Affairs of Motorists

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 97, 27 April 1939, Page 9

Affairs of Motorists

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION MEETS The Automobile Association (Manawatu) met on Monday evening, Mr W. H. Brown presiding. Also present were Messrs T. M. N. Rodgers, T. E. Lees, W. J. Amies, W. Oliver, Rowe, R. J. McIvor, E. R. Holben, and J. J. Stevenson. The North Island Motor Union wrote giving particulars of the cost of flags, which the half-yearly conference of the union had suggested should be inaugurated in each centre with a view to drawing attention to safety first. It was decided to fall in with the suggestion of using a uniform flag and that the Palmerston North City Council be supplied with a flag and that the association supply any extra flags required in this territory. It was also recommended that tho association agree to adopt any other arrangements as may be adopted by the other associations. The Manawatu and Oroua District School Committees’ Association wrote thanking this association for its offer to erect barriers outsido the entrances of schools where required.—Received.

A letter was received from the North Island Motor Union advising that instances wore reported to the half-year-Jy conference where inconvenience had been caused to campers through the presence ©f dogs in motor camps. The attitude of the conference was that where action was called for, individual associations should take the matter up with tho camp controlling authority. The matter was left in the hands of the secretary to take up with the health inspector. The secretary reported that in August last the association had asked the City Council and the Kairanga County Council if they could seal College Street West. The County Council had replied advising that no provision had boon made for this in the estimates and the City Council had replied advising that the matter could not be done at that time owing to the intention of the council to lay a new storm-water conduit in Collego Street West. The secretary suggested that as the estimates for the ensuing year would shortly be considered, tho council should again be approached. It was decided to write to the councils as suggested and to send copies of tho letters to the Manawatu Racing Club. Replies were received from the Manawatu County Council and the Kairanga County Council advising that as suggested by the Association the Public Works Department and the association would bo consulted before marking any curves with double lines. The North Island Motor Union wrote advising that the Automobile Association, Wairarapa, had written to tho Commissioner of Transport asking if it would be permissible to erect signs denoting town names on the post provided for 30 m.p.h. restriction signs. The commissioner had referred the matter to the Union for an opinion. It was decided to support the proposal made by the Automobile Association, Wairarapa.

The Free Ambulance was voted £3 3s and free rights of. membership as had been the custom in previous years. The report *of tho service officers stated: —During the month the Whirokino ramp was opened and the necessary signs erected. Road works are proceeding at Longburn (overhead bridge), Ashhurst (overhead bridge and concrete culvert) and on the Rangitikei Line, where the rails for the deviation have been laid across the highway and a temporary ramp constructed. The Shannon road has now been scaled as far as Linton whilst the Napier Road has been re-sealed right through . to Whakaronga. Concerning the last namerreconstruction, there.was a very dangerous habit of placing empty drums on the newly surfaced road in a staggered line. On three occasions they had been rung on the 'phone and told the drums were a danger to traffic. On one occasion an officer went to investigate and found that all tho drums for about fourteen chains had been knocked over. These drums were the cause of a serious accident.

It was decided to write to the Publie Works Department asking them if it was possible to have drums removed by nightfall where reconstruction was in progress.