol restrictions, it was decided to write to the local Petrol Resellers’ Association reminding them that they had undertaken some time ago not to arrange for restricted hours for the sale of petrol without first consulting the association and suggesting that if any restriction were contemplated adequate provision should be made lor the sale of petrol over the week-ends in _ view of the fact that the great majority of private motorists would be using their cars only at those times.

The chief patrol officer reported, inter alia, that the city motor camp had been visited three times daily and favourable comment had been made on the general facilities provided. A reply was received from the Railway Department stating that, as six of the ten railway crossings in the city were already provided with warning devices, it was regretted that additional devices would not be provided, particularly as it was anticipated that the Alilson deviation would be completed in about 2.) years’ time. Air G. Hart, sexton of the Palmerston North cemetery, was elected an honorary member in view of his assistance" in altering the signs on Napier Road when the Manawatu Gorge is closed.

A discussion took place on the question of compulsory stops on entering main highways, the subject being left in the hands of delegates to bring before the conference of the North Island Alotor Union.