OTAGO MOTORISTS

Evening Star, Issue 22451, 23 September 1936, Page 16

OTAGO MOTORISTS

ASSOCIATION'S SUCCESSFUL YEAR MR F. J. WILLIAMS AGAIN PRESIDENT The successful year experienced "by the Automobile Association (Otago) was the subject of general congratulation at the annual meeting of members last night. Mr F. J. Williams presided over a largo attendance. The mayor (Rev. E. T. Cox) said the City Council appreciated the active cooperation of the association’s executive during the past year. In fact, the council did not move in motor traffic and street laws without consulting the association. The co-operation had reached such a stage that, when the association made any request, members might almost consider it done._ Drastic changes in the traffic regulations concerning the main streets had been made, with the hearty support of the association’s executive. He trusted that the motoring organisation would have another successful year, and that the co-operation between the two bodies would grow. Cr A., H. Allen, chairman of the General Committee, said he had done all in his power to bring about happier relations between the City Counoil and the A.A., and he had been assisted by the latter’s executive. Probably the most successful reform in the past year was the lines in George and Princes streets defining the areas in which cars might park during tjia day, which motorists and citizens alike would admit had made for better order. The introduction of one-way traffic in the Octagon was decided some months ago, but, for departmental reasons, nothing was done until a week or two ago. It was hoped that this scheme would simplify traffic in the Octagon. Probably the most congested area in the city was that between High and Rattray streets. A zone for tram passengers, to facilitate motor traffic and to give more protection to the general public, had been created there. The experiment was an unqualified success, but the construction of a permanent zone was held up pending a decision on a scheme to prohibit through traffic in the locality. Another improvement was the removal of’ the “ mushrooms ” at some intersections; the use of white lines was a success. He hoped that the motorists found the city traffic inspectors helpful, as those officials were intended to be friends of the motorists. Cr Allen congratulated the association on its balance sheet and the liquidity of its assets. Mr Williams said the executive was sensible of the assistance received from the City Council and the General Com--mittee, realising that other than motorists also owned the streets. NEW REGULATIONS. Moving the adoption of the annual report, the President said there had been drastic alterations recently in the motoring laws of the country, but whether they would be altogether for the good would bo told in the future. Without doubt, the changes would prove of benefit to motorists. The proposal to introduce stringent regulations was evidence of the desire of the Government to make the roads safer for all. The Minister of Transport had taken the motoring organisations into his confidence in making suggestions for the improvement of traffic. Mr Williams referred to the happy relations between the association and local bodies throughout Otago. Mr G. T. Thorn seconded the motion, which was carried. IMPROVED FINANCES. “ We have had a very successful year,” said the treasurer (Mr J. L. Passmore), moving the adoption of the balance sheet. 1 The subscriptions received enabled substantial writing down to be carried out. A question had been raised as to the expenditure on direction signs, the sum being recorded as £39, as against £272 last year. ■ The actual sum spent was £123, but a subsidy of £B4 was received from the Highways Board. The road service cost increased from £BS to £lO2, due, no doubt, to the increased use of cars and a wider knowledge of the scheme. The sum of £4OO was being transferred to the accumulated fund, and an amount was’ being set aside for the reserve fund. Mr Passmore thought that every member would be well satisfied with, the balance sheet. “ If there is one body well and faithfully managed, it is the Motor Club,” said Mr John M'Donald, who seconded the motion. He appealed to members to show greater consideration for other motorists by occupying a minimum of space on parking areas. A suggestion was made that members should sanction the payment of more liberal out-of-pocket expenses to officials when travelling on the association’s business. The motion was carried. ROAD TO THE SPIT. Mr W. J. Bardsley urged the association to work for the improvement of the road to the Spit, where the beach was the safest in Otago. The drive of 18 miles along the waterfront could be made most popular. The President replied that, mainly through the efforts of the association, the Spit road had been declared a main highway and was under the control of the Waikouaiti County Council, which would receive 75 per cent, of the eost from the motorists if it found 25 per cent. The Highways Board should properly put in order the existing roads before spending money on others, NEW MEMBERS. A total of 71 new members was elected. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted;— President, Mr F. J. Williams (reelected). Vice-presidents, Messrs E. J. Anderson and E. W. G. H. Watts. Treasurer, Mr J. L. Passmore. There were 11 nominations for eight vacancies on the committee, and the ballot resulted in the election of the following:—Messrs A. .1. Allen, A. E. Ansell, A. J. Campbell, W. R. Hudson, H. L. Sprosen, C. W, Sundstrum, T. Y. Turner, G. T. Thorn. CLUB PREMISES. The question of new club rooms was raised by the president, who said the proposals were that the club should purchase its own property or improve the present rooms. A fund had been created for the purpose. The lessor of the present promises had agreed to the plan and would permit the work to he carried out, provided his architect approved and the lease were renewed at a higher rental, Air A. E. Ansell said that in the early days of the association the executive had commenced to build up a fund with the object ultimately of securing a homo of its own. He was still of the opinion that that should be done, and was not in favour of spending money on a building which was leased. They should, he considered, _ look to the future with more optimism. Motoring was growing and would continue to grow, and there was no doubt that if

tho association owned its own premises they would be an attraction to motorists, and the membership might bo expected to increase. Ho hoped that other members would view the matter in the same light. (Applause.) Tho President said that the executive would this year have to complete some scheme for consideration at the next annual or a special meeting.

MOTORISTS’ PETROL COMPANY. Dr W. Howlands brought up the subject of alleged injustice to holders of preference shares in the Associated Motorists’ Petrol Company. He explained tho position from the point of view of the shareholders, and suggested that the meeting might express dissatisfaction with the way in which tho interests of the preference shareholders had been disregarded. Mr Ansell said he would bo willing to discuss the position with Dr Newlands on a proper occasion, but he held that it was not competent for the meeting to accept a motion. . The President; There is no motion before the meeting. Mr Ansell said that any one of the directors would be pleased to explain the actions of the company to Dr Newlands. They had no objection to the question being raised or being discussed. As Dr Newlands admitted, the company was successfully managed. It had been the means of saving the general motoring public a sum of one and a-half millions. The interests of every shareholder of the company had been adequately and faithfully protected. “For the ordinary shareholders?” asked a member. “ I think you will have to accept that statement,” interposed the president. “ I am inclined to think that this is not the proper place to bring forward a question on the affairs of the company.” GENERAL. Votes of thanks were passed to the president, Mr W. H. Brent (who retired from the executive), and the staff. Messrs Bruce Stephens (president A.A., North Otago), G. J. Errington (president Otago Expansion League), and W, Longbottom (Dunedin Chamber of Commerce) congratulated the association on the success of its work. Songs were given by Mr Arthur Macdonald, and Mr H. H. Wellbourn gave a clever display of legerdemain and balancing.