RECORD MAKING

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 103, 2 May 1924, Page 6

RECORD MAKING

ON NORTH ISLAND ROADS

HEABTILY CONDEMNED.

There was a very keen discussion at the meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Automobile Association last evening on the question of recordbreaking on the North Island roads, particular reference being made to the recent record made between Auckland and s Wellington./ The matter was introduced by a letter from the Wellington Association, protesting against the speeding, and asking for assistance. Mr. I. V. Wilson said this was a matter they should be careful about. The man who broke the record was a firstclass driver, and' much safer to meet on the road than many drivers who travelled at 25 miles per hour.

Mr. C. M. Banks: "You must think of the danger."

"I do not know that there is any danger," remarked Mr. Wilson. "I have been thinking the whole thing over very carefully, and I' can see nothing against it." Mr. Stott: "He was going 80 miles per hour." Dr. Prcudergast Knight: "If he was doing 80 miles per hour on the Butt road, even if it was clear, he was driving to the public danger."

The fact that he thought any driver dangerous at the rate was expressed by Mr. A. J. Toogood.

"These tests are held all over the world. It is these reliability trials that have made the efficiency of modern cars," stated Mr. Wilson.

The secretary {Mr. H. J. Stofct) mentioned that the Wellington Association was considering holding races at Otaki beach.

"Well, I think human life is too precious to allow this sort of thing to continue on the roads," stated Mr. Toogood.-

Mr. Wilson: ''Can you mention anyone who has been injured by these trials in New Zealand?"

A member: "No. But in France on on° trip about five people were killed. It is all right in other countries, such as America aud Australia, where they have long stretches very thinly populated."

The secretary: "It is merely advertisement. Vines were paid all* through the country, but they do not stop the racing:"

■ On the motion of Mr. Toogood, ifi was decided to give the heartiest sup. port t.o the Wellington Association iv endeavouring to prevent record breakiiia oil the public v"°^°, \