PROVINCIAL ACTIVITIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19061, 4 July 1925, Page 10 (Supplement)

PROVINCIAL ACTIVITIES.

A YEAR * OF USEFUL WORK. I • A.A.A. BRANCHES ACTIVE. Tho affairs of the various branches of the Auckland Automobile Association are reviewed in the following annual reports to be presented at the annual meeting of tho association on Tuesday evening:— Kaitala. —After a lapse of two years the motor races on the Ninety-mile Beach were again organised, and successlully held, proving to be the largest motor race programme held in New Zealand to date, involving an expenditure ol over £4OO. It received record support from both visiting and local motorists. A g r "to which was kept locked was erected on the association's beach access road, and financial members were provided with duplicate keys. This movement proved quite a success, being largely duo for the increased membership. The bugbear of the branch is the approach to the Ninety-mile Beach at present. Owing to sand drift, etc., tho approach has become practically impassable. Attempts have been made to alter the course of the stream so as to give reasonable access to the beach, but unfortunately up to the present without success; something further will bo done as soon as funds are available. The membership for the vear has boon increased from 15 financial members to 75. The road direction signs that were prepared by tho branch some time ago have now been handed over to the local county council for erection. This work is to be put in hand immediately. An application for a further supply of signs lrom the parent body has been forwarded to tho service officer. Wathi.: —Tho branch was formed last year, since when 3b members have been enrolled. The Waihi Beach is an ideal spot for motoring spirits with a five-mile straight stretch of hard sand. When tho roads are in good order tho beach is only live hours run frbm Auckland, and is very suitablo as a camping ground, being largely patronised by Waikato motorists. The land is under the jurisdiction of the Wailu Borough Council, and ail information in regard to camping sites may be obtained from the town clerk. The branch has obtained sign posts and danger signals lor erection in the district. During the visit of the Minister for Public Works a deputation frbm the branch interviewed him, and succeeded in getting a grant ol £«suo for improving one of the worst spots on the Waini-Tauranga Road, lhe branch has also been trying to have this road proclaimed a main highway. Rodney.: —The membership stands at 25. The branch is in a very financial position, so it subsidised the Rodney County Council with £5 to encourage it to grade tho road between Warkworth and Waiwera. More signposts have been erected, but there are still some danger signs to be erected, which will receive early attention.

Franklin.; —This branch war; formed last year and has a membership of 81. The committee took up the matter of traffic .regulations and parking areas with the Pukekohe Borough Council, and met with a cordial reception. After several conferences with the council committee's a set of by-laws has been agreed upon and will shortly be brought into effect. The branch committee voted £5 toward the cost of signposts within the borough. In like manner, the railway authorities have been approached with reference to parking of cars, taxi stands, etc., at the station, and a favourable response in the provision of better facilities is anticipated. The Franklin County Council willingly acceded to a request to clear overhanging willows from the Drury Bridge, and also from a bridgo on Pukekohe East Road. Hamilton. —Formed in 1923, this branch has a membership of 200, and efforts are being made to obtain the services of the association's organiser to arrange a 500 membership drive. > The campaign is to last two months, preceded by a month's advertising, and the Hamilton branch is confident that the number aimed at will be obtained. With a contribution of £lO each from the A.A.A. and the Hamilton Motor Cycle Club, a cheque for £4O was handed to the Raglan County Council for the easement of some hair-pin bends on the Raglan deviation, and as the county council and the Highways Board will supplement this amount a thorough job is expected in return for the money. During the year the branch has had correspondence with the Piako County Council relative to the infamous Moturnaoho Road of last winter; the Waitomo Council and tho Government Tourist Department in tho matter of easepients and parking areas at Waitomo Caves, and the Waipa County Council, regarding the dangerous bend on the Great South Road, just before reaching the Hamilton Borough boundary, where a'man was killed by a car capsizing some three years ago, and also with other local bodies dealing with similar matters. In every case the representations have received earnest and complete attention, with satisfactory results. The branch, in conjunction with the Hamilton Motor Traders' Association and the Hamilton Technical School Board, were successful in establishing a class at tho school for motor owners. In a course of 12 lessons for 10s 6d, motorists are made familiar with the complete mechanism and functions of a motor car, which enables owners to care better for their cars, to affect adjustments and minor repairs, and to locate and, where possible, without a workshop equipment, to remedy road troubles. Dazzling head lights and head-light testing are now occupying the attention of tho branch, which is approaching the borough council to frame a by law on the lines of that adopted by the Auckland City Council.

j Motor Cycling, Page 12.