OLD DAYS RECALLED

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 184, 25 October 1927, Page 6

OLD DAYS RECALLED

THE BEGINNING OF THE A.A.A. One of the red-letter days in the history of the Auckland Automobile Association was observed last Thursday evening when a social was held commemorating the gaining of the 5,000 membership mark. The social was held in Scots Hall,

which was filled to overflowing, over 1,000 motorists and their friends being present. Musical and elocutionary items were given, and a dainty supper served at the close. An interesting part of the programme was an address given by Dr. G. de Clive Lowe on the early days of motoring in Auckland. The beginning of the association was recounted by Dr. Lowe who recalled

that the inaugural meeting was held in his house in Symonds Street, in May, 1902, when the following gentlemen formed themselves into what we later generation know as the A.A.A.:-—Drs. G. de Clive Lowe, and F. J. Raynor, and Messrs. G. Henning, R. B. Spinks, Bockhaert, Moody and W. T. J. Bell. In those days the motors were spidery-looking vehicles, with single cylinders in some cases, but no gears, self-starter, mudguards, windscreen or lamps. Despite their erratic performance, however, there were very few

accidents, largely due to the fact that every driver had to pass a test in the mechanical side as well as in driving performance. Runs were held on Saturday afternoons, starting from someone’s house, and going as far afield as Howick, or One Tree Hill or St. Heliers, all of which were then considered a long way away. But it was rare that all the cars got back without mishap: in fact, they dared not start for a run without one of their engineers. The lecturer told some amusing tales of those strenuous days—how that he never went out in his car at night without a hansom cab following him,

and the story of the man in Taranaki j who boasted he had never needed to walk home —he guarded against that, apparently, by towing a horse behind him, or, if necessary, the horse towed him. Some lantern views of old motors were shown, the pre-historic “stream- • lines” of which delighted the audience. Amusement was also caused by the i dresses worn by the women at old i motoring outings. Altogether the evening was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by the large number present.

SAFETY FIRST STOCKINGS This from Australia: “During a recent week-end, I came to the con- j elusion that it isn’t safe for girls to wear any but light-coloured stockings. My headlights failed to pick out fair pedestrians who were wearing dark stockings, and on several occasions I missed them by inches. Those who favoured light stockings could be seen 100 yards away.