INTERESTS OF MOTORISTS

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1929, Page 10

INTERESTS OF MOTORISTS

ASSOCIATION’S ACTIVITIES. The report to be submitted to the annual meeting of the Stratford branch of tlie South Taranaki Automobile Association records the fact that the membership of the branch still continues to increase. On August 31, 1928, the number stood at 378; this year ended wtih a roll of 635. The total membership of the association was over 2000 members, and the association now stood third on the list of membership in the Dominion. Continuing, the report states: This large increase is due to internal organisation of the association, and the fact that motorists are realising; the excellent work associations are rendering in their interests. ’ The motor owner ap-, predates the benefits of the. • association, and the influence the : union of associations-is -able to bring to-.bear on matters affecting -their interests. As there are still, however, numbers of car owners-who have not joined iip, may we enlist tiie .-assistance of all dur niem-.ber-s in inducing their, friends to become members,--and so further -increase our activities. ■ . - The matter of petty thefts from - motor-cars itr public streets has given the executive some concern and anxiety. Various suggestion were discussed as to the - best means of dealing ■with' this .menace. Eventually,'the executive considered the only way to cope ■with thex-matter’ was tp/intrc’duce proper supervised night parking areas, and a deputation waited on the Stratford Borough Council, requesting .’that’ Regan Street, between Broadway and Miranda Street, and the western side of Juliet Street, directly opposite the Town Hall, be ..allotted, to the association in . order to try out the system that has proved such a success in other cities and towns. The request was acceded to, and the supervised areas have been established in the places, mentioned. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays a uniformed patrolman is in attendance at the Regan Street, area, and on all occasion when ■the Town Hall is being used, which warrants the stationing of a patrolman’to attend to cars. An electric flashing sign has been erected at Regan Street. The area, being easily accessible, we feel" sure, will be takeii advantage of by all our members and motorists generally. Only members’ cars who have the association’s transfer badge affixed to the windscreen will be able to procure the services of our mechanic. Therefore, it behoves every member to see that the association's badge is affixed to his car.' The branch rendered valuable assistance to the east’mountain committee in arranging transport and the control of traffic on the occasion of the railway excursion from Wellington to the Stratford mountain house on January 27. The branch again undertook the focussing of lights of members’ cars, and a large number of members took advantage of the opportunity. There is, how-ever,-still a very large number of cars on tbe road at night with glaring lights that are a menace to others using the roads, and it is to those that we appeal to help their brother motorists by seeing ‘that their lights are properly adjusted. The road signing branch of the association’s work is still being carried out, and during the year a great deal of time and money have been spent on this very necessary work. There are still many roads in our territory that require attending to, and it is the intention to place direction signs to all roads during the coming year. As was mentioned in our last annual report, the committee would be pleased if any member would bring to its notice any dangerous bend or road sign he considers should be erected in his district. The price of petrol has again engaged the attention of the committee, and we are pleased to report that as the result of a deputation from this branch, the local dealers have reduced their price. Thanks are due to the dealers for the amicable way in which they met the deputation and their willingness to accede to the request. The insurance company’s year has shown a large profit and the time is not far distant when a further reduction in rates on members’ cars will be made. . ; The committee has in hand tl\e placing of a suitable notice board at the roadside in the Tangarakau Gorge, giving visitors a brief account of the untimely death of Mr. Morgan, the pioneer surveyor.

GRAND CONCERT. A special musical treat is being offered the public of Eltham and surroundin" district on Friday, October 11, by the Eltham Lawn Tennis Club and Knox Presbyterian Church. By special arrangement, Mr. Hubert Carter, New Zealand’s eminent tenor, is bringing to Eltham a distinguished party of Wanganui and Hawera artists, including Mrs.°Tarrant, Miss Mary Barnes and Messrs. Ackroyd, McQuin and Lambie. Mr. Hubert Carter requires no introduction to a musical audience, and those who were privileged to hear him on the occasion of his last visit to Eltham will remember that Mr. Carter had to oblige his audience with over twenty items before the conclusion of the programme. The others in the paity are also well known on Taranaki platforms. Patrons are promised the finest musical programme ever offered at the popular prices. ELTHAM MUNICIPAL THEATRE. A bi" double feature programme will be screened to-night. “Modern Love’ is a sensational heart comedy of modern marriage involving the question ot whether two careers can love as peacefully as one. It is the story, of a girl who wanted the joys of marriage without its obligations. A most interesting thrilling and laughable comedy. “The Latest From Paris,” featuring Norma Shearer, is a comedy.romance of a travelling saleswoman for Paris frocks who beats her male cn ™ petlt ? rs ®X£ where, and at the same time s ea hearts and is really the inside story of the heartaches, rppiance and laughs in. te realms of fashion. These , are two first-class pictures with a fine supporting programme