R.S.A. Protest.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 829, 1 August 1933, Page 6

R.S.A. Protest.

Parking Restriction.

City By-law Affecting Gloucester Street. HTHE Christchurch City Council’.? by-law A prohibiting the parking of cars in Gloucester Street near the Jellicoe Hall while a dance is in progress is to be referred to the honorary solicitor of the R.S.A. for an opinion as to its validity. This decision was come to at last night’s meeting of the executive, when the matter was discussed and resentment was expressed regarding the by-law, which was considered unreasonable. Recentlv a member of the executive who left his car in front of the association's club rooms, was warned by a traffic inspector that he had committed a breach of the bylaw and was liable to prosecution. The executive appointed a deputation to wait on the By-laws Co'mmittee of the City Council with a request that the by-law be revised, and at the meeting last evening a letter was received from the Town Clerk stating that after giving the matter careful consideration the committee decided not to alter its .decision prohibiting the parking of cars in Gloucester Street, between Durham and Montreal Streets. Mr T. L. Drummond moved _ that the letter be referred to the association’s honorary solicitor for his opinion on the question of the validity of the by-law. “I dont think the City Council can enforce the by-law if a 'test case is brought,” he said. The secretary (Mr E. F. Willcox) said that he had pointed out to the committee that any resident in the area or anyone who was the guest of a resident was allowed to park a car in the street. Mr W. E. Leadley mentioned that the members of the Masonic Lodge, which was almost next door to the association s club rooms, might be willing to co-operate. “ The committee has just shelved the matter by writing a letter that doesn’t mean anything,” said Mr H. St A. Murray. Special Exemptions.

The secretary read the by-law, which contained a proviso that it did not apply to the vehicle of any person residing within the area in which parking was prohibited, or of any of his visitors, servants or guests. Mr E. W. Smith remarked that the position was complicated because of the proximity of the Masonic Hall. Mr A. H. Parfitt expressed the opinion that if a case went before a Magistrate the by-law would be held to be unreasonable. He suggested that Mr Drummond should allow himself to be prosecuted as a test case. Mr Drummond said he was quite willing to contest the. by-law. ’

“We have seen cars parked on both sides of the street w'hile a dance has been in progress in the Jellicoe Hall,” said Mr Leadley. If a dance was in progress on a night when a meeting of the executive was held all the car-owners were liable to prosecution.

Mr Drummond said he had arrived at the club rooms at a time w’hen there w r as no sign of a dance in the Jellicoe Hall, but one began later. What was the position, h e asked, in wet weather? Was a man compelled to leave his car a considerable distance away because of the possibility of a dance being held that evening? The by-law. he considered, was absolutely unreasonable. The opinion was expressed by other speakers that members of the executive should come within the definition of “ visitors.” Mr Drummond: Why bother at all? If the solicitor tells us we are in the right w T e should just wait for the council to take action. “ A Dance Hall.” The secretary said that the reason why the R.S.A. had been picked out was that the Jellicoe Hall w r as classified as a dance hall. , „ Mr Lea.dley: But it’s not a dance hall. The secretary said that the by-law specifically stated that it was a dance hall. "Mr Archer put a damper on the deputation from the outset by telling us we were not the only people to be considered,” he added. “ I was not at all pleased with the reception given to us.” commented the president (the Rev F. T. Read). Mr Drummond’s motion that the letter be referred to the honorary solicitor was carried.