SOUTH ISLAND MOTOR UNION.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17469, 1 June 1922, Page 9

SOUTH ISLAND MOTOR UNION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The annual conference of the South Island Motor Union was held last evening in tho Canterbury Automobile Association's rooms. Tho delegates present -were: Canterbury Automobile Association, Messrs F. AV. Johnston (retiring president), N. M. Orbell, J. S. Huwkes, F. D. Sargent; Otago Motor Club, Messrs A. E. AnseU, H. Halliday; Pioneer Motor Club, Messrs W. H. Benson. J. P,. Merrett, W. G. Tonks, F.. 11. Jones; South Canterbury Automobile Association, Mes-TS. R. J- 31cKcown. E. A. Scott, E. R. Guinnes-Sj J. Palliser: Southland Motor Association, Mr C. W. Heney; Nelson Automobile Association, Messrs R. Macartney, H. Donaldson.

It ws-s arrreed that Mr Johnston should represent the Union at a conference with the Minister of Public Work?, in Wellington on June 7th, to diwuso tho Main "Highways Bill. The Awn tore County Council wrote stntinj: that, in the matter oi' allocating tho money raised by the tyro tax for exjiending on ronds. there -should be one fund for each Island, and that the basis of allocation should be motor registration . It was decided to support this view at the conference with the .counties' representatives. Annual Report. Tin* annual report showed that during the year the Ashburton Motorcycling Club and the Nel on Automobi'e Association had become affiliated, making, a total of ten clubs and associations with an approximate total •membership of -1200, as a-rainst eight clubs and associations with" an approximate membership cf S&jO Inst year. During the year tho hotel scheme had developed beyond all expectations, and had proved of great benefit to members of affiliated clubs and associations, the number ef hotels bo : ng 64, and cvering practically all parts of the South Island. The reoort also dealt with various legislative matters in which the Union had taken an active interest during the yenr. Trie statement of receipts and expenditure showed a. credit balance of £ls l*2*i 9d. Mr AnseU, in moving the adoption of the annual report, expressed high appreciation of the services rendered by Mr F. W. Johnston, president, during the iKust year. He also eulogised the valuable services of the secretary, Mr P. R. Hnrman. Mr ■Guinness seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Hallidav said that the southern members greatly appreciated the splendid work of Mr Harman, which was reflected in the sound financial position of the union. He moved that Mr Harman be voted an honorarium of £lO as a. mark of esteem. Mr Hawkey who seconded the motion, "aid that the success of the union was largely due to Mr Harman. - The motion was adopted.

Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr J. S. Hawkes; vice-president, Mr J. F. Lillicrap; executive, Messrs F. "W. Johnston, N. M. Orbell, W. ij. Benson, W. G. Tonks, W. L. Minson, C. W. Henvey, J. R. Brown; auditor, Mr J. 'B. Merrett; secretary and treasurer, 3lr P.' It. Barman. Uniformity of By-laws. The committee on, the unifomity of by-laws recommended "that there should be no by-laws'affecting speed limitSj as the statute la w ; which says .that a driver should, not l drive in a manner dangerous to the public, taking all the circumttances into consideration, ' covers all cases of speeding sufficiently." In regard to the passing of - tram carß, the committee recommended "that there should be a universal by-Jaw that, vehicular traffic should not be 1 alio wed to pass trams on the near side and should be allowed to pass on the offside only, where there is nd traffic coming in the opposite direction within a distance, to allow safety. "That all passengers alighting from a tram car shouldgo straight to the footI path and wait till the tram clears beI fore attempting to cross the or failing that, should always go to the rear of the tram to cross over. "That motor car traffic, when meeting a stationary tram, shall reduce speed so aa to be able to pull up immediately." The report and recommendations were adopted and it was decided to forward a copy of the report to the New Zealand Automobile Union. General. The Singapore Autmobile Club wrote asking if the Union was willing to affiliute and enter into an inter-change of privileges It was agreed to reciprocate the privileges offered by the Singapore Club. Mr Hawkes said that the Canterbury Association had suggested that the main road through the South Island should be uniformly sign-posted. The idea was that in addition to direction signs, a board should be erected at each river bridge bearing the name of the river and that the nam© of every township should be displayed for the benefit of strangers, while 'dangerous corners should also be indicated by the "Dan; "erous Go Slow. Keep to the Left, signs adopted bv the Canterbury Association. Tf each of tho affiliated Associations adopted the scheme, and-did its share, it would mean a fino advertisement for the union. On the motion of Mr Ansell, seconded by Mr Macartne" it was decided that it should be left to the president and secretary to circularise the Associations pointing out the desirability of uniform ' Ol iTwas agix-ed that the next quarterly general meeting should be held at Iselson.