SPEED RECORD

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1932, Page 4

SPEED RECORD

COURSE CLOSED TO PUBLIC.

A DRASTIC HOLD-UP.

(By Telegraph—To, Tress A ssociatio* )

NINETY MILE REACH, January 6. Visitors from all over New Zealand, including some by plane, were stopped at Hnkatere to-day. They had been hoping to see Smith’s car. The halt was necessary, as it was during the timing tests, lasting most of the day. A constable was stationed at the southern end of the course, stm ving all northward traffic, on the order of Mr Butcher, of the nutomooiie Club.

Many holiday-makers wishing tovisit Spirits Ray during their short vacation were disappointed at the hold-up. . Fully a dozen were stopped and were forced to go hack or to stay at Hnkatere.

The hold-up was a drastic action, as-, only a small portion of the beach was. used for the timing tests.

A moderately heavy westerly has sent in good seas, which are improving the beach hourly, and it should be perfect hv the week-end. Smith is progressing well, and he expects to be up the beach to-morrow.

BEACH IMPROVING. AUCKLAND, January 7. There has been a steady improvement in the Ninety Mile Reach during’ the past two days, bigger coming jn, and aided by the high tides they have ironed the sand ouit considerably. Most of the big dumps of two days ago have been reduced to corrugations and after the spring t’ r V at the end of the week, the conditions should be perfect for Smith’s trials. The mechanics are, still working at the Enterprise, which! will not be ready to take the beach until to-morrow at tb e earliest. To protect the radiator, which would be badly damaged if the car struck a bird while travelling at high speed, Smith hopes to attach a wire shield which is being constructed.