The Marlborough Express PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1909. THE WAY OF THE MOTORIST.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 116, 14 May 1909, Page 4

The Marlborough Express PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1909. THE WAY OF THE MOTORIST.

An indignation meeting of motorists has recently been held in Christchurch to protest against some press strictures upon the conunct of those who drive motor cars. The criticism arose upon a case reported from Ashburton', ! in which it was alleged that a man found injured on the road had been kuocked down and run over by a motor car. This was doubted by the ardent motorists assembled, and it was resolved to offer a reward for the discovery of the driver of the car presumed to be the cause of the mishap. In the course of the discussion upon this resolution, members generally condemned newspaper criticism upon their conduct, and, as is usual, were very liberal in their gratuitous advice as to what newspapers should or should not publish. They strongly deprecated being regarded as "motor hogs," and accused the newspapers of being prejudiced against them. Whatever may be the case in Christchurch, we may say that in this district, if there is any prejudice at all in the public mind against motor cars, it is the fault alone of those who drive them, and arises from causes which are easily within the power of motorists to remedy. In the first place, the inconsiderate conduct of many motorists in-the way they take entire possession of the road to the exclusion of all others may occasion prejudice, or even justify the application to such drivers of the expressive Americanism, "road hog." Whoever heard of such a one getting out of the way of a vehicle, a horseman or a cyclist? On the contrary, all have to make way for the modern juggernaut, which with a scornful hoot proclaims that it is "boss of the road," and rushes along on its odoriferous way regardless of any inconvenience it causes to others. This is one thing calculated to stir up feelings of resentment and inspire a prejudice which would not otherwise exist. Then there is another reason^ The cars rush about in the streets at a great pace, and turn"'corners at a speed at which no other; vehicle would be al-

lowed to travel,'and in doing so raise clouds of dust which smother passers-i by, and undoubtedly cause them very great annoyance. It is no uncommon thing on a Sunday, when people are on their way to church, decked in their Sabbath best, to be suddenly startled by the "toot, toot" of some motor car rushing wildly round a corner, and enveloping everyone in a cloud of filth from which there is no escape. The wonder would be under such circumstances if there were no prejudice against these modern nuisances. As we have said, the motorists/can themselves remedy these evils, and thus; give no cause for the, vexation which they now continually excite. A little sweet reasonableness would cause them to have some recognition for the rights of others, and would induce them to travel at a more moderate pace and negotiate corners with a regard for the safety of pedestrians that is not at present manifested. This would largely discount the dust nuisance, but to completely do away with that it might be necessary to compel motorists to adjust sprinklers to the rear of their machines, by means of which they could sprinkle the streets with petroleum as they fly along. . This would get rid of the dust nuisance and also tend to perfect the streets. We commend the suggestion to the consideration of the town fathers. As for the smell which the motor leaves in its wake, we fear that will have to be endured, but it is after all the least of the evils arising from the* use of motor cars.