NELSON AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 20 November 1923, Page 3

NELSON AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the committee of the Nelson Automobile Association was hold on Thursday evening when a considerable amount of business was transacted. Dr. Gibbs (President) presided and there were also present Messrs 11. B. Walker, A. Dee, P. J. Lovell, J. A. Mitchell, C. A. Hunter, L. Montgomery, G. F. Hingston, C. M. Rout. After the confirmation of the minutes the President referred feelingly to the loss the Association had sustained by the death of their late secretary (Mr J. 11. Finney) which had occurred since the lest meeting. He spoke in glowing terms of Mr Finney’s enthusiasm, personality and ability and said it. would be almost an impossibility to replace him. A motion of sympathy was carried in silence. The President reported upon a conference between the Tahunanui Town Board and representatives of the Association on the question of the Annesbrook Bridge, which had taken place before the Minister's recent visit. The Association had also sent a deputation to the Minister on his visit to Nelson, on the same matter, and largely through their efforts, a further deadlock had been avoided. Several members had become guarantors along with, other gentlemen, for any deficiency in the amount required in respect of the extra cost entailed by the provision of a footpath for pedestrians on the.. proposed' bridge. It-will be remembered of coursct that in the first instance the Association, offered £IOO towards the. cost of the bridge. • Aicopy'of a plan of^tli.e*-proposed alteration of the.road line at Auckland Point in connection with the new school to be erected in the locality, was exhibited. The plan showed clearly that there would be a tremendous improvement on this dangerous corner by lessening the curve and giving a njucli better and longer view of approaching traffic. It was decided to approve of the,plan and to write the Education Board withdrawing the objection previously made to the site.

Five new members were elected as follows: Messrs D. A. Herbert, K. G. Grooby (Orinoco), A. A., Kenyon (Thorpe), 11. Canning and 11. Sf Claughion.

The Wellington City Engineer wrote in reply to the Association’s request giving some information, regarding the new bituminous paving system now being used in Wellington and offering to discuss the matter with ’a representative at any lime in Wellington. It was statee that some 20,000 square yards had already been successfully treated in Wellington at a cost of between 6/- and 8/per square yard t Copies of minutes of meetings of the South Island Motor Union were received and arising thereout, it was decided that the next meeting of the local Association should be made a general one, and that the principal business of the meeting should be the question of dimming of lights when motors are meeting. There is such a wide diversity of opinion on the matter that the South Island Union lias specially asked that it be the subject of careful consideration. It is hoped therefore that there will be a large attendance and that the matter will be discussed from every viewpoint. The meeting will be held on Thursday 6th December.

The dilection posts provided by the Association throughout the district have proved a great pucqess and it was decided to approach the various bodies concerned with a view to providing posts at Uruwhenua ; at the top of the Bronte Road at Mapua, and also near the Tapawera Railway Bridge leading to Glenrae and the Wangapeka River. The question of motor bridges over some of the remaining creeks on the Nelson Blenheim Road was mention-.i and it was decided to write the Marlborough Association suggesting that the time was opportune for combined effort to get tiie worst of these in the Rai and tehi us Valleys bridged or culverted. Members brought up tlm matter of the state of the road over the Hope Saddle and it was decided to draw the attention of the Waiinea County Council tc the dangerous state of the road, and ask if something could be done to make it safe for traffic.

The benching of the top corner of the S bt els on the Wangamoa was again considered and the County is to be approached asking if this urgent work could be carried out as it was felt that even a few feet off the corner would effect a great improvement. At the same time it was suggested that a few posts and rails should be placed at another dangerous corner.

The Tahunanui Town Board wrote complaining that a member of the Association had driven through Tahunanui on a recent evening at an excessive speed and asking the Association to deal with the matter, otherwise the Board would have to take action. It was decided to write the member, forwarding him a copy of the Board’s letter and asking him to furnish the Association with his explanation and version of the matter.

The opinion was expressed that a rally for more members should be made in view of the importance of the work of the Association. The. membership is large. But there are many motorists who should be enrolled and it was suggested that members should endeavour to secure at least one new member for the next meeting. The subscription for those joining now will be 10/6 only for the year ending 29th February, the annual subscription being a guinea.