1904 ACGBI Background

p129.

p130.

p131.

Note: This is a sub-section of Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland

History and Background

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT, OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES.

The Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland, or the A.C.G.B. & I., as it is more familiarly called by motorists, is the premier Motoring Club in the United Kingdom, and confesses to an age of six years, having been inaugurated in the latter part of 1897. Its present membership - 2,600 - is greater than that of any Automobile Club in the world.

Motorists, who for years before the passing of the “Emancipation” Act of 1896, had been increasing enormously in numbers, soon discovered that it was necessary to form some sort of institution for the encouragement, development, and protection of the industry, and the result was that within the first year of the passing of the Act the pioneer Motoring Club of the kingdom was in course of formation. The first election of members look place in December, 1897, and a set of rooms was taken at 4, Whitehall Court, for head-quarters.

A boom in membership rapidly set in. and an uninterrupted flow of prosperity attended everything in connection with the Club.

So remarkable was the increase in the membership of the institution that it was found absolutely necessary to remove to larger premises and a move was made a little further afield to club-land proper - 119, Piccadilly being decided upon as a “fit and proper” place for the housing of the Club.

The new premises, which were originally the private residence of the widow of the first Marquess of Cholmondeley, were secured in May, 1902, and were immediately transformed from a private dwelling-house into a very spacious and comfortable club-house, the work being executed under the skilled supervision of Mr. E. Keynes Purchase, the architect. The Club has now a fine set of rooms, including morning, coffee, card, billiard, and bedrooms.

One of the latest innovations for the convenience of the members made by the Club Committee is the provision of a garage. Large livery stables in Down Street, close to the rear of the Club premises were secured in the Autumn of 1902, and have been converted, at a cost of several thousand pounds, into a commodious garage where members can house their machines when visiting the Club. This new provision constitutes a unique departure in London club-life, inasmuch as there is no other club in the Metropolis which possesses storage accommodation for motor vehicles.

A PROPRIETARY CLUB.

The Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland is the property of the Automobile Proprietary, Ltd., a society limited by guarantee, whereby every member, other than an hon. member, on being notified of his election as a member, assumes a liability, limited to to contribute to the assets of the Club should it be dissolved or wound up. In order to cover this liability the sum of £1 is set aside out of every member’s first club subscription, and placed on deposit for the exclusive purpose of meeting this liability, which is thus practically reduced to nil, members incurring no responsibility whatever beyond their subscriptions and entrance fee. Clause 4 of the “Memorandum of Association" enacts that the income and property of the Company shall be applied solely to the objects of the Company, and that no portion whatever shall be transferred by way of profit to the members. Upon the winding up of the Company, the surplus assets (if any) are not to be paid to or distributed amongst the members of the Company, but are to be transferred to such public museum, or to such institution or institutions connected with engineering, or with the objects of the Company as the Committee of the Club shall determine.

The signatories of the “Memorandum of Association," which bears the date of the 7th December, 1897, were:— Mr. Frederick R. Simms, Mr. Frank Purchase, Mr. Robert M. Hankinson, Mr. Richard A. S. Paget, Mr. C. H. Moore, Mr. Arthur Edward Heming, Mr. John W. Lee.

The first directors of the Club were:— Mr. R. W. Wallace, K.C., The Hon. E. Ellis, Mr. F. Simms, Mr. C. H. Moore, Mr. H. Reginald Brougham, Mr. A. E. Walter, Mr. A. S. Paget, Mr. W. W. Bear, Mr. C. Johnson (Secretary).

ADMINISTRATION.

The Club is governed by a Club Committee of not less than ten and not exceeding fifty members, and this Committee may, under the auspices of the Club, delegate a portion of its work, and pay a portion of its income, to the Motor Union, in accordance with a scheme for a Motor Union, submitted to the general meeting of the members of the Club, on February 28th, 1901.
The ordinary general meeting of the members is held during the month of February.<be> An applicant for membership must be proposed by at least two members of the Club, and his name, address and description of profession or calling displayed at the Club for at least ten days before his election.
Ladies and minors are not eligible for election, nor are ladies permitted to enter the Club premises.
The annual subscription for town members is £8 8s., and for country members £5 5s., and subscriptions are payable on January 1st.
The entrance fee for both town and country members is £6 6s.
Clause 63 of the General Provisions provides that in the event of any member being, in the opinion of the Committee, guilty of reckless driving under circumstances involving conduct which the Committee may consider unsportsmanlike, or ungentlemanly, or prejudicial to the interests of automobilism, he shall be called before the Committee, and, failing a satisfactory explanation, he may be cautioned or suspended, or required to resign his membership, but no member shall be suspended or expelled except by a majority of at least two-thirds of the Committee.

OBJECTS and ADVANTAGES

The club has for its objects the encouragement and development in this country of the motor and other allied industries, supplying to its members a social club and a centre of information and advice on matters pertaining to motor vehicles, , and for affording to them its support in the protection and defence of their rights whenever menaced.
The leading characteristics or the club are:-
1. That it shall be essentially a Members' Club.
2. That it shall be conducted independently of any personal interests.
3. That the club shall have suitable head-quarters in London, where the members may assemble for social discourse.
4. That the members may bring their friend s to the club premises such hours of the day as may be directed by the Executive Committee from time to time.
5. That the club shall seek to obtain special club discounts and other advantages for its members in the purchase etc. of motor vehicles etc. 6. That Exhibitions and competitions shall be organised from time to time, and prizes offered.
7. That lectures and discussions shall be held.
8. That the Club shall watch the progress of automobilism, and generally protect and encourage the same.
9. That the Club shall cultivate reciprocal relations with kindred institutions in Great Britain and Ireland and in other countries, whether affiliated or not.
10. That the Club shall organize from time to time tours and excursions for members and their friends.
11. A distinguishing badge may be issued every year to members, in order to facilitate their recognition as active members of the Club, on conditions to be fixed by the Administrative Committee.

See Also

Loading...