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Gordon Bennett Motor Race 1903
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Leinster Leader, Saturday 27 June 1903 – Page 5.
District Doings,
In Athy and Carlow.
At the Carlow Sessions the District Inspector of police brought
under the attention of the magistrates a matter of much importance, viz.,
the question of the granting of occasional licences on the day of the
Motor Race. He mentioned that the Athy magistrates had passed a resolution
deciding not to grant them.
***
It then transpired from a statement made by the Chairman, the
Right Hon. H. Bruen, that Mr. Kennedy, R.M., had got a communication from
the Castle stating it was the opinion of the law advisers of the Crown
that occasional licences could not be granted by magistrates out of Petty
Sessions.
***
Mr. C. J. Engledow, J.P., one of the presiding magistrates,
evidently and naturally took umbrage that he was not apprised of this official
communication, and said that the Chairman’s announcement contained
the first intimation he got of its existence.
***
Steps should certainly have been taken to have the opinion
of the law advisers of the Crown on this important matter conveyed to each
magistrate individually. But for the action of Mr. Heard on Monday, probably
many justices would never have heard of it.
…
In Naas and North Kildare
…
So far there is not much realisation of the fabulous wealth
which was to flow into the coffers of the local residents during the week
preceding the Motor Race. On the contrary, the situation in Naas and its
neighbourhood more closely resembles a season of “slump” than
a season of Carnival.
***
There is all the distraction incidental to the eve of an international
event, but up to the present the crush of visitors elbowing and jostling
each other at the entrance to the hostelries has not become quite visible.
Preparations are more conspicuous than profits and inquiries have been
far more abundant than engagements.
***
There has been a considerable influx of strangers to Dublin.
The Metropolis, indeed, promises to come well out of the event. It has
in matters of trade and manufacture enjoyed all patronage, except a portion
that could not be bestowed upon it for reasons purely geographical.
***
The road contractors, the tradesman employed in connection
with the stand, and the hostelries at which the motorists quenched a passing
thirst represent, in their “takings,” the revenue locally derivable
to the time of writing.
***
Under these circumstances Mr. Wyndham’s “regret” at the
hesitation of the ratepayers in the matter of paying for “extra” police
has a humour which will be locally appreciated.
***
So far as visitors are concerned, an opinion widely prevails
that speculators, who failed to arrange things to their own satisfaction,
did considerable harm by circulating impressions unfavourable to the various
localities.
***
The next week, however, may bring a very considerable improvement
and it would be rash to draw conclusions from the present tame and sluggish
state of things.