LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3124, 30 June 1917, Page 9

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THE CURTAILMENT OF HORSE RACING

Sir,—As a member of Levin's sporting body, the Horowhenua Racing Club, allow mo to protest against tho unfair cutting-out of this club by tho committee appointed to consider the reduction of racing days in the Wellington metropolitan district. Otaki Racing Club has been left with three days' racing, Levin has been robbed of its only ono day.

Between Tokomaru and Ohau (Levin's district) over half of tho population of tho Horowhenua county lives. Yet twice in six years Levin's racing permit has hcen taken away. In 1910-11 Otaki was left with two two-days' meetings per yefiT, Levin, with none. In 1917 Otaki still retains two meetings (two days and ono day respectively), Levin has none. The appointed committee, I understand, says that one-day meetings being undesirable, Levin must givo way. Yot tho same committee that does this eets \ip one-day meetings at Otaki, Pahiatua and: Wairnrapa. It cays, too, that Otaki should be.protected because it gives bigger stakes than Levin. Yet the present movement against racing is avowedly to reduce the expenditure of money on racing in time of war. Further comment on this is needless.

I observo that Ashhiirst and Rangitikei havo been allowed to rotain their one-day meetings. This was recommeifded by their metropolitan club (Wanganui) in recognition of tlio fact that thoso two clubs lost their racing permits in 1910-11, just as Levin did. I notice, also, that the Auckland Committoo recommend that one-day meetings be allowed to remain, and all fcwo-day meetings bo reduced to one. These- committees do not seem to consider them undesirable, but look at the matter from a more broad point of view. What prevented the Wellington Metropolitan Club from showing a similar sense of fairness towards Levin? Could anyono at Otaki supply the answer ? ■

Finally. would liko to know who appointed tho representative of this part of the district to act on the committee in place of Mr. Monckton (who is now in England). A prominent official of tno Otaki Racing Club was appointed by somebody or other to net in Mr. Monckton's place, but the stewards of t]io Horowhenna Racing Club wero apparently not considered in the matter, though they had a right to be. It seems to me that Levin's club has been kicked now becnuso it was kicked TJefare, and that Otaki's is protected because it knows how to work tho oracle.—l am, etc., EQUITY. Levin, 25th June, ISI7. NEW ZEALAND APPLE SHOW Sir,—Under the above heading appears an article from a Mr. Moritzson, of Dunedin. This article covers a table which states. that the points scored by Otago at the Apple Show were 242, Nelson 75, and so on, down to Auckland G. The following is the official table of the pro.vincial district results:— Auckland 9G Nelson 88 Canterbury 43 Otago 96 Hawke's Bay ; 69 In view, of these official figures Mr. Moritsison's statement' that Nelson only scored 75 and Auckland only G points is obviously so inaccurate that it is hardly worth while criticising • the rest of his article. This is not to say that it could not he criticised very scathingly if necessary.—l am, etc, WELLINGTON.