AUTOMOBILE AFFAIRS

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1929, Page 4

AUTOMOBILE AFFAIRS

MEMBERS’ ANNUAL MEETING ATTENDANCE OF OVER HUNDRED. SUCCESSFUL YEAR EXPERIENCED. The healthy position of the Taranaki Automobile Association was well evidenced by the attendance at the fifth annual meeting in New Plymouth last night. Nearly 120 people filled the Devon Tearooms, and were presided over by the president of the association, Mr. F. H. Blundell. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet the chairman said the increase in membership had been very satisfactory. According to the report, the number was 1303 at August 31, but since then 109 new members had been enrolled, 64 being elected the previous night. The percentage of motor-car owners who were members of the association was the second greatest in the North Island. Last year there had been a credit balance of £l7 Is. Bd., with a fixed deposit of £lOO, in the bank, and that fixed deposit had been increased since, which would all be for the benefit of members. Outstanding subscriptions amounted to £3OO, but this amount was lower than last year. Camping sites had been improved between the seasons, and were all in good order for tourists this season. The site at Fitzroy had been improved considerably, especially with the layingdown of tennis courts. It was only-fair, the association should assist in the improvement of camp sites, since the association’s object was to help members in any possible way. Mr. Blundell called attention to the proposed Mahoenui-Aria deviation of the Main North Road through Totoro, whicli, he thought, would-be a great boon, the proposed deviation being flat all the w’ay. He also urged motorists to subscribe to the North Island Motor Union Mutual Insurance Company. The association’s ear was now being used in the erection of signs on the rolds instead of a lorry, and was proving much cheaper. Thanks were due tb the officers of the association, with whom he had found he could always work in harmony. The motion was seconded by Mr. W. C. Weston and carried. Mr. Weston paid a tribute to the president for the work he had done in the erection of sign-. I posts.

OFFICERS APPOINTED. The following officers were elected: — Patron, Dr. H. B. Leatham; president, Mr. F. Blundell; vice-presidents, Dr. G. P. Adamson, Messrs. R. Stuart and F. Amoore; committee, Messrs. H. C. Sturm, W. R. Johns, W. C. Weston, F. Dodunski, W. T. Guild, T. W. Morris, W. H. Fuller, H. Chapman, G. Gibson, W. G. Reid, A. J. Perrott and J. Penn; auditor, Mr. C. B. Webster. Asked by the executive the previous night to address the meeting about the teachers’ summer school in New Plymouth next January, Mr. M. Goldsbury made the same request for assistance in conveying the teachers for an outing to Mount Egmont. New Plymouth was in for a big thing, he said, for such a staff of lecturers would be present as had never before been gathered together in New Zealand. Among them would be Mr. E. D. Tayler, supervisor of music in New Zealand schools, fresh from a visit to England, a Japanese professor, and some of the greatest authorities in New Zealand on various subjects, including. Professors Adams and Fitt, Dr. Marshall, Messrs. Johannes Anderson and W. H. Skinner, and Miss King, principal of the Otago Girls’ High School. Citizens would realise that the town would be more fully advertised by the school than by any other event in the past. The chairman thought the movement was a worthy one, and should receive the support of the members. Mr. R. Stuart thought no difficulty would be experienced in taking all the teachers for the outing. Appreciation of the efforts of the signs committee, which had done a great deal of work without any remuneration, was expressed by Dr. Adamson, who thought the signposts in North Taranaki compared very favourably, especially at night, with those he had seen in other parts. Unfortunately, a spirit of hooliganism had appeared about the district, though he could not understand the reason, unless it was one of the first signs of insanity. .It was regrettable that members should see the destruction of the signs into which they had put so much labour, and he suggested motorists should report any cases they came across. Signs were of great value not only to members of the association, but to outside motorists as well. It was not until the signs were, put up that he knew the names of ma.ny roads in the district, though he had been there several years. Dr. Adamson asked if the association was not doing what the county councils should be doing or giving assistance towards. He complimented the chairman, who, when the signs were wanted, had not talked about it, but had gone out and done the work. Canon H. R. B. Gillespie also expressed appreciation of what the association was doing. He suggested the association might assist the Okato Domain Board with its camping site. With improvements to roads Okato could now be reached by one road and a return trip made to New Plymouth by another. Supper was served at the conclusion of the meeting, and musical items were contributed by Miss J. Cocker and Messrs. F. Cleland and L. Higginson. Mr. P. Fredric was accompanist.