ELEPHANT DERBY

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30063, 22 February 1963, Page 13

ELEPHANT DERBY

One Race— All In

There will be only one elephant race in Christchurch this afternoon. The running of two heats and a final would upset traffic arrangements for the Friday peak period, beginning at 4.30 pin. This was made clear by the City Council’s Traffic Superintendent (Mir J. F. Thomas), who said yesterday that the agent for Bullen’s Circus, organisers of the race, had applied for and been granted a permit for one elephant race. “The agent for the circus asked for permission to hold an elephant race. He made no mention of two heats or a final. He said that the race would take 10 to 12 minutes,” Mr Thomas said. “The council granted the permit on those conditions His request that the race be held at 4 p.m. on the Friday was granted on the understanding that it would be over well before 4.30 p.m. “At that time, the traffic officers must be on duty at busy intersections. If the race route is not cleared before 4.30 p.m. it will hold up the National Airways Corporation and Midland Motors bus services, and cause delay and confusion to private motorists.” The assistant Town Clerk (Mr M. B, Hayes), confirming that there could be only one race, said that the permit had been issued on the understanding of one race only. Contributions from spectators will go towards a fund for the Salvation Army Men’s Home at Addington, and this has been organised by She combined service clubs in Christchurch.

“The edict from the council that only one race is to be held is very reasonable in the circumstances,” said the president of the Lions Club (Mr L. C. H. Suckling), one of the elephant riders in the race.

“The problem of how to put eight riders on seven elephants will be overcome and I think one race will be just as hilarious a spectacle, with all elephants running, as two heats and a final,” he said.

Salvation Army collectors will be assisted by volunteer collectors wearing official lapel badges and they will carry buckets to which to take donations from the public. Collectors will assemble at Amuri Motors at 3.30 p.m. and the organisers will be pleased to meet additional volunteer collectors there. Mr H. Spicer will direct the collectors.