DOMINION NEWS RETENTION OF SPEED LIMIT SUGGESTED

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 February 1947, Page 9

DOMINION NEWS RETENTION OF SPEED LIMIT SUGGESTED

A suggestion that even when tyres became plentiful there should be a speed limit -of 50 miles an hour on motor vehicles was made to the Nelson Automobile Association by the Commissioner of Transport (Mr. G. L. Laurenson). When tyres became scarce, the 40 miles an hour speed restriction was imposed on vehicles on the road to conserve rubber, said Mr. Laurenson. There had been a marked decline in the number of deaths and accidents involving injuries since that speed restriction. When tyres became available again and traffic reverted to normal he would suggest that consideration should be given by motorists to a speed restriction of 50 miles an hour, not to conserve rubber but for the conservation of human life. When asked whether the Road Safety Council had' considered the contribution of motor-cycles to road accidents, the Commissioner described the machines as: “The most lethal things on the road.” They were involved in about three times as many accidents as private cars, he said, and anybody whose boy rode a motorcycle should realise the risk the boy took of being killed or seriously injured. Future of Pamir.

The Prime Minister (Mr. P. Fraser) and the Minister of Marine (Mr. J. O’Brien) yesterday advised the Lyttelton Harbour Board that the proposal to acquire the barque Pamir as a training ship was still being investigated. Mr. O’Brien said those chiefly concerned were not in agreement on the proposal, and there, in the meantime, the matter rested. The Government had made arrangements for the adequate training of men for the Merchant Navy; but the need for a training ship or centre was not denied.

Award to Auckland Composer. Advice has been received by Mr. J. Dixon, Dunedin manager of Charles Begg and Co., Ltd., that first prize in his firm’s annual composers’ contest has been awarded to Mr. Henry Shirley, of Auckland, for his composition “Moon Silver.” Mr. Shirley was successful in 1945 and was runner-up in two previous contests. The second prize was equally divided between Mr. L. D. Austin, of Wellington, for “Two Musical Sketches,” and Mr. A. R. Tremain, of Feilding, for “Two Dances for Pianoforte.” The judge, Mr. Frank Hutchens, of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, said: “The winning composition, ‘Moon Silver,’ is a well-written and poetic composition. It shows scholarship and a fine sense of pious writing and a sensitiveness to subtle and attractive harmonies. I shall be pleased to introduce it to Sydney audiences.” —(P.A.)

Death of Journalise Mr. Donald McLennan, a former well-known Canterbury journalist, died at Timaru on Tuesday, aged 80 years. Mr. McLennan was the senior Justice of the Peace in Timaru. Joining the literary staff of the Lyttelton Times as assistant sub-editor about 1903, he became agricultural editor of the Canterbury Times on the death of Mr. George Blisset. When the Canterbury Times ceased publication during the First World War,_Mr. McLennan transferred to the Lyttelton Times as agricultural editor. Later, he became editor of the Christchurch Star. Going to Timaru in 1918 as editor of the Timaru Post, Mr. McLennan served in that capacity until the last issue in 1939. He then joined the staff of the Timaru Herald, but failing health caused him to retire. Born at Hinds in 1867, he was educated at the Hinds School and the Ashburton High School. In 1909 he manned Miss Charlotte White, ox Dunedin, by whom he is survived.