MOTOR ASSOCIATION

Southland Times, Issue 21577, 15 December 1931, Page 8

MOTOR ASSOCIATION

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING. GUARDING AGAINST FOREST FIRES. The monthly meeting of the General Committee of the Southland Motor Association was held last evening. There were present: Messrs D. J. Wesney (president, in the chair), J. Hunter, L. B. Hutton, J. D. Gilmore, C. Campbell, A. J. Campbell, M. AL Macdonald, J. R. Haigh, F. G. O’Beime, A. C. Ford, W. A. Stout, G. Webb, S. Smith and Dr. Stanley Brown. Eleven new members were elected to the association. Writing in reply to the association’s letter regarding a culvert on the road between Willowbank and Waikoikoi, the clerk of the Clutha County Council stated that the matter, had received the attention of the council, and the engineer when in the locality would inspect and have the necessary improvements made. A communication forwarded recently to the Southland County Council with regard to the practice of driving motor lorries on the roads at night w-ith unlighted overhanging sides was replied to by the clerk of that body, who stated that the matter would have the serious consideration of the council and would be further dealt with after a report had been received from the inspector. With regard to the reported flood erosion on the Riverton-Orepuki road at Colac, the clerk of the Wallace County Council wrote stating that he understood the Public Works Department had a scheme, although nothing definite had been arranged to have a new road opened which would obviate the expense of building a costly wall. The Town Clerk of Bluff, Air 11. A. Ferguson, wrote forwarding information regarding the motor camping ground at Argyle Park. The site, he stated, was in close proximity to a good bathing beach. Public conveniences, water and a fire place were provided. A good bathing shed had been erected on the area. Bowling green and tennis courts were available in the town and arrangements could be made for boating and fishing. Particulars of the motor camp at Riverton were forwarded by the secretary of the Riverton Progressive League. The camp, he stated, was situated on the borough reserve, next, to the High School, well sheltered, overlooking the sea, with water, electric light, fireplaces and conveniences provided. Mr Guy P. Chewings, of Glenelg Station, Mossburn, wrote drawing attention to a dangerous corner in the road up the Aparima Valley, about two and a-half miles to the north side of the Wreys Bush Hotel. He stated that the broom had been allowed to grow right out to the gravel and was obstructing the view of the road round the bend. He suggested that the Wallace County Council should be asked to have the nuisance removed. It was decided to refer the letter to the Wallace County Council for attention. An expression of appreciation of the association’s offer of co-operation w r as forwarded by the conservator of State Forests for Southland (Mr N. J. Dolamore) who wrote previously regarding the danger of destruction by fire of the forest in the Eglinton Valley. The association’s suggestion to erect fireplaces for the use of campers and visitors he considered an excellent one, to which the principal objection was that the valley contained so many miles of good camping grounds that the provision of fireplaces would be a large order unless camping were restricted to certain areas. Such restriction should not, he thought, be resorted to if the public could be induced to be careful with fire, refrain from destroying the bush and leave camping grounds in a tidy condition. He would be pleased to meet members of the association on the ground or elsewhere and discuss any proposals for the protection of this resort.

It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the president, the chairman of the road signs committee and the secretary to confer with Mr Dolamore.

The clerk of the Riverton Borough Council replied ot the association’s letter suggesting improvements to the northern approach of the Aparima Birdge. The council, he stated, had considered the question and had resolved to note the suggestions of the association and go carefully into the matter when funds .permitted.