KNIGHT OF ROAD

Southland Times, Issue 21263, 9 December 1930, Page 6

KNIGHT OF ROAD

MR WILLIAM SUTTON MOTOR ASSOCIATION’S TRIBUTE GOOD WORK IN SOUTHLAND “That this meeting of the general committee of the Southland Motor Association wishes to place on record its appreciation and also the appreciation of all members of the Southland Motor Association of the good work done by Mr William Sutton for the association since its foundation in November, 1920, and before that date when motorists were endeavouring to form an association, and also to convey to him their very best wishes for his future success in the position of secretary to the Otago Motor Club to which he has recently been appointed.” However formal the above motion may look in cold print, there was no mistaking the warm sincerity which accompanied its passing by the general committee of the Southland Motor Association at the close of the business of the monthly meeting last evening, when members were afforded an opportunity of bidding farewell to Mr Sutton who leaves next week to take up his new appointment in Dunedin. Mr Sutton was the guest of the committee at supper in the Brown Owl Cafe and many were the compliments paid both to his ability and popularity. President's Tribute. In extending congratulations to Mr Sutton on his promotion and in moving the adoption of the above motion, the president (Mr F. G. O’Beirne) said that Mr Sutton had been one of the foundation members of the association. Mr O’Beirne detailed the various efforts to form such a body as far back as December, 190 S. Records of subsequent meetings were sparse or in many cases entirely lacking, and it was in November, 1920, that it was ultimately decided to form a body to be known as the Southland Motor Association. Amongst other names of supporters of the movement was to be found that of Mr Sutton. “So you see, gentlemen," continued Mr O’Beirne, “Mr Sutton has been with us for quite a long time now and much good work has he accomplished.” Tracing the steadily growing membership of the association from 1922 with 138 to the present time with a total of 2048, Mr O’Beirne said that this was due in no small way to the activities of Mr Sutton.

In seconding the motion, Dr. Stanley Brown said that Mr Sutton was really the founder of the present association. So much early organization work had Mr Sutton done that the. speaker said he felt quite sure in declaring that if it had not been for Mr Sutton the Southland Motor Association would not have been started as early as it was.

• Mr J. R. Haigh referred to the harmonious relations existing between Mr Sutton and himself. On the many enjoyable motor outings Mr Sutton ,was always the one who willingly undertook all the drudgery work and was noted for his ability in the matter of “billy-boiling.” In endorsing the remarks of the previous' speaker Mr Haigh said that Mr Sutton by his forceful spirit of optimism was primarily responsible for the present Southland Motor Association. He expressed the wish that when Mr Sutton went to Dunedin he would carry with him his energetic methods which had proved so successful in Southland. The Otago Motor Club would go ahead and prosper with him in the secretarial chair and the already fine feelings between the two bodies would be further cemented. In conclusion he wished Mr Sutton every success in his new sphere of duties.

In adding his tribute, Mr W. A. Stout said that Mr Sutton would leave Invercargill without an enemy. His good nature and cheerful optimism overcame all rancour. Mr Stout said that he was well aware of the good work accomplished by Mr Sutton and his departure from Southland would be regretted. “A Man of Ideas.” The next speaker, Mr A. M. Macdonald; said that Mr Sutton was a man of ideas, and in the position he was going to fill he would have a good opportunity of carrying them out. Mr Sutton had been a very active member of the Road Signs Committee, the speaker vouching for his ability in that direction. Continuing, Mr Macdonald said that he was glad Mr Sutton was not going very far away and he felt sure that he would do a lot for Southland in his new position. For one thing he would have an opportunity of directing tourists to Southland for which he had a great deal in his heart. (Hear, hear.) Messrs E. A. Nichol, A. E. Lea, G. Tapper, P. A. Pearce and J. Hunter made eulogistic reference to Mr Sutton’s ability, Mr Lea describing the enthusiastic manner in which Mr Sutton had rallied members to attend meetings in the early stages of the association’s formation. He felt sure that the Otago Motor Club could not have obtained a better man for the position.

An interesting point raised by Mr M. M. Macdonald, who as youngest member of the executive added his tribute, was the-. spread to London of the colour route scheme which had originated from Southland, of which fact they all felt justly proud. In this Mr Sutton had really been prime mover.

Upon the motion being carried Mr O’Beirne conveyed best wishes from the association and announced that Mr Sutton would be made the recipient of a presentation before his departure. Modestly disclaiming the share of organizing work attributed him, Mr Sutton in reply stated that excellent material was available for the formation of the Southland Motor Association and it really was only a matter of awakening motorists to the value of such a body to obtain their support for it. With regard to the colour route scheme credit was shared with Mr Winsloe and the speaker expressed his pleasure at the unanimous manner in which the plan had been adopted at the Christchurch conference, some years ago. Continuing, Mr Sutton said that in the past the association had not taken .sufficient interest in the South Island Motor Union as its parent body, but he did not think now that members’wottld forgo the opportunity of meeting its delegates. The speaker said that be felt proud to have been associated with the formation of the Southland, body which had gone ahead by leaps and bounds in a manner most creditable to it. He felt that the time was coming through force of circumstances and even legislation when every motorist would be forced to join up with the association. In conclusion Mr Sutton said that he had always regarded this particular kind of work as a hobby, and while exposing regret at leaving Southland, he assured those present that his one object in Otago would be to encourage tourists to visit Southland. Knowing the country as he did he would Io the best of his ability point out to them all the advantages of seeing the many and varied scenic charms of Southland.