WALK-IN START

Chronicle (Levin), 3 December 1946, Page 6

WALK-IN START

A reconnuendation that a walk-in start be used in all races in Xew Zealand was adopted at the annual me.eting of the Xew Zealand Racing Owners, Breeders and Trainers' Association in Christchurch last week. Mr. XT. H. Barlow prcsided over the following delegates: — JMessrs. 8. J. Gudsell, F. J. Eavage (Auckland), A. Cutts, 11. H. Williams (Canterbury), B. 11. Morris, II. II. Bmlth (Hawke's Bay), L. -\LcMillan (Manawatu), W. E. Hazlett, . A. fcj. Ellis (Bouthlancl), B. E. Pope, E. G. Bulherlaiid (Takanini), D. D. Bailey (Taranaki), E. Goulden and II. B. Lorrigan (Wellington). Discussion on the wallc-in start- was provoked by a reniit from the Auckland branch, which stated that discretionary powers l>e conferred 011 startors in that they would be able to use either flatfooted or walk-in starts. Most of the delegates were slrongly of the opinion that it was unwise for starters to have discretionary powers, and considered that the walk-in start had proved most successi'ul. Littlo support was accorded another Auckland remit that the Racing C011l'erence be requested t'o take over the engagenieut, paymeiit and appointment of starters to racing clubs in the Doniinion. Delegates supported the view of the president of the Xow Zealand Racing Conl'erence (Mr. H. R. Chalmers) that the appointment of starters was a matter for the clubs concerned, and the conl'erence could not be expeeted to interfere with what was a domestic matter for each club. DbjectiouS were raised to an Auckland reniit which proposed that the preseut levcl of the hack status be raised to £500 or a eolleclive value of £1000. After considerable discussion, a motion by Mr. Hazlett that the Racing Coni'erence be recommended to raise the hack status to £300 or a collective value of £700 was carried by nine votes to two. A remit from the Takanini braneli that the Xew Zealand Owners, Trainers and Breeders' Association take up with the Xew Zealand Racing Conference the question of drawing barrier posilions 011 the niglit of aeeeptances was carried unanimously. A letter from last year's president of the association, the lion. G. R. Hunter, stated that he had received advice that an allocation of bran would be made available to owners and breeders from the noxt shipment of wheat from Australia. Oflicers were eleeted as follow: — President, Mr. Gudsell; vice-prcsident, Mr. Barlow; hon. sccretaiy and treasurer, Mr. Pope; committee, Messrs. Williams, McMillan, Smith, Savage, Hazlett, Cutts and Bailey. Messrs. Goulden and J. A. Hlggs were also appbiuted to the committee, subject to the Wellington branch becoming affilialcd to the association. *