AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16904, 17 July 1918, Page 9

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

.ELECTION OF OFFICERS. CENTRE POLES CONDEMNED. The annual meeting of the Auckland Automobile Association was held in the Chamber of Commerce last evening. Mr. W. H. Hemingway presiding in the absence of the president, Mr. A. Cleave. It was reported that a suggestion had been made to the City Council, that before the reconstruction of Beach Road was finished, the tram poles should be moved to the sides of the road to obviate what was considered a grave danger. In reply, the council had stated that the reconstruction work on Beach Read between Ditto Street and Short Street had been completed, and it was not proposed to alter the position of the tram poies in that portion of the it-ad. Between Short Street and Customs Street East, however, it was proposed to move the centre poles. It would he neceswry to retain a centre pole at the junction of Beach Koad and Ansae Avenue on account of the very wide space. Various members spoke in strong terms against the centre pole system, which it was slated had been responsible for several acc.dents, some being fatal. One member said the removing oi a short section constituted an element of clanger where, the pules recommenced. It was decided to make further representations on the subject. In moving the adoption of the annual report, the chairman mentioned that tho question of dazzling headlights was still unsolved- The statute law on the matter was clumsy, and the by-law' in force was, in th" opinion of most motorists, hardly satisfactory. Prosecutions, however, had been few, probably because the by-law was as unreasonable as the statute law was unworkable. He explained what had been ( dono in the direction of forming a good roads association, but expressed regret at the apathy shown by motorists. The reason, he believed, 'was that they felt that if they took an active interest people might believe they were selfish " motor hogs" out for their own ends. That was a ridiculous attitude, fo> tho matter of good roads was of national importance. The following officers were elected:— President, Mr. W. H. Hemingway; vicepresident*?, Messrs. W. H. Wynyard, J. ('. Hardy, and G. Henning; committee, Messre. C F. Bennett, J. Moodv, C. J. Ellerbeck, R. B. Spinks, M. M." McCallum, A. Grayson, H. T. Shepherd, S. Cordon, E. Bagley, and G. Brooks; auditor. Mr. E. C.'Pinker. Dr. de Olive Lowe and Messrs. R. B. Spinks and G. Henning were elected life members in recognition of their long and valued work in the interests of the association. Mr. W. H. Hemingway was appointed to represent fhe association at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Automobile Union.