2-9-55 6-9-55 CORRESPONDENCE Car Racing At Rangiora Sir,—I was surprised to read that the Borough Council had given consideration to a proposal to hold a car race over the streets in the middle of the town. I would not have expected councillors to have given one moment's consideration to it. We have had ome crack-brained suggestions Rangiora at tines, but I doubt whether there has ever been anything so crazy as this. The object to which the profts are to be devoted is certainly a worthy one, but methinks that the promoters of the race are using the local organisation to gain their own objective, and not promoting the race for the benefit of the Scouts. The proposed course may be an excellent one from the drivers' point of view, but is it so for the spectators and the residents of the streets that will form the racetrack? The residents are said to have approved the holding of the race, but I wonder whether they previously considered what the effects may be when perhaps thousands of city dwellers seek the best vantage points to watch the speedsters. When, in the excitment of the contest mob psychological takes charge, I fear that fences, lawns and gardens will suffer. Irrespective of what precautions are taken there will be risk of damage to life, limb and property and the noise will be terrifie. I conclude by stating emphatically that if such races are to over ed, try ohds as is dote we place Easter Monday motor cycle race, not in a town and certainly not in a residential area.- Yours etc., "TURN IT DOWN" Sir.- Before the next meeting I think the Council should make their own enquiries from the residents of Victoria and Pereival Streets as to whether they are in favour of the proposed car racing.—Yours ete., "QUERY" Sir.—Apart from the Scouts, who may or may not make a considerable profit from the meeting, who will derive any benefit from the motor races here? Will the Council be able to reduce the rates after they are held. or will the few shops who may be open and the local hostelries make a contribution to the Seout Funds from their increased takings?—Yours etc.. « SKEPTICAL " Sir,-During the have heard a lot ab putting Rangiora "c if it does; will it Yours etc., last few days I out the car racing on the map. " What benefit anyone?— NO PERMIT" CORRESPONDENCE Car Racing at Rangiora Sir,-I think right with his Iences, lawns ar crowd, which is s races, if they are not think that pr "Turn it Down" is fears of danger to id gardens by the sure to attend motor held here. I should coperty owners could expect compensation. City dwellers have a reputation for being no respectors of property and in the excitement of the race or the skirmish for good vantage poi happen. Much as assist the scout the council should the application.— ints, anything may they may desire to movement, I think • regretfully decline Yours, etc., RATEPAYER. Sir,-If the un of many residents posed motor raci were told direct tre, I think that thusiasm they we application for pe meeting -Yours, flattering comments s regarding the proing in the borough to the scout commitin spite of their enould withdraw their ermission to hold the ete.. SAFETY FIRST. Sit,- So the Pr ports the holding o the borough stree promote the progr i fall to see. even suggest that of the shopkeepers. would be better means to reduce o a heavy burden to cld age beneficiari ogress League supf motor racing over ets. How this will ess of the borough, This • time I cannot it is in the interest i think the league mployed in divising ur rates which are many, particularly ies.—Yours, etc., MEMBER. Sir,-Our council ded for its caution advice before comn the application for ing. The council ha by granting a pern plenty of blame if t and an accident of Tours, etc. CA i is to be commenn in seeking legal nitting itself over a moto! race meetas nothing to gain mit but can expect the meeting is held any kind occurs.— UTION PLEASE. Sir,-I do not think the council need have any fears about the control of the spectators, ete., for the car races. In doubt the stalwart marshalls provided by the Scout committee will be a sisted by the local police and traffic inspector, and these in turn will be augmented by a strong police contingent from the city, with all the Transpert Department's inspectors concentrated in our borough. If these are not sufficient perhaps our local territorial unit could lend assistance. -Tours, etc., " Q.E.D." 6-9-55 9-9-55 9-9-55 Sir,-"No Permit benefit if the car ra ora on the map?" 1 all sorts of outside know where to finc who can be milked trres.—Yours, etc., • CERTAINLY t" asks who will leing "puts Rangi- • would reply that organisations will d gullible citizens for various objec- NO PERMIT Sir,--I hear the: car race meeting b pol. li this is dor residents will be d portunity of witnes sport.—Yours, etc.. te is risk of the eing held at Kaiane many Rangiora leprived of the opssing this thrilling RANGIORA LEADS THE WAY Sir,-I should lil Mr McKie on being astie worker for th it is largely due t lead of practical local. troop has its his efforts in con car racing are sue should gain a ver dition to their fu ke to congratulate g such an enthusie scout movement. to his enthusiastic ssistance that the own den and if nection with the cessful, the troop y substantial adınds.—Yours, etc., CONGRATULATIONS, PETER. CORRESPONDENCE Car Racing At Rangiora (To the Editor.) Sir,—Is it corre ing club desires to Rangiora as a pr • ace n invercars cold that such is th iecision of the cou et that the car rac- • hold a meeting ini eliminary to a big have been ne case and that the uncil there to grant ermission for a co treets caused such lub has either ab r withdrawn its crmit. If Inverca: We locality for a ra s Rangiora.—Your urse over the city an uproar that the bandoned the race application for a rgill is not a suitace meeting neither s, etc., ALL IT OFF Sir, -I agree who suggested in = crowd at motor damage to fences on the route. with Percival and feel sure that the vacant frontage s the crowd, and as with "Ratepayer" your last issue that races might cause 5, lawns or gardens am well acquainted Victoria Streets and ere is not sufficient pace to accomodate everyone will want o be in the front if someone being lamaged. If race hey should be in pectators can be a locks and kept off te.. row there is a risk hurt, or property es are to be held the country where ccomodated in padfoot paths.—Yours NO RACING HERE. Sir,-The Borough Council will probably be in disfavour with a section of the public if it refuses the Scout ¡pelication for a permit for a street 'notor race meeting, but it will certainly receive all the blame if the "ace is allowed and someone is injured er property is damaged.—Yours, etc., TAKE NO RISKS Sir,—Judging by the critical and carping tone adopted by some of your correspondents in regard to the proposed car race in Rangiora, it would appear that a Royal Commission to inquire into the actions of the Rangiora Scout Committee would not be out of order. At the same time, some attention could be given to the ulterior motives of the Christchurch Car Club. The honesty of purpose of both these bodies has been questioned. While one can understand concern for the safety of lite and , limb, sweeping and destructive criticisni of a project, not without precedent in New Zealand, does not savour of! fair play. a huge following, Car racing to-da the proposed race would think that a was planned, not event. ay is a , sport with but, by the outery , has aroused, one in atomie explosion just a sporting To those critics of the proposal, who are also the owners of motor cars, I would point out that the racing driver of to-day is the nioneer of the car of to-morrow. As the motives mittee are in qu should be disban the troop, in order devote their time bar cowboys and Yours, etc.. of the Scout Comestion, perhaps it led together with • that the boys may to becoming milk street loungers.— FAIR PLAY Sir,-I hope the scouts are successful in getting the car races held in Rangiora. It will be a change for we young people to get our thrills at home and not have to go to the city for them.-Yours, etc., "YOUTHFUL RESIDENT" Sir,— If people are crazy enough to go in for car or motor cycle racing, let them do so in the wide open spaces, not in the residential areas of the borough wıll find it difficult to escape. If there are any local followers of this sport they can travel to the meeting as they have in the past, and let the local residents slumber undisturbed.—Yours, etc., 46 T"9 So want to es the an acing understand that in the past its races have been held in the city. Is this course no longer available to them. Apart from the scouts who may make a few pounds, I cannot see how any of the residents can benefit by the proposed invasion.—Yours, etc., "ANOTHER RATEPAYER" 13-955 CORRESPONDENCE Car Racing Sir,—I have read with interest the ccrrespondence in vour columns recarding the car racing proposals, and feel that " Fair Plav's " letter in Friday's issue calls for some comment. Your correspondent waxes sarcastic, being apparently under the impression that the proposal should not be criticised or opposed. His comments regarding the ulterior motives of the Christehurch Car Club and the honesty of purpose of the Scout Committee and the club are quite unwarranted, and in my opinion these have never been questioned. His suggestion that the Scout Committee and troop should be disbanded is childish, and will, I feel sure, be ignored by the Scout Authorities.-Yours, etc., CONSTANT READER