THE ROAD TERRORIST.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 687, 11 December 1909, Page 3

THE ROAD TERRORIST.

MR. F, T. MOORE SPEAKS OUT. Tlio problem how to check Bomi-demontcd motor-car and cyolb dmcrs has boon ghen a good deal of attention by tho Makara County Council, in whoso control a number of subur. ban roads are vested. Tho Minister for In- , ternal Affairs (Hie Hon. D. Buddo) was approached by moinbors of tho council last month •to relieve the peoplo from tho terrorism thej havo to endure from the furious driving ol somo motor-cars and tho reckless driving of many motor cyclists." On' that occasion th* Minister made reply that local authorities hat practically unlimited powers in-making anc enforcing by-laws dealing with tho difficulty, ro adopt <jhe proposal of tho deputation by legislating on the matter would mean taking from the local bodies an unpopular duly and laying it upon tho Government. At this meeting of (ho council held yesterday tho chairman (Mr. F. T. Mooio) expressed thj , ' opinion m no uncertain terms that tho Ministor s reply was a direct encouragement and an incentive to motor-car and evelo drivers l« proceed ot any pace on country roads. In hie opinion it. was a matter that affected the whole m tho Dominion, and one that should bo legislated upon at once. In instancing the reckless,, ness of somo dmors, he btated that only tho other day a motor cyclist scattered a mob of' snoop at Ngahauranga, and as tho result fourteen had been lost. Writing from Oxford, Canterbury, to tho council, a correspondent expressed tho hops that some effectual action would be taken in > tho matter. , 110 considered tho Hon. Mr " Buddos action weak, as tho law should be tho same throughout tho Dominion, lie sugecstpd that a member of Parliament should bo an- ' pioachod with a wiew to having a Public High, ways Safety Act placed on tho statute book. In England tho polico take tho matter in hand, and systematically lay traps to catch ilia pyer-speody motorist. Even this does not deter ™ from becoming a road hog, and ho deliberately employs scouts to ascortain whero tha traps ho. Somelh-.iuj pretty drastic is needed as n-check on speed within, as well as bevond, ' tho city boundaries^