NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 38, 14 August 1919, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING.

(81 TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

CHRISTCHURCH, 13th August. . At the annual meeting of the New Zealand .Trotting Association to-night the. chairman (Mr, P. Selig) addressed members on various phases of the year's work. The popularity of the sport, he said, had grown apace, and since the last annual meeting five new clubs had been formed. Steps, were, being taken to secure further totalisator permits. He \ quoted statistics which showed that racing permits totalled 222 and trotting.'s9, and said that unless facilities were given it would be impossible for trotting to be established in new. places.' It had been admitted by a former Minister of Internal Affairs that trotting clubs had not received- their full share of licenses, and those held in abeyance had since been absorbed by the racing clubs. It was not desired that any permits should be taken away from the racing clubs, but that justice fehould. be done .by the Legislature .'and totalisator permits granted to new clubs and* to those which_ at present raced in conjunction with racing clubs. The demand for tricher stakes would no doubt be considered by wellestablished clubs.. He expressed the opinion that'liberal accommodation for the public should be provided on all courses. After commenting on the increased vigilance of stewards and officials, which'had led to a decided falling off in complaints, he made reference \tov the vexed question of starting, and said he thought it important that there should be only one system - throughout the Dominion. The matter had been postponed by the conference for one year. In conclusion he mentioned that next year' the board would consist of six South Island and three North Island representatives; . . ■ - The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Messrs. P. Selig, H.;,W. Kitchingham, and J. M. -Samson' "(South Island), and Messrs. C. P. Mark and R. H. Short (North Island) were re-elected to the board. The board for 1919-20 is, therefore, the same as last -year.