Change Of Course For Motor-Cycle Road Race Has County Approval

Wanganui Chronicle, 13 October 1948, Page 4

Change Of Course For Motor-Cycle Road Race Has County Approval

Advice that the council could not legally grant permission ior the motor-cycle roaa race to be heldover roads in the bpringvaie area during the Baoour Day week-end was received from the Commissioner ol Transport (Mr. G. L. Daurenson) at yesterday s meeting of tne waitotara county Council. A new course in the Brunswick area was suggestea by the Wanganui Motor Racing Club ana was approved by tne council. The legal position has been ascertained ana it conurms your own opinion tnat the council has no statutory power to close its roads tor the purposes proposed,” stated the letter from the Commissioner of Transport. “Further, tnere would be no legai defence to any of the participants in the various races snouid they expose themselves to a charge of exceeding the maximum speed limit of 40 miles an hour or even the more serious ofxence of driving at a speed or in a manner which mignt be dangerous to the public or to any person. “in view of the xact tnat there are some ratepayers who are opposed to the holding of the proposed roaa races and xoi’ other reasons stated, it is considered that your council cannot do otnerwise than decline its permission for such event. “Had tne circuit been chosen in a remote and sparsely populated locality and witn no opposition from any oi tne -residents, this department would not have felt it incumoent upon itself to take any action in the matter provided that adequate precautions were taken to saieguard the public,’ tne letter concluded. “Is that tne enu of the race over these roads then," said Cr. H. Titter. The chairman, Mr. W. McKie: That is so. Are you quite happy now'! Cr. Titter: Yes. The chairman: Perhaps it is all for the best taking everything into consideration. A letter was then read from the Wanganui Motor Racing Club seeking permission to hold the race on a circuit at Brunswick emoracing the Brunswick Road, the Grange Roaa, Western Line, Station Roaa and the Blueskin Road. The cluo pointed out that as the course crossed a railway line, athe race would have to be helu on the Sunday. The chairman said the club had interviewed farmers on the route ana only one objection had Deen voiced and that man did not propose to carry his objection any further. The new course had been approved by the Transport Department, but as it crossed the railway line the race would have to be held on the Sunday instead of Saturday afternoon as planned originally. The course was a good one and was about 7i miles in length. The roads would be closed for about two hours. He had received a report that some people in Cr. Titter’s riding were disappointed that the race was not to be held in the Springvale area. Cr. Titter: Of course there will be some people who will be disappointed. “I don't care if they have a race every week but I think we would be wrong in granting permission,” said Cr. A. A. Winwood. “I don t think we are in our rights in granting them permission for the race.” The chairman: We realise that. “But permission has been granted in other districts for such races,” said Cr. A. R. Billinghurst. “Two wrongs do not make a right,” said Cr. Winwod. “Could they go on with the race if we did not give our permission?” he asked. The chairman said that the race could not be held unless the council gave its permission. The Transport Department would not give its permission if the county did not give its approval. “Approval for the race was given on the motion of Cr. A. R. Billinghurst. Cr. Win wood asked that his vote against the motion should be recorded. The chairman: Do vou want your vote against it recorded Cr. Titter? Cr. Titter: I cannot vote against the motion if the ratepayers in the area approve of the race being held.