CLUB ROOMS OPENED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 September 1940, Page 7

CLUB ROOMS OPENED

WAIRARAPA AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION AMENITIES IN MASTERTON. FACILITIES FOR MEMBERS. Considered by several speakers to be a valuable acquisition to the town’s amenities the Wairarapa Automobile Association's club rooms in the State Theatre Buildings. Masterton. were officially opened last night. The president, Mr. H. Lawson (Featherston) presided and there were also present Messrs R. W. Roydhouse (Carterton), H. J. Jones (Masterton), vicepresidents; N. C. C. Shepherd (Featherston*. secretary; A. T. P. Hubbard (Masterton agent), H. E. Jackson, Gordon Hughan (Carterton). C. J. Nix. J. Varnham (Featherston). F. C. Bunny. F. J. Nicholls (Greytown), D. B. Carrick (Masterton). R. W. McLaren (Martinborough) and the deputy- ■ Mayor of Masterton. Mr W. White. Among the many apologies for absence were those from the Mayor of Masterton, Mr T. Jordan, Mr D. L Taverner (Mayor of Carterton), Mr J. W. Card (Mayor of Featherston), Mr C. W. Skill (Mayor of Martinborough), Mr W. Simpson (Mayor of Eketahuna), Mr R. E. Gordon Lee (chairman of the Masterton County Council), Mr A. B. Martin (chairman of the Featherston County Council). In declaring the rooms officially opened Mr Lawson stated that thcclub rooms were the latest addition to the town's assets. He extended a welcome to Mr White. "In 1912 a band of enthusiasts got together to service the then motorists of the district," said Mr Lawson. “On looking through the rules of the association dated 1913. I found that there were 95 members and on perusing the list. I found that there were two members of the executive who are still on the list. I refer to Messrs Howard Booth and Howard Jackson. We offer our congratulations to these two men for doing so much for motorists. Since 1913 the membership has grown to 4.041.”

Mr Lawson commented on the many activities of the association in the interests of the motorist and added that the rooms would be a great boon tc visitors as well as members of the Wairarapa Association. "I know that the rooms will be used to the fullest extent,” stated Mr Lawson in declaring the club rooms open. "The rooms are an acquisition to the town’s amenities and I wish to congratulate the association on establishing an agency in Masterton," stated Mr White. "I also wish to congratulate the association in its choice of local agent. All those who know Mr Hubbard will agree that few are more familiar with the district than he is.” Mr White referred to the valuable work carried out by the association in making the roads safe and considered that 95 pei - cent of the accidents could be avoided if people realised that they were not the only ones with a right tc the road. Mr Roydhouse, referring to the growth of the mutual insurance section of the association’s business stated that in 1915 27 motorists banded together and set out in the fire insurance business. For the first five years they had no claims so that the number of members increased considerably. The funds had grown and the association could meet any demands. As the membership was still growing they branched out into accident and finally third party risk. The early premiums were particularly high, being £l3 11s Id on £250. Further reductions were made until today the premium was down to £3 3s per £lOO. plus 10s. "It was a wonderful achievement and its repercussions went further,” stated Mr Roydhouse. "The South Island Union wrote asking for particulars and followed suit until today it is the biggest mutual insurance company in the Dominion. The North Island Union then came into line, making with the Wairarapa Mutual Insurance Co the three companies throughout the Dominion.

“The get-you-home service was not started by the large associations but by the South Taranaki, Manawatu and Wairarapa associations," said Mr Roydhcuse. The matter was brought up at a Dominion conference but was turned down. When it was found by other associations that it was working it was adopted throughout the Dominion and was a feather in the cap of the small associations.

Mr H. J. Jones, one of the oldest members of the association in Masterton. stated that it was very pleasing from Masterton's point of view at least to see the club rooms opened. Although two thirds of the members lived up in the northern part of the Valley he did not see any reason to change the headquarters from Featherston. The association had been started in Masterton. Featherston, Carterton and other centres would get their rooms in the future.

Messrs Bunny and Jackson added to the previous speakers’ remarks and made reference to the work of Mr Ivan Wilson, the original secretary of the association. Mr Stewart and the late Mr Martin Elgar. It was decided to make the complimentary afternoon tea tickets available for an indefinite period.