AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION

Northern Advocate, 22 March 1934, Page 8

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION

WHANG ARBI AGENCY MEETING AIEAIBEBB TOTAL (ini. EXCELLENCE OF SIGN POSTING. A meeting of the AVhangarei Agency of the Automobile Association was hold last night in the Madeira Hall. There was a large attendance, presided over by Mr. H. C. Kishworth. The president of the association, Mr. A. Grayson, the secretary, Mr. G. AV, Hutchison, and Mr. A. Dignan, a member of the council, addressed the meeting, and other members ol the council present were Messrs •). Huberts, H. ,T. Butcher. .1. B. King, -L Park and S. I. Crookes. It was stated that there were 601 members of tbc association in the AVhangarei agency, this being the fourth highest number in the various agencies in the association’s area. Air. Grayson referred briefly to the fact that the Government had taken £500,000 from the motor taxation to assist the Consolidated Fund, and he mentioned that that course had been agreed to by the association’s representative on the Main. Highways Board two and a hair years ago, as a temporary measure, owing to the difficult times the country wac. passing through. 11 was felt now that the strain was passing, and , the Prime Minister had been asked for the money to be returned to its proper use. Some hope had been given that the money would be returned for main highway purposes, and if that were done the Highways Board would be very busy. It would mean more men employed on standard wages, which would bo a great help in Northland. Tourist Attractions. Air. Grayson commented that, of the roads that had been sealed in the North, it had been found that some had broken through sooner than they should, but perhaps 1 hies was due to Cue soil in the North. The matter of maintenance Avas to be brought before the Alain Highways Board. The A. A. had no poAver to order that the Avork should he done, but it Avas felt that, as representatives of the members, it Avas their duty to bring the matter before the board. The association was producing a little booklet dealing Avith team for a radius of 50 miles from AVhangarei, and Mr. Grayson assured the members in AVhangarei that the North was destined to be more popular Mian ever in a few years’ time, especially if the roads Avcre • improved. The great attraction of the North was the wonderful series of beaches.

Dominion Co-operation'. Air G. AV. Hutchison referred briefly to the various automobile associations in the Dominion at the present time. There Avcre Hi such associations. “Borne contend that there are too ■many,’’ said Mr Hutchison, “but they are all functioning actively, and there is the closest reciprocity betAvcen the various associations. Any member of an association passing through the area of another can obtain the fullest information, as if he Avcre a member of that association. But certain matters come up which concern the Avholc of the Dominion, and Avork in this connection is done through the two unions —Hu; North and Booth Island Motor Unions. ” General Activities. Air Hutchison referred to sonic of the many activities of the A.A. All maps and itineraries Avcre drawn in the association’s office by the staff; technical questions Avere ansAvered; a patrol staff of 111 Avas maintained; 16.19 signposts Avere erected last year, and there wore 1 1’, ()(i(i signs in the area erected by Mu; association. Afore signposting Avas to lie done, and the scope for this work was Indefinite. Among the matter* being dealt Avith by the association Avas the cost of number plates. It had been pointed out to the Alinister that 2/6 per.plate Avas too high, and the association Avas still asking that the reason for the cost of the plates should be disclosed, Avhen the actual cost Avas only lOd or .!/• Another matter Avas Avork in trying to get the passenger risk insurance reduced, and the request for a lienvier penalty for the conversion of ears was being pressed, an assurance having been given that the question Avould be considered at the next session. Air A. Dignan spoke briefly on the free defence the association provided in cases of broaches of motor traffic regulations. Several members present referred to the excellent signposting in the association’s area a-.-, compared with that in other districts. A vote of thanks Avas accorded the councillors for attending the meeting.