INTERESTS OF MOTORISTS

Southland Times, Issue 24237, 21 September 1940, Page 7

INTERESTS OF MOTORISTS

ASSOCIATION’S WORK

ACTIVITIES OF YEAR IN REVIEW

“The membership roll, as at the end of August 1940, stands at 4562,” states the annual report of the Automobile Association (Southland) to be presented at the annual meeting on October 7. , “The membership figure is only 165 below last year’s total, and shows clearly that in spite of the petrol restrictions, increased taxation, and the general state of emergency, members fully appreciate the valuable work ot the association and realize the necessity for remaining linked with the only organization which represents the interests of private motorists, and which is in direct communication on their behalf with the Government,” continues the report. “All members are urged to assist to increase the membership and strengthen the voice of the association. “The subscription revenue has been well maintained, being only £124/2/6 below the record figure attained in the previous period. The year has resulted in a surplus which has enabled a substantial reduction to be made in the bank overdraft and has placed the association in a very sound position to meet present conditions. The sum of £ll4 has been written off motorvehicles and other assets have been adequately depreciated. The accumulated capital stands at £4794/8/6 and there is an additional reserve fund of £600.”

ROAD SIGNS The erection of new signs and the maintenance of existing signs continued to occupy the attention of the committee, although petrol restrictions and the outbreak of war resulted in a considerable curtailment of the association’s programme in erecting new signs. On several occasions cases of wanton damage to signs were reported to the committee, which placed the matters in the hands of the police. It was satisfactory to report that the person responsible fox - destroying a road sign on the Bay road, Invercargill, was convicted and fined in the Magistrate’s Court.. An important proposal to come before the annual meeting concerned Rule 19, dealing with the membership system. This proposal was submitted on the unanimous recommendation of the general committee. It would enable the subscriptions of new members to remain current for 12 months from the month of their election, irrespective of what month in the year they might join. Undex- the present system all subscriptions expired at the end of the financial year, August 31, so that new members who joined a few months after the beginning of the year received for their subscription only a portion of a year’s privileges in the first year of their’ membership. “There were two flood patrols during the year. In February, the Otepuni Creek overflowed its banks and caused the worst flood which Invercargill has experienced. Tire patrols on that occasion did valuable work in controlling traffic and in assisting people from the flooded areas. The second flood was in May and affected the whole province ,as well as Otago. This was the most serious flood for many years, and the patrols were working night and day in assisting motorists in difficulties, in gathering information about the state of the rivers and in keeping a close watch on all roads subject to flooding. Telephone inquiries at the office were almost continuous and the broadcasting station was kept supplied with flood bulletins. “Present conditions have thrown additional work on the executives of the motor unions in each island. Through them the voice of the whole motoring community has been expressed on many important matters and urgent questions have been dealt with. The motorists’ representative on the Main Highways Board, Mr M. H. Wynyard, and the counties’ representative, Mr C. J. Talbot, have both become well known to motorists for their work, and regularly attend the meetings of the motor unions.”