MOTOR-CYCLE TRIALS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17946, 3 May 1928, Page 8

MOTOR-CYCLE TRIALS.

OBJECTIONS RAISED

LEVELS COUNTY COUNCIL DISCUSS MATTER.

The discussion at the April meeting of the Levels County Council in regard to motor-cyclists using Tycho Zig Zag for hill climbs, was productive of protests. At yesterday’s monthly meeting of the Council the matter was again discussed, the discussion arising out of two ietters from the South Canterbury Motor Cycle Club sigtied by the president (Mr J. Shallcrass). The first letter was as follows: —“As we were unable to complete our last hill climb on account of rain I wish to make application to the Council for the use of Tycho Zig-Zag on May 12. I wish to state that in consideration of the above being granted, the Committee will do all within its power to prevent a repetition of the trouble which arose at the conclusion of our last event.”

A further letter stated: —“After reading the recent report in ‘The Timaru Herald’ concerning the discussion at your last meeting about our Club’s hill climb, I would like to offer a few words of explanation. In regard to the danger question. I . would like to point out that at all times when practising was taking place there were observers placed at points along the hill to stop tlie rider should traffic Wish to descend. If by any chance the rider was too near the top and could not be stopped, the driver of the vehicle was requested to pull to one side until the rider had reached the top. This was always carried out with good grace, and not once did we meet with any objection on the part of the driver of a vehicle. In fact, afl 1 precautions taken when practising were the same as those employed on the day of the climb, and on those occasions we have always to satisfy the police tin the point of safety to the public in regard to controlling traffic. We are exceedingly sorry if we were the cause of any annoyance tdl an invalid with the noise of the motors, but had we been advised, we most certainly would have remedied the matter. I went to Tyoho and tendered our apologies. I trust you wiLl accept this explanation, as any antagonism that was aroused was d.bne in ignorance, and had we been advised We most certainly would have rectified the matter, and you may rest assured it will not happen again.” '• The chairman (Mr T. B. Garrick) : “How does that suit you, Mr Selbie? Mr Selbie: “They say that nothing was don© intentionally, but that does not get away froml the fact that sometimes things are still done, whether intentional or not/. 1 J Bfo said 'thaw travel* ling at a speed of 60 miles an hour was not safe, and as a result people were -afraid to: let their children out on the roads while the cyclists were about. He had no objection to letting the Ulub have the use of the road on the day of the climb, but he did not like the idea of the cyclists practising for days before the event. They also might have had the sense of honour to keep away from the hill on the Sabbath. “None of us are saints, but I da think the Sabbath should be observed by the cyclists.” . The chairman: “It’s no good going in for the climb without practice. Mr Selbie: “The Club applied for one day, not ten.” The chairman: “Well, what are we going to do?” ■ The clerk (Mr F. E. Whitehead): “We can't stop them from travelling over the King’s highway, but ire have the right to make certain conditions and see that they are enforced. Mr Selbie: “I was asked why I didn’t go to the police before going re the Council. They may think I’m hard, but I might be the means of Saving some poor fellow’s life.” Mr D. Grant suggested that perhaps a more suitable .and less dangerous hill could be given the club. The chairman: “They usually have safety pickets out on. the day of the . 0l Mr’Grant: “Yes, but what about Selbie? ‘ ‘They have asked for the 12th, and not for' a fortnight. " The chairman: “Wo can’t stop them. The only thing to do is to. ha j^ e the event placed under supervision The application was . granted. At a later stage of tlie meeting, Mr Whitehead intimated that-tlie President of the Club had waited on him with the infonnation that the Ciub had held 1 a meeting and had decided to cut out all practices, and to confine thenclimbs to the day of the event. /