AUTOMOBILE ASSN.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1933, Page 8

AUTOMOBILE ASSN.

MEETING OF'GREYMOUTH

BRANCH

The fifteenth annual meeting of the Greymofith branch of the Canterbury Automobile Association was field at Grey mo uth last evening, Dr W, McKay presiding over an attendance of over tliiry members, including visitors from the Hokitika and Westport branches/ ‘

The election of officers resulted: President Mr G. Harker; vice-presi-dent, Dr W. McKay; secretary Mr W. F. Harley; Dr S. A. Gibbs, chairman of the No’7 Transport Licensing Authority, arrived at this juncture, and was welcomed by the chairman, who also invited him to address the meeting.

Dr Gibbs said'that he considered that there was'mbr© need f6r the..associations of iriotbrists at present than ever’before, and would be more so in the future, pefbap's,’ to restrain the misguided zeal of the Government. He referred to the very successful association that existed in Nelson.

In returning thanks for his election a,s president, Mr HArker Said that the most , pressing subjects tliht the- Association’had to deal with were the Waimnkariri River bridge, and the Ku-mara-Flowery Creek road. The completion of the Tatter work meant £IOOO a year to motorists, who would sa-ve 20 miles on the Vet urn journey from Greymouth to Hokitika The secretary again referred to the difference in the cost'of petrol in Greymouth and Christchurch He Said that it cost the Associated Motorists Company £45 'to bring thair 5000 gallon tank Waggon over, and return it to Lyttelton.

A discussioh arose on the advisability of bringing the petrol here by sea. the members being of the opinion that' the companies should go into the question.’ ’ Dr Gibbs' suggested that as Air E. S. Br.ittenden, Railway Traffic Manager, and' Mr Dawson, Goods Manager, were at present in Greymouth, a‘deputation'from, the Association should interview' them on - thq question., The secretary and president were appointed'the deputation Mr Bawkes said that one of the reasons why-, petrol wias cheap' in Christchurch Was the keen competition existing between the companies and the service .stations, resulting in la price cutting ‘ ‘.war. ’ ’ ... . . ; t

*,! The^eliairmaii 1 ; said', -that one of the things that.had to be settled in the | near future.; was the question of the ! West' 1 Coast •fi branch . ; boundaries, to avoid overlapping, in the . control of the roads. : They suggested that the ' Greymouth t boundaries be the Otira Road, passing, through Kumara, the Diliman’s Hilly at the junction of the 'Sandy’s Hi 11... road, Mawheraiti, and : the Grey County .boundary at Punakaiki in the north. , .

It'- wAs lef j-to. the .Hokitika branch to'discuss the proposed boundary.

Dr'AleKay.'said that he had appealed to the chairman of the Unemploy-ment-Board (Mr Jessep) for funds to complete the Kumara JunctionFlowery Creek road, but the Unemployment Board had laid it down a? a definite policy'-'that nothing would be granted, until some other body moved, and then they -would discuss ’ tba, 1 subsidy to .be given. Therefore, there could be nothing done until either tire Highways Board or the Public Works Department moved. The .Westland County Council had already voted £SO towards the metalling, and j the survey had been completed. I Di* Teiclielmami said that, in, connection with the latter, they had had Mr' Sterlng down, and it appeared that the Railways Board was very much opposed to the road; anyway, Mr Sterling was. The chairman (interrupting): The great “I am!” Dr Teiehelmann: Anyway he got away safely!

The secretary : We are ready' folium • when he comes back—with a bayonet!

Dr Teiehelmann: -He is invulnerable.