MOTOR ASSOCIATION

Southland Times, Issue 21098, 2 June 1930, Page 4

MOTOR ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL REPORT. MEMBERSHIP OVER 2000. The following annual report of the Southland Motor Association, giving a comprehensive review of the year’s work and submitted by the secretary (Mr J. S. Dick), will be presented at the annual meeting of the association: —

The membership of the association shows a large increase over last year. Resignations upon account of various causes have been received from members, and after deducting the names of these the number of members at March 31, 1930, was 1994, but during the interim has increased to 2031. While the progress of the association has been fairly rapid, it has to be pointed out that there are still a number of motorists in Southland who have not yet joined up as members, states the annual report of the Southland Motor Association to be presented at the annual meeting on June 9. There has been considerable necessary expenditure during the year, but, despite this, the balance of revenue account shows an increase of £lll4 7/4 to £1236 19/6. One large item of expenditure was in connection with the construction of an up-to-date building for the Invercargill Motorists’ Camp Ground for members of our association and members of affiliated associations. ■lt will be noted that, including interest, the total of the association’s deposits amount to £690 16/5.

The Road Signs branch of the association’s activities has again received particular attention. The ■ association is fortunate in having a hard-working Road Signs Committee, and when this committee meets each month it regularly puts through a large amount of business. With the erection of direction, danger and colour route plate signs, Southland roads are stated by many to be the most completely sign-posted of any district roads in the South Island. It is recognized that there are still many intersections requiring attention in this respect, and a reminder might be given to members that particulars of any signs needed, together with a sketch of the locality showing position of existing posts, etc., will always receive the necessary attention. During the past twelve months nearly 200 signboards were authorized for erection.

The Colour Route Guide, published by the association during the year, was issued to every member, and a number have been distributed to visitors to the district who have called at the secretary’s office for information concerning local roads. That this publication is filling a long-felt want is instanced by the many congratulatory remarks made and letters received referring to its usefulness. The S.I.M.U. Mutual Insurance Association has been in operation for just over three years, and the latest reports to hand state that the invested funds already exceed .£23,000.

By the provision of an up-to-date building in the Invercargill Camp Ground, which is situated on Elies road at the south-east corner of Victoria Park, the association is responsible for bringing this centre into line with other centres in the Dominion which have for some time past been providing camping facilities for touring motorists. The ground is rented by the association, and under an arrangement with the City Council regular attention is given to the area in the matter of keeping it in a tidy condition and improving the general appearance by the trimming of the surrounding trees, planting shrubs, etc. Other very excellent camp grounds in Southland are at Gore, ideally situated on the East Gore Domain; at Tuatapere, situated on the beautiful Tuatapere Domain; and at Riverton, situated on the Pilot Reserve, midway between Riverton and “The Rocks.” There are many motorists’ camping grounds throughout the Dominion, and members who go on camping tours should apply to the secretary for particulars. Members who propose going abroad should apply to the secretary for letters of introduction to the Motor Association of the country they may be visiting. At the present time arrangements are being made with the Automobile Association of Great Britain for a system .pf reciprocity. Under this “Understanding” a member from here will receive the recognized privileges of an overseas visitor when he reaches the Old Country. The South Island Motor Union continues to carry out a great deal of work. This body is the representative body of South Island Motor Associations. Conferences of delegates are held every three months, and these conferences have always been attended by representatives of this association. During the recent Easter holidays the association’s road officer was appointed to patrol certain roads in the district for one week, and he reported having given assistance to 42 motorists during this period. This provision of free road patrol service for the benefit of the motoring public has been.taken up seriously by two larger associations—viz., Auckland and Otago—and the service is reported to have been very successful on the roads adjacent to these more thickly populated centres.

The opening run of the association -was held this year to Mr R. J. Howden’s property, known as “Oaklands,” at Mataura Island. Although the weather was not promising on this day, a fair number of members attended the run, which was voted by all to be a most successful outing. Another run arranged by the association during the year was held at Pahia. This was also quite popular, many members taking part. During the' year all financial members were supplied with one of the association’s windscreen transfers. This is quite a distinctive monogram and it is regretted that so few members go to the trouble of displaying same on their car windscreens. The general .committee has given attention to the bad visibility on bitumen roads in wet weather at night-time. In co oper ation with the Southland County Council tests were carried out on the North road by the rolling into the bitumen when hot of a layer of white coloured gravel. Unfortunately, the experiment showed this suggestion for improvement to be rather unsatisfactory. The official hotel list has been kept up-to-date and members are again reminded to present their membership tickets at official hotels when travelling, in order to secure the advantage of the concession rates. There are official Motor Association hotels in practically every town in the Dominion.

During the year deputations have interviewed local bodies, and when the Main Highways Board visited the district a few months ago they were waited upon by a sub-committee of the association in connection with matters affecting motorists’ interests.

The general committee expresses thanks to the local bodies of the province for their consideration and • co-operation. Special appreciation is expressed to. the Southland and Wallace Counties of the excellent attention they have given to the matter of erecting the association’s signboards in their respective districts.