AUTOMOBILE ASSN.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 20 June 1925, Page 11

AUTOMOBILE ASSN.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the Executive of the South Canterbury Automobile Association was held on Thursday night. Present—Dr. C. A. Paterson (president, in tho chair), Messrs S. J. McClelland, E. R. Guinness, J. Palliser, W. H. Orboll, G. A. Bridges, J. H. Don, W. T. Ritchie,. and the secretary (E. A. Scott). - . The Canterbury Automobile Association advised that the Selwyn river on the main road -would he bridged at an early date. It was decided to congratulate the authorities on having decided to go on with tliis work. The Engineer to the ■ Geraldine County Council advised that tho Upper Orari bridge would he closed from Juno 1 till further notice. Tho Geraldine Business Men’s Association advised that they had under consideration the placing of a notice board at the junction of the GeraldinoWinclicstcr road, and they asked for tho approval of tho Association. It was decided that the notice should read: “Christchurch road, via Geraldine.”

A letter was received from the Wairarapa Automobile Association in reference to insurance on cars.

It was decided to forward this to tho next meeting of the South Island Motor Uunion for consideration. Mr Orbell said he thought tho Automobile Associations throughout New Zealand should combine to carry their own insurance.

Tho South Island Motor Union wrote in reply to a letter from the Cecil Wood Co., in regard to the number of passengers which can be carried in a Ford one-ton truck. The limit of seating capacity was governed by the local bodies by-laws. In Christchurch 14 inches were allowed for each. passenger, with 16 inches for the driver’s seat; and the annual fees were 30s per passenger up to twenty passengers, and 40s each for 21 to 30 passengers. It was decided to get an interpretation of tho Association’s by-laws, with a view to determining whether motor garage proprietors are eligible for seats on the Executive of the Association. It was decided to erect a sign post at Killoh’s store, Orari, and to erect two school signs at Totara Valley. Mr B. L. Blodorn (Timaru) and Mr J. McCann (Totara Valley) were elect-’ ed members of the Association.

The president said he did not know whether they had any redress in 'the matter, but ho thought some protest should be made against tho action of tho Borough Engineer in dumping about nine inches of shinglo at street corners. This was not only bad for cars, but it was still worse for push bicycles and motor bicycles. It was decided to draw th© Borough Council’s attention to tho matter.

Mr Ritchie again drew attention to the need for a by-law compelling all vehicles to pull up on tho correct side of tho road.

Mr . Orboll suggested that the Borough Council should be asked _to strictly enforce the by-law compelling every cyclist to have a red disc attached to his bicycle.

A brief discussion took -place concerning tho dimming of car lights. The president sard that dimming would not avoid accidents; the only way to do that was to bo careful. What should bo done was to focus the light on tho road instead of allowing it to bo disWJarod indiscriminately. Mr Ritohio said that he did not intend to dim any mor© in -the country. Tho thing to do was to focus the car’s liedits on tho road, and to watch these lights without' paying - any attention to any other car. Where they had the lights of tho town or city they must ho prepared to dim. Other members on domed this view, and it was decided to advise the Garage Proprietors’ Association that tho move they aro making in connection with this matter is a step in tho right direction. ‘

Accounts amounting to £44 were passed for payment, and tho secrets i-v said that this loft the Association with a credit balance of £llO.