TROTTING CLUB PERMITS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2875, 13 September 1916, Page 4

TROTTING CLUB PERMITS

While we have no sympathy whatever with any demand for an extension of the number of horseracing or trotting meetings at tho present time, it is very clear that the request put forward by tho Wellington Trotting Club for an increase in the number of totalisator permits issued to it is a just and reasonable one. Tho club does not ask that any increase should bo made in the total number of totalisator permits issued by the 'Government, but it claims that it is entitled to more than one each year out •of that total. One speaker at the annual meeting of the club stated that whereas Wellington was allotted a permit for only one day's racing. Christciiurch received permits for 18 days, Auckland for 11 days, and Dunedin for six days' racing. These figures, wo have no doubt, are correct—it is notorious that Wellington has received scant encouragement in this rcspect. There may have been some reason for this in tho past. Tho local club was handicapped by having an inferior class of track on which to hold its race meetings, and in other respects, it could not competo in popular favour with the clubs better situated in other contrcs. But it has now secured a lease of the grounds and buildings at the Hutt, used by the Wellington Racing Club its removal to Ti-entham. Tho track has boen alterod to suit trotting conditions, and the enterprise of the club has led to other improvements in tho interests both of tho public and of horse-owners. In the circumstances it is only right that the Minister in charge of totalisator permits should review, the situation with a view to placing tho club on a fairer footing with the clubs in other centres. Mr. Russell, we have no doubt, when the facts are brought under his notice, will see the justice of the claims now advanced by the Wellington Club.