MOTORING INTERESTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18634, 19 February 1935, Page 10

MOTORING INTERESTS

HIGHWAY improvements PROVINCIAL A.A. AT WORK AUCKLAND OFFICERS’ VISIT Tiic interest iii Automobile Association affairs aroused by tlie presence- in I’ovtrlv Day of a number ol Auckland executive members was manifested last eveniug by an unusually large attendance at the annual meeting of the Gibl.criio agency. Ihe meeting was held in l’iiidlav's rooms, and the seating accommodation was taxed to the utmost. Many phases of motoring interests were dealt with, and district, members were impressed with the record of service. on the part of the association, as outlined by Messrs. W. Grayson, president. and G. W. Hutchison, secretary of the provincial body. Mr. H. M. Wynvard. motorists’ representative on the Main Highways Hoard, also addressed the meeting, which was presided over I,v Mr. F. Tolerlon, chairman of the district committee.

The proceedings were opened without delay, the report being taken as read, and adopted without discussion. The following were elected to control tlm affairs of the Gisborne agency for the ensuing year: Messrs. A. J. lorry, F. Tolorton. V. C. 11. Mitford. A. Haylev. H. F. Forster. 11. 11. DeCosta, M. Ik Wander, L. Miles, N. 11. Bull, H. Ken way. A. -V. Fraser, I\. H. Wicksteed. K. G. Watkins, G. Brocklebank, ]•;. Kwiimeiton. I)r. A. H. Singer, and inspector Martin. The chairman mentioned that this was the first annual meeting at which Mr. Chninptaloup, the organising secretary of the association, had not attended, his absence being due to illness. At the suggestion of Mr. Tolerton, it was decided that the meeting’s good wishes for his speedy recovery should be extended to Mr. rhamptaloup. The chairman then introduced flic members of the Auckland party, _ and gave a brief outline, of the doings of the visitors during the week-end and that day. GOOD AGENOV WORK Mr. A. Grayson, president of the association. was cordially applauded on rising to address the meeting. lie remarked that tlm members of the Gisborne executive were giving their services For the good of motorists, and were achieving, results for which the motor-owners owed them the warmest thanks. Mr. Grayson spoke most appreciatively of the work of the Gisborne agents.’ Messrs. Ball and Grawshnw, and expressed satisfaction with the good repot Is received regarding the work of Patrol Franklin, (Applause.)

Dealing with the needs of I lie'motorists generally, Mr. Grayson said that it had been considered wise to let the ioeal committee place its own needs before the Highways Hoard, which would soon be visiting the district. The district could absorb practically all the money Hie Highways Board had to spend, but. of course, the expenditure had to be spread, and the hoard had to give each job its turn. The work of the association’s executive in Auckland was now giving so many direct- benefits, he continued, that there, was a danger that the indirect benefits might lie lost sight of. In the field of legislation alone the association was working constantly, mainly for reduced taxation, and there were regular and frequent discussions with Ministers and members of Parliament. MOTOR, TAXATION To-day the association was endeavoring to secure that till motor taxation receipts should he spent on the roads. Some time ago the Government set up a committee to inquire into motor taxation, and the association was not yet clear just what the object of the inquiry was In any case, a strong case had been made out for the motorists before that inquiry, as a result of the work of the association and related bodies. He wondered where the motorists would have been without the work of the association in this matter alone?

The president then turned his attention to the matter of regulations for the control of motoring. The association had done its best to acquaint its members with the regulations, through the issue of booklets, and moreover, it, carefully scrutinised all projected legislation dealing with motor traffic control. There had been quite a sharp fight recently on the question of speed limits, and through the action of the combined motor interests the limit had been set at 40 miles per hour for gravelled roads, while on sealed roads the limit was “the public danger.” This was a distinct advance, for if a limn had a defence in regard to driving on sealed roads, lie could put it before the court. BRAKES AND DEADLIGHTS

Mr. Grayson referred next to (lie recent testing of brakes and headlights Muougliout. New Zealand. The regulation under which the tests were carried out had been on the statute books since 1924. and was not a new departure, as many had supposed. The Commissioner of Transport had lately agreed to hold a conference with the motor interests with regard to the method of applying Mm regulation, which in itself was a “necessary evil,” enacted for the benefit of the majority. Co-operation with the transport authorities. the Government departments, and the Highways Board was a well-estab-lished principle with the association, lie said, and much good had resulted from this amicable co-operation. These good works were hardly appreciated by the average meiuher, hub it was satisfactory !o note that the visible benefits of membership were being more widely appro ciated, with a corresponding increase in (he numbers joining the association.

The “Cet-you-home” service was also touched on by Mr. Grayson, who stated that it had not been expected that this service could he made available so early, but the executive had decided that it should embark on the venture. It must be a great boon to those who found if. necessary to call on the service, and to (hose who might have felt concern when faced with trouble on Hie highway. FCNCTIONINt i SMOOTHLY' The Motorists’ Mutual Assurance Company was also the subject of reference by Mr. Grayson, who stated that it. was filling its place in the motoring community, and functioning smoothly, having now come to the point at which it was possible iu distribute profits in the form of reduced premiums on re-insurances. The Auckland president referred to the presence, as a member of his party, of Mr. 11. M. Wynyard, motorists’ representative on the Main Highways Hoard, and whose services lie warmly commended to the appreciation of all motorists. The meeting was briefly addressed by the secretary. Mr. G. W. Hutchison, who dealt with the organising side of

the association, especially with reference to the Gisborne agency. Ho analysed Hie figures of the agency regarding membership and finance, mentioning that though the position regarding the collection ul subscriptions had iinpioved, the outstanding percentage was still above tlie average lor the whole province. The general membership was now 55 per cent, oi the total numboi of motorists who were affiliated with niotoi associations in the North Island. Mr. Hutchison mentioned that the liuain.es ul the association were in good condition, the past year having given a good surplus, while the reserves had been built up to over £14,000, eureiullv administered and sately invested. VALUE UF nKGANISATION The secretary also dealt with the patrol system, and described various featuies of the service given through the patrols. A number of interesting lnauiiestn tions of the value of collective action and organisation on the part oi motorists were mentioned by Mr. Hutchison, who stated that tlie association had done well for its members through the free legal service, in particular. It was still pressing Parliament to amend the motor regulations lo permit of the taking of evidence on commission in motor cases, so that motorists charged with by-law offences need not, travel long distances 1" take up cases, as an alternative to pleading, guilty and accepting a fine to avoid the inconvenience of fighting the case. •MV. Hutchison supported the remarks of the president- in regard to timework of the local agency and of Patrol I 1 ranklin. He mentioned his conviction that,, good as the reports were of the work of the patrol, any one of the patrols in the employ of the association would have given as satisfactory service. The whole team was a remarkably good one, and the association had maintained the? highest possible standard in the selection of its road and district oUicers. lIIGII WAV S BOA HD PR OG RA MM K Another of the visitors who spoke bviclly was Mr. If. M. Wynyard, who acknowledged the fact that the- agency had postponed its annual meeting from the date fixed earlier, in order to suit his convenience. He appreciated the opportunity' of meeting the A.A. members here, and of having the. views of the agency officers on road needs. He assured the. gathering that the board valued these, views, and that it, was anxious to give all the assistance possible, with certain conditions regarding local contributions, in wiping out local grievances. The board and the district engineers throughout, the country were only too anxious to spend money, but- it was a ease of feeding the horse to make it go. The board's programme was limited .by its income. In recent years there had been a great shrinkage in the funds available In tlie Highways’ Board, but there had been a substaniial increase in the .-allocation this year. There was .£500.000 available for road and bridge work in the euiren I year. £IBO,OOO being earmarked for bridge reconstruction, which had fallen into arrears badly throughout. New Zealand. Air. Wynyard slated that of tlie taxation levied upon petrol in New Zealand, only 6d per gallon was nominally available for the Highways Board, and that when till charges were deducted the amount shrunk t.o the equivalent of about 3d per gallon. The ■Government not only utilised £500,000 for general State purposes, but. also charged the board interest upon tlie money placed at its disposal for spending. ON UP-TO-DATE) LINES The speaker dealt with the general character of the Highways Board's work, and of the problems it faced in practical improvements to highways, and in directing a policy of generally raising the standard of the Dominion’s highways. Much of the early work had been found lo be wasted, and no doubt in a few years much of the present work would be regarded as out, of date-; the hoard had to keep the work on up-to-date lines all the time, and it was no light matter. “There are over 350 bridges tlirougout New Zealand which tire absolutely crying out for replacement,” said Mr. Wynyard. at another stage of his speech.

"Fortunately, through the increased allocation for the hoard’s programme this year, many of these bridges are now being replaced, and eventually they wilt all he back to par,” lie added. Mr. Wynyard also spoke of the general activities carried on under the auspices of the hoard, particularly with an eye to the safety of the public. The improvements in district highways, at Wharerata and at Harris’ Hill, on the Hangaroa road, were included among works which had been undertaken as the result of the hoard having been allocated additional money from the petrol taxOn the Gisborne-Opotiki highway, via Fast Gape, the hoard was now arranging for a bridge at the Wharekahika River, and before the metalling of the road was completed, the bridge at the Karakaf.uwhero Stream would he built. It would thus he possible, in the course of a little while, to undertake a trip round the East. Gape to Opotiki without trouble (Applause.) A number of questions were raised in the course of a general discussion on Hie points mentioned in the Auckland visitors’ addresses. ’’G FT-YOU -1J OAIF” SERVICE In reply to one question, Mr. Grayson staled (hat the. “get-you-iioine” service operated, without charge to iho motorist member, to any point within a radius of Id miles from the garage railed upon. The breakdown car must travel .'!() miles before I lie motorist, could become liable to any charge. Mr. H. F. Forster expressed warm appreciation of Mr. Wynyard’s statement that the Highways Board proposed' to construct the Karaka-Tu-whcro bridge, as this stream was at present a serious bar to regular use of the Coast road. As an indication of the popularity of the Coast, route, Air Forster stated that at 'Christmas-time there were ever dOO Gisborne people camped between Opotiki and East Capo. A. uuuibet' of other points raised by members of the association were dealt with by the visiting party, after which Air. Toledo it expressed the satisfaction of,the local executive in regard to the large attendance at the meeting. The visitors were very welcome, and the one jarring note struck had been the aiiiinuticcmciit that Mr. Grayson would not he accepting the prosideftcy of the A.A. for a further term. 'They looker! on Mi'. Grayson as the father of the association, the chairman said, and it would grieve everyone present if, when future visits of Auckland

executive oliicials took place, Air. Grayson was unable to he a member of the party. (Applause.) On Air. Tolerton’s motion, the meeting tendered the Auckland visitors a hearty vote of thanks, and also expressed thanks to tin' district engineer, Mr. 0. G. Thornton, and the engineers of Cook and Waikohii counties, Messrs. K. F. J ones and A. C. I metis, tor giving up their time to the association during the week-end. The meeting closed' with the customary vote of thanks to the chair.