SPORT OF RACING.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2204, 17 July 1914, Page 5

SPORT OF RACING.

CONFERENCE SITTING. THE PRESIDENT'S ADVICE, j "BE TRUE TO OUR TRUST." THE IMPLIED DUTY OF CLUBS. Matters of general interest to those associated with tlio New Zealand turf \l-ere" discussed at' the sitting of the New Zealand Racing Conference,'which opened in Wellington yesterday. The president of the conference (Sir Geo. Clifford) was in the chaix*, and the clubs were represented as follow Racing Club, Messrs. H. T. Gorrie and E. A. Price; Auckland District Clubs, Mr. E. W. Alison and the Hon. W. H. Herries, M.P.; Canterbury Jockey Club, Messrs. W. F. M. Buckley and B. L. Lane; Canterbury District Clubs (south of Hurunui. River),. Messrs, H. Friedlander and E. R. Guinness; Canterbury District Clubs .(north, of Hurunui River), Mr. H.'D. Vavasour; Dunedin Jockoy Club, Sir George Ml,ean, M.L.C., and Sir! P. Miller; Otago District Clubs, Messrs. Hazlett and F. Wallis; Hawk'e's Bay Jockey Club, Mr. G. Hunter, M.P., and tlie Hon. J. D. Orniohd, M.L.C.; Hawke's Bay District Clubs, Messrs. P. Hunter and C. D. Kennedy; Wanganui Jockey Club, Messrs. E. A. Campbell, and H. M. Speed; Wanganul District Clubs, Messrs. E. Goodbehere and J. H. PeTrett; Wellington Racing Club, Messrs. W. H. S. Moorliouse and 0. S. Watkins; Wellington District Clubs, Mr. O. C. Cooper; Taranaki Jockey Club, tho Hon. 0. Samuel,. M.L.C.; Taranaki District Clubs, Mr. A. W. Budge; Gro.vniouth Jockey Club, Mr. M. Hannan; and Greymouth District Clubs, Messrs. D. J. Evans and .lame 9 . Noble. The secretary (Mr. W.'H.E. Wanklyn) and the assistant-secre-tary (Mr. H. R. Sellers) wero both in attendance. Melancholy Prelude. In the course of his address, the president said: . - ' ; • ■ ■ "We have, as a melancholy prelude to the report "upon, the year's events, to regret the passing away of two of our colleagues lotij* closely associated with our work. Sir William Russell was my predecessor as president of the Racing Conference, and was a conspicuous example to us of the best'type of sportsman,.'runnihgl his horses purely for love of the pastime, and unable by nature to stoop below'tlie highest standard in avery action of his life. We shall miss the enargetio assistance of Mr. John M'Yay, who, for 20 years, has been one of our niost active members, and who never spared himself in the promotion of all useful reforms and in the practical business of tlie conference. In conformity with the rules, I have,. with the consent of the surviving delegate, appointed Mr.. C. D. Kennedy to fill this lamented vacancy. v "There have been an unusual number of appeals to the conference judgw. and we have to thank Messrs. J. W. Abbott, W. E. Bidwill,'E. A. Campbell, C. G. Dalsrety. I. G. Duncan, H. Eriodlander, E. Goodbelicre, G. Hunter, M.P., B. L. Lane, R. H. Nolan,' C. P. Skerrett, K.C., and O. S. Watkins for the sacrifice of valuable time in the decision of tho points submitted to them. "Tho very considerable import ■ and export of throufrhbred stock during tho past twelve months indicates a strong do6ire on the part,of breeders to improve their studs, and also testifies to the steady increase of a trade likely from the suitability of our climate to attain still more valuable proportions. The success of horses exported from New Zealand' 'has always,, from Carbine downwards, been satisfactory in proportion to "their, numbers. In this connection a word-should be given to'nofe„th,e..death of|,C«6bin«S himeelf from old age. An unexampled racing career placed him definitely among the few best horses of all time; his. racing triumphs have been crowned by the classic victories and stud successes of his best son, Spearmint, and his memory will always be one of the proud traditions of the New Zealand turf. •• "Non-observation of tho rule compelling notification of the determination of a partnership causes no little trouble, andvery sreat danger of loss to the' negligent owner. The same remark applies to failure to register the name proposed for a horse. Pines in these cases are compulsory, but it would be preferable if owners would spare the executive of the conference this unpleasant duty. "The customary table .of licensed jockeys who have had little or nd riding is appended Allowing for recent admission.i and incapacitated licensees, it yould still eeem to be too easy for unqualified or nndesirablo applicants to procure licenses. "It is desirable that.racing clubs should bo aware .that the district-.provident,-or, more strictly, trust funds, are available for, the provision of ambulance requisites, especially for clubs at a disadvantage in respect of finance. These funds are not decreasing, and their respective assets are ascertainable, from the audited accounts wlaced before you each'year. Air Round' Standard of Excellence, "The system of stipendiary stewards has well stood ! tlie further test to which it lias been submitted. It is, of course, open , to contentious possibilities, but we have been exceptionally fortunate in eeciirins' capable officers, and may congratulate ourselves on- having gained manifest advantages .'.with a minimum of friction. Tlin absence of any serious revelation of. malpractice is a silent tribute to the general healthiness of the sport. If it be asked where, under tlicse circumstances, the benefit comes in, I would answer that the standard of excellence all round has boon almost" unconsciously raised whether in regard to the-equipment of 'courses, the conduct of thoS9 professionally employed, or the special care of all concerned to avoid every suspicion of compromising incidents The fact that r a chiel's amang ye-takiiv; notes,' and, moreover, 'a chiel' who travels along the whole line, and has power to make his presence felt, produces more consequences than the public or perhaps the 'chiel' himself is cognisant of. "Tho position of New-Zealand in the world of racing is absolutely unique. Elsewhere the bookmakers are nil acknowledged paT.t of the machine. They are variously. regulated and restrained, but influence through many channels the con'duct of the Sport. Here they are barred from'our courses, their'" dealings are un-acknowledged-and mostly illegal, but the remnant of their influence is undcnrably pernicious. The privilege conceded to the gracing clubs of usiug the. totalisator implies a duty on our part to exert ourselves strenuously to curtail illicit operations, and to minimise in this and every other respect whatever may tend to impair the confidence of the public in the purity' of racing. Von cannot hunt with the hare and run with the hounds, and I have no sympathy with thoso who accept from the Legislature tho benefits of ■ the totalisator, and shatter what is, at ' any rate, the spirit of the law by trafficking with the bookmakers. Sportsmanlike owners realise that danger of outside interference with their chances of success, which is the natural outcome v of heavy betting; mercenary ones may well be saved from tho delusive pursuit of an imaginary road ,to fortune. If the Nov Zealand rules can be altered to debar owners as well as trainers and jockcvs from speculating outside tho total isatorj it will achieve tho ambition of this conference by giving racing ah elevation which wo can, without presumption, claim as an example , to the world.' In return, tho Legislature niiejit well remove vexatious of ridiculous fetters, such ns "the unduo limitation of permits in this scattered community; the curious-refusal to allow publication of ' starting prices extending •even to the .odds quoted about an English. Derby winner; and the illegality of forwarding investments for the totalisator .to secretaries of clubs. In Defencs of the Totalisator. "The unthinking are apt to regard the •volume/of totalisator.. investments as an evil. We, on the contrary, hail it as a tribute ■ to-the excellence of tlie sport and to.publid confidence in its improved 'cleanliness. It ■ further testifies that we have succeeded in "withdrawing apecula,t.ion from less innocent channels. 'Gambling' is. the-catchword of our opponents. Those who use it. so. flippantly should lie compelled to define it, ana which of them Iwould fail-'lo;.ba entangled in the net

of his own definition if he makes it wide enough to catch us. I will give .you mine. • A 'gambler' is ono who unjustifiubly squanders money or time which his duty binds him to spend otherwise. Assuming that a man has made provision for his just debts and all proper con" forts for his dependents, how can he do better than give himself and his family the wholesome .open-air relaxation of the racecourse? Why is his modest venture upon tho. .totalisator a. worse .act than his previous day's purchase of an ox or an ass, to TCsell at a profit? Is it <w bad as the continuous, excitement of the rise and fall of stocks ami shares, or the pnavalent bartering and exchange of properties at inflated values? In truth, the average investor on the totalisator is not gambling in any true senso of the word. He is enjoying a healthful, mental and physical recreation, which sends him back to the work of the world a more useful citizen. Men in cxcess in this, as in every imaginable pleasure, but the negligible minority who do so are rather r<jsti-ained than encouraged by the very nature of the totalisator. Let the next man who slanders us as gamblers start off by telling us the exact meaniDg lie attaches to the word. "The largely increasing attendance at race meetings further attests the growing popularity of racing as at present conducted in the Dominion. This appreciation is largely founded on the confidence created by the continuous policy of the conference, and it rests with us —the law-makers of the noblest recreation of the people, the enjoyment of which is free to all—to be true to our trust by purging it of every unworthy element, and attracting to it the unstinted support of all honourable men." (Applause.) Accounts. The statement of receipts and expenditure for the year ended June 27, 1914, was adopted. The statement showed a credit, balance at the end of the year amounting to £111 2s. 7d. The item's of expenditure included an amount of <£2935 17s. 2d. for salaries, fees, and travelling expenses of stipendiary stewards. Of this amount .£2396 17s. was contributed by a levy of l-12th per cent, on gross totalisator investments. Mr. Arnaud M'Kellar, of Christchurch, was reappointed auditor to the conference. ' The statement of subscriptions from racing clubs for the promotion of the sport of hunting showed that amounts were contributed under four heads, as follow: —Special prizes at agricultural shows, .£335 10s.; grants to hunt clubs, *£1129 s hunters' races (added money), £2918 10s.; and free use of courses, <£120. Correspondence. The correspondence included a petition forwarded on behalf of Mrs. M'lntosb, the mother of an apprentice wlio met his death through an accident while riding in a, race at liiverlands somo considerable time ago. The president explained that the deceased had met with the accident while riding a horse for which the accident, foe had not been paid. Mrs. ll'lntosh was therefore not entitled to relief from the accident fund, and had since been unable to obtain relief in the Law Courts. The petition prayed for special consideration of the case. After .discission, the petition was, on the motion of Mr. E. W. Alison, referred to a special committee for consideration, the understanding being that the question of relief was to be considered quite apart from , the Aocident Fund. After a brief discussion, it was decided not to accede to' a request to reflpen the Oxenhope case, an application for which was made by the owner of the horse. In regard to what is known as the Castalia case, the Avondalo Jockey Ciub wiote asking if the caso could bo reopened, as tney maintained they had not had a fair opportunity of placing their side of tho case before the appeal judges. The point in question was to the jurisdic. tion of the appeal judges (or anybody other than the Avoridale Jockey Club) to decide the correct method of disposing of a breeder's allowanco attached to the prize for the Avondale Stakes. By consent of the, Conference, it was agreed that tho case should be submitted, to. the arbitration of ,the former judges, with the substitution of another judge for Mr. E. H. Nolan, who is at prcsont absent from the Dominion. . The., president .laid on the table.correspondence which had passed between him and the Minister of liaihvays (Hon. W. H. Herries) in reference to the carriago of racehorses, on the railways. There had (said the president) been considerable improvement in connection' with the carriage of horses, and no doubt , there would be more to follow. (Hear, hear!) Stipendiary Stewards, •Tho Stipendiary Stewards' Committee reported as follows: "111 our opinion the management and conduct of race meetings, with very few exceptions, has. been excellent, the improvement in that respect being -very decided. The " appointment of Judicial Committees, the bettor control of jockey* rooms, drawing'for post positions, prohibiting attendance: at starting-post, ambulance arrangements, employment .of racecourse detectives, etc., 1 have each materially added' to the better control ol race meetings. ■ With regard to racecourse detectives, we are sorry to Mate that lliany clubs have- not yet realist*! the importance of securing efficient luen for the position, and the question of the advisability of handling tho appointments in some way so that the work could be carried out systematically is one that the Conference might consider. There arc apparently still .a great number of undesirable person? frequenting our race meetings, and nothing places tho sport in a more faise position than tho presence of such persons on our racecourses. Racegoers do not appreciate being pestered by guessers, pickpockets, bookmakers', agents, etc. • However, we are., pleased to state that maiiy clubs are making every endeavour to have this class excluded from 'their courses. During ' the' season there has been a great amount of money judiciously spent on racecourse. appointments, and ttiero is a heaithy 'rivmiry amongst racing clubs in this respect. In our,opinion the appoint menis on', racecourses in. this Dominion would bear favourable comparison with, racing clubs in any part or' the world.. Tile stipendiary stewards' advice has on' many occasions been obtained .rcftaiding appointments, and alterations and improvements to race tracks, aud their advice has been generally adopted. . . . The ■stipendiary stewards havo reported that the racing during the season has bean fairly iree from malpractice. During the season thero has been no ease of deliberate foul riding, but there have been a large number of cases of interference in running; a'large proportion of which is, in their opinion, due to the short stirrup. Many of our jockeys ride far tco short, and in '.consequence have not got proper control over their mounts. The committee appointed Mr. K. O. Duncan at the beginning of tho season in plaeo of Mr. ■ D. . W.'Gibson, and havo cause to congratulate the conference on tho efficient .work of the stipendiary stewards during the season just drawing to a close. The committee has received from the stipendioiy stewards many complaints as to tho prevalence of illegal acts on the part of. bookmakers, and has repeatedly called tho attention of the authorities • to this important matter. So far no great success has attended thoso representations, but it is hoped that in the near future somo real effectiveness may be given to the provisions of the law restraining offences of this nature." The report was adopted. Sir Geo. Clifford (tho president), tho Hon. W. H. Herries, Messrs. W. E. Bid--IVr-l'i' Fiicdlaudor, E. j- Guinness, P. Miller, and R. 11. Nolan were reappointed members of the Stipendiary' Stewards' .Committee for the ensuing year. Dates of Race Meetings. Tho dates of race meetings were approved subject to the following exceptions and amendments:— The Otaki Maori Racing Club be granted Sep(ember:2S and 29. The South Canterbury Jockey Club be granted October 15 and 17 aud April 15 and 17 in lieu of November 26 and 28 and April 22 and 21 respectively, . The Auckland Racing Club, by a majority of the committee, were granted December 26, 29, January 1 and 2. The Gore Racing Club's March dates be fixed for Marcb 10 and 11. The Mastertou Racing Club be granted March IS and 19 in lieu of March 25 and 20. ' The Marlborough Racing Club's request to change from May 5 and fi to March 17 and IS be not entertained as insufficient notice was given to allow of other clubs interested'being communicated ;vitb, , ■ Tlie Gislwrne Kacing Club's objection to

tho Napier Park Racing Club's June dates bs not upheld, and tliat if they wish to secure more suitable dates in July for tlio future to endeavour to have a conference between tho clubs concerned to discuss tho matter. The- following, were reappointed to the Dates Committee:—Messrs. E. W. Alison, W. E. Bidwill, H. Friedlander, E. Goodbeliere, G. Hunter, It.P., and P. Stiller. It was decided that the president should have authority to fill any vacancies which should occur on the Dates Committee. AMENDMENTS TO RULES. On the motion of the Dunedin Jockey Club, an addition was made to Part 1, Rule 1 of tho Rules of Racing:, stipulating that five should form a quorum at meetings of the district committee. The Auckland District Clubs moved that the interpretation of "District Committee" be amended to read as follows:— "District Committee means a committee consisting of ten members, five to be elected by the Metropolitan Ciub and five by the country clubs in each. metropolitan district. The chairman to l>e appointed by tho Metropolitan Club." Mr., E. W. Alison, ni speaking to tho motion, declared that the present constitution of the District Committee (comprising all the members of the Metropolitan Committee and five members elected by the totalizator clubs in tho district) did not give the country clubs fair and. adequate representation. If the amendment were apreed to, it would allay a good deal of dissatisfaction, at present existing. After lengthy discussion, the amendment was defeated by 20 votes to 8. Mr. W. T. Hazlett (Otago District Clubs) moved to add to Part 111 a new rule, reading as follows: —At each annual conference a vice-president shall ho elected, who shall hold office until his successor is elected, and shall, in the case of the death, absence from New Zealand, or disability to act of the president, exercise and fulfil all the powers, authorities, functions, and duties hereby conferred or imposed upon the president. Mr. E. W. Alison seconded the motion, which, after brief discussion, was lost on tho voices. ' Mr. W. F. M. Buckley (Canterbury Jockey Club) moved an alteration to Part VI, Rule G, to provide that the programme of every meeting from September 1 to' June G inclusive 6hall include two flat races per diem of not less than one mile. The programme of every meeting from June 7 to August 31 inclusive shall include at least one maiden or hack steeplechase, and if such programme includes one or moro flat races, there shall be one flat race of not less than one mile and a quarter. On being put to the vote this was lost for i want of a requisite three-fourths majority, tho ayes beinjr 17, and the noeslG. Mr. G. Hunter (Hawke's Bay Jockey Club) moved an alteration to Part Xl, Rule 2, amending tho definition of. a "hack," so that a horse would require to win ono race of the value of ,£l5O, or races of the aggregate value of £100 before being ineligible to oompeto in hack_ events. This was duly seconded, and carried on the voices. Mr. G. Hunter also moved, and it was agreed, that Part XV, Rule B, should be amended to read as follows:—Any person who shall use for his horse ft name forbidden by these rules, or which has been formally disapproved by the president, or which has not. prior to starting, been registered with the secretary of the conference, shall be fined not less than nor more than 20 sovs. by the president, and tho fine shall be paid to the secretary of the conference,- and if unpaid shall Us deemed arrears. On the motion of the president, it was decided to add to Part XVI a new rule, reading, as follows:—"In case of domestic bereavement, an'owner shall, if previously authorised by tho president in writ-, ing, he allowed to run his horse in the name of another person for a period not exceeding four months." Mr. P. Miller (Dunedin) moved an alteration to Part XIX, Rule 1, raising tho minimum weight in handicap flat races to 7st. After brief discussion the proposed alteration was negatived by 20 votes to 13. Mr. 0. C. 'Cooper (Wellington), in the absence of Mr. W, E. Bidwill, moved to add to Part.XX, a new rulo reading:— "That allilicenses he granted by a Licensing Committee of tho conference, and issued by. 'the secretary of tho • conference." ' . • This was duly seconded and discus3od,' but, on being put to tho vote, was negatived by 20 votes to 15. At the request of the appeal judges, tho president moved to add to Part XXI, tho following new rule:—Any owner who has never received any payment for training or riding a horse may train his own/horse without a. license, provided such horse is trained under his personal supervision. The now rulo was adopted. An addition was made to Part 'XXII, ■ Rule 5, providing that jockeys' riding fees shall not bo paid to them until the conclusion of the meeting at which such fees are earned. Provision was also made for the registration of "retainers" held by jockeys, and likewise provision for .■ JDish'bt Committees to release owners or jockeys from' retainers should tho circumstances 'warrant such release. On the motion of Mr. P. Miller (Dunedin Jockey Club), Part XXIV, Rule 11, was. amended to provide that "any rider dismounting after the race without orders .from a steward may be fined a sum not exceeding .£5." Tho Hon. J. D. Ormond (Hawke's Bay Jockey Club) moved, and it was agreed, that .im addition should he made to Part XXV;> Rule 2, "providing that ""'no horse shall be ordered to the post more than 20 minutes before- the time appointed for starting." ' Part XXV, Rule 3, was amended to read, as follows:—"The horses shall, as far as practicable, he drawn up before tho s':arfc iu an order Lo be-,determined by'lots to bo. drawn at the time of weighing, out from a closed box of the pattern approved by' the conference, and under the supervision of a steward or other official of tiie club specially appointed for tho purpose." . The president and Messrs." Friedlander and Guinness were appointed a committee to select the correct pattern of box. 4 n?w rule v;as added as follows:—"No mechanical device shall be used by tho starter or any other,person at the starting post for the special assistance of any horse at the start." - On the motion of Mr. W. F. M. Buckley (Canterbury Jockey Club) a new rulo was adopted providing tliat: "No horsa shall i.'uii in any race in a hcod or blinkers." Mr. W. T. Hazlett (Otago District Clubs) moved to delete the words "(d) An obvious pull" from' Part XXXI. Rule 7, thus giving the right of apreal in the case of disqualification for this offence. The motion was seconded bv the Hon. 0. Samuel, and gave rise to a lengthy discussion. 011 a vote being taken the ayes 1111m''bared 22 and the noes 13, the motion being lost fm- want of a three-fourths majority. ■ At 10.30 p.m. the conference adjourned until 10 o'clock this morning.