CYCLING ON HUTT ROAD

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 113, 14 May 1940, Page 6

CYCLING ON HUTT ROAD

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—l have to thank you for publishing part of the letter which I recently wrote to you on the above subject. You say that "inquiries made whether Mr. Milne's statement that cycles may be ridden on the paved road within the city boundary were given the reply that the practice is prohibited in the interests of public safety." You do not say, however, from whom the inquiries were made. I have in my possession a letter dated 30th March, 1940, signed by Mr. G. L. Laurenson, Commissioner of Transport", explaining that, the sections of the old Hutt Road Act relating to the use of bicycles on the road were repealed by section 7 of the Hutt Road Act, 1939, as from the Ist April, 1940, and that the Hutt Road is now placed under the control of the Petone Borough Council, the Crown, and the Wellington City Council according to the respective locations of the road. Mr. Laurenson concludes his letter by saying: "It appears, therefore, that after the end of this month (March) cyclists will be committing no offence in using the Hutt Road unless bylaws are passed by the road controlling authorities to forbid this practice. I have drawn the attention of the Main Highways Board to this matter."

Mr. Laurenson was apparently as good as his word, and we know what action the Main' Highways Board has taken. But a leading lawyer in Wellington assures me that cyclists may still ride on the paved portion of the Hutt Road between Ngahauranga and Wellington. So what?—-I am, etc.,

ALFRED E. MILNE, Cyclists' Touring Club,