AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1930, Page 10

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION

SOUTH TARANAKI SERVICES. INCREASE IN THE MEMBERSHIP. “The year 1930 has been one of almost ceaseless activity among the automobile associations of New Zealand and in this respect our association has been no exception,” states the report of’Mr. S. 0. Tonks, president of the South Taranaki Automobile . Association for the year ended August 31. The report was withheld until the appearance of the association’s year book yesterday. “A steady increase in the number of members has been maintained,” continues the report, “and at the close of the year we had 2281 members on the register. The growth in membership since August 31, 1925, when the association was revived, is:—’1925, 177; 1926, 533; 1927, 606; 1928, 1100; 1929, 2003; 1930, 2281. “During the year the executive decided to engage a whole time service officer, and Mr. J. McKee, previously employed on a non-permaneht basis, was engaged. By having a service officer oh the staff we have been able to erect more sign posts at less cost than previously and provide more road service to members. During the year we erected over 200 direction and danger signs and spent £169 17s 8d in this direction. We have been able to give to members of other associations the same service as they give to our members in their territories. PETROL TAX PROPOSAL., “Shortly after Easter it was learned that an increased petrol tax was proposed. Feeling that motorists were already sufficiently taxed we joined with the other associations in the North and South Islands in making vigorous protests against any further taxation. The secretary of this association was appointed by the North Island Motor Union to prepare a comprehensive report on the burden of taxation which the motorist is carrying and this was duly prepared and laid before the Prime Minister by the North and South Island Motor Unions. The result of the representations made by the North and South Island Motor Unions was that the Government reduced,- the proposed tax by a penny a gallon and the oil companies agreed to carry a penny of the remainder of the tax. The saving to motorists therefore ia equal to £500,990 per annum. “Two years ago we established, together with some of the other associations of the North Island, the N.I.M.U. Mutual Insurance Company. The second rear of the company’s business closed on June 30, 1930, and the balance-sheet of the company presents a wonderful achievement. These figures will indicate the growth of the union. The premium income last year amounted to £38,242, as compared with £12,391 for the previous year, an increase of £25,851, or over 200 per cent. The accumulated funds of the company amounted at the end of June, 1930, to £20,452. The average savin* per policy to members is 25s 6d, and the total saving to policy-holders since the inception bf the company is £B6OO. The large item of £10,367 is shown in the balance-sheet as being-cash in transit. This is occasioned by the fact that the third party insurance premiums were in transit between the Postal Department and the company at the date of the annual balance. ’SCHOOL SAFETY POSTERS. “For several years it has been the practice of this association to distribute school safety posters to all the schools in its district.. The object of the posters has been to assist the teachers as far as possible in the dissemination of information as to the proper and safe use of the highways. The lessons illustrate how to cross streets in safety and what to do and what not to do in going home from school. This phase of - work which the S.T.A.A. pioneered has 'been taken . up by all the automobile associations in New Zealand and has received the benediction of the Minister of Education.

“Together with the other associations we have taken up the matter of white mudguards- for cycles for we feel that the red reflectors at present used on cycles are altogether inadequate. Every niGtorist knows how difficult it is on a, wet night to pick .up a cyclist even though he is displaying a red rear reflector. The white mudguards were first tried in Christchurch and they certainly show very clearly at night. Recommendations have gone forward to the Government requesting that it be made obImatory upon cyclists to have the rear part of the back mudguard painted white.

“At most of the principal public gatherings throughout our district last yeq.r we provided. . free service to our members. Punctures were repaired, tyres inflated, and minor adjustments made. In c-e week alone 88 members’ cars were serviced.” '

The report states that subscriptions to the sum of £l'ols are unpaid. If the associatipn is to give 100 per cent, service to members, this money will have to be received. The executive is anxious to extend the service organisation and is hampered by so many outstanding subscriptions. “For some time,” continues the report, “it has been felt that closer co-opera-tion between the Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu and the bouth laranaki Associations would, be desirable, particularly in the-matter of road patrols and service organisation. With this object in view a conference was held in Wanganui during the year and satisfactory ai> rangements have been agreed upon by the four associations. The coming year will be notable for the improvement in road service to members.” FREE AEROPLANE RIDES. HAWERA PICTURE PATRONS. The occupiers of two seats in the Hawera Opera House on Thursday evening of next week will receive orders for free aeroplane rides over Hawera. The seats, one in the dress circle and oue in the stalls, will be chosen at random by the Mayor of Hawera, Mr. B. A. Pacey, and the numbers locked in the safe until the seats are filled. The winners in this novel competition will be given rides in Major A. G. Cowper’s Desoutter monoplane. The picture to be shovyn is “The Arizona Kid.” The box plan opens tomorrow morning to cope with an early demand. This form of advertising has proved popular with the public in other centres, though an innovation in Taranaki. ’ r HAWERA FIRST AID CLASS. i RESULTS OF EXAMINATION. First aid classes were held at the Hawera Technical High School from April to August. Dr. R. G. B. Sinclair was lecturer and Mr. Shaw practical demonstrator. All candidates passed the first aid- examination set by Dr. W. F. Buist, the list in order of merit being:— Mr. M. Gray, Mrs. F. Gerrand, Miss L. Lysaght, Mr. L. Turnbull, Mr. F. Baker, Miss I. Batten, Miss E. Boyce, Mrs. G. M. MacDonald, Miss D. Hooper, Mrs. A. J. King, Mrs. M. Frisk, Misses D. Hunt, E. Hunt and F. Burge. Mrs., Eileen Veitch.