Control of motorboats

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32536, 20 February 1971, Page 16

Control of motorboats

Sir, — We are indeed fortunate in Lyttelton to have some of the safest swimming beaches in the country, but how long must we wait until someone is seriously hurt by inconsiderate boat-owners who persist in speeding in among the swimmers? On several occasions recently I have seen small children almost run down by these highpower speed-boats towing a person on water skis too close in. If it is neces-

sary for the controlling authorities to make an example of someone they have only to be at Corsair Bay or Rapaki any fine week-end.— Yours, etc.

G. C. ADAMS. Lyttelton, February 15, 1971.

[Mr A. J. Sowden, general manager of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, replies: "Honorary wardens have been appointed in certain areas to ensure that powerboat owners comply with the board’s by-laws, but unfortunately their control is restricted • because of their inability to identify ' the owners of offending craft. A deputation ftom the board recently drew the attention of the Minister of Marine to the difficulties confronting the wardens and the Minister is having the question of registration of these craft for identification purposes investigated by his department.”]

Sir, —I • have given little thought to the pros and cons of the proposal to register motor-boats and launches, but

I became an immediate convert for the registration of these craft after spending last Sunday at Church Bay. For the better part of the day the whole bay was taken over by these speedsters, most of whom towed skis. They parked themselves at various places around the bay and took off from anywhere. Very few indeed used the authorised ski area between the two rows of buoys; 75 per cent of them could be classed as irresponsible in their handling of their boats. They displayed total disregard of the well-being and safety of other boat users, swimmers, and all and sundry, going in all directions, cutting across, skimming by yachts, canoes, launches, and swimmers. I

saw one ski line cut by a boat other than the one he was being towed by. A fine day spoilt by irresponsible idiots.—Yours, etc., ICH DIEN. February 18, 1971.

Motor-car exhausts Sir, —“Auto Gossip” by AJ.P. in today’s issue should be printed in every new car handbook, as it shows that most vehicle air pollution is caused because the industry originally seized on the carburettor as "something that is cheap to mass produce.” Automobile engineers

have known for years that as an efficient fuel-feeding device the carburettor just does not compare favourably with other systems readily available, Ralph Nader, in his book, “Unsafe at Any Speed,” showed how industrial bureaucracies have used extensive advertising to create a demand for an inefficient product. It is now the task of conservationists to ensure that the public consider safety, durability, and low air and noise pollution before glossiness. For New Zealanders it is important that cars should last for years and not have to be scrapped, to lie too quickly as a rusty heap in someone’s back yard.—Yours, etc., PATRICK NEARY. February 19, 1971.