Newspaper Article – Danger to Motorists

DANGER TO MOTORISTS

The Racecourse Gates

‘OUGHT TO BE PAINTED WHITE’

The danger of the Hastings racecourse gates in Market street to motorists at night, as evidenced by a recent accidecnt [accident], was the subject of comment at yesterday’s meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union and it was decided to make representations to have the gates painted white.

Mr. T. B. H. Priest, who brought the matter up, said he had inspected the gates and knew the young man – a stranger to the town – who had been seriously hurt just over a week ago when he mistook Market street for Railway road in an attempt to return to Otane. The gates ought to he painted white, Mr. Priest suggested, so that they could be seen at night. There was no light near the gates, and the crossroad was some distance away. “I have been told that there was an accident there previously but I do not actually remember it.”

Mr. H. J. McKeesick suggested that a letter should be sent to the Jockey Club asking that the gates be painted white or that some other precautions be taken to eliminate the present danger. A stranger could easily think he was on a main road, said Mr. McKeesick.

It was decided to adopt this suggestion.

The accident referred to occurred shortly after midnight on Saturday, June 12, when Mr. Charles Anderton crashed into the gates of the racecourse while riding a motor-cycle and suffered serious injuries. He is still in hospital and his condition is regarded as critical. A pillion rider escaped serious injury.