CAR-PARKING

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 972, 15 May 1930, Page 1

CAR-PARKING

ATTENDANTS AT NIGHT AREAS RETAINED A.A.A. COUNCIL MEETS The advisability of retaining the present system of attendants at nightparking areas was discussed by the council of the Auckland Automobile Association last evening. It was decided not to alter the system. A letter had been received at an earlier meeting of the council, questioning the value of the present scheme, under which motorists using the authorised night-parking places pay one shilling to the attendant. It had been decided to take a census of the opinions of motorists. It was reported last;evening that this tally was taken on three successive nights, at the eight parking-places attended by the association’s patrols and at three unattended areas. Altogether 478 drivers had been questioned, of whom 424 favoured the retention of the attendants, while 49 were against the system, and five favoured it if the men were paid by the association. Of the 478 cars, 153 belonged to non-mem-bers. Reports were received from seven of the attendants, giving details of their circumstances. All stated that other and more remunerative employment was not available. The secretary, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, explained that all the association’s attendants were chosen because they were out of work. Since the attendants had on occasions to prevent would-be thefts, the association could not employ crippled or other-wise-disabled men. “The custodians are apparently good, deserving men,” said Mr. H. Butcher, “but the question is one of policy.” “I think our policy is sound,” said the president, Mr. A. Grayson, “and I am not in favour of paying the attendants a salary.” From the figures supplied it appeared that there was a number of non-members’ cars on the stands. He did not think the members would be in favour of paying for what would amount to free attention for non-members’ cars.