SPEED LIMIT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4959, 7 April 1926, Page 2

SPEED LIMIT.

motors IN KARANGARAKE gorge COUNCIL TAKES ACTION. 'file question off motor vehiclcis' exceeding the speed limit when travelling through the Karatigajiake Gorge op the main Paeroa-Waihi road was brought under the notice of the Ohineinuri County Council at its meeting on Wednesday last. In the course, of his 'report the engineer (Mr EL Shaw) stated :—

“In reference to the ten-miles speed limit notice now erected at tfie junction of Rahn Road and the main Pap-ina-Waihi road, I would recommend that the notice should be removed farther on toward Waikino ,to a point at McConna’chie's Bridge, as the.speed of motor vehicles at) this portion of the gorge is just as much in need of checking as- between its present position and Kfira.ngahake.’’ The chairman (Cr- W- F. Johnstone) suggested that it would be reasonable to insist on a speed limit off 15 miles an hour at both entrances to the gorge, with a limit of 10 miles an hour at all .bends. He also suggested that a signboard permitting) 15 miles an hour should be erected at McConnachie’s bridge.

Cr. H. M. Corbett said that, in hip opinion, 15 miles an hour was t,oo fa.-1 in the interests of public safety. He. was strongly opposed to giving motorists any latitude. , In fact, he thought restrictions should be imposed on that read.

Cr. F. 'C. Hubbard thought that motorists, would take more ob|serva.nce of a sign bearing the words “dangerous bend” rathe.r than of a sign showing the speed limit. It would be necessary to decide on a speed .'limit which was fair and- reasonable, and one which coukl be. enforced.

Cr. A. R. Robinson said that there was too much fast travelling through the gorge, and he did not 'think that notices showing the upeed limit .to be observed would check motorists very much.

Cr. S. H. Morga ; n stated that settlers in the district were becoming alarmed at the speeding that was taking place, and it was advisable to try and reduce the practice to a minimum before a. serious accident happened.

The engineer was instructed to measure off a, definite portion of the road at once, with a view to checking fast-travelling, motorists and proceeding against offendcirs. It was also decided that the existing speed limits fixed by the council be referred to the Auckland Automobile'Association for its opinion as to tlie reasonablenes-s, of the speed, considering the nature of the road.