Move To Stop Road Race By Motor-Cycles Is Unsuccessful

Wanganui Chronicle, 15 September 1948, Page 6

Move To Stop Road Race By Motor-Cycles Is Unsuccessful

Claiming that there was no law which empowered the Transport Department or a local body to deny a ratepayer the right to use any .road at any time he wished, Mr. F. W. Gould waited on yesterday’s meeting of the Waitotara County Council protesting against the holding of the proposed mo-tor-cycle road race over Springvale roads during the Labour Day week-end. After Mr. Gould had left the meeting, Mr. G. R. Jones outlined the safety steps taken by the Wanganui Motor Racing Club through the Auto Cycle Union and the Transport Department, and the council decided to abide by its previous decision to grant permission, provided certain requirements were fulfilled. Claiming that he represented a reasonable body of people residing in the area, Mr. Gould said he had lived in the Mosston Riding for 30 years and had earned the right to use the roads without let or hindrance at any time he wished. Never once had his rights in that respect been with. This council owed nothing to the body which sought to use the roads unlawfully. For someone to ask for the closing of the roads, even for 10 minutes, was wrong in principle. Two families in the area had lost sons through motor-cycle accidents, and their wishes at least should be respected. He doubted if the Wanganui Orphanage would benefit; in fact it might get another inmate or two as a result of riders being killed. In answer to a question by Cr. W. K. Ross as to whether he was aware that the motor-cycle club had secured permission from householders in the area, Mr. Gould said they had only interviewed people along the route of the race and not those who lived in the enclosed area who were just as entitled to consideration, he claimed. He contended that people in the city might want to use the roads at the time of the race.

Up to today there had been no protests from people in the area, said Cr. A. R. Billinghurst, The Transport Department had advised the council that the race would be controlled efficiently. Mr. Gould claimed that the Tranpsort Department had no legal right to close the road. He said he had been a sportsman all his life,, but he had never kept anyone indoors with his sport. The chairman, Mr. W. McKee: You are not being asked to stay indoors. Mr. Gould: I will be losing some of my personal freedom. I contend there is no law to enable the Transport Department to grant permission for these races to be held. Cr. Billinghurst: This is rather a belated protest. The club had already advertised the race and the prize-money, although it had not received permission from the Wanganui City Council, said Mr. Gould. “You know I am against this race,” said Cr. H. Titter, who said that if 95 per cent, of the people favoured it he could not go against their opinion. His own personal opinion was that the race sohuld not be held. “I do not agree that 95 per cent, of the people should be able to nullify the law,” said Mr. Gould. The chairman said that 75 householders had approved of the race and only five had opposed it. “If you allow the law to be broken then you are not showing decent respect for the law,” said Mr. Gould. “I would like to say that I am opposed to the race being held,” said Cr. A. A. Winwood. He considered that Mr. Gould was quite within his rights. This was the one case where no notice should be taken of a majority. WARNING ISSUED. “I shall probably be driving a motor lorry along those roads at that time/’ warned Mr. Gould. “If anything of mine is damaged through the permission o*f the council to hold this race I claim the right to proceed against the council.” Representing the Wanganui Motor Racing Club, Mr. G. R. Jones then waited on the council. He explained that arrangements had been made to permit of people being marshalled out of the area in cases of emergency or urgency. There would be marshals at every corner. Cr. Titter: The last speaker said that the race would last for li hours. Is that so? I would like to say I am opposed to it and hope it is not held. One race would be li hours from the start until all the riders were finished. Similar races had been held in the South Island, Auckland and at Hamilton. It would be a big affair and would attract many visitors to Wanganui. In Christchurch, £4OO had been handed to the Red Cross as the result of such a race, and at Hamilton the Red Cross had received about £540. It was hoped that the Wanganui Orphanage, which was in urgent need of funds, would benefit to such an extent.

In reply to a suggestion by Cr. Titter that the race should be held on the Wanganui East track, Mr. Jones said that it was a different type of race. All competitors had to hold an Auto Cycle Union certificate of competency. Everything was covered by insurance. There were only two riders in Wanganui who were qualified to 4 ide in the race. “One of our ratepayers,” said Cr. G. W. Crafar, “has intimated that he will be driving a motor lorry on the road at the time of the race. He says there is no law to stop him.” Mr. Jones said the race could be held earlier or later to meet his convenience. The chairman: But he wants to be on the road at the time of the race. The race had not been advertised, said Mr. Jones. No entry forms had been sent out and would not until final permission was received. So far 58 entries had been received, and it was expected that they would total more than 100 He said that at the race in Hamilton the average speed was 66 miles an hour. Cr. Titter: I only hope that the Wanganui City Council will not give its permission Mr. Jones said he did not think therp would be any trouble in that respect.