MOTOR ASSOCIATION

Southland Times, Issue 20498, 29 May 1928, Page 5

MOTOR ASSOCIATION

SOUTHLAND BODY. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of the Southland Motor Association was held last evening, Mr J. R. Haigh presiding over a fair attendance of members. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report was as follows: — Finance.—The statement of Accounts shows that despite considerable expenditure during the year the financial position is very satisfactory. The balance of revenue account has increased from £623 10/2 to £786 14/11. It will be noted that including interest the total of the Association’s investments amount to £656 13/10. Membership.—The membership of the Association is steadily increasing, and after deducting the names of those who have resigned through departures from the district and other causes, the number of members stands at 1150. Although this is fairly satisfactory the Executive would draw the attention of -individual members to the fact that there are still a large number of motorists in the district who have yet to join up. If every existing member undertook to enrol at least one motor owner it would mean a splendid increase to the total membership. Sign Posts.—This is a branch of the Association’s activities upon which particular attention has been bestowed by your Executive. Excluding colour plates, during the year a total of 270 direction, danger, and school sign boards have been authorized for erection, and in this connection the Road Signs Committee is deserving of special mention for its work. We have also to express our appreciation of the manner in which the various local bodies—particularly the Southland and Wallace Counties—have extended their whole-hearted cooperation in the matter of the erection of sign boards. Members will have noted the way in which the colour route scheme has been extended Over the subsidiary routes in the district. Many appreciative comments have been received from local and visiting motorists on the great help of the colour route plates at road intersections. S.I.M.U. Mutual Insurance Association. — This scheme, which has proved a great benefit to motorists, is making rapid progress throughout the South Island. The scheme is in a good financial position, and those motorists insuring their cars with the Association now, will receive even greater benefits later on in the shape of lower premiums as the present reserve fund is built up. Both “comprehensive” and “fire only” covers are issued, and the secretary will always gladly answer any inquiries respecting car insurances. Transfers and Badges.—. 4 short time ago each member was supplied with one of the new transfers to attach to the windscreen of his car. The Executive trusts that all members will display their badges. In regard to metal badges, a supply is on hand, available to members at the price of 10/- each. The badge is distinctive in design and is made to be fitted on the car radiator cap or on the bar across the front of the radiator. Motor Camps.—The establishment of motor camps practically throughout New Zealand is proving a great boon to many motorists when on tour. In Southland we have camp grounds at Invercargill, Queenstown, Riverton, and Tuatapere. When on motor tours during the summer months, members should make a point of calling at the secretary’s office for particulars of camping places in the localities they intend visiting. Oreti Beach Road.—The Association has always interested itself in the matter of getting a suitable motor road to the Oreti Beach and it is very satisfactory to now have this an accomplished fact. Subsidies were given towards the work of completing the formation of the road on to the Beach and to the planking of the Ferry Bridge over the Oreti River. This expenditure was amply justified, for during the summer months the short run to the Oreti Beach is most popular amongst private motor owners. South Island Motor Union. —The Union is the representative body for all South Island Associations, and as such accomplishes a great deal of work in the interests of motorists. Quarterly conferences are held regularly, and these are attended by delegates from the various affiliated bodies. The suitable allocation of the petrol tax to the North and South Islands on the basis of the number of motor vehicles I in each island, has of late been receiving the attention of the Union, and in this connection a promise has been received from the Prime Minister that such will be the case. Motor Runs.—During the year two outings were held, the opening rim being to “The Rocks,” Riverton, and the other to the opening of the new bridge over the Mataura River at Gorge Road. There were good attendances of members at both runs, and at the Riverton outing great interest was taken in the sports organized by officials of the .Association. Speed Limits.—The Executive again draws attention of members to the necessity of strictly observing the local speed limits when passing through the smaller boroughs and townships of the district. It is stated that many motorists are inclined to offend in this respect, and it will be obvious that it is to the individual motorist’s own advantage to take due precautions. General.—lt is only possible to give a brief resume of the year’s work in such a report as this; however, it is felt that the above is at least some evidence of the strong desire of the Association to do the best possible in the interests of, its members and motoring in Southland. Among other matters, it might be mentioned that the Association has provided a parking and turning place for cars at the Orakai Beach. This is useful on account of the previous difficulties owing to the narrow road and very loose sand at this popular picnicking place. The Executive again expresses the thanks of the Association to the local bodies of the district for the sympathetic consideration which has so often been given to suggestions from the Association during the past twelve months. In this respect the names of the Southland nad Wallace Counties, also the Invercargill Borough Council, must again be particularly mentioned. The subject of roads and bridges is so important to the motoring fraternity that perhaps some excuse is due to the Association if in its zeal to do all possible for its members it is continually making fresh requests in this connection. MOTOR RACING. In 1927 motor races were held on the Oreti Beach by the Southland Motor Sports /association. At this meeting no charge was made for admission, although a collection taken up on the beach amounted to £3O which with donations of £l9, entry fees, etc., constituted the total revenue. The amount of prize money distributed was £22 6/6, incidental expenses came to £25, and the project resulted in a credit balance of £lO. The weather on the day of these races was fine. In March, 1928, motor races were held on the beach under the auspices of the Southland Motor Association. It will be seen that an amount totalling £367 was given in prize money. The statement shows a profit of £6 on the meeting. The races were held under ideal weather conditions, the attendance of the public being variously estimated at from 8,000 to 12,000. The receipts for sales of tickets show that 4820 paid for admission. As the beach is an open place there is considerable difficulty in collecting gate money. Future Prospects.—ln reviewing future possibilities and giving a forecast of the probable cost of running future motor racing meetings on the Oreti Beach, it is estimated that if motor races were held, with a prize list of say £75, working expenses would be approximately £75, making a total of £l5O. To meet this expenditure an attendance of 3000 at 1/- per head would be necessary. At the last meeting the prize money offered was £367 and the nett expenses approximately £75. It has to be taken into consideration that at a meeting where the lesser amount of prize money is offered, there is little likelihood

of outside competitors taking part. This would affect the attendance and it must also be borne in mind that attendances at motor races on beaches were there is no shelter, depend almost entirely on the prevailing weather conditions. In formally moving the adoption of the annual report, the president stated that the work of the committee had been excellent and the attendance both at the ordinary and the sub-committee meetings had been highly commendable. Though the membership of the association had not greatly increased this was due in large measure to the formation of a separate body by the motor-cyclists of the province, which was a splendid move on their part. The ' financial side of the Motor Association I showed a sound credit balance for the year, despite the fact that £169 had been expended on sign-posts and the colour-route scheme. In this connection special mention must be made of the sterling services of Messrs A. M. Macdonald and W. F. Sutton, who had devoted so much time to placing the signs and colour route bands. The association was grateful for the assistance that had been rendered by the Southland County Council, Wallace County Council and Invercargill Borough Council. He had pleasure in complimenting the executive upon the splendid work that had been accomplished during the year. OFFICE BEARERS. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Patron, the Hon. A .F. Hawke; j president, Mr J. R. Haigh; vice-presidents, • Messrs A. M. Macdonald, W. F. Sutton, T. . F. Macdonald, A. E. Lea, E. A. Nicol, C. , Campbell, F. G. O’Beirne, and Dr. Stanley I Brown; club captain, S. F. Crane; deputy- | captain, G. Tapper; motor cyclists’ repre-| sentative, A. M. Macdonald, Auditor D. Cuthbertson; committee, Messrs G. Cruickshank, S. Smith, J. Hunter, J. D. Campbell, P. A. Pearce, W. A. Stout, A. Derbie, A. J. Campbell and Dr. J. G. Macdonald. GENERAL. The president reported that a party had paid a visit to the waterfalls at Haldane with the object of searching for the most suitable route for a track which would make the falls easy of access for-the tourists who visited Waikawa. Dr. Stanley Brown spoke about the general improvement in motor-roads, and said that the country roads had been good for ! some time.