RACE TRAFFIC

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 109, 8 April 1936, Page 15

RACE TRAFFIC

CARS ON RACECOURSE ROAD. ■A BY-LAW*SOUGHT. The control of traffic, at Awapuni on race days was discussed by a deputation to the Kairanga County Council, yesterday from the Manawatu Racing Club. The members of the deputation were Alessrs L. B. Wall, L. 11. Collinson, and J. Hughes. The secretary of the club (Aliss Buchanan) advised in a letter that at the club’s autumn meeting very strong complaints had -been made to the club by owners and trainers of racehorses in connection with the parking of cars on the road from Maxwell’s Line to the racecourse gates. Although the club bad a man on duty and notices that parking there was prohibited were erected, cars were parked on •both sides of the road and tho horses had to be taken through the traffic down the middle of the road. The club bad appointed a sub-committeo to wait on the council, as until the council bad passed a by-law prohibiting the parking of cars on that road the club could not take action agaipst offenders. Mr Wall elaborated on the facts given in the letter. The trouble was becoming worse and worse, remarked Mr Collinson, wlio said that horses from nearby stables all had to use the road. There were cars parked on Foxton Line and that was quite a good thing. The club did not want to penalise those persons who could not pay to take their cars into the present parking area. There would be a bad accident if the trouble was not met, said Air Hughes. Replying to a question Mr Wall said that tlie club would place an inspector on duty along the road, but lie had to be given some authority. At present he had none.

Cr. J. Batchelar said ho was in sympathy with the deputation, but it had to be remembered that the road was a ratepayers’ road. A suggestion was made by Cr. W. R. Hopcroft that if a parking paddock was made available at a cost of a shilling per car it would greatly relieve the position.

Agreement with the deputation was also expressed by Cr. T. D. Lynch. The road could become dangerous, he said. The County Council and the club had always co-operated well, said the chairman (Cr. I). Collis) and if an agreement could be reached on the matter he was sure it would be.

The deputation then withdrew. Cr. W. G. Shannon drew an analogy with the parking in Waldegrave Street at the time of the Shows. The City

Council would not pass such a by-law in regard to parking there, he remarked. There was no ratepayer living on the road to the racecourse, remarked Cr J. Smith, who thought no inconvenience would be caused by prohibiting parking on that road on race days. Cr. Batchelar agreed, and moved that the matter be referred to the council’s solicitor to frame a suitable by-law to be considered later, provided a parking paddock at a reasonable cost, was arranged by the club, the by-law to apply to the road referred to and that portion of Maxwell’s Line between College Street and Racecourse Road.

The motion was passed and it was also decided that the Racing Club be asked to bear the expense entailed. The reply from the cl'-ib as to the provision of a* suitable parking area is to be in hand before action is taken in regard to the drawing up of the by-law.