16-12-52 16-12-52 16-12-52 RACE THROUGH HAGLEY PARK Approval By City Council FUNDS FOR AIR RACE COUNCIL After a long debate, the City Council decided last evening by 11 votes to nine to permit motor-cycle racing through Hagley Park towards the end January or early in February Park terrace, Harper avenue, and Leans avenue will be closed to • tratic and the public during progress of the races between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and the race spectators will be charged admission to the park. The funds will be given to the International Air Race Council. The traffic committee had favourably viewed the race proposal, but the reserves committee recommended that the application to hold the race in aid of the air race funds and the Kiwi Restoration Appeal Committee be declined. The proposal was to open the roads between races. Cr W. P. Warner said the council was "in for £30,000" unless funds were raised for the air race. The authorities running the race were very eff cient in controlling the crowds at races at Cust. None of the riders were "milk-bar cowboys." Every city in the country threw its roads open for racing. The Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.) said there was not time for the matter to be referred back to the rei serves committee and an amendment permitting racing through Hagley Park would be a direct negative. Cr. J. E. Tait moved as an amendment that the traffic and reserves com-; mittee be authorised to confer with the road motor-cycle race committee on the route of the race. Cr. M. B. Howard, M.P.: It is a direct negative Tait: A race through Hagley Park is only part of the scheme. No other fund but the shuuld be allowed to "chisel in" on the race said Cr I. H. McComb Talk •That is sound." replied Cr. "It is a big issue and a special issue, and it should be confined to a special occasion. Cr. J. L. Hay said that the reserves committee was unanimous that the central area was not the place for a race, which would be noisy. He anticipated "something • like bit of a public row" against the use of the park. Moreover. the police were E. Jones said • that all supported the air race, but the ratepayers would not approve of racing through the park. The dangers were great, as the entrances to the park were narrow. The people jealously regarded Hagley Park and he would never agree| to a race finishing there. A tribute to the motor-cycle clubs! was paid by Cr. J. Mathison. MI.P.. who said the Army required its riders to jein one. He had been amazed at their care and control. The entrance to the park from Park terrace would compel the riders to travel slowly There was no danger, and few persons woula be disturbed. Was the council! going to deny the racing authorities: from doing what was done in every! city on the Continent. Every precaution would be taken for the safety of the! public. N. McLean asked. What other! Cr. means the reserves committee would! suggest to raise money ior the air race. Englana, too. had great regard for her parks. but she had seen a race through a ducal park. Mayor's Opposition "If the race was not for the air race funds we would not be giring it much consideration tonight." said the Mayor. "We have given a guarantee to the Air ; Race Council and we are between the devil and the deep blue sea. Cr. Howard: We are between two devils. the council had already given permission for racing at McCormack's Bayl in aid of the air race funds. continued the Mayor. The people nowhere would stand the closing of their roads more once a year. The roads were not built for racing, but for the convenience of the people of the city. There were etter places for holdins the council was informed that none of road races. the public would be allowed roads. The police would have a say about that. be? Cr. Howard: Where will the public "In the park," replied the Mayor. "When it comes to the park, the responsibility will be on the City Coun- The thing we have to be satisfied on is that there will be adequate protection of the people. The responsibility will fall on the council if any child is killed because it opened the park for racing." Cr. G. Manning said he agreed with the Mayor and Cr Forbes that the council had be influenced int making its decision by the attitude of ine police. Hagley Park was not designed for racing Cr. A further amendment that per- R. Guthrey said he would move a mission be granted. provided the police the Traffic Superintendent satisfied that adequate steps would be taken for the protection of the public. The race was supported by Cr. Baldwin. who said every assistance should be given to the Air Race Council to raise funds. Cr. Howard "Playing Fields, Not Track" said the Mayor had expressed the views of all opposed to the race proposal. She could not clear her conscience if one child was killed or injured Cr. Mathison: You would not allow cyclists on the roads. The parks are the playing fields and not race tracks.' said Cr. Howard. The natural thing was for a child to run after a motor-cycle. Alternative routes could be found "Where is the crying room?" asked "After G. Amos. the race." retorted CI-l Howard. "and that's not unny-it's HAGLEY 16 - 12-52 The amendment division. the voting For: Crs. NicCom Christie. A J. Warner. Glue, Sh Amos and Tait. Against: The May Howard. T. Green, J P. M. Velvin. Hay Cr. Howard to Ci one renegade. Wait mittee meeting. was carried on a being:abs. Mathison. L. Smith. Baldwin. eppard. McLean, or. Crs. Manning,! nes. N. R. Forbes. nd Guthrey. Sheppard): Only till the next com- Notice to Rescind Notice to rescind the decision was immediately given by Cr. Howard. "I expected that," commented the Mayor. Cr. Guthrey's amendment was seconded by Cr. Sheppard and was lost on the voices. The council decided further that the funds raised by the race should be devoted to the Air Race Council. Cr. McCombs said that the notice of motion would not hold up the race! unless a majority of the council signed i a notice. The Mayor said he would find steps to alter the decision. He was challenged • by Cr. Mathison, and replied that his duty was to protect the rights of councillors to have question further considered. "If the council by a majority makes a decision, we should stand by it," said Cr. Manning. To Cr. MeCombs, the Mayor said he would not give a snap decision on interpretation of standing orders dealwith recession of resolutions. Cr. McCombs said that if the council did not meet again until January 26 only one week would remain in which to make arrangements for the race. Race at MoCormack's Bay Earlier in the evening. the council granted permission to the Canterbury Car Club to hold a race in aid of the air • race funds at McCormack's Bay on January 17. The traffic committee recommended that permission granted. subject to the club obtaining the permission of the Transport Board and the Heathcote Count: Council and arrangements being made accordance with the Traffic Superintendent's desires. The Mayor said it was understood that if the race was held a grandstand on the hillside would be used and spectators would pay a charge. PARK CIRCUIT GIVEN COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR MOTOR-CYCLING A MOTOR-CYCLE race over a circuit taking in Park Terrace, Harper and Deans Avenues, and Hagley Park, will be held either late in January or early in February. Proceeds will go to the International Air Race fund. Although the City Council's Reserves Committee last night recommended to the council that the race should not be held, eleven councillors voted in favour of holding the race nine, including the Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.) voted against it. • The division followed • a motion from Councillor J. E. Tait that the Traffic and Reserves Committees be authorised to confer with the committee organising the race over the course outlined in the original appucation, that permission be granted IoT the race to be held, and that the funds be devoted to the International Air Race Fund. The origial appucation, which was viewed favourably by the Iratc Committee and vetoed by •the Reserves Committee, was made by representatives of the International Air Race Council and the, Kiwi Restoration Committee. Proceeds from the race were to be divided between the Air Race Council and the Kiwi Committee. Race management would be undertaken_by the New Zealand Autocycle Union, and organised along the unes or simular races ned on the Continent and in other countries, the Reserves Committee reported. The Superintendent of Police had advised that when the matter was discussed at a conference of local police representatives it was agreed that the route was not suitable. Inclusion of the Kiwi Restoration Committee in the scheme was dropped by the council after CouncilloT T. H. McCombs, who professed himself in favour of the race, said if it was for the purpose of the air race a precedent would not be established. If another organisation was included, then in the years to come other organisations would make application for permission to hold similar races for raising funds. Strong Views Councillors expressed their views strongly on the subject. Discussion was opened by Councillor W. P Warner: who pointed out that the council had already during the meeting given the Canterbury Car Club permission to hold car racing on a circuit taking in the Sumner Causeway and the round around McCormacks Bay. " I would like to give these people a chance of showing what can be done in Christchurch. It is done in other parts of the world. Why should it not be done here?" asked Councillor Warner. *I want to pay tribute these people who organise motorcycle clubs. If I was Minister of Transport I would be inclined to force any motorcyclist to join a club. I CaNnot see any danger in this at all. Are we going to prevent them from doing something that is done in every worthwhile city in the Old Country and on the Continent?" asked Councillor Jo Mathison. city. Some of you should go to wig "It is time we woke up in this ram to see the car races. It would do you good," he said. - Several other councillors spoke in similar terms, but the Mayor voiced the feelings of those against the rare. He did not think the council would give the matters five minutes discussion if it did not involve funds for the air race. As some speakers had mentioned, the money was needed, and it might be said later the council had not done its shard but the road round the park been made tor the public, and not for cars and motorcycies to race on. Mayor Opposed "I am not going to vote for this race through the park. If the Air Race Council finds another site we will give them our support and all publicity we can, the Mayor said. The danger to the public was one of the Mayor's main concerns and this was the case with the chairman of the Reserves Committee !Councillor M. B. Howard. M.P.). She said: "If we get one accident, councillors will never be able to forgive themselves. I would have it on iny conscience if one child was hurt. Councillor Howard said the park was the people's playground and she was concerned with preservation. Later in the discussion Councillor C. D. W. L. Sheppard pointed out that Hagley Park was for all types of sport, He said he had made inquiries and found there was no other circuit suitable for the race. 16-12-52 Council Division When the division was taker the voting was: FOR: Councillors McCombs, Mathison, L. Christie, A. J. Smith, C. Baidwin, Warner, W. P. Glue. Sheppara, McLean, L. Amos, and Jait. AGAINSI: The Mayor, Councillors G. Manning, Howara, T. Green, J. Jones, N. R. Forbes, P. M. Veivin, and A. R. Guthrey. Councilior McCombs then suggested that if the sponsors of the event held the race before the next council meeting (on January 26) there would be no question of its not being held. If the sponsors postponed the race until after that date then it might not be held. Councillor Manning, who earlier had spoken against the race, saia: "I think that once the council nas made a decision it ought to stand by it."