MOTORING.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 21 September 1923, Page 4

MOTORING.

SOUTH CANTERBURY AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE.

A meeting of tlie executive of the South Canterbury Automobile Association was held last night. _ Present: Messrs G. A. Bridges (chairman), it. It. Guinness, J. Palliser, AY. PI. Orbell, AV. 'J'. Ritchie, R. J. McKeown, PI. R. and Dr. C. A. Paterson. The Timaru Influenza Epidemic Committee wrote thanking the Association for having generously placed cars at the disposal of the committee tor use during the outbreak of influenza. The car owners who had lent their cars for this purpose were Mrs It. H. Rhodes, Mrs Lewis, Messrs B. E. H. Tripp J. 'Waddell, R. H. Bissett, and Dr. Gray Hassell. The Association passed a hearty vote of thanks to The minutes of the last meeting of the exeutive of the South Island Motor Union were read and considered. One tiem in the minutes was a reference, to a colour scheme, asking if the Union would consider the numbering system for marking main roads. In the North Island it had been found that this was unsatisfactory, owing to the colour fading. 1 , „ . , The Council of the Union, at its meeting in AVaimate on. August 24, considered the same lb was explained that the Otago Union was in favour of the scheme. Pinally it was decided that the scheme should he adopted on the main road between Nelson and the Bluff. A remit from South Canterbury in reference to a convenient system of hand signals was considered, and it was decided that two signals only be adopted —namely, hand out to right (for a turn to the right) and hand up (as a signal to stop). Another matter dealt with by the Union was in reference to headlights, a motion being passed that the Union views with apprehension the action of Borough and City Councils in framing by-laws restricting the use of headlights -within the whole of the city or borough limits. In the interests of public safety headlights were necessary, even in city limits. Motor Unions in New Zealand should consisder the whole matter of lighting, and should _ urge that until a solution was reached this by-law be not strictly enforced.

A PATENT DIMMER

In connection with this matter Mr G. H. Nicholas, of Stafford Street, waited on the meeting and gave a demonstration of a graduated dimmer which he lias patented. With this it was seen that there is no sudden break from very bright to very low, the lights being dimmed simply and gradually to any desired strength. The contrivance is very simple, does not interfere with the car in any way, and can be fitted to'any make of car at a nominal cost. Mr Nicholas said that he had sold 70 of these dimmers during the past two days. The previous night he had taken Inspector Willis out in his car, and he had expressed the opinion that the-dimmer rnet all requirements, and was just what was wanted to solve .the difficulty arising from dazzling headlights. Dr. Paterson said that he had had one of these patent dimmers on his car for'the past three weeks, and found it perfect in every respect. .Mr Ritchie said that this dimmer would certainly solve the dazzling headlight problem and end the controversy oh the subject. It was a splendid con-trivance-simple, cheap and thoroughly efficient.

All present expressed similar opinions, and a motion was carried unanimously thanking Mr Nicholas for his demonstration, complimenting him upon his invention, recommending the latter to all motorists, and suggesting to Mr Nicholas that he -should bring it before the next meeting of the South Island Motor Union in Christchurch.

GENERAL

A letter was received from Mr Harrison suggesting that a danger signal should be erected'at AA’inchester at the junction where tho road branches oft' to Geraldine.

It was decided to comply with the request. Mr Orboll mentioned that the North Canterbury Automobile Association was endeavouring to show, by keeping surfacemen on an eiglit-mile stretch >of road, how roads could be kept in good order for motoring. He would like to see a similar expermient tried in South Canterbury.

Mr Harris suggested that the experiment in North Canterbury '-would do for the whole of the province in the meantime.

The following were elected members of the Association: —Rev. A. C. Lawry, Messrs A. E; Stowed, J. Macdonald, E. Trotfc, George Tate, AA r . E. Stickings, and Miss B. Hyde. The Secretary (Air E. A. Scott) reported that the credit balance that day stood at £l3O.

Accounts amounting to £2B were passed for payment.