TURF & ITS RULERS

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1805, 18 July 1913, Page 4

TURF & ITS RULERS

CONFERENCE MEETS. , THE LINES OF REFORM. PAST & TO COME. INTERESTING DAY'S WORK. The annual conference of representatives ;cif-New Zealand .Jockey Clubs was beld in "Wellington yesterday, .The president (Sir. George.'Clifford) . .was in the shair, and the various ■ clubs were represented as-foliow:—Auoklcindißacing Club, .Messrs., jV. Sqiners iund'.G.-W. S. Patterson; Auckland-Country Clubs," Mr. E. W. JAlison and tlie Hon.' W. H. Herries, M.P.; Canterbury Jockey Club, Messrs. W. E. Buckley a'nd'C. G. Dalgetyj Canterbury :/Country.-(Jlubs : (south of Hurunui' Itiver), Messri.'.;;H: :Eriedlander and E. R. Guinness Canterbury Country Clubs (nojth of Huriunri River), Mr. H. D. iVavusour;' Dunedin .Jockey .Clpb, L. .'C., -Hazlett ahdj P. Stiller j ' Otago Country Clubs, Messrs. W. T. Hazlett andF. Wallis;:Hawke's liay Jockey Club, Mr;, G. D. Hunter, M.P., and the Hon. J. p. OrmondH.'M.L.C.'; Hawke's Bay Country 'CI Messrs. J. Armstrong and John M'Vay; y-Wanganui Jockey Club, Messrs. E. Aivfeimpbell and H. if. Speed; Wangamii Country Clubs, Messrs. E. Goontbehere and J. H. Perrett; Wellington Racing Cliibj-'Messrs. W. H. S. Moorhoused and ."O." SUTWallcins; Wellington: Country Clubs,, Messrs;'. W. E. .BidwilT' and 01,-C. Cooper; Taranaki ,Jockey Club, Mr. C.':,.M." Lepperton and' the Hon.. O. Clubs,. Messrs.'A. W:\Budgo and R..H./Nolan;. Greiymott&jrJocite#; Club, Mr. E. : • J., Fitzf Tibbon; -Greyinouth..- Country Clubs, jitessrs. D. J. Evans and B. P. M'Malion.

. ■; : -;,XHE .PRESIDENT.: . BROAD SURVEY OF THE SPORT. In tho - 'course' of his animal report, the president-said"During the past season racing'ltjs shown ri grip of jx>pular support, unimpaired by the prejudiced and ill-informed legislation which' has curtailed jte ; ,4cope and hampered its management. •■••la spite of these fetters the public has shown its appreciation of the improved'programmes and added safeguards rlrich hsvve rendered tho year noteworthy, fho fortunate'selection of able and tactful stipendiaries has secnred an excellent Initiahpri':pf the racing clubs into the new system,< J.and it may be confidently assumed ;.that the advantages will be increasediits: experience is extended. The legions find pleasure in following the fluctuating, fortunes of horses and horseowners have an intuitive perception of the enhanced-cleanliness of their favourite pastime, \;but few realise how, far this country, is-, ahead of i(a compeers in defence 'against malfeasance. It is well worthwhile to record some of the differences.:;^ 'M?orem<ist;'is the elimination of the bookmaker.'..Hq is'now relegated to illegal ' bypaths, and no longer obtrudes his; openly on our courses). It : rests 'with us still further to curtail his-baleful influence upon our owners, . trainers, and sportsmen. •"Next I 'Would place our freedom from the pernicious system of proprietary ownership of courses. The absence of personal motives for winking at abuses for ,privatß gain, and the consequent devotion of all profit to the sport apatt. .from private ' aggrandisement, are ; features of New Zealand Tacins ■utfftlatched elsewhere/ If clubs occasionally are accused of rapacity, no .one"dreams that the mistaken policy is-other than well intentioned, for the extinction of debt, or the improvement of appointments. There is nothing .sordid in the 'management of our;'cjubs. . Where else is this universal?. "Grave troubles As, these days .axe .' few: arid -far .between.. Only, those -.whose, memories cany . them back to . pretotalisator days can fully estimate the radical difference. It is pregiiant with meaning that our, capable stipendiary stewards have; uneartlied. no flagrant culpability during 'the current season.. ' ■- w f A most'important improvement 'on many courses is',the;more efficient control of the jockeys'. weighing and -- dressing rooms,"'Thcrb shouljl always be a . ctfstodian with 'sufficient authority to exclude from entry.'all unauthorised persons, and such authorisation should be strictly limited. Tliei door of these . rooms should never opep upon the saddling paddock, nor upon'any spaco frequented by, the general, public.

, Avenues for Reform. "If it bo-true," coil tinned tiio president, "that certain clubs are not •' above the meanness': of,'publishing entries and acceptances/which; they have not in fact received, they should hp reminded of tho unfairness to theii- clients, and of the general unwisdom of such irregularities. yhdrt , 'df„this— but .not by the practice of t'.eceivinjj entries unconfirmed by,' fee," which leads 'to. the,', discreditable length, of our forfeit-lists in tho Official Calendar.*- A'avar'Sing! is' due to. i owners and .trainers Who neglect to pay the'compulsory accident fees on their horses, risking 'disqualification if they win. What sh<)uld further ' caution tho-negligent is the invalidity 'of claims on tho accident fund;in conseqnc;acc> of such omission—a folly on the part of the owner—involving loss to himself and injustice to his servant. Purchasers of horses, for which tho fee has been paid, must remember that they-are not thereby protected,-unless they have paid a feo far'a horse'owned by them at time of payment/ The owner, not vho horse, carries the insurance, and the payment per horse.starting'is merely the inode. of collection.' 1 The work of secretaries of racing, clubs is, as a rule, excellently., carried out,-tut the exceptions to tSiftpwisewortby carefulness add largely ."to,'.the ever-increasang labours of the 'I would'beg the execative;';6mcera of all clulis to assure, them6elve|' that, tho' iiecessiary official reports ar&'proinptly -fcirwarded. . Steeplechase Accidents. ' "The faulty jumping which has conspicuously marred our latent steeplechases cannot Ijfi attributed to tho difficulty of the fences. Its explanation must rather bo'sought in the insufficiency of the schooling given to their charges by trainers, or to tho desire of. riders to . apply the,short stirrup seat to'a task for Which it is obviously unsuited. If cohamori sense do£s not provide a remedy, the conference should take stops in that direction. Disasters thu3 occasioned; 'have exposed a certain inadequacy in.ambulance arrangements, which is the less excusable, as the district trust funds are applicable to this purpose as well as to the relief of trainers", jockeys, and stablemen incapacitated and in indigent circumstances through no fault of their own." Care in Jockeys' Licenses. Tho president then .'presented a table of figures showing that during.the year no very marked- improvement, had taken place in tho .'care wi th 'which jockeys' licenses- are issued.' "The .unemployed holders of. sueh 'licenses, are," ho said, ''too often a disgrace to their pretended profession, and a menace to the good character;?! its. legitimate members. "Honour to Whom Honour, Etc." "I have to report,'' continued tho president, "that the :Hon. E. Mitchelson resigned the offico of trustee of tho accident fund on his intended departure from tho Dominion, and that the Hon. G. M'Lean, M.L.C.,. was appointed to fill the vacancy. The conference will verf sincerely join with mo in an expression of regret at tho severe- injury that befell Mr. Mitchelson shortly after his resignation. The thanks of tho conference aro duo to tho Hon. ,T. D. Orraond, M.L.C., Messrs. H. Friedlander, E. Goodbehero. K. I!. Guinness, G.' Hunter, M.P., I'. Miller, l'\ H. I'yne. and C. I'. Skcrrett, K.C., who liave acted during the year us judges of appeal, sometimes at no slight personal inconvenience. Attitude of Clergymen, "The deliberations of this _ conference tare ever Jseca <iir.eeted with disinterested-J

ness and singleness of purpose to tho improvement of the sport of racing, and to the establishment of a well-founded belief among all right-minded citizens that it is a recreation which can bo, blamelessly pursued by all classes as a health-giv-ing,. open-air pastime. I regret that a survival of conventional prejudice restrains many ministers of religion from countenancing by their presence a sport so devoid in this country of obnoxious features, and so well fitted to supply harmlessly the relaxation urgently needed by every section of the community in theso days of stress and hustle. Tho orderliness nnd good conduct of the great crowds assembled on our racecourses is a remarkable fact to which tho records of police courts bear testimony, so rare are charges of misbehaviour against individuals among tho.crowded throng of all sorts and conditions of men who assist at our gatherings. It is now seventeen years since you firstl honoured me by election as your president. During that timo nuicb has been effected, and I feel that other hands should take fl| turn at the helm, and put fresh energy into the promotion of our important interests. I commend this matter to your consideration." The president concluded his address amidst applause. THE BUSINESS. ' RECEIPTS &• EXPENDITURE. The statement of receipts and expenditure of the New Zealand Racing Conference was approved, as was the balance--sheet of the accident fund, which showed ,£9450 on „ fixed deposit, iMOOO on mortgage, and-i!833 to credit in bank. The statement of trainers' and jockeys' provident accounts was also adopted. . Stipendiary Stewards' Committee. The Stipendiary Stewards' Committee was reappointed as follows:—Sir Geo. Clifford, Hon. W. H. Herries, Messrs. W. E. Bidwill s H. Friedlander, E. R. Guinness, P. Miller, and R. H. Nolan. Report of Dates Committee. ; The Dates Committeo (Mr. Hugo Friedj lander, chairman) reported .that it could not; consider applications for additional or-new permits and days of racing from tho Thames, Westport, To Karaka, Waipawa, Otago Hunt. Masterton, TaratahiCartertoh, Kumar'a, Westland, and Reefton Clubs, there being no days of racing available. The dates of race meetings were approved, subject to' tho following exceptions and amendments(l) Marton Jockey Club to be allowed January 1 and 2; (2) Rangitikei Racing Club to be granted January 7 and 8, or such other dates the club may select, but subject to the approval of the president. (3) Wairoa County Racing Club.to bo allowed to cliango from January 20 and 21 to January 27 and 28. (4) Mr. Goodbehere's application on behalf of tile Foxton Racing Club to have their dates amended to January 22 and 23 was considered. The committer recommended that theso dates be granted, their objections to the Wellington Club's January dates having been withdrawn. (5) Gisborne Racing Club to be granted February 5 and 6. (6) Poverty Bay' Turf Club to be granted February 12 and 13; (7) Tologa Bay Turf Club, February 21. (8) That, in view of tho resolution adopted at the last conference, instructing the Dates Committee not to allot the Saturday before Easter. Sunday as a day of any race meet, the Tuapekn, and Wairarapa Clubs bo requested to select other dates. Should, however, the resolution respecting the Easter Saturday racing be rescinded, then tho above-named clubs be granted the dates applied for, and also that the Auck-land-Racing Club bo granted April 11 and 13, in lieu of April 13 and 14. (9) : Hawke's Bay Jockey Club to be granted May G and 7. (10) Marlborough Racing "Club be granted May 6 and 7.

Mr. Friedlander moved, and Mr. E. W. Alison seoonded, the adoption of the report.

Mr. Speed, (Wanganui) wanted to know why the Martoix Club had been allotted January ,1 and 2. against the recommendation or the Wanganui District 1 Committee, which had advised that the dates should go to R-angitikei (Bulls). ' Mr. Pevrett (Wanganui Country) moved as an amendment to tho motion for tho adoption of the report that the dates January 1 and 2 should bo allotted to Ramgitikei. This was seconded by Mr. Speed, who explained later that the information lie had just previously asked for- wa9 for the guidance of- the Wanganui District Committee in future. They did not want the information at once, but would liko it forwarded to Wanganui later on. After brief discussion, the amendment was lost on the. voices. ■ Mr. Nolan (Taranaki Country) moved as an amendment that the report be referred back, and that the Gisborno Club bo asked to choose other dates than those mentioned in the report. Mr. Somers seconded this ' amendment, but it was likewise lost on the voices, after very brief discussion. The report was then adopted. On the motion of the Hon. 0. Samuel, the Date's Committee was reappointed as follow:—Messrs. B. W. .Alison, W. E, Bidwill,. H. Frtedlander, E. Good'behere, P. Miller,' and J. M'Yay.

• < Amendments to Rules.On tho motion of the president, an addition was mado to Part 11, rule 4 (concerning certificates of registration), with the object of doing away with a conflict 6f authority that could previously have, arisen, between the Minister for Internal Affairs and the conference. Part V, rule 1. relating to. the election of judicial committees at race meetings, wag altered by the .substitution of the word "shall" for the' word "may," thus making it compulsory for the stewards to elect such & committee for every race 'meeting. A further amendment was made to tho rule in the direction of extending and clearly defining the powers.. of such judicial committees. ' , The president moved the following addition to the Rules of Racing:—Part VI, new rule lfia—At every race meeting on official shall be appointed ,to supervise the jockeys' room and weighing Tjom, and to exclude therefrom all persons having no right to be therein.—Carried. _' On tho motion of the Tarnnaki Jockey Club, Part-VII rule was altered to read as follows*-No assumed name shall bo used in any entry unless it has been registered with tho secretary of the conference during the current racing year,and appears continuously notified in the Official Calendar. Every owner desiring to register an assumed name shall forward to the secretary an application in writing, containing a declaration that he is not prohibited by these rules from registering tho assumed name. Tho secretary shall refer tbe aDplication to the District Committee'for tho district in which tho applicant resides, and the committee shall report thereon to tho president. Tho assumed nam9 shall not be registered without the sanction of the president. In the same connection, consequential amendments were mado to Part VII, Rule 5, Port VII, Rule 8, and Part VIII, Rule 2. . The president moved an addition to the rules as follows:—Part VIII, New Rule 3a: The president may, on the application of any person having an interest in the horse or horses concerned, authorise the withdrawal of any registration of a joint interest after having given 28 days' notice of such intended withdrawal in the Official Calendar, provided that within that time no written objection to such withdrawal bo lodged by any of the parties with the secretary of the conference.

An addition to Part IX, Rule 5, was proposed by tho Wellington Country Clubs to provide for a fine,of a sovereign being imposed on any jockey who neglects to return tho colours to tho owner or trainer after weighing in,—The addition was agreed to. An alteration to Part XI, Rule 2, was passed revising the "hack conditions" in tho case of hurdle races and steeplechases. A horse may now compete in anv hack hurdle race or steeplechase, provided that prior to the time of entry it has not won. a race of the value of J3150 to Ihe winner, or races of the aggregate value 'of .€IOO to the winner. Tn regard to the identification of foreign horses,- tho following addilionto the rules'was agreed upon:—Part XIV, NewRule 2—When any horse has been taken out of New Zealand, and is brought back nfler an absence exceeding one year, the provisions of Kule 1 of this part shall apnly, mutatis mutandis, to such -horse. Several alterations were made to Part XVI, the principal being an addition tn Rule 2 giving.express authority to extend tho timo of tli" closing of entries and acceptances in the case of interruption of tclegni-ph lines and such unforeseen circumstances. Part XIX, Rule 8. amended so aa •to make the allowance applic-

i- able to nil licensed apprentices who havo a not ridden five winners "at totalisator >. meetings." Three-fourths Majority Wanting. ■_ Several proposed radical alterations to a the rules failed, us ill previous years, foi want of the three-Fourths majority. These included Mr. W. E. Bidivill's suggestion -t that all licenses be granted by a licensing 1S committee of tlio conference; Sir. Geo. y Hunter's "uniform hurdle" rule; tho J same gentleman's proposal that "iid horse n three years old and upwards shull start l 0 in any handicap run over a distance of less tiian five furlongs"; and Mr. I'. Miln ler's motion to increase the minimuni If .weight to 7st. Lengthy discussion took e place on all these proposals. A resolution lu\d previously been passed - s «ffinning the principle of tlio uniform r hurdle, and this will again be forwarded ■ s to clubs. . ... n During the discussion on Mr. Bidwill's I, motion, the 'president, who supported it, r spoke in condemnation of some of the Dis- , trict Committees, whose laxity had, ho n said, rendered such 'a, motion necessary, j Mr. H. W. Alison warmly resented tlio president's remarks. They could : not lin a borne out, he declared, and tlio president had no right to make them. . What Age? . The Auckland Racing Club tabled motion yesterday to more clearly define tho age of a horse. Instead of adopting the club's suggestion, the , conference created an extraordinary position by adopting the wording of the English rule, '' with tho substitution of tho word August ! : for tie word January. The rule will . therefore read: "The age of a'horss shall ' be reckoned as beginning on. August 1, in 6 the year in which he is foaled." CASE OP T. PRITCHARD. ,! PAYMENTS FROM ACCIDENT FUND. When tho statement of accounts in regard to the accident fund was being discussed yesterday by tho Racing Oonfer- _ cnca delegates, Mr. 0. C. Cooper ("VV'ielj lington Country Clubs) referred fo the j case of the jockey T. l'ritchard, wiio was j seriously injured in a Tacc at Feilding . last year. Mr. Cooper said lie had been . given to understand that the sums paid _ to Pritcliard were quite inadequate to . meet the demands that had been incurred. Quite TeKntly appeals had been made to . the public on his behalf, and when these . reached owners tho latter were- inclined j to resent them, maintaining that all ne- ) o?ssary payments should have come from 1 this fund (the accident fund). Mr. Cooper 3 wanted information. . The president (Sir George Clifford) exr plained that the fund was one to which ! ownors contributed to insure themselves , against claims under tho Employers' Lia- . bility Act. It had bden generously dis- > tributed, and payments wero in excess of j those required by law. l'ritchard had . been allowed what he had asked. They ; would shortly know what, his definite in- . jury was, and then come to a settlement . on .the whole claim. Mr. W. E. Bidwill said he was glad to i hear that the trustees were not sticking . strictly to the Act in administering the , fund, but were paying more generously i than the Act required. Tho jockeys' calli ing was a very hazardous one, and they . were entitled to consideration. i Mr. H. M. Speed wanted to know on i what basis claims wera paid. Jockeys were sometimes puzzled to understand, i Mr. E. Goodbehere described Pritchard's caso as an exceptional one, and it might bo treated in an exceptional manner. Tho Hon. J. D. Ormond did not think it called for special assistance. _ Relief had been granted from time to time as required. Mr. H. Friedlander would hav» liked to have seon an annual report of the accident fund as .well as a statement of accounts. The president pointed out that a report was annually laid on the table, but publication of it had be.?n 'deemed inadvisable. The trustees of the fund never wanted to give any individual less than ho was entitled to, but it was necessary to guard against imposition. In this particular caso tho trustees would havo been quite willing to pay Pritcliard more . had he. asked for it. . STIPENDIARY STEWARDS. ' FIRST YEAR'S TRIAL. ' PRONOUNCED SATISFACTORY, It is now twelve months sinco the system of stipendiary stewards was adopted by the New Zealand Racing Conference, and a report of the year's operations was yesterday placed before the conference by tho Stipendiary. Stewards' Committee. The report ran as follows:— "Out of a large number of applicants this 'committoo selected Messrs.. .J. M'Mahon, A. W. Gordon, and D. W. Gibson for the office of stipendiary stewards. Messrs. F. W. Coombes, 11. 0. Duncan, and A. S. Orbell acted as substitute stipendiary stewards during the season. It will be found necessary to make such appointments for special meetings more frequently in the future, if discontent at the absonco of such assistance is to be avoided. Tho first meeting attended by the stipendiaries was the lAuckland summer meeting, and during the season 53 meetings have: been attended. The committee is well satisfied with the work tho stipendiary stewards have done. The numerous cautions and warnings given by the stipendiary stewards to jockeys for bad Tiding, etc., have had beneficial results, and probably more ( good has been effected by friendly remonstrances and suggestions than by other means more obvious to tho public. Tho presence of stipendiary at race meetings has undoubtedly increased tho confidence of racegoers in the sport, and must operate steadily in that direction for its stability and im provement. Valuablo. advice has been given to clubs by the stipendiary stewards m connection with improvements to racecourses, which have in most cases been carried' out. Time will show whether any, and if so, what clubs continue to , bo slack in these matters. At present : there seems to bo a general response to any proposals for supplying deficiencies. The appointment of judicial committees i would, everywhere greatly help the stipen- ; diaries in carrying out their duties, and is one of the most-needed means for the i prompt and satisfactory settlement of i questions arising for decision on racecourses. A levy of l-16th per cent, on last ' year's gross totalisator investments' was < struck, and provided .£1517. ■ The expenses ] for the period to June 30 amounted to f ■£1210 3s. Id. The committee regret to havo to'announce the resignation of Mr. Gibson, for family reasons, which could not havo been foreseen when he accepted the position."

OUT OF ORDER. BEQUEST FOE INFORMATION. At yesterday's sitting of the New Zealand Ilacing Conference, Mr. W. T. Hazlett (Otago Country Clubs) moved that each district be furnished with printed copies of a verified and audited return of all moneys received by tho Christchurch Press Company, Ltd., during each of the three years (including thut now current) for—(a) Official notifications by the conference, or the president, or the secretary. (b) Printing Official Calendar, (c) Compulsory publication of programmes of raqe meetings; and (d) contributions |jy racing clubs towards publication of the Turf Register. Mr. ffazlett also moral—(1) That the financial year for all funds under the control of the conference close on March 1)1. (2) That copies of a verified and audited return of thi< gross amount of. moneys, including interest, received on ucconut of-,the general trust fund, since its incoptioif, and details of all payments made (hereon—(a) As compensation for accidents, ami (b) as expenses of, and incidental to, administration, and also of details of present investments be furnished to each District Committee by August 31 next. (3) That a direction be given to the conference secretary to furnish each year to each District Committee, at least, two months before the sitting of lli.o conference, twenty copies of detailed and audited balance-sheets of nil funds under the control of the conference up to March 31 immediately preceding. The motions were nil ruled out of order by the president (Sir Geo. Clifford), -as aotioo of motion had not been given.