The Motorist’s Friend

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 92, 9 July 1927, Page 22

The Motorist’s Friend

Auckland Auto Association

Good Work Well Done

Founded 24 years ago by a few enthusiasts, the Auckland Automobile Association has grown from a small organisation to the huge movement it is to-day, offering numerous privileges to nearly 5,000 members.. Its declared purpose is to further the interest of the owner-driver and make motoring more safe and more enjoyable.

Sign-posting, benevolent activities, a constant watch upon legislation and by-laws, concessions for tourists, and the conduct of an information bureau, as well as the issue of road reports and guides, are included in the association’s service to its members and the community. The development of the A.A.A. is in no small measure dud to the fact that several of the pioneer motorists are still associated with its administration.

As far as funds permit, the A.A.A. endeavours to extend benefits similar to those enjoyed by the English motorist, and every year a new field of activity is opened. Hotel concessions in the North Island have been so exhaustively secured that it is possible for a member of the association to repay his nimble guinea subscription out of rebates secured in a fortnight’s tour. In addition, insurance premium reductions often amount to double the amount of membership fee. Over 3,000 danger and direction

signs from the North Cape to Gisborne testify to the intensive work of the information department, and the service officer, Mr. R. E. Champtaloup, has covered over 30,000 miles in a two-year programme of organisation. No other automobile association in New Zealand has attempted a road information service on such ambitious and valuable lines. Not satisfied with the work already performed, the association is at present in touch with the Main Highway Board, endeavouring to formulate a comprehensive uniform scheme of road signs over the whole of the North Island. TOURING MADE EASY In regard to the method of giving information to members, apart from reports upon the condition of various roads metalled and unmetalled, leaflets of attractive tours and trips, together with road ma£s and guides, are issued. Working on the lines of the English Association, the Auckland Automobile Association made the decision two years ago to incorporate in its service department foolscap typewritten sheets giving mileages, the names of places, and descriptions of roads. This branch of the information bureau last year included 80 individual trips. A member notifies the names of places through which he wishes to

pass, and the bureau compiles a looseleaf itinerary, starting from the member’s home and taking him throughout his tour, whether on by-ways or highways, indicating any points of interest, any little side-trips that can be made, and bringing him home again. ROADS DESCRIBED In the daily routine of the A.A.A. bureau is included in the notification of level crossings, dangerous corners, bad hills, bridges, and alternative routes to reach a particular destination. The association is always in close touch with the chief traffic inspector, of Auckland, Mr. George Hogan, and also with other traffic and local authorities throughout the Auckland Province. The assistance received is much appreciated and any suggestions that are made always receive courteous attention, and, where possible, are acted upon. In the compilation of maps and road information the engineers of the Public Works Department give valuable help, and supply the association with all the information they have at their command. SPORTS AND OUTINdS Each year motor sports are organised by the association at Muriwai, and the arrangements made, in co-operation with the Motuara Domain Board, at Muriwai for giving the visiting crowds of motorists an enjoyable day hav.e made the events widely popular.

The benevolent work of the Auckland Automobile Association includes the arranging of outings for the old folks of the Veterans’ Home, for the inmates of the Blind Institute, and for the children at the Auckland Hospital. CAMPING SITES A few years ago local bodies had not acknowledged the demand for motorcamping grounds. The A.A.A. headed a campaign with other motor associations, with the result that nearly 50 local bodies in the North Island have allocated areas for motor tourists, and some of the camp sites are equipped with fireplaces and electric light. SAFETY FIRST

“Safety first” campaigns have been conducted, and the fact that over 200 vehicle accidents occur in the city each quarter is due to no failure on the part of the A.A.A. to encourage caution at the wheel.

Members of the motor trade have done much for the A.A.A. and the officers invariably include several whose business is the selling of cars. To the credit of these gentlemen it may be said that although much gratuitous service has been given for the general good, in 24 years of progress there has not been one instance of an attempt to introduce the business aspect or to exploit the organisation.

Steering is made easier and in many instances safer —by grasping the wheel at the sides near the top. With the hands in this position a quicker, sharper and easier turn can be made in either direction. A full right or left turn can be made with one downward pull on the wheel by the hand on the respective side. For ordinary driving it may be more comfortable to keep the hands on the bottom*of the steering wheel rim, but when tackling traffic or a winding road the top of the wheel is best for top-notch steering.

Several American cars are appearing with fabric spring shackles in place of the usual metal couplings. The fabric is-strong, in compressible material, similar to that used for fabric universal joints. Its use prevents noise, obviates lubrication, and affords a certain flexibility to the mountings of the body. American taxicabs have used a rubber-cored shackle on rear springs for some time.

A motorist jammed on his brakes close to a big red pillar-box. He impatiently blew his horn, until a few minutes later he noticed that the petrol pump was a few hundred yards lower down.

instructed the policeman on point duty to ring the St. John Ambulance. 1 was nearly two minutes late in reaching my destination.” The Bench: Was the car damaged? Complainant: Yes, sir, it will cost at least £5 to repair it. The Bench (severely to accused): Your offence is becoming too common in this city, and I intend in future to deal severely with pedestrians who impede the motor traffic. The number of accidents recorded every day through careless people attempting to cross a street in front of a motorvehicle is alarming. You are indeed lucky, Mrs. Ford, that you are not charged with manslaughter. Mr. Essex might have been thrown out and killed. Being a widow with a large family, and as you appear to have received some physical punishment, I will nor send you to prison this time, but will fine you £5 and costs, and £5 damages. Be more careful next time, Mrs. Ford.

Defendant (tearfully): Can I have time to pay, your Worship?

The Bench: The default is two months’ imprisonment. Call the next case.

AUTOS. IN GREAT BRITAIN The number of motor vehicles of all kinds on the roads of Great Britain in 1926 was estimated to be 1,730,000.

“So you would cross my path, would you?” muttered old man Hatchetface of the Stone Age, as he seized the black cat and hurdel her far out on the cliff toward the dizzy depths. But the cat set her feet squarely and came to a stop on the very brink of the chasm. And thus came into the world the first use of four-wheel brakes. lowa “Frivol.”