CYCLING IN THE DOMAIN ON SUNDAY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXI, Issue 7932, 14 December 1909, Page 4

CYCLING IN THE DOMAIN ON SUNDAY.

The Curator of the Domain, in his fortnightly report to the Domain Board last night, complained of damage done to the flower beds by cyclists who cycle on the paths in the Domain on Sundays.

The by-law forbidding the practice was read by the Town Clerk, after which the Mayor reviewed the circumstances which led to the framing of tho by-law, and said the Curator could not be expected to parade the Domain on Sundays tp keep these boys in order. Mr Davison moved that in future the only path open to cyclists on Sundays I be that which is entered at Wills street and continues across the bridge through to Allenton. Mr Stewart thought that cyclists should be forbidden to ride bicycles until they have reached the top of the hill where that portion of the drive through to Allenton has been lately formed. Mr Nicoll favoured referring the matter to a committee for a report. Mr Wood said the Domain was now much frequented by citizens on a Sunday, and he was quite with the Curator. Mr Gibson moved that no cyclists, horses or vehicles be allowed in the Domain after 10 o'clock on Sunday morning. Tho Mayor seconded the motion, say-

ing that both the present Curator and Mr Young had asked that cyclists should be prevented from using the Domain with too much freedom.

Mr Hillior agreed with Mr Stewart

Mr Burgess said there were dozens of people who cycled to the baths' on a Sunday morning, and it would be a hardship for these to have to walk. He moved as an amendment—"That tho matter be referred to the Domain Committee to report upon at next meeting."

To this there was no seconder

Mr Orr then moved as an amendment—"That after passing tho rise when coming from Allenton, or before reaching it when going in the opposite direction, no cyclist be allowed to ride."

Mr Stewart seconded Mr Orr's amendment.

Mr Wood said he objected to cyclists coming behind people walking through the Domain on Sunday and ringing their bells for them to get out of their way, and the next time Mr Nicollcamo behind him ringing his bell he would not get out of the way. (Laughter.) Mr Orr withdrew his amendment. Mr Nicoll objected to this question, which was very important, being dealt with hastily. If the motion were carried' he would suffer personal inconvenience, and he was sure that many would feel as he did. If they were going to stop cyclists; why not stop pedestrians as well, and lock up the Domain. Hewould move that the matter be referred to the Domain. Committee to report upon.—This was seconded by Mr Burgess.

Mr Davison said, in reply to Mr Nicoll, that he did not think that there was any other domain in New Zealand in which cyclists were allowed to ride at all on a Sunday.' He thought that the public should bo free, at least, for one day of the week from the cycling nuisance in the Domain. Mr Wood said he would support the motion.

I\lr Stewart said any cyclists who wished to cycle to-church on Sundays could go round the belt. As things stood, it was dangerous in the Domain for grown-up people, let alone "kids." The Mayor said he would support the motion—first, because the Curator had felt justified in complaining ; and, secondly, no cyclists were permitted to ride through public, domains in any other nart of New Zealand. Then, again, the people of Ashburton had previously been content with the use of the Domain till 9 o'clock on Sunday mornings, and he did not see why they should not bej satisfied in future with j a 10 o'clock limit.

The amendment was lost, and the motion was carried, the voting being five to four, so that in future no cyclist will be permitted to ride a bicvele through the Domain after 10 o'clock on a Sunday morning, and the same will apply to horses or vehicles of any kind.