13-9-55 Application To Hold Motor Racing At Rangiora Rejected By Council The Rangiora Borough Council, at a special meeting last night, rejected an appication for permission to hold car races in Rangiora under the control of the Motor Racing Club, Christchurch, to assist the funds of the Rangiora Scout Troop. About twenty members of the public attended. The application was heard at the monthly meeting of the conell buc a decision was deferred to obtain legal opinion as to the council's liability in the event of an accident. Giving legal opinion to questions asked by the council, the borough solicitor in his letter said the questions opened up so many points which had not yet, so far as he could ascertain, be the subject of authoritative judicial decision. In his opinion the council should not attempt to give any " colour of right" to a motor vehiele racing event on borough streets knowing that if such an event was held it must inevitably result in persons committing statutory offences. It was inconceivable that such an event could be held withcut the speed greatly exceeding 30 miles an hour or without the speed or manner of driving being such as "might be dangerous to the publie or any person." The summarised legal opinion was given as follows: The council could, but should not proceed under the 1949 regulations,. The Minister or Commissioner could, but probabiy would not if there were reasonable and substantial objections, give his consent. It, however, the council decided to proceed and the stage was reached where consent was given, then the council should be fuliy and adequately covered by insurance against every possible claim that could be made against the council. There was a marked lack of judicial authority on decisions to define with accuracy where the coun cil's responsibility began and ended. There would be the distinet possibility in the event of any claim being made, of the council being sued or joined as a defendant in proceedings. In a letter to the council, the president of the Rangiora Boy Scouts Committee (Mr P. J. K. McKie) said the Transport Department Christchurch had suggested that the race be advanced from November 19 to October 29 when more inspectors irould be available to control traffic: 13-9-55 13-9-55 13-9-55 The secretary of the Motor Racing Club (MIr P. M. MacShane) said adequate comprehensive insurance was taken out by the club when car events were held. It was the usual practice to have all interested parties named as insured parties on the poliey. If the council granted the use oi the proposed circuit, substantial comprehensive insurance would be taken by the club to cover the council, the scouts committee and the club. A letter from the branch manager of the General Accident, Fire and Life Association (Mr J. I. Eltoft) said he considered the risk to be hazardous. He considered the council would need. at least £20,000 indemnity. The Mayor (Mr C. W. Tyler) said the council was not concerned where the profits were going but whether a race was to be held or not. Councillor W. L. Cate, in moving that permission be granted, said it. seemed that the only objection to the race being held was one limiting speed. It seems strange that races have been held elsewhere and there has been no trouble. Councillor A. E. Whitehouse seconded the motion, and said he would like the maximum insurance cover to be taken out against all eventualities. Councillor J. M. D. Catheart said he was keen to follow the sport of motor racing but not at the risk of ratepayers. He would like to have several points from the solicitor's letter clarified. If there was no liability to the council he would support the application, but if there was liability he would not be so happy about The layor: In the opinion of our solicitor we should not take part in the breaking of our own by-laws. The Town Clerk (Mr E. L. Briggs): If consent is given the council will be liable for damages. It may be difficult to get insurance cover for all the claims that could arise. Councillor L. R. King: It would be most unwise for the council to grant permission for the race to be held. Councillor C. F. Lundy said although he was a keen supporter of motor racing he would exercise his vote on what was good for the people of Rangiora. He thought the pro posed circuit was too built up for the purpose and would vote against It. The Mayor said he was definitely ¡against the proposal and considered i the borough was not a suitable place for a racing cireuit. He did not think the council should grant the application and break its own by-law of a speed limit of 30 miles an hour. On being put to the meeting the motion that permission be granted to hold the race was lost by seven votes to three, Councillors Cate, Whitehouse and I. W. Iweedie voting in favour of the motion. NO CAR RACES IN RANGIORA APPLICATION REJECTED BY COUNCIL An application for permission to hold car races in Rangiora under the control .of the Motor Racing Club Christchurch, to assist the funds of the Rangiora Boy Scouts' Association. was relected by the Rangiora Borough Council at a special meeting last night. The application, which was made by a deputation from the two bodies concerned at the council's recent monthly meeting. had been held over for legal opinion as to the council's liability in the event of an accident. The borough solicitor advised that in his opinion the council should not even attempt to give any colour of right to a motor vehicle racing event 'on borough streets. knowing that !! such an event was held it must inevitably result in persons committing statutory offences. The letter added that it was inconceivable that such an event could be held without speed greatly exceeding 30 miles an hour or without the speed or mannet of driving being such as might be dangerous to the public or any person. A letter was also read from the local traffic officer. Mr E. L. P. Sloane. which said he could not agree to the races being held for three reasons: the roads and streets were too narrow for car racing; there was no safe accommodation for spectators, and there were too many side streets involved in closing the roads on which it was proposed to hold the races. A motion that permission be granted was moved by Cr. W. L. Cate and seconded by Ci. A. E. Whitehouse, but on being put to the meeting was lost by seven votes to three. NO CAR RACE PERMITTED IN RANGIORA Held over for a legal opinion on the council's liability in the event of an accident, an applicaton for permission to hold car races in Rangiora under the control of the Motor Racing Club, Christchurch, was rejected iast night's special meeting of the Rangiora Borough Council. The aim of the race meeting had been to build up the funds of the Rangiora Boy Scouts' Association, and the application had been made to the council's previous meeting by a deputa tion from the two bodies concerned. The legal opinion was that the council should not authorise a motor-racing event on borough streets, knowing that if it was held it must inevitably result in regulations being broken. It was inconceivable such an event could be held without speed greatly exceeding thirty miles an hour, or without dangerous speeds or driving. Opposition to the race was expressed as well in a letter from the District Traffic Officer (Mr_E. P. Sloane), who said the roads and streets were too narrow for car racing; there was no safe accommodation for spec tators; and there were too many side streets involved in closing the roads over which it was proposed to race. 16-9-55 Car Racing At Rangiora Sir,-The Borough Council usually comes in for a good deal of criticism for its actions, but by its decision on Monday night to refuse a permit for car racing in the Borough it has earned the heartfelt thanks of most of the residents.—Yours, etc., "THANK YOU ALL" Sir,— While there will be a few dissatisfed persons in the town, most will applaud the Council's decision about the car racing.—Yours, etc., *GRATEFUL RESIDENT" 23-9-55 CORRESPONDENCE Car Race at Rangiora Sir,-On behalt Scout Committee, the Mayor and Co Town Clerk, for t which they gave my comimttee wit! running of the car of. the Rangiora I wish to thank uncillors, ahear the the fair o the proposal of h regard to the : • race in Rangiora. While naturally we are disappointed with the verdict, we are still endeavouring to find ways and means to raise money to house the scouts on a section of their own. We also desire to thank the residents of Percival and Victoria Streets, together with the businessmen of High Street, who favoured the project. However, my committee resents strongly the letter printed in your columns under the nom-de-plume "Query" who questioned the methods used by members of the committee who carried out tht survey. This work was carried out by Senior Scoutmaster R. Dawson, Scouter M. Dalziel, and members of the Scout Committee, Messrs J. Newble, W. E. G. Dodd, and R.! Hassall. I anı fully aware of the ! integrity and honesty of these men, ! and no attempt was made to cajole or bludgeon members of the public into i giving their decision. Instead of criticising the methods f raising money for Scout purposes, 'Query" would be well advised to get behind my comm deavours to help this town.—Your P. Rang littee in their enthe young folk of s, etc., • J. K. MeKIE, Chairman, a Scout Committee. 24-9-55 THE RAKAIA CAR CLUB presents OMPETITIVE INTER-CLUB GYMKHANA Five Clubs have been invited to compete for the Griffiths Cup THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB THE MOTOR RACING CLUB THE CANTERBURY CAR CLUB THE SOUTH CANTERBURY CAR CLUB THE RAKAIA CAR CLUB Venue-Half-mile South of Rakaia Township, on Main Highway. SATURDAY. at 11 Ted Seem a. Hot Amuser Admission-Adults 2s 6d. Ca MAKE THIS A Proceeds in aid Communit OCTOBER I. a.m. Water, Soit Drinks bie. Sales, Stalls, and merits. 6d, School Children ars s. PICNIC DAY of New Rakaia Centre.