Speed Trials

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6764, 23 January 1932, Page 10

Speed Trials

SYDNEY, Dec. 24,

A threat to commit secretaries or other responsible officials of motorcycle clubs for trial if there are further deaths caused by holding speed trials on main roads was made by the Liverpool District Coroner (Mr. P. S. Poolman).

He had been inquiring into the deaths of two young men who were killed in a motor-cycle accident on November 15.

Constable Cloke said that the men were killed on a main highway, which was in frequent use by motor-cycle clubs for speed trials. He had often been out at 5 a.m .on Sundays, but the clubs had scouts out, and ho had no chance of catching them. Traffic was heavy, and the practice was dangerous.

When he arrived on the scene and began to make inquiries, Constable Cloke said, the riders left hurriedly as though endeavouring to get away without giving any' information.

It was not an uncommon experience lor cyclists at road trials to travel at 75 miles an hour. Poultry farmers Jiud complained that the noise and vibration of the machines affected incubation. George Edward Writer, secretary of the 8.8. A. Club, said that Bernard and Bindley were not members of the club, lie had not obtained permission to hold trials, and there was little traffic about, lie denied that scouts were placed tt» watch the police. The accident occurred when Bradley was travelling at 50 miles an hour and Bernard at GO miles an. hour. They met at the bottom of two hills.

The Coroner, recording a finding of accidental death in each case, said to Writer: "You have no business on the road. You are only a disturbance.”