GETTING MOTORISTS HOME

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 3 February 1930, Page 8

GETTING MOTORISTS HOME

ROAD SERVICE OFFICERS IN WELLINGTON DISTRICT SCHEME WORKING WELL The Wellington Automobile, Club has had one service officer on the roads for a considerable time now, but ii fortnight ago embarked on a fuller, reorganised patrol system with three permanent officers. The wider system, said the secretary of the dub, Mr H. .1. Stott, to a "Post" reporter promised vory well indeed and would no doubt prove of real value to members when motorists became more cognisant with the service. The three patrolman are efficient motor mechanics and are supplied with cycles, side-cars, and a full kit of tools, and are available to all members who strike trouble on Wellington district roads, i.e., as far as Palmerston North on one side and (he top of the Rinmlakas on the other. Their uniform is distinctive, khaki with green facings, brass badge and buttons and monogram on cap. Their range of duties is fairly wide, for i( is laid down that they are to make themselves acquainted with tlie condition of roads in their districts and to familiarise themselves with routes so (hat they may render possible assistance to members requiring information; to render assistance .to members in eases of accidents or breakdowns; to note all circmustances in the causes of accidents for use aa ovidence if required; to render first aid to persons involved in accidents; and io procure medical assistance if necessary. It is definitely laid down that payment or tips are not to be given. The officers have instructions that their repair work is to be limited to such work as will get the motorist

home, that is, tlicj am not expected by tin! club, and should 110 L be expected by drivers, to carry out full garage jobs, but merely to put, things sufficiently in order to get the car going. Is tire changing a fair job to ask these patrolmen to do? That depends upon circumstances. It would scarcely be a reasonable thing for a man to stand by while the service officer sweated over his tire or spare wheel, but the case of a lady might be different. '"There will lrave to be a lot of give-and-take in reasonable spirit," said Mr Stgtt, "These chaps are good fellows, but they cannot do the impossible. The greater part of their v work, we think, will be done in putting little tilings right. Motorists to-dny are rather spoiled; cars run wonderful reliability and petrol station and garage people take so much from the motorists' hands that driving is just about, as much motorists know about their cars. But little tilings do go wrong, so small that an experienced man can put them right in two or three minutes and so big to the wellcared for driver that* they will stay wrong indefinitely. That's' where the patrolmen will mostly come in. All three are equipped with good first-aid outfits to deal with those wlio may be injured in accidents. One of the men has been through a„c6urse of first-aid study and the others are busy with it now. Here, again, the idea is to give a rapid and reasonable service, but not, of course, an ambulance or medical service—that would bo impossible.