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Chronicle (Levin), 5 June 1946, Page 7

Althuugh jockcys in Kew Zealand .ire pernutted to wear goggles 111 races, llieir use in Australia is apjiarently foriiiddeu exeept in Soutli Australia. More than once, representations 011 the muller liave been made in Melbourne, : but they have always been rejected by ihe responsiblo authorities. The reusou is hani to undersland, as tliere is everythiug to be said for the use of goggles as a protection for jockeys ' eyes on any track, and not only tlie bad tracks ■)U wliich it is suggestcd tlioir use be pormitted in Australia. O11 tracks tliaL are cutting out, or dry aiid dusty, jockeys can be saved much disconifort and possible injury by having tlieir eye.s preiected. I11 New Zealand no complaint has ever been lieard of goggles afl'ectiug a ridcr's eflicicncy — 111 fact -it is ratlier the reverse. The 'lirst jockey to use goggles in New Zealand was L. .T. Ellis, who found some form of ]>rotection nccessary when he was having trouble with an eye injury just before the war. Since tlien otlier jockeys have followed -suit, Incideutallv tliere scems to be notliing in the rules of raeing 111 New Zealand directly covering the question. L J. Ellis su.vs tliat before be uscd his goggles the first time all he did was to seek the permission of the stipondiary steward present.