SPEED LIMITS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16330, 20 January 1921, Page 2

SPEED LIMITS.

WAIMAIRI COUNTY’S BY-LAAY. A RESOLUTION RESCINDED. Motoring speed limits were the principal topic of discussion at a special meeting, held last evening of tlic AYainiairi County Council. Mr I'. Sisson opened the discussion. He said that some months ago it was agreed that the limit of speed at, certain points in the county should be increased from twelve miles to eighteen miles an hour. Mr Staples had later moved that the new limit should apply to the whole county area and that was also agreed to. lie (the speaker) as a motorist resented the limit, and now moved that the resolution he rescinded. Xo motorist could observe so low a limit, except at busy places. One would use a “ push bike ” not a motor-car, to keep speed down to eighteen miles an hour. What was the use of the council passing a resolution that knew nobody would observe? Eighteen miles an hour in a motor-car could not he done ; it would be so irritating that the motorists would sooner get out and walk. Mr S. A. Staples: What did you do when horses trotted only eight miles an liou r ? Mr Sisson: That was fifty years ago; we have progressed since then. You I are an antiquated crowd. (Laughter.) ! Mr Staples seconded the proposal. | and said it must he agreed that I eighteen miles an hour limit lor the whole county roads was too low . The day after the resolution was carried lie f was advised by Mr F. W-Johnston that ! a by-law making the speed-limit the j same for the whole county would be | held by the Courts to he unreasonable. ! The speaker now advocated that a ; special schedule of speed limits for ! various ports of the county should be ! devised. j Mr J. Cledond suggested fifteen ! miles an hour around dangerous corners. and twenty-five miles in other ' parts of the county. Recently he had repeatedly seen cars, on the North j Road going forty to forty-five miles an i hour. Mr C. E. Cross supported the reso- ! lution, but recommended waiting until j after the coming conference of local ; bodies on motoring matters, before fixing the new limitsMr W. J. Walter said that his objection to excessive speeds was mainly ! because of the damage done to the j roads. "Who was to pay for the upkeep j of the roads? By-laws should be ©n- i forced against, motorists, nor keeping ! to their right side of the road. Mr AY. P. Spenerv said that there had j been a lot of " hot air ” about the : motoring by-laws’ business. It won!! i cost them a considerable sum to alter j the by-laws. lTc had the reputation of ; being the most careful driver in North { Canterbury. (Laughter. ) He could tell ! them cases where motorists were mak- , ing the roads, not destroying them. , What Tihout the night-soil carts carrying three tons? Traction engines and ! heavy carts did as much damage as J The motion was agreed to unanimously. ! Mr Spencer said that the effect of the decision was to leave the by-laws as they were before, the Speed limit at certain places being twelve miles an hoar. This ruling was questioned, but the

chairman uphold it. A map of the world would have been useful lo Miss M Carthy. of the Intelnational League of New Zealand, when she lectured in the Trades Hall lost night. Miss M Carthy attended Trade Union congresses in Glasgow and conferences in Genera, and her address touched on events in scores of countries, alleging hlackbirding under American rule in Hnyti, persecution under British rule in Africa, indcserih.ajde liorjv.rs under Japanese rule in Korea- floggings in Tndia, starvation in Austria and hopelessness in Germany. The blame she laid at the door of “ the stupid, vindictive, senseless Pence Treaty.” Talking of India, Miss M*Garthv said that it was good to know that at last three hundred million people nere no longer afraid to fight, for their right* All over The world the cringing attitude was being left behind. .

The Canterbury District Repatriation Board met yesterday; present Messrs A. F. Drayton (chairman), l 1 - \\ . Hobbs, AY. Goss, H. S. J. Goodman, F. T- Eld ridge, P. Davidson, and J. A. Clarke. It was reported that one application had been granted in the sustenance section, thirty-two in the furniture section, fourteen in the trades, tools and equipment section, two in the transportation section, and twenty-one in the educational and vocation! section. Mr Goss said that the unemployment position was lar better than he had anticipated, considering that the holiday season was over. Since December 15 sixty-three applications for employment had been received and sixty-eight men liad been placed. The number of men unemployed was sixteen. including light employment men, four: storemen, three: travellers, two. MDrayton reported that the purchase of another property for settlement by T.B- men was under consideration. The matter was urgent, as a. number of patients were ready to leave the sanatorium. THE HOLIDAY KIT. Trunks, hags and suit cases. A really good lot at Alinsotrs in a dozen kinds. See these before you decide. Brief bags 2-3? Gd, 25s Gd, 27s Gd. 1