MEETING OF MOTORISTS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4813, 20 February 1925, Page 2

MEETING OF MOTORISTS.

.AN ASSOCIATION MOOTED. BENEFITS EXPLAINED. A number of motorist’s met at the County Chambers on Wednesday night to discuss the matter of forming a branch of the Auckland Automobile Association, Mr W. Marshall (Mayor) was elected to preside, and on his invitation Mr H. D. M. Haszard, secretary of the Waihi branch of the A.A.A. explained to the meeting the aims and objects of the association, and also its rules.

There were, he said, isome 90.000 motor registrations in New Zealand, and if motorists came together their voting power would command the Government to give better highways. A good deal of .work had been done by the association to further the interests of motorists in many different ways,’ and he thought that it was for all motorists to reciprocate by joining and so help along the movement. The subscription for members in Aucklandand a radius of 40 miles was £1 Is, and outside that 10s 6d a year. The V/aihi branch—had adopted a 10s 6d membership fee. The-association secured, as far as possible, an equitable administration of justice in regard io the rights of motorists on the public roads, and was alert at all.times to see that in all projected legislation the motorists’ point of view was adequately presented and the interests of m’otorists properly cared for. It promoted tours and encouraged and facilitated touring and other forms of motoring by-erecting throughout the province warning boards and roa<‘ direction signs. It rendered legal, advice or defence in cases approved by its council. An official iisi of hotel and accommodation houses had also been prepared by the association a* which concession rates were granted to members, and for members visiting England had been secured the privileges qf associate membership, in the Royal Automobile Club of London. At the secretary’s office was a bureau of reliable information regarding road routes and road conditions, and at all timas the association was active in the movement for better roads, and from time to time macle financial grants with a view of establishing the efficacy of particular methods of road construction and road maintenance. While many of the benefits were exclusive to association, members, a not inconsiderable part of the association's' work inures for the benefit of motorists generally.

Dealing with hotel concessions, Mr Haszard said that quite a number of hotels where 'some time back not much thought was,given to motorists were now very’much alive for his custom The establishment of motor camps was a very great thing in America, and a good start had been made in New Zealand. Travellers to the South Island were granted honorary membership for three months, and in Christchurch there were fine clubrooms where up-to-date infoimation regarding the roads could be obtained. The badge on the car meant that th? motorfet would get every attention. In England, if any member was travelling, he would get a honorary membership, which meant a very great, deal indeed. The association there would see to his passports and shipping if he desired to go,across to the Continent. Mr Haszard said that it was a question of whether motorists would join up direct or have their oi\n branch in Paeroa. If a branch was formed it would have control af its own funds and pay Is a year affiliation charge, for which tlie branch would get istationeiy and year-book free. The Waihi branch had already erected a number of signposts at its own expense. Tne local branch had the running of its own affairs. If Paeroa decided to form a branch, motor runs with tlie Waihi branch could be arranged. Several runs had been held by Waihi and had been thoroughly enjoyed. He thought that Paeroa could easily get 50 members. There was very little expense in running a branch. The rules of the Auckland association were read and explained,by Mr Haszard at some length, after which a number of questions relative to the as .ociation were answered. Mr E. E. Gillman moved that a branch be formed subject to a promise of 25 to join as members at a fee of 10s 6d per annum. This was seconded by Mr P. E. Brenan and carried. The following were elected a provisional committee to canvass for members and to report at a future meeting: Messrs E. E. Gillman, Benson, W. D. Nicholas, E. A. Porritt, P. E. Brenan. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Haszard for the information he had given.