A.A.A. ACTIVITIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20496, 22 February 1930, Page 12 (Supplement)

A.A.A. ACTIVITIES.

SERVICE TO MOTORISTS,

PATROLS IN THE NORTH.

Tho uniformed patrols of the Auckland Automobile Association aro now becoming a familiar sight in all parts of tho Auckland rrovince and aro rendering efficient and welcome service to motorists. For the next two months there will be considerable activity in tho N"orth. Only recently tho sign-posting truck completed a fortnight's work north of Auckland and will bo returning to carry out further activities early in March. This week a service patrol left the city and is at present in Whangarei. Ho is conducting headlighi testing at places marked with aii asterisk in the itinerary, and after a few days in tho city will return to Dargavillo, from where ho will start a programme of visits working South, The touring manager will pay his usual visit to tho North during March, when a number of routes to coastal resorts will be inspected. Tho A A. A. is leaving nothing to chance and in view of tho greatly-improved roading conditions which aro expected next touring season and tho resultant increase in traffic, is securing tho utmost information for tho guidance of visitors. Tho following is the service patrol's programme: Thursday, February 20, •Hikurangi, Kamo; Friday, February 21, "Whangarei ; Saturday, February 22. Whangarei; Sunday, February 23, Whangarei; Monday, February 24, *Whangarei; Tuesday, February 25, *Kawakawa; Wednesday, February 2G, 'Kaikohe; Thursday, February 27, Kaikohe, Okaihau, Eoreke; Friday. February 28, *Ohaeawai, Waimate, Waipapa; Saturday, March 1, *Kaeo, Whangaroa, Totara North; Sunday, March 2, Kaitaia, via Taipa and Iviiingaroa; Monday, March 3, "Kaitaia; Tuesday, March 4, *Kaitaia, Peria, Oruru, Fairburn, Victoria Valley; Wednesday, March 5, *Awanui; Thursday, March 6, Te Kao, Houhora; Friday, March 7, Herckino, Ahipara, *Broadwood; Saturday. March 8, *Kohukohu; Monday, March 10, *Rawene; Tuesday,. March 11, *Cpononi; Wednesday, March 12, *lCaihu; Thursday, March 13, Auckland.

INCONSIDERATE MOTORISTS.

' Complaints are being received by tho A.A.A. that motorists are not exercising proper precautions when passing workmen engaged on road construction or repairs. Where a man is working with a shovel!filling in pot-holes it is at least courteous to slacken speed a little and display some consideration. When passing any portion of a road undergoing alterations or repairs, however, the motor regulations place tho onus on the motorist and recommend a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour. The To Kuiti-New Plymouth Main Highway is the scene of concentrated activity at the present time, and tho authorities will be forced to prosecute unless there is a slackening of speed at certain points.

LUXURIOUS HUNTING OARS.

Thousands of pounds are every year in Britain by Indian princes and rajahs on luxuriously fitted special hunting motor-cars* in which the occupants can take meals and even sleep. Two of these hunting cars have been.. shipped to the Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, better known as Prince Ranjitsinhji, the famous cricketer, and another has just been sent to the King of Uganda. Britain's reputation for mechanical reliability and for special coach work designs caused one or two wealthy sportsmen of the East to older cars suitable for travelling in the jungle. This was found to be such an improvement on the discomfort of the safari that now nearly every potentate prince and maharajah owns his hunting car, which is almost as a matter of course ordered from Britain. The personal tastes of the owner are always embodied in the dcsigri and wonderful colour schemes are ordered, such as sea green and cream, scarlet, silver and leinon yellow. Sometimes all the interior fittings, including th 6 steering wheel and gear . lever, are made of ivory, sometimes of fino inlaid ' wood.

Probably tho most striking, exterior feature of a hunting car is the number of lamps. In the jungle the car is a mobilo blaze of light. Very powerful lamps are fitted at each side of the body and in the centre is a searchlight, which can bei raised or lowered on a sliding pillar. These three lamps can be directed to any desired point by a swivelling action. Special clips on the 'back ,of the front Heats hold rifles ready to hand whenever a wild animal is picked, out by the blinding glare from the lights. A. hunting trip often means , a lengthy journey and, perhaps, several camps en route. The car has therefore to be fitted with compartments on each side of the body holding two sliding drawers for baggage and on the luggage grill at the rear is a trunk holding two large icechests. In these food can be carried for almost any length of time in tho hottest climates. A cabinet for small storos is fitted at the back "of the front seat on which are attached folding glass-topped tables. On a long, trip a closed car, con-, taining bath with watgr laid on from a tank and a dressing-room or sleeping bunk?, sometimes forms-'part of the expedition. Although cars are nowregarded as almost iudispensablo for big game hunting in India it 'is, however, still necessary to hunt on foot in the denser parts cf the jungle.