BIG MEETING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19890, 18 March 1939, Page 4

BIG MEETING

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION 4 A RECORD ATTENDANCE INCREASED MEMBERSHIP 1350 GISBORNE MEMBERS The annual meeting of Gisborne members of the Auckland Automobile Association was held in Findlays’ rooms last evening. The attendance, which included a large proportion of ladies, was .the largest. ever seen at a Gisborne annual meeting in connection with the Automobile Association, the room being filled to capacity. Many of those present came from the country districts. The chair was occupied by Mr. F. Tolerton, chairman of the Gisborne advisory committee. Auckland visitors were: —Mr. F. G. Farrell, president of the association; Mr. A. D. Dignan, vice-president; Mr. A. Grayson, past president and • life member; Mr. G, W. Hutchison, secretary. There we re 12 nominations for members of the advisory committee, and the following were elected; — Messrs. A. Baillie, F. R. Bould, N. H. Bull. V. Butler, H. H. De Costa, E. W. Forrest. L. Miles, A.. L. Singer, E. Swinnerton, A. J. Terry, and F. Tolerton. The scrutineers were Messrs. K. F. Jones and F. R. Ball. At the commencement of the meeting, a vote of condolence was passed with the relatives of Mr. M. Chadwick, Napier, who was described by the chairman as a very strong' supporter of motoring, which had suffered a distinct loss. Association’s Progress Mr. Farrell congratulated Gisborne on the record attendance, which due to the added interest taken in the association and the fact that members appreciated the association’s work. He said the association.- had made distinct strides during the year, the total membership being 31,200, while the Gisborne roll stood at 1350, an increase of 27J per cent on last year. He congratulated the agents, Messrs. Ball and Crawshaw, and the resident patrol, Mr. D. McGregor, on the result. As a result of the increased- number of cars on the road, the safety factor had become all important, Mr. Farrell continued, and the association had done its utmost to make travelling safe. The record of accidents during the past Christmas and New Year period had been greatly minimised, but during February accidents had shown up again rather badly. Last year, the association had iectured to 60,000 school children, and by that means it was hoped to educate the motorists of the future to the sense of their obligations. 24,000 Signs The association had now added to its sign-posting patrol, and had 24,000 signs in its territory. Prior to Christmas, there was a persistent rumour that there would be an increase in the petrol tax and also a horse-power tax. The association immediately got into touch with the Ministers concerned, and received advice that the rumours were not well founded, and that no action as suggested was contemplated. The association was also keeping up the pressure to have the 4Jd per gallon now going into the consolidated n. released for roading expenditure. • Mr. Farrell also referred to the conversion of cars, for which the association had urged heavier penalties for persons convicted for what was tantamount to common theft. After considering the issue of warrants of fitness,- the association had come to the conclusion that the issue of the warrants could well be left to the garages, as at present. The association was definitely opposed to the presence of roadside hoardings, and the North* Island Motor Union the previous day® had urged the removal of all such! signs. fl Mr. Grayson referred to the enor® mous increase in membership of auto® mobile! associations in the Dominion® The associations were doing their best® to preserve as much freedom for th« motorist as possible. It was expected® that legislation would* be extended® during the coming session of Parlia-H ment, and the proposals had all beer® scrutinised by automobile associa® tions, which were doing a great silen® work. ® Question Time I Asked by Mr. C. J. Cox why th® Auckland association did not joiifl with other associations in the moto® journal sponsored by those tions, Mr. Farrell said that the asso® ciation’s own bulletin served the pur® pose very well, keeping in close toud® will all members in the association’® area. ' ® In reply to Mr. A. J. Terry, whfl suggested an amendment to sign® posting to conform with practice the South Island Mr. Farrell the Auckland association believed its system was superior to any the South Island. At the close of the meeting films were shown the first depicting® holiday haunts in the North Island® the second a safety film in story that was brought back from Americ® last year, and the third some pic® tures taken by Mr. Hutchison in America last year.