SOUTH ISLAND MOTOR UNION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16413, 29 April 1921, Page 2

SOUTH ISLAND MOTOR UNION.

ANNUAL MEETING. | The first a b#ua! meeting of delegates of tbo South Island Motor Union was held in the. Automobile Association’s new rooms last night, Mr F. AV. Johnston, presiding. Tbs other delegates present were: —Messrs J. S. Hawke*. It- AV. Lochhead, A. S. Clarkson, 13. Falck, F. D. Sargent. O. Fraser, N. M. Orbeli and R. Macartney: representing the Pioneer Club. Messrs J. 15. Merrett, W. H. XT. L. Minson and F. R. Jones; representing the South Canterbury Automobile Association. Messrs E. E. Guinness and W W Baxter; representing the South Canterbury Motor Club. Mr J. Falliser; representing the Otaro Motor Club, Messrs A. E. A use 11, H. Hafliday, A. L. I ego. P. AV. Breen, M. Stevenson and AV. Wright; repre- , renting the South. Otago Motor Club. Mr F. M'G-uinnesH: representing the Southland. Motor Association, Messrs J. R. Hugh nn>l C. AV. Hervcy; end the secretary and treasurer, Mr P. It. Harman. The Hon AV'. Downie Stewart, Minister of Internal Affairs, was present by invitation. In extending a welcome to the Minuter, Mr j .Tolmston expressed the hope that what was done by the union, which was working on behalf of the motoring public throughout the Dominion, would be of assistance to Mr Stewart in carrying out his arduous duties. The Southland Automobile Association wrote suggesting that cards should be supplied to motorists regarding the rule of ino road, together with information upon road Mr Johnston said that the question o: side road?, which was the only difficult aspect or tho rule of the road question, had been gone into by the recent conference at Wellington Mr Ansell moved that the decision arrived ni at the conference should be adopted. Ihe decision laid down the rule that, the man coming in must look to the right, the onus of a.voiding traffic being upon mm. Both' matters were referred to tn* incoming executive. An amended remit from the Canterbury Automobile Association was to trie following effect. —That in view of the ra-pidly-mcrefts-in* motor traffic now using the public roads, the various Automobile Associations affiliated with, the union be asked to press local bodies in fbrir districts to enforce their powers m regard to removing live hedges or trees, which, in the opinion of their engineer, oosoures the view a.t intersections or xauway crossings. Mr Orbeli said that there were ?o ruany accidents occurring through obscuring hedges that the remit was absolutely necessary. Mr Lochhead suggested that where a live fence might be cut down, there would be nothin'' to prevent the owner erecting' a. tenfoot iron fence, for instance. He suggested that a limit might be fixed upon tho height of dead fences. , Mr Macartney said be thought that the real solution of the difficulty was the rounding of corners. All corners on mam roads or where there wrn much <r.(Be ww»»M b« rounded off. Carryin; that irto eflect would be leas expensive and more efficient, a.nu would permanent!v settle the difficulty. Mr Wright supported tho previous speaker. Tim rounding off process would entail little hardship in country districts, as agricultural implements were not capable of being driven int-j. corners. The idea, he thought, should be kept steadily in view, so that, as timewent on, corners wherever possible would be rounded off. ISI.r -Macartney explained that his proposal did not necessarily mean the actual rounding of corners. .Tt would be quite sufficient to ,cut the corner off by a straight fence. In ono ca.se, where this had been done at a previously dangerous corner, the corner had been rendered perfectly safe. The remit calling upon local bodies tc> »n----forco their powers was carried. The other suggestions were deferred to tbo executive committee to report a.t the next quarcrly meeting. The question of the adoption of ail nivex?,al badge was left to the incoming executive. It was decided that, the union should make application for affiliation with the R..A.C .. in order to obtain the benefits of honorary membership for iu embers visiting England, an] to keep in touch with the British body. The report, and balance-sheet, which showed, a credit, of £9 16s 3d. were read nucl adopted. The question of official hotels was left to the incoming executive, with power to act. The election of officers resulted as follows : President, Mr F. AV. Johnston; vice-pre-sidents, Messrs ..IL Hallida-y and ,T. Lil'lierap : executive. Messrs J. S. H«wkes (Canterbury Automobile Association). AT. L. Minsoo (South Canterbury Motor Club), AT. IT Benson (Pioneer Snorts Club). N. M. Orbeli (South Canterbury Automobile Association). F. V. Thomas (Otaco Motor Club). C. AT. llrrvey (Southland Automobile Apsc-eiation). F, M'Guirme?s (South Otago Motor Chib): auditor, Mr IT. G. Tonks; secretary and treasurer. Mr P. P. Harman. At a smoke soeia! held afterwards, toasts wem proposed by Messrs Johnston. Lochhead and T>**own. and replied to by renrooenta fives of the different associations. Musical item? were given by Messrs J. TT. Cocks mid Frank Morrison. To-dav. those of the delegates who f (rc not returning to tb«n»- homes immediately will be motored to Lake Coleridge.