NELSON AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 26 April 1923, Page 7

NELSON AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the committee of the Nelson Automobile Association was held at the Institute on Monday evening. Dr. Gibhs (president) occupied the chair and there was a good attendance of members. Prior to the business, Mr W". Gurkott, a member of the Association, gave a demonstration with a device for indicating the direction a car was proceeding at nighl when approaching the intersection Hi a street.' Six new member* were elected. In referenco to sign posts in the Takakn Valley, the secretary was instruct etl to ask'the Taknkii County Council if lli.' Association provided the posts would they have same erected. In reference to complaints of depressions at the Collingwood and Normanby Bridges, the secretary reported tic so had been attended to. It was decided to erect a white post at a right angled corner at Spring Gave, which "had proved a trap to moi orists at night. The matter of erecting a while post and rail at McKoo's Bluff, Tasmau, \\ as deferred. A copv of the year book of the Royal Automobile Club of Australia vns received. This lis a most, useful and interesting publication for motorics. It was resolved to acknowledge receipt with thanks, and to supply infivraation for the New Zealand section, which was not up-to-date. Mr J. A. Gardiner, of Koxhill, foi warded drawings of an atuomatic level crossing signal. These were inspected, and it was resolved to thank Mr Gardiner for forwarding same, and

inform him that the Association was urable to take lip the matter. In reply to a letter from the Association, Mr J. !'•• Menx.ies, County Engineer, wrote stating that instructions had been given for a sharp corner on this side of th*' Takaka Mill to be cut down. As to the (piestion of dom'ous weeds growing to the centre of the road in some parts of the county. Mr Monties stated that their removal was a difficult question to <ieal with. On the worst roads, no-t-'oos had been sent to occupiers ™o clear same, and in some cases they bad had the desired effect. The Inspector of Noxious Weeds had informed him. that in other cases if the notices wore, not complied with, proceedings would be taken. It was stated that several accidents had occurred by ears getting into ditches which had become overgrown !>v blackberries.

The .South Island Union and the Anchor Company supplied information in ii card to the rate of freight on cars between various parts of the Dominion and the concessions granted to members accompanying same. Mr W. 11. Benson. Nelson representative on the South Island Union, intimated that he had resigned from the Union for reasons which were guen. ft was resolved to thank Mr Benson for his services. hTe question o: the appointment of a successor was left to Mr L. Montgomery to consult with the secretary of. the Union when visiting Christchurch; The secretary of the South Island Union intimated that the mom hers' tickets for the current year would be issued shortly. Approval was expressed of the action of the Association in agitating lor an overhead bridge at Annesbrook. Regarding the publication of hand book of information for members, this -matter was left in. the hands of the secretary.

Correspondence Mas -received from v, lions local bodies re contributing towards the cost of the overhead bridge at Annesbrook crossing. The City Council wrote intimating that the question of subsidy bad been referred to the incoming Council. It was resolved to write to the incoming Council asking them to favour ably consider the proposal and to make provision for the Council's quota mi the estimates for the year, also to ask the Council to receive a deputation from the Association if'they desired anv information, to what they already had. The Waimea County Council wrote that they had recided to contribute 0500 towards the cost, provided other local bodies contributed their quota towards the balance required. Resolved to thank the Council for their support. The Tabunauui Town Board acknowledged receipt of the Association's letter, and stated that they were applying to the Minister for a copy of the elan of the bridge and other particulars.

The secretary reported that no reply had been received from the Richmond Borough Council, although ho bad heard that the matter had been referred to the incoming Council.

it was decided to urge both bodies to make provision for their quotas of oho cost, on the estimates for the ensuing year, and to ask them to receive deputations from the. Association should they require any further information. : ' l;'l

The General Manager of Railways advised the Association that-the grade of the approaches to the bridge would not exceed lin 20, that the cost would bo approximately £2700 towards which the Department would pay one half, and that,the bridge would be 24 feet in width. The General Manager stated that every proposal for the improvement of Annesbrook crossing had been carefully considered, and the only means by which the safety of tho road can bo absolutely provided for was the construction of the overhead bridge. The final decision in the matter rested with the local boc*cs, and the responsibility for any future accidents that may happen would devolvo on them if the scheme wis not carried out.

Copies of tho minutes of the monthly meeting of the South Island Union were read These showed that the various associations were vigorously prosecuting membership campaigns with satisfactory results.

In regard to a suggestion that was being made to make a. through road to the West Coast from Blenheim, it was pointed out that this would be 20 miles longer than the present road between Nelson and Blenheim, and would cut out Nelson from tho West Coast passenger traffic. The road from Nelson to the Pelorus, if constructed, w< uld lessen the distance between Nelson and Blenheim by about 14 miles, and would provide an alternative route to the. latter place, besides making an ideal motor drive. Tho secretary was instructed to interview the County Engineer with a View to obtaining information for future- consideration.

The opinion was expressed that the journey between'Nelson and Blenheim could not be done by service cars with safety to the public under four" hours, and it was resolved to communicate with a motor service proprietor who Was reported to be doing the trip daily in 'SI', hours, including stoppages.

- Reference was made to tho fact that a motor omnibus had steps on the offside for the landing and taking up of passengers, and that these being on tbi> "wrong" side, constituted a danger to those using the 'bu.'j, also to meter cars on the road. It was resolved to ask tho proprietor if the steps could not bo placed, on the other side in tho interests of his passengers. It was reported that the hotel scheme inaugurated by the South Island Union in tho interests of members of tho various Association was working satisfactorily, audit was suggested that a similar scheme might be suggested in regard to garages dn the various centres. Tt was pointed out that if a list of garages approved by the Union, was circulated in tho same way as the hotel lists it would lie of advantage to motorists visiting towns whero they wore not familiar with the garages, 'it was decided to send the suggestion to tho Union. The President, Dr G'ibbs, was congratulated on being elected to the City Council, and the opinion was expressed that his services would be of value to the city. Several other matters wore considered, and the mooting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair.