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Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1922, Page 2

Tun Borough Council took time by the loreloek on Friday night in its protest lega.ding reckless mi.tot driving nb nit lac streets. There is a scrioi.v element of uanger ill the way some drivers rush cats aiut lorries along the stieets, and it is essential to restrict the i ate of travelling and to enforce it ligidly. One of the best means of enforcing the embargo would be by the licensing of the drivers. Many of the offenders are employed on behalf of tithe:s, ..ml any penalty incurred would u s ol ten as not be passed on to the employer. If drivers were licensed any breach of Lhf by-law could be visited directly on the offender by cancelling bis license, and the result would be greater security for the community from serious accident. In most towns the slogan of ‘-safety first” in regard to motor traffic is being rigidly observed. Special assistance is rendered by the Automobile Clubs who concert t° help put down the nuisance of the ‘‘road hog”. There is certainly room for action hero, for many of the vehicles are rushed along at a ridiculously high speed, with the result that there is danger, if not death, lurking at every street corner. Now that public attention has been drawn to the matter it is hoped with tlie assistance of the police and the local authority the dangerous nuisance will be abated. Tlie public, as it is, require to be specially alert at every corner nowadays, owing to madly rushing tactics of some of the motor drivers, who make it a rule to travel beyond all reasonable limits, and at a speed which places the machine beyond control should a sudden danger in tlie, traffic appear immediately before the fast driven vehicle.

Patrons to local football on successive Saturdays cannot but help notice the frequent interruptions of the play as a result of neeblpnh ol‘ Icnqeks out, !^ot

to put too line'a point on the position, it is clear that there is a measure of rough piny which in the interests of the popularity of Rughv football, t<> say nothing fur the safety of tlie players should bo, eliminated. There is too much playing the man instead of,the ball. Time and again men are collared and dumped with tmnsuri severity after they -have parted with the ball. Tt would appear that in all such eases the referees should visit such offences , with strict severity, otherwise the game | will be prone to developc into the roughest of play, for naturally there is at once the spirit to retaliate when the objectionable practice referred to is pursued. On Saturday there was more than one palpable instance of the rough and illegal play we refer to. The public according to its line of partisanship noticed the offences, - and manifested their opinions in no uncertain nay. It is of course not possible for a referee to see every incident which trnnspires, hut Rugby officials were on the line, an 1 some of the instances indicated could not have escaped their notice. The time is opportune lor a general warning to be issued by the Rugby Union in regard to such matter, and reference in particular should be asked to warn the players at. j the commencement of the game again t I any rough play, and if any such play is observed to make no hones whatevo- | about inflicting tlie necessary corre - , tive. For tlie sake of the game this requires to lie done with a very firm hand by the authorities.