MOTORISTS PLEASED WITH BETTER ROADS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 243, 14 October 1938, Page 6

MOTORISTS PLEASED WITH BETTER ROADS

REPORT OF WANGANUI AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION

Appreciation of the improvements which have been effected and are still being carried out to the various highways in the Wanganui district is contained in the yearly report to be presented next Wednesday at the annual meeting of members of the Automobile Association (Wanganui) by the president, Mr. A. S. Burgess. On the Wanganui-Raetihi highway the improvement is most marked, states the report. Most of the major works between Aberfeldie and Kakatahi will be finished by Christmas ar 1 a start has been made on the new alignment between Makirikiri and Aberfeldie. A scheme has also been submitted for the improvement and reconstruction of the 19i-mile section in the Waimarino County. As a result of the association’s representations the improvements and reconstruction of the Marton-Taihape highway have progressed satisfactorily. In July a meeting of the association was held in Taihape. Messrs. Lindrup and Sampson, Public Works, and Mr. S. R. Mair, Rangitikei County Council, were present in addition to about 50 members. The general scheme for improvement and' and the programme for the forthcoming year was explained to the meeting. This touring season should show a great improvement of this highway. Members, through the New Zealand Motor World, have been kept in touch with the work of the North Island Motor Union. The strong objection to the suggestion that the power of arrest be given to traffic inspectors has so far delayed the passing of the necessary legislation. With regard to the reduction in the petrol tax, although the large deputation that waited on the Minister of Finance last September had reason to hope from the Minister’s attitude that something might be done, so far no reduction has been made. Your union, however, is not relaxing their efforts to obtain relief for the motorists in their excessive burden of taxation. Members will be gratified to know that number plates can now be affixed on May 31, but should remember that the old plates must be carried in the car. The triptyque system under which there is no necessity to pay a deposit duty on motor-cars brought into Australia or New Zealand by visitors for touring purposes is now’ in full operation and is being taken advantage of by every member who is visiting Australia and wishes to use his own car to see the country. The New Zealand Motor World has had another successful year and has proved a most valuable means of keeping members in touch with the work of the association. The editor is always pleased to receive letters, articles and photos from members for publication and will pay the usual remuneration for any article or photo published. With three patrols the association is able to give increased service to members, and the result of the increased service is reflected in the large increase in members. The financial position has again improved With a large increase in ;ewnbership, expenditure has also increased. but subscriptions have more than kept pace with the increased expenditure. Subscriptions have in-

creased from £2Bll 14s 6d to £3472 18s which with other receipts give a total income of £3853 10s sd. The total expenditure, including £263 16s depreciation, amounted to £3147 9s 3d, leaving a surplus of £706 Is 2d as against last year's surplus of £3lO 3s 2d. During the year £5OO was invested in Wanganui - Rangitikei Power Board debentures, which together with £6OO in Government bonds and £866 Is lOd in the post office and National Bank, make a total of liquid assets amounting to £1966 Is lOd. There was such a demand for the new A.A. metal badge that further supplies had to be ordered. The hire fee has been reduced from 10s 6d to 7s 6d. The increase in members has meant more requests for “Get You Home" service, the cost of which has increased from £IS6 5s 6d to £252 4s’3d. This service is greatly appreciated by members but they should always carry the A.A. handbook and their

membership ticket in the car. This ticket must be produced and the service given by an A.A. garage listed in the handbook. Members are requested to always remove the old windscreen transfer before putting the new one on. The reason is that three or four transfers on the windscreen make it very difficult for the patrol to tell whether the car belongs to a financial memb?r or not. It also has a tendency to cause a blind spot on the left. The thanks of the association are due to the Wanganui City Council, Wanganui County Council, Waitotara County Council, Patea Council Council. Rangitikei County Council and also the engineer, Public Works, Wanganui, for the consideration always extended to its representations, and also appreciation for the steady improvement that is being made on all main highways throughout our district. The executive also expresses its appreciation of the support of the local newspapers in devoting space to the publication of reports of the association's activities. •

Building at Wanganui East. Advice has been received by Mr. J. B. Cotterill, M.P. for Wanganui, that the tender of Messrs. Knuckey and Dickson, of Wanganui, has been accepted for the erection of seven houses at Wanganui East. This is the first

block of houses to be erected on the Broughton Estate, on which it is the intention to build 37 houses. To date no intimation has been received as to whether tenders for the remainder of the houses have been let.