FOR PICNICKERS AND CAMPERS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22597, 30 December 1938, Page 6

FOR PICNICKERS AND CAMPERS

Practice of Safety Principles

APPEAL BY AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION

“A reminder is given to picnickers and campers of the call which is made on them for the exercise of safety principles in many ways at this holiday time of the year,” says the latest safety message of the Automobile Association, Canterbury.

“Safety is not confined to the roads; it is an essential everywhere. “Those who picnic or camp owe it as a plain duty to safeguard the propertv which is made available for their discreet use. Everyone should be a self-appointed guardian of the countryside, and every parent should instil into the child a sense of obligation in that respect. “Bushland, flowers, notice-boards, buildings, fences, etc., must be protected from any form of vandalism. Care must be taken with fires which should be lit only in authorised places, or else in such a position that there is no risk of the fire spreading. At this time of year the grass and undergrowth is invariably dry, and any carelessly-prepared or untended fire, or one that is not properly quenched, may cause thousands of pounds worth of damage to pasture, stock, fences, bush, or buildings. The lighted cigarette carelessly thrown from a cai window into the dry grass by the roadside may cause serious fire loss. "Safety also comprehends the practice of hygiene and general camp or picnic-ground tidiness or cleanliness. Destroy all rubbish which may cause annoyance to others or will encourage the breeding of insects. Health is vitally important, and all s?*® and campers should see to it that the places they visit are left in a condition entirely creditable to them as thoughtful people worthy of camping or picnicking privileges/’

MOTOR-CYCLING

PIONEER MOTOR CLUB

FIXTURES January 14 and 15—Week-end camp at Le Bon’s Bay. January 22—Run to Rakaia Gorge.

A record number of visitors from clubs in other centres is making use of the Pioneer Club’s rooms during the holiday period. First on the list for the new halfseason’s fixtures is the week-end camp at Le Bon’s Bay, the date of which has been set forward to January 14 and 15 in order to give the large number of campers at Le Bon’s Bay an opportunity to join the club in its extensive sporting and social programme. which will include a dance on the Saturday evening and a spotla day on the Sunday.

MOTOR-CYCLISTS WARNED

HIGH ACCIDENT RATE

RESTRICTIONS MAY BE NECESSARY

(rBC»8 ASSOCIATION TBLCOKAU.) WELLINGTON, December 29. A warning to motor-cyclists that serious restrictions on the use of motor-cycles might be necessary if the accident rate of the Christmas holiday period continued was issued by the Commissioner of Transport (Mr G. L. Laurenson) to-day.

Statistics from December 22 to December 28 showed that motor-cycles were 20 times as dangerous as private cars, he said. It rested with motorcyclists themselves to reduce the high accident rate. He recalled that in February the Road Safety Council considered the imposition of a speed restriction on motor-cycles and the prohibition of pillion riding. However, action was deferred to enable those interested to endeavour to improve the position. According to figures for the year ended on March 31 this year, motorcycles were four times as dangerous as private cars, six times as dangerous as motor-trucks, and 11 times as dangerous as service car? and omnibuses, said Mr Laurenson.

Results available from the present holiday period indicated that the position was worse and the figures were so serious that he proposed to report on the whole matter to the Minister for Transport (the Hon. R. Semple) immediately after the holidays.

It is reported that John 'Cobb, the British racing enthusiast, who put up such an epic achievement when he recently lifted Captain Geo. world speed record from 345.49 m.p.h. to 350.2 m.p.h., was about £SOOO out of pocket, notwithstanding the strong financial backing he had towards the cost of designing and building his turtle-backed Railton-Dunlop outfit. There are few racing motorists, unassociated with the motor industry, who would be prepared to foot the bill for such a sporting gesture, but Cobb loves the racing game, and in being the first man in the world to achieve 350 m.p.h. on land, would no doubt consider that the money was well spent in view of the satisfaction and “kick” he got out of his speed venture on the salt bed at Bonneville (Utah).