AUTOMOBILE AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 September 1939, Page 7

AUTOMOBILE AFFAIRS

WAIRARAPA ASSOCIATION. PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT. I The annual report of the President of the Wairarapa Automobile Association (Mr H. Lawson) for the year ended August 31 states, inter alia:—The year commenced with a credit balance at the Bank of New Zealand of £l7B 3s 6d and £9OO in the Post Office Savings Bank, and closed with £l7O 14s 5d at the Bank and £l5OO in the Post Office account. Subscriptions show an increase of £317 18s 4d over last year, the total being £3237 0s 7d. The membership at the commencement of the year was 3251 and at the close 3889, an increase of 638. The number of members elected during the year was 812, while deletions, deaths and transfers numbered 174. At June 30 last the Association again headed the list of Associations in the North Island in membership to car registrations, membership per cent to cars being 71.42. The number of members (including members of other Associations) who made use of the “Get You Home” Service during the year was 160, the cost being £164 18s 4d. Points regarding the service are (a) Members must be financial and must produce their membership card, (b) The garage called must be one listed in the A.A. Handbook (the nearest) as they are the only ones under contract to the Associations. (c) The total liability is 275, any excess being payable by the member, (d) The service is not available at a member’s place of residence or business, (e) Punctures or ordinary tyre trouble, except for a lady driver without assistance, do not come within the service.

The amount expended on signposting during the year was £257 13s lid on which the Main Highways Board paid a subsidy of £ll7 13s Bd. New signs are erected each year and consequently maintenance is increasing. At the Mt Holdsworth camping ground during the year a number of, native trees were planted in suitable places, and a start made with fencing. The ground is becoming very popular with motorists and others.

The Wairarapa Automobile Mutual Insurance Company established for the benefit of members of the A.A. (Wairarapa), in 1915, is still making progress. An increasing number of members are obtaining this privilege, and as a result the premium income this year is a record. Eleven committee meetings were held during the year and attendances are as follows: President (Mr H. Lawson) 11; Vice-Presi-dents (Messrs R. W. Roydhouse, 10; H. J. Jones, 10); Committee, Messrs F. C. Bunny, 6; J. W. Card, 6; D. B. Carrick, 6; W. S. Hill, 8; Gordon Hughan, 8; A. T. P. Hubbard, 6; H. E. Jackson, 9; W. H. Jackson (leave of absence), 4; T. E. Lang, 7; R. W. McLaren, 7; C. J. Nix, 6; F. J. Nichols, 9; D. L. Taverner, 9 and J. C. Varnham, 10. The thanks of , the Association are due to the various Government Departments and Local Bodies for their continued co-operation, the police, Traffic Inspectors and the Press.