17-12-52 Motor Racing In Hagley Park Many, perhaps most, Christchurch people will regret that the City Council has given permission for a motor-cycle road race on a course using Park terrace, Harper avenue, Deans avenue, and the path through Hagley Park. Such an event is quite foreign to the purposes for which the park was set aside and strenuously - limited by citizens ever since. Their attitude may sometimes seem old-fashioned; but it has preserved the distinction and character of this magnificent recreation area. The council's decision is to be deplored not so much on the ground of safety, which seemed to influence some councillors, because there is really little danger, as the excellent record of motor-cycle racing in New Spectators go at their own risk, knowing it to be almost negligible. !In any case there would be as much danger to spectators wherever the race was held. The real objection is that the holding of an event like this in Hagley Park, even for such an excellent object las the international air race, creates ¡a precedent which may be quoted 'for further and more objectionable incursions. The enthusiasm and enterprise of motor-cyclists in their wish to help the Air Race Council are commendable but misplaced in this particular. There are pother and more suitable places for such a race meeting than a public park, in the middle of a residential 'aistrict; and for that matter there are other events that could more suitably be held for the same object in Hagley Park. Councillors should not worry too much about the council's possible liability for the expenses of the air race. Already £ 20,000 of the £ 55,000 required is in hand, and entries for the race, to be held next October, have not closed yet. The generous support that has been given by local authorities and other crganisations outside Canterbury for what is a national as well as a local event should encourage the council to get I on with raising the remaining £ 35,000. It is to be hoped that NEW V 17 - 12-52 DECISION ON PARK RACE MAY BE FROM MINISTER F written , objections to the proposal to hold a motor-cycle race through Hagley Park late in January or early in February, are made the decision for or against the race : will probably rest with the Minister of Transport (the Hon W. S. Goosman), according to the Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.). Objections must be lodged with the controlling authority (in this case the City Council), not less than eleven days before the race. tions would have "I do not know how marreceived di the year, there might well have been public meetings at which the before it would weigh heavily with people would have had a chance to the Minister or his officers," said Mr air their views.' Macfarlane, "or what the yardstick Question of Liability in reaching a decision would be; but A point raised to-day by Councillor those who wish to object should do L. Hay was the risk of accident/ so in writing to the council, and their and the degree to which the council! objections will be forwarded to the would be liable if one occurred. Minister. cited a racing accident in Americal "It is perhaps unfortunate that the lately in a race similar to the one; proposal has come up at this time of | proposed. year, when the public is busily occu- "In any case," said Councillor pied with activities associated with Hay, "the centre of the city is not the impending holidays, and has not the place for a high-speed motor-cycle ‚as much time as it would otherwise race. The objectionable noise nave to give the matter. Had this off ¡ racing motorcycles for long periods! idea come to light at any other time must create a disturbance to rest-í dents and inmates of institutions in the vicinity, such as the hospital and old people's home, beside sick people in their own homes. they will not be prejudiced in this Director Opposed by the motor-cycle race project. "Hagley Park was never meant for which has apparently been so motor-cycle racing. All sports fixtures hastily organised that the deep for the day would have to be cancelled. The Director of Reserves regard Christchurch has for Hagley (Mr M. J. Barnett) is strongly against Park was overlooked. As there is little time for the council to recon- there many live hedges; and there would sider the matter it might be wise be a strong tendency for people to to adopt the advice of the Deputy- climb and damage young trees in •their efforts to obtain a better view." Mayor (Cr. G. Manning) and accept An alternative course was availthe decision of the majority of the able, concluded Mr Hay, and the council, of which he was not him- police opposed the idea. self one. What the counci should do is to make it clear that it would not again give permission for such an event, and that it believes its, successors should attitude. A prec been established; clearly recogniser established in erro adopt a similar edent will have but it should be d that it was 0г. 18 - 12-52 ENUE SOUGHT FOR PROPOSED RACE THRO UCH PARK Contest May Be Held At Wigram A NEW venue is to race it was propos through Hagler Park. or Harewood be sought for the motor-cycle ed should be held around and It is probable that the event either the R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Christchurch Airport. Ine move for a new venue expressions of disapproval at the park for the contest. will now be held at Wigram, or at the follows many publie suggested use of the Representatives of city motorcycling clubs met last night and] decided, in view of public opinion | against the holding of a race through the Park, that the sponsors should be asked to find another course. As a result of this decision the Kiwi Restoration Committee, the original applicant, and . the International Air Race Council, this morning agreed that, in the interest of all a new venue should ! be found. Decision Soon Mr Macfarlane has agreed to make the strongest representations possible to the Government to have the race at one of these two venues. or at any other course which might be suitable, apart from the one originally suggested Mr McCleary, chairman of the Kiwi Restoration Committee (Mr B. P. Smith), and the chairman of the International Air Race Council (Mr Hume D. Christie) outlined the positions of their respective organisations in regard to the race this morning. Representatives of the committee and council, with the chairman of the Christchurch Combined Motor-cycle Clubs (Mr T. R. MeCleary) will meet the Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane. M.P.) either to-morrot or on Monday. In all probability a decision to hold the race either at the R.J.Z.A.F. Station, Wigram, or at the Christchurch Airport will be made. 18- 12-52 Clubs' View Local motorcycle zlubs hadrbeen asked the run the contest for the purpose of raising and "had agreed to do so, said Mr However, at the meeting last night, when it was apparent public feeling was against the park proposal, the teeling was that another venue should he found, he added " Although the idea of holding the race came from the • Kiwi Restoration Committee. which invited the Air Race Council to join with it in the application, the committee is public-spirited enough to appreciate ! the needs of the Air Race Council, and as : the City Council has made it a condition that the event be heid for the air race, we have no alterna-! tive but to accept the City Council's decision cheerfully and in a goodhearted manner," said Mr Smith. "The Kiwi committee has no particular preference as far as a course is concerned and, as there appears to be a certain amount of objection, we would gladly co-operate if the race were to be run at Wigram, as ! has been suggested, or on any other course which is acceptable. " In such an erent, it is safe for me to assume - that authorities mould not prevent the Kiwi committee from participating in the profits because, as l understand it, the City Council's decision for Our exclusion disappears and, as the sponsors, we would be entitled to come back in," added Mr Smith. "We are most anxious to have the financial help of the motor-cycle clubs, and we certainly do not wish to go against the wishes of the public. We will be most happy to see the race at any other venue," said Mr Christie, who added: " It must be ¡ remembered that the Air Race Council did not apply for the permit as the application would have to be made by some organised club to run such an event." Ratepayers Protest A strong protest against the granting of permission to hold the race in the park is to be sent to the City Council by • the Christchurch Ratepavers' Association. The association objected to the proposal on the grounds of public danger. the creation of a nuisance, and the establishing of a dangerous precedent. said the president of the association ir H. C. Blazey) after a meeting last night. It was considered that there were far more suitable places, such as Wigram, to hold the race.