VETERAN MOTORISTS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 98, 19 January 1935, Page 4

VETERAN MOTORISTS

Organisation Exists in New Zealand ENGLISH AFFILIATION There has existed in New Zealand for the la_st 12 mouths a New Zealand Company of Veteran Motorists: it is affiliated to the English Company of Veteran Motorists, and was organised by Mr. W. H. Bowen, of Wellington, himself a member of the English company. As the membership is approximately 100, Mrs. E. Brown, of Brooklyn, cannot claim the distinction of being the first New Zealand member of the company, as reported yesterday. Mr. Bowen, however, has on his car a distinctive badge which he claims is the only one in this country. It is the badge of the Chivalry of the Road Association, another English motoring organisation, which arrived only last week. .. The badge is a particularly well designed and’attractive niece of work. On a background of nickel silver is the medallion of Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travellers, with the monogram of the association in red lettering on a shield at the bottom. All members of the organisation are entitled to place it on their cars, as a symbol of their'serious attempts to be chivalrous drivers. In addition .to their aim of improving driving conditions on the road the association offers substantial insurance benefits, certain free garage services, and a driving license renewal reminder service. The New Zealand Company of Veteran Motorists will shortly embark on a campaign to increase their membership. In the meanwhile badges for the New Zealand Company have been ordered : they will be similar to tire English badge depicted yesterday, but in addition will have the letters “N.Z.” at the bottom of the ."V.” The badges will have to be made in Birmingham, where the English badge is manufactured, as New Zealand firing were unable to take on the contract offered them by Mr. Bower. . . . In England, before a driver can join, he has to produce a driving license aS proof of at least 10 years’ driving experience. Such a check may not prove possible in this country. The badges are issued from 10 years upward in denominations of five years, and the portion on which the number of years of blameless driving is engraved is detachable, so that the motorists do not have to replace the whole badge when they qualify for a higher numeral. The object of the company is “the banding together of motorists of not less than 10 years’ motoring experience, who agree to observe all the recognised rules of the road and to shpw to all users those little courtesies which mean so much to the other fellow.” Among the advantages of membership are a driving license reminder service, a membership registration card to be retained on the driving license, a better insurance covering, and various types of fittings. The organisation, whose membership numbers about 10.000, works in conjunction with the English police, and has the backing of various traffic departments. Mr. Bowen is a driver of long experience. He is actually qualified for the 25-year class of the company, but \ unfortunately had his badge stolen, and has to be content with a smaller number of years. He was with the Sunbeam Motor Company in England for IS years, and has raced on many tracks throughout the world. He was associated with the late Sir Henry Segrave, and also was closely in touch with Sir Malcolm Campbell, who was not the founder of the company, but its first member. Members of the company in New Zealand will have Mr. Bowen’s technical knowledge and experience put at the back of their organisation. He plans to institute a certain amount of service for members in various garages of repute in New Zealand centres, and members will have free advice at their disposal. One of the objects of the society will be the reduction of the large death roll caused by motor accidents. The traffic department of the Wellington City Council is aware of his activities, and the company has its support.