A.A.A. ACTIVITIES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5285, 11 June 1928, Page 2

A.A.A. ACTIVITIES.

OFFICIALS VISIT PAEROA.

SIGN-POSTING TRUCK. Considerable interest, was taken in the visit to Paeroa on Friday of Messrs H. S. Yates, sign-post patrol officer, J. H. Hfibberd, of the No--1 motor-cycle patrol, Auckland. Automobile Association. These officiate, dressed in their - serviceable khaki uniforms with darh blue facings and dark blue caps, displaying the A.A.A. ba.dge, were paying their first official visit to Paeroa, and brought with, them the'newly acquired sign-posting motor truck. This vehicle, which was inspected by a large number of local people, is a masterpiece of ingenuity and forethought. To say it carried! everything from a needle to an anchor, is literally true. Divided into a series of cubboards and compartments, it carries almost every class of tool and accessory that a motorist is likely to require on a journey, including spore supplies of benzine, oil, towing ropes, and a thousand and one extras. This truck is not merely equipped to render, aid to motorists in difficulties, but is built primarily for carrying sign-posts, notice boards, depth poles, and other articles thatform a, part of the A.A.A. activities. The n’nterioi’ of the vehicle is designed so as to carry a bed and bedding, cooking and toilet utensils, and a fair quantity of food and fresh xvater. So cleverly designed is the interior, tha.t the sign-post official can camp in the remotest part of the country, and has no need to seek to’ther board or lodging, no matter what the weather might be. Leaving Auckland on Thursday with liis companion Mr Yates travelled as far as Pokeno, where a halt was made for the night. They left Pokeno on Friday morning, .and from that town the mileages were piethodlcally checked to as far as the Criterion, bridge, Paeroa. The necessity for the work 'is so that the whole route can be correctly signposted in the near future. Valuable information was also gleaii,ed during the journey with reference to the classes of roads and bridges on the route.

On the return journey to Auckland it was the officials’ intention to erect about 30 depth posts in Mangatawhiri Valley. Careful observations have been made in that area, which has been the bane of many motorists’ lives already this winter, and the flood depth posts are to be placed in position. so that they will act as a guide to motorists in keeping to the centre of the road when it is Covered s wlth Water, and also to indicate in feet and inches the depth of the floodwater. This service will, be deeply appreciated by motorists passing over that particular locality. Mr Yates, who saw considerable service in. the war, and took part i.n the retreat from Mons, is most enthusiastic about his work. In an interview he stated that it was generally found that A.A.A. members were appreciative of the association’s work, help, and guidance, and were nearly always, willing to conform to . the A.A.A. principles and ideals. Generally speaking, he had' noticed that the “motor hog” on the road was a nohmember. A.A-A. officiate aimed at improving the lot of the motorist and teaching safety first rather by example than precept. Although the asisociation had done an enormous amount of work in the North Island, and particularly within the Auckland province, there was still a. vast amount to be done. It was only by the loyal support and co-operation of ■members, together with the necessity of increasing the membership, that the fi.A.A. activities could be maintained and >new work undertaken.