MOTORISTS’ AFFAIRS

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1934, Page 6

MOTORISTS’ AFFAIRS

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION. STRATFORD COMMITTEE MEETS. The annual meeting of the Central Taranaki committee of the Automobile Association (South Taranaki) was held at Stratford last night. There were present Messrs. J. C. Allen (chairman), B. Rawles, L. Caldwell, W. Davies, L. J. Furrie and E. Worthington. “We are really acting as a domestic committee here now—we are not a branch,” said Mr. Allen. Regarding the annual report of the association Mr. Allen said that it was the best report the association had ever had presented, both from the financial and membership points of view and as regards general activities during the year. One of the best features of the report was the free breakdown service over a radius of up to 20 miles from the nearest garage. This would be greatly appreciated by members. The following committee was elected: Messrs. J. C. Allen (chairman), W. K. Williams, L. J. Furrie, B. Rawles, G. A. Carter, W. Davis and L. Caldwell. Messrs. Williams, Carter, Furrie and Rawles were nominated for the general committee of the. association.

The secretary, Mr. G. A. Carter, reported a large increase in membership during the last few months, and that there was a large number of nominations already in hand. The matter of persuading pedestrians to walk on the right side of the road was raised by Mr. Furrie. No matter how careful a motorist might be, he said, there was always a danger of striking pedestrians walking with their backs to approaching traffic at night through the existence of a point of “black-out where . the motorist could see nothing at a certain point no matter how careful he might be. Mr. Allen also drew attention to the double danger of striking pedestrians when passing another vehicle at night. Even if he slowed down to 15 miles an hour, he said, there was a real possibility of accident. Under the motor regulations, said Mr. Carter, there could be no control of pedestrians. Realising that, the association had inaugurated the “Safety First” campaigns through the schools to. educate the young mind to the necessity of walking on the right side of the road. “It is a very serious matter for motorists,” said Mr. Furrie. “You never know when you may be involved in a serious matter over this business.” Mr. Furrie also mentioned the danger of cars parked on the roadside at night with the lights full on. He had himself almost collided with a pedestrian who had suddenly come out from behind the glaring headlights of a parked car. Appreciation of the sacrifices made by many members in paying their subscriptions was expressed by Mr. Carter as president of the association. If the association had not set a goal of increasing service it would not have seen this result, he said. ELTHAM SCOUTS’ TOUR. SCHEME TO RAISE FUNDS. Plans for raising funds to take two Eltham Boy Scouts to the Melbourne centenary celebrations were discussed at a meeting convened by the Eltham Legion of Frontiersmen on Tuesday, and it was resolved to introduce a donation ticket scheme with a view to raising the required amount within a month. The expenses were estimated at £2O for each boy, and one was prepared to pay part of his own ’ expenses. Mr. H. C. Jones pointed out that other centres smaller than Eltham were sending representatives and it was felt Eltham should not be behind. It was held that a dance would scarcely return sufficient profit for the work entailed and the suggested scheme was enthusiastically supported. Lieutenant Camcross presided over a fair attendance of citizens, and said the Legion of Frontiersmen .would give its help in the direction required. GRASSLAND FARMING. LECTURE AT STRATHMORE. A largely attended meeting of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Strathmore hall on Tuesday night to hear a lecture given by Mr. J. M. Smith, of the Department of Agriculture. Mr. M. P. Ford, president of the branch, welcomed Mr. Smith and Mr. D. le C. Morgan, North Taranaki secretary of the union. Lantern slides operated by Mr. Morgan combined with the, address showed clearly the progress of grassland experiments which are being made by the Agricultural Department. KING’S THEATRE. “PRIVATE DETECTIVE 62.” Suave William Powell returns to the type of role that first won him screen recognition in “Private Detective 62,” which begins a two-day engagement at the King’s Theatre on Friday. Once again this polished star portrays, as the title suggests, a sleuth, but one of a different order than his Philo Vance characterisations of the past. In this thrilling, highly entertaining Warner Bros, offering Powe!' is a tarnished, but more interesting spy on erring wives and wayward husbands. Discredited in diplomatic circles, Powell is forced to employ his ferreting genius in domestic spheres. By his charm and adroitness he is unusually successful in a profession that s as remunerative as it is loathsome. Then he undertakes to “get the goods” on beautiful Margaret Lindsay, but makes the mistake of falling in love with her. ADVERTISERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS. The women of Stratford d district will be given an interesting treat at the parish hall, Stratford, oi. Saturday at 1.30 p.m., when Mrs. Barrer, M.A., Masterton, will speak under the auspices of the W-D-F.U. Central Taranaki provincial executive on the Pan-Pacific Conference