COUNTRY RACING CLUBS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1191, 28 July 1911, Page 4

COUNTRY RACING CLUBS.

STATEMENT BY ME. BUDDO. The introduction by Mr. W. T. Jenning* of a Bill to amend (lie Gaming Act in the direction of conserving the rights of country racing clubs whose totolisator permits have boon withdrawn by the Racing Commission, will give an opportunity for a discussion on the decisions of the commission. Several deputations on tho subject have approached the Minister for Internal Affairs, and yesterday afternoon a deputation waited upon the Hon. D. Buddo and protested • against the withholding of permits from the Pahiatua Racing Club." Hitherto the club has had two days' racing each year, and members of the deputation mentioned that in tho cats of Woodville, its allowance of four davs had not been reduced. In reply, the Minister said that the result of the Racing Commission had not been in conformity with the intention of the. Act. Parliament had anticipated that the number of days devot-ed to racing in tho centres would be reduced, but the commission had deprived country districts of their single day's racing which could hardly be regarded as detrimental to the business of the district. He' added that if Parliament made no alteration in the position, the claims of all the clubs would be reconsidered before another year's racing was commenced. The deputation consisted of Messrs. J. Breeds (president of the Pahiatua Racing Club), W. AY. M'Cardle, junior (Mayor of Pahiatua), J. Osborne Lilly, and T. R. Husband (Woodlands Hunt). Mr. R. B. Boss, M.P., introduced the deputation, and there were also present the Hon. W. W. M'.Cardle, M.L.C., and Messrs. Colvin and Dillon, M.P's.