AUTOMOBILE ASSN.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18499, 21 February 1930, Page 2

AUTOMOBILE ASSN.

MONTHLY MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. The monthly meeting of the executive of the South Canterbury Automobile Association was held last night. Present.—Messrs J. Palliser (chairman), J. M. Jenkins, H. A. Innes-Jones, A. L. Ges, W. T. Ritchie, S. G. McClelland, J. T. Brady, C. S. Bruce, G. A. Bridges and T. Scott. The secretary of the Timaru Municipal Band wrote stating that the Port Nicholson Band (Australia) were expected to visit Timaru on Saturday, February 21, and the Timaru Band would be pleased if the Association could give the visitors a short run round the town on Saturday morning. The • chairman said that under the Association’s rules, they were unable to comply with the request. Mr J. S. Shell, rector of St. Saviour’s Orphanage, wrote expressing appreciation at the Association’s action in motoring orphanage boys home from the railway station on January 10. It was a fitting “top off” 'to a most enjoyable holiday. A letter was received from Major J. H. Powick, Salvation Army Home, Temuka, conveying the thanks of the staff and boys of the home for the delightful picnic provided by the Association. The chairman said it was very nice to receive such a letter. The secretary of the Farmers’ Union (Mr A. Thoreau) forwarded the itinerary for the visit of the British, South African and Canadian farmers’ party. Four bodies were participating in the welcome, and the Association's contribution was suggested at £B. The chairman said he had attended a meeting of the bodies interested, on the previous evening. The levy on their Association would be subject to reduction. The committee did not think that the total amount of the expenditure would exceed £l2. Members considered that the Association’s funds could not be used towards entertaining visiting farmers, and a motion to this effect, moved by Mr McClelland, and seconded by Mr Jenkins, was carried. The chairman of the Main Highways Board (Mr F. W. Furkert) advised that the Board had discussed the matter of the improvement of bridges over Cooper’s Creek, Waihi and Winchester Creeks, and the Geraldine County Council were taking immediate steps to proceed with new bridges. The chairman stated that the old bridges would be permitted to remain, the new ones being erected over the centres of the streams. The position was not quite satisfactory. The clerk of the .Geraldine County (Mr A. A. Readdie) wrote thanking the Association for their letter regarding the prosecution of the traction-engine-driver who caused the damage to the bitumen surface on the road between Winchester and Temuka. The matter had beep placed in the hands of the County solicitor. It was suggested by the chairman that the secretary’s office should remain open during the Christmas and New Year holidays, with the exception of close holidays such as Christmas Day. It was during that time that traffic was at its busiest, and information concerning the condition of roads and bridges was keenly sought. It was a matter of about only a week, but the time was most important as far as mootrists were concerned. It was decided to write to minor Associations in the South Island seekinginformation as to what procedure they adopted during the Christmas, New Year and Easter holidays. Mr J. H. Sinclair-Thomson, a member of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, waited on the Association seeking assistance for the running of motor events at the forthcoming gymkhana to be held by the Society at Holme Station. The chairman and Mr Ritchie were appointed to co-operate with Mr Sinclair Thomson. Mr Brady suggested that the hotel list published in the “Motor Owner” should be periodically reviewed, as in some instances hotels were included in the official list, which, owing to change of managership, had decided to discontine the usual benefits. The chairman explained that the question of a suitable sign outside hotels would be discussed at the S.I.M.U. meeting, when some finality would no doubt result. If any hotel decided to discontinue the reduced tariff, the sign could be taken down. A recommendation from the Roads Committee that the chairman and Messrs Jenkins and Bridges be appointed tip systematically carry out the sign-posting of the district, was approved. The following new members were elected:—Mrs F. J. Smith, Misses Lawry, J. O. Mclntyre, E. N. Tripp, Messrs Neil Colville, G. Fairbrother, F. S. Grant, G. Tarbotton, W. J. Tresider and S. J. Walker. Accounts amounting to £73/2/8 were passed for payment.