Many New Recruits for Automobile Body

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1074, 11 September 1930, Page 10

Many New Recruits for Automobile Body

MEMBERSHIP 14,516 ANNUAL MEETING HELD Though the membership of the Auckland Automobile Association was 24.516 on August 31, 1930. as compared with 11,148 for the year ending August 31, 1929, the increase was only 30 per < ent. as compared with 61 per cent, in the previous year. This was contained in the annual report submitted at last evening’s meeting of the A.A.A by the president, Air. A. Grayson. The losses of membership amounted to 30 per cent, of new members elected, as against 15 per cent, and 16 per ‘•ent. in tho two previous years. The number of members who paid subscriptions for the year ending August 31, 1930, was 12,905. and the amount paid was £12,461 7s lod. Additional agencies were established at Russell, Mokau. TJrewera, and Pio .Pio. The council had been constantly in touch with the Main Highways Board anti local authorities in regard to roads and bridges, and in particular the following had received attention: KotoruaTaupo, Pulioi - Topuni, Pio Pio - Te Kuiti. Te Kuiti - Mahoenui, Great South Road - Franklin County, Ohinowai.Tluntlv, Ea»t Coast from Milford. Pokeno - Waihi, Bombay deviation, Kpsom - Mount Albert, Bower AlataJcana - Wark worth. .Lincoln. Henderson Valley, Panmure. Bevel crossings had also received consideration, and representations had been made to the controlling authorities wherever necessary. RAID ON FUNDS ‘‘ln the last annual report reference was made to the attempted raid by the Government oil the Main Highways Board’s funds, and it was with great satisfaction that motorists received the Prime Minister’s consequent intimation of his withdrawal of his proposals.’* stated the report. “It is. therefore, all the more disconcerting that the new Prime Minister, the Hon. (r. "VV. Forbes, lias not only reinstated the proposals which were so strenuously opposed last year, but has gone even farther in his policy to charge to main highways tends items that have previously been borne by the Consolidated Fund. “Automobile associations have joined in concerted opposition to the proposals. Detailed reference to this matter is contained in the annual report of the North Island Motor Union appearing in the Year Book.” PATROL WORK. The patrol staff now consisted of four patrols at headquarters; one country patrol with a roving commission; one patrol with headquarters at Hamilton; and one with headquarters at Paeroa, in addition to the signsposting patrol. By disposing patrols in the manner indicated, it had been possible to cover the whole of the province at more frequent intervals. "Wherever patrols visited, members were advised of their coming, and headlight testing was undertaken. This work had also been carried out in the city and in the North Shore boroughs. In the interests of safety first, patrols were instructed to adjust the headlights of non-members’ cars for a nominal fee, but the response to this appeal was very disappointing. The council proposed, after a reasonable time, to request the authorities to take action against all motor-owners whose headlights did not comply with the regulations, and hoped in this way to remove from the roads the menace of glaring headlights.

The income and expenditure account for tho year, after providing adequate depreciation of assets, showed a surplus of £1,910 3s 2d. The accumulated funds now amuurj,e(l to £8,159 31s 7d. The association expenditure was carefully controlled by the finance committee, wliicifiLwas required to approve every itj&f of expenditure exceeding £5, officers were required tt£; sign orders for all expenses. By tlfeW.- means it was ensured that the fik&atest possible service to members *n*as obtained for their subscriptions.