TROTTING Better Treatment Of Patrons Urged

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31110, 13 July 1966, Page 5

TROTTING Better Treatment Of Patrons Urged

"Tht Prest” Special Service AUCKLAND. A better deal for the public at trotting meetings was necessary if the sport was to increase its popularity, the president of the Trotting Conference (Mr A. J. Nicoll, of Ashburton) told the annual meeting of the conference yesterday.

Club committees should frame their programmes to give more spectator interest and should make doubly sure that all their staff were properly instructed to treat the public courteously, he said. To attract the public, it was important to provide good amenities and to present a good image, Mr Nicholl said. “I think it is understood iby the public that the necessary facilities cost a lot of money and can only be provided as finance permits. “What the public cannot tolerate, and indeed should not have to, are the little irritations that are allowed to | arise on race day through lack of public relations. I feel every punter wants a day of relaxation and it is our job to ensure that he has one.” Clubs should provide adequate facilities for catering and ensure that caterers carry out their duties correctly and charge only a reasonable amount. “For instance, in some cases one finds that the caterers charge an additional amount

for the sale of cigarettes. This type of thing is a source of

irritation and should be removed.” Mr Nicholl also suggested that club committees take more interest themselves in the public on race days. “How many committeemen or stewards wander down off the stewards’ stand to see how the patrons are faring? I would suggest to you that occasionally you appoint a steward to do just that,” he said.