RACING CLUB MERGER

Chronicle (Levin), 8 January 1948, Page 4

RACING CLUB MERGER

•. ■ ■ • , . m . • ... Officials' Brief Comment On Commission's Proposal The amalgamation of the Levin and Foxton Racing Clubs, recommended by the. Royal Cominission on Gaming, was the -subject of brief comment today by officials ot both the clubs concerned, thohgh they said they were not ~repared to express conclusions until a close study had been made of the report and it had been considered by their committees. . : J "It is a "smaek in th^ eye for racing," remarked the president of the Levin Club, Mr. E. M. Ryder; in referring to the recommendation that no extra racing days be granted, but that trotting be issued With licences for 19 additional days. He expressed disappointment that Levin had "not been given the day it had asked for. It would be a big blow if the Foxton Club lost a day in the merger, said Mr. Ryder. He had not yet gone fully into the report, nor had he discussed it with his secretary or members of his committee.

Indignation at the amalgamation proposal was voiced by the president* of the Foxton Club, Mr. W. E. Barber, when interviewed by telephone. "It is just the metropolitan people pulling the races nearer the big cities," he said. "We are the oldest club in this part of the country and have an ideal location for our eourse. All we want is a new stewards' stand to replace the one which was burnt down, We have the money, but we cannot get the permit to build. Foxton has always been recognised as a wonderful picnic course. It* is the best country club in the district." Mr. Barber said that his stewards were to meet on Monday night to consider the merger recommended in the report, and he would make a full statement on Tuesday morning. The treasurer of the Foxton Club, Mr. M. B. Bergin, said he was not prepared to make a statement at this stage. "We must look on the bright side of things," was his only comment.