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Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1920, Page 2

The volume of traffic along Hampden Street when functions are held at the racecourse suggest the necessity of the Hokitika Borough Council widening the roadway without further delay. It is understood that the work was sanctioned some months ago, and the necessity for it is very apparent on race days particularly. By widening the roadway motor traffic could he better regulated. In regard to this class of traffic it necessary for the public safety also to regulate the speed, and this should certainly he seen to. The Council derived considerable revenue from the licensing of vehicles plying for hire, and as a quid pro quo the public should have the protection we refer to, as well ns the improved width of road for greater safety in travelling. There is also I tin* necessity for covering in the open portion of Livinstone drain cross- I ing Hampden Street, both for the safety | and comfort of pedestrian traffic, as well as also to give greater width for vehicle traffic at the spot where traffic is most congested on race days. With these improvements effected, the volume of traffic can be handled with greater safety, and the public could enjoy a. greater measure of comfort also. The matters referred to are commended accordingly to the best attention of the municipal authorities.

The sporting public of the Coast were 1

treated to a special privilege yesterday in being afforded the opportunity of Seeing Mr Jas Bryce’s champion pacer put up a record on the local trotting track. It' was very good of Mr Bryce to bring his valuable horse across the ranges, and the cheers of the sporting people yesterday showed that they greatly appreciated Mr Bryce’s action. The horse did excellent time, displaying his own as well as the qualities of the track. The record he has put up here will take considerable beating. At the same time it was well demonstrated yesterday that the trotting trfick is one of the fastest on the Coast. This is contributed to by the way it is laid out, and the long straights on its egg-shaped run. Other times put up yesterday showed that the track was fast, and several of the competing horses did hotter time than the scale on which they wore handicapped. The track was greatly praised by. the sporting scribes present from Christchurch—the home '■ of trotting. It would appear that under favourable conditions the local .trade might be considered almost, as fast as 1 jthe Canterbury Metropolitan course. Tlie time registered yesterday by Cathedral Chimes, Mr Bryce considered could he lowered further by the Horse in another run. At the time the trial was made the track had not been worked enough, and if the run had been made a little later in the day, Mr - Bilyoe believei ,it would have been , possible for his horse to do 2.8 for the mile. This opinion of the track shows - what an excellent course it is for fast trotting.