The Record
Our Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. Reproduced from commorative souvenir 1979 - Down memory lane by - B. K. Billimoria
(source: 'The Record', Centenary Issue 2004)
Mr. B. K. Billimoria was Vice - President of the AAC for 7 years and Chairman of the Executive Committee from 1962 to 1970. It is on record that through the exercise of his good offices, Mr. Billimoria helped the Association to finalise the purchase of the land on which the present AAC building stands My first memory of the Association is as a youngster attending school in Kandy. In those days there was only one cinema in Kandy called the "Empire Theatre", which was situated where the present day Wales Cinema is sited. On the way to the cinema one had perforce to pass a large corrugated zinc shed which had space for the garaging of cars. This was the garage which was available to all members of the Association to keep their cars whenever they came to Kandy. It must be borne in mind that at that time most of the members of the Association were planters in and around the Kandy District and the Headquarters too was in Kandy. This garage was in existence until after World War II.
The next thing that comes to mind was the Motor Show held in 1928 at Braybrooke Place where the present Moors Club, the Muttiah Playground and the Friend-in-Need Society are situated. The show was organised by the Motor Trade ably assisted by the Automobile Association and all members of the Association were issued free passes to enter the grounds. This was indeed a very good show and I can still remember that it was at this show that the Baby Austin was first displayed placed on a platform about ten feet above the ground. As a young man I well remember how I was enchanted with this car and spent hours gazing at it-thinking that it would be the ideal car for me when I could afford to buy one for myself. At this same show there was also a German car-I believe a Stutz or Benzwhich was a tourer with the exhausts coming out of the sides of the bonnet-it was a long sleek car which was the cynosure of all eyes.
When I purchased my first car in 1931 I became a member of the Association under a scheme where if one member of the family was a member of the Association the second member paid a very nominal subscription, I do not now remember what the amount was but it was minimal as my father was already a member.
For many years I enjoyed the benefits of membership which included the use of the Club House in Colombo. This is now the City Office of the Bank of Ceylon and is situated next to the Central Y.M.C.A. in the Fort. At that time the building belonged to the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce who rented out the floor below the Association, which had by then shifted its Headquarters to Colombo.
There was a well-appointed lounge and reading room. A member's bar too was provided where one could entertain one's friends. In addition to this there was a restaurant where one could enjoy "a-la-carte" service at a very reasonable price. This was very popular with members, as it was possible to nip in and have a quick lunch at a cost less than the Galle Face Hotel and the Grand Oriental Hotel (now the Hotel Taprobane). On Saturdays radiogram provided dance music and members used to patronise these Saturday evening dances in goodly number. I remember with delight that a large number of my Ceylonese friends were regular patrons and a good time was had by all. The office of the Club was also housed here.
When the Bank of Ceylon was founded we had to move out as our arrangements with the Chamber of Commerce were terminated and with the outbreak of hostilities it was felt that smaller premises would be desirable. It must be borne in mind that with the large number of members joining the Fighting Forces membership declined. The Association then moved into a portion of what is now the Iceland Buildings but even here it was possible to provide for all the facilities and services needed by the members plus a small reading room and bar.
Another memory that comes back was the old road patrol box on the hill above the Peradeniya Bridge which was the only Patrol Box we had for many years. It was manned by that old faithful Sam Fernando, who was also a qualified St.John's Ambulance man. He really did yeoman service for the Association. It is sad to think that this ancient landmark was wiped out by the land-slip in recent years.
I remember that on a number of occasions I looked forward to being able to get to the box to have my car attended to on trips between Colombo and Nuwara-Eliya. Older members will remember that cars in those days were not as reliable as they are today - and Sam was a beacon in the storm!
Soon after the war was over we were able to secure a fairly spacious bungalow at the spot where the Holiday Inn now stands and this comparatively large building enabled us not only to provide many facilities which had to be curtailed when we shifted to Iceland Buildings but also enabled us to expand our activities. Once again a full-time Engineer was recruited and efforts were made to expand the Road Patrol Service.
My own connection with the Executive Committee began in 1947 when I was invited to join the Committee which was then under the Chairmanship of that great stalwart, C. 1. D. Lanktree; the members then included the late Dr. Louis A. Muller, and Dr. G Wignaraja- our present Vice-Patron.
In the year 1951 the Committee recruited as their Secretary, Mr. D.G. P. Ranasinghe. He worked very hard indeed to bring up the Association. When he joined, the membership stood at around 5,000 and this rose by leaps and bounds till in 1970 it reached the peak of 15,200. It was during his term of office that the Association opened up Road Patrol Boxes in various parts of the Island and also the 24-hour Get You Home service at Headquarters.
In the year the Association was able to acquire the premises where the present Headquarters stands, a Building Fund was inaugurated. The response from members as well as from the Motor Trade was generous and gratifying. The foundation stone was laid by the late Sir Oliver Goonetilleke then Governor-General. The structure was soon completed and the new Headquarters was opened by the Honourable Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Prime Minister.
Among other memories, one which stands out vividly was the annual treat which the Secretary gave all members of the staff. Members of the Executive Committee too were invited and it proved a wonderful opportunity to come to know and fraternize with the staff I can vouch for the fact that these annual gatherings greatly benefited both parties and encouraged greater loyalty among the members of the staff who were always very hardworking. In the year 1957 for the first time in our history we had the privilege of entertaining Lord Teynham, the Chairman of the Automobile Association (of England) and the overseas Secretary of the same Association and their visit was really memorable. So highly were they impressed with the work we were doing that they of their own accord, promised to donate a number of motor-cycles from their stock of re-conditioned vehicles to enable us to expand our road service. Members will no doubt remember that at that time it was very difficult to obtain vehicles and their cost was also prohibitive-so that the offer of the British Automobile Association was most welcome.
In the year 1964 we wanted to raise funds to payoff as much as possible of the loan obtained from the Bank for the construction of our Headquarters. The Executive Committee decided to conduct a Fun Fair and Carnival and this proved a success. A considerable sum was raised but the real gain to the Association was that members both in Colombo and the Outstations came together and were able to meet and know each other.
One of the most enjoyable features of the monthly Executive Committee meetings was the Festive Board that was held after the meeting. This was hosted by each member in turn and a good time was had by all present. This also helped to preserve fellowship in the Committee and enabled the work of the Association to go forward with harmony and good-will. My term with the Executive Committee which ended in 1970, was a very happy one. I had the privilege of being Chairman for a period of 8 years and a Vice-President for 7 years. During this period I saw the work of the Association progressing by leaps and bounds and also the completion of our own Headquarters. The members of the Executive Committee with whom I had the privilege of working were dedicated to the furtherance of the aims and objectives of the Association and also to providing as many amenities as possible to members. I must thank them for all the cooperation they gave freely, voluntarily and with such good-will.
