The Evening Star FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1912.

Evening Star, Issue 14932, 19 July 1912, Page 6

The Evening Star FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1912.

Sib George Clifford's presidential address at the annual The Racing Racing Conference in Conference. Wellington yesterday was lucid and comprehensive, and we could only wish that in seme parts the tone had been a shade less militant. The allusions to the so-called " ill-advised legislation" restricting the number of racing days, and to " hysteric law-making," might well have been omitted, while the bold contention that "we need moro racing" will startle even many people who are not sworn foes of turf pursuits. "That surging intolerance "which spies evil in the innocent recrea"tions which are its best .antidote" is another infelicitous phrase, and the statement that " in combating the opponents of " racinjj we are challenging the most un- " patriotic and short-sighted of our fellow- " citizens" is exaggerative and perhaps rather disingenuous. For the reform movement of two years ago was the work. not of opponents of racing, qua racing, but of opponents of gambling; and tlie originator of the crusade, so to term it, was a highly-esteemed, level-headed, and by no means over-emotional Judge of the ! Supreme Court, who had been profoundly stirred by the terrible results of the gambling habit as they presented themselves to him in his judicial capacity. Sir George Clifford and his friends will be reckoning without their host if they assume that the anti-gambling (not antiracing) sentiment is merely or mainly a manifestation of kill-sport "wowserism." The president was more effective when he turned from acrid generalisation to specific matters, and with at least one of his contentions we are in hearty agreement. In passing, I may protest against the senseless prohibition of the publication of totalisator figures and dividends after the race. This serves no purpose except to abet the schemes of the professional trickster as against the straightforward sportsman, and reaches its climax of absurdity when applied to such races as the Epsom Derby. The protest is a just one, and it may be remembered that the prohibition in question is not due to the legislation of 1910 ; it dates back a couple of years earlier. So long as the totalisator is legally countenanced, the veto placed upon the publication of the dividends after the race is illogical and futile. As regards the actual work of the Conference, two decisions may be specially I noticed. Wo are glad to say that the I appointment of stipendiary stewards, with a view to removing or at least minimising some specific scandals occasionally connected with racing, has at length been sanctioned. Two classes of offence, observed Sir George Clifford, require to be suppressed : " first, attempts by owners or " trainers to cheat handicappers and the 'public; second, conspiracies between "jockeys and others to defraud." The president himself was not enthusiastic in j his advocacy of the stipendiary steward system. Premising that the prevalence of the evils in question had been exaggerated ("not a tithe of the innuendoes " spread broadcast by tongue and pen have "truth in them"), he expressed the opinion that the effect of appointing "policemen of the turf" would only be of a palliative character. We certainly agree with Sir George that the radical remedy is to be found in the enforcement of the law prohibiting bookmaking. It is only too true that the seemingly drastic provisions of the Act of 1910 have been met by the taboood fraternity with "sytematic defiance " —a defiance which (as many observers can vouch) grows bolder day by day. It is difficult to believe that the authorities have been sufficiently vigilant and energetic. At tlie same time, we take a moro optimistic view than Sir George Clifford takes regarding the potentialities of the system adopted by the Conference yesterday. The stipendiary stewards will ba able to give their undivided time and attention to the work of detective observation, and it will be to their own interest to discharge the duties of the office with thoroughness as well ae with tactful caution. It may be added that the result* of the adoption of the system in Australia, particularly in New South Wales, have been highly satisfactory, "stiff"' runnin:: having been virtually got rid of, thanks to the intelligent activity of the '" policemen of tho turf." The annual conference may be trusted to cheese competent ami .suitable men, possessing (to us« the president's words) tho requisite knowledge and force of character. Tho other matter of detail to which we allude relates to the dates chosen for the Wellington and Christchurch Spring Meetings. Tho Dates Committee recommended that the respective dates should lie October 23 and 26 (Wellington), and November 2 (Christchurch), thus leaving a clear week between the two meetings. The Conference, with doubtful wisdom, as it eecms to us, altered the Wellington dates to October 26 and 28, reducing the interval to five days. The arguments adduced in support of this change of arrangement wero not of a very convincing character, tho chief being that " if Wellington were given " Labor Day it would convert a non-paying "meeting into the second best of the club." The chairman of tho Dates Committee aptly observed that there were other considerations in connection witii racing besides financial onas; and we cannot but think that the decision of tho Conference is unfair to horse-owners, and also calculated (on other grounds) to make an unfavorable impression on the public mind.

It is observed that numbers of artlovers are visiting the Baillie collection again and again, as an odd hour enables them to bestow closer attention on the works of the new masters. The <>.'rton College girls were amongst the visitors y.v. ■ i terday. The gallery ;a to be open en Sunday. 1

1 The Reserves Committee of tho City Council and the Works Ci>.i;mitt-*9 <>f the Harbor Board will meet in conference next Monday to decide the best courco to adopt in regard to the future of Lake Logan. In a speech that lasted over half an huur Mr G. R. Ritchie delivered a very able and carefully-thought-out address at the annual meeting or the Chamber -l Commerce list, r pning. I' was to- with close attention, and at the finish Mr Ritchie was warmly complimented by the older members of the chamber. His two years of office as president have been marked"-by conspicuous ability, and genuine regret was oxpressed at Mr Ritchie's retirement. Mr P. Barr last evening completed his 21st year as secretary of the chamber. He was specially honored at the clos? of the business. The following Qtaso candidates were successful in pa&dne the recent examination for State registration of nurses, the position as regards merit being given : I. Clark (Oamaru), 14th; E. M'Mnllen (Ihmedin), 28th; .J. M. Vezey (Dunedin), 34th; J. M. Breaden (Naseby), 35th; E. L. Brown (Dunedin), 39th; F Gill (Invereanrill), 40th; E. L. Herais (Dunedin). 43rd; G. 0. Jonnincrs (Dunedin), 44th; M. G. O'Learv (Dunedin), 47th; B. A. Fereuson (Dunedin), 49th; C. Gibbon (Riverton), 50th. Messrs (?emple and Howord, delegatea from the Federation of Labor, addressed the members of tlie Pert Chalmers Marine laborers' Union last nicht in the shelter shed at the Port Chalmers wharves on matters pertaining to the union. The union are at present working under an Arbitration Court agreement, which expiree in a few months' time. A Press representative, who went to the meeting laso nicbt, was asked to retire, as matters of interest to members of the union only were to be dificufsed.

At the close of the engine-drivers' dispute to-day a vote of thanks was passed if> the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr J. R. Triggs) for tho raannn in wh'ch he had presided over the proceedings. The Commissioner, in returning thanks, expressed thf opinion that it was far better to try and bring about a settlement of industrial disputes by conciliation than by resorting to strike methods, a sentiment in which all present concurred. Good business was done last evening at t!i sale of work in the Church of Christ, Filleul street. A musical programme was contributed by Mcsiames Clarke, Gibson, and R. W. Lawrence, Messrs Ford, Sanderson, Slyfield, and H. Barr. As the whole of the goods were not disposed of, the sale will be continued this evening. Our Auckland correspondent telegraphs: —Two Indies of nervous disposition were responsible for a little excitement and much amusement in one of the suburbs of Auckland last evening. They had ventured forth into a dark, wet nhht with some apprehension, having heard disquieting rumors of a ghost which was alleged to be haunting Kingsland. They had not been long abroad when they caught the glimmer of something white ahead. They stopped to listen, but there was no sound of/a footfall, vet the " something wh'te" approached swiftly, and became more distinct. Tlie ladies raided a considerable hullabaloo, and near-by houses turned out people in plenty, aroused by the ciiea of beauty in distress. Quick as they came, however, they did not arrive on the scene more 6peedily than the "ghosts," which materialised into brawny, barefooted Fijians, in port for a day or two, off the s.«. Atiia, and girded only in white. These dusky visitors were the first to want to offer protection to the ladies, who had to make confession that they had iaised a false alarm. The Roslyn supporters of amalgamation with the City are going ahead with the project. At a preliminary meeting a committee was formed, and now a meeting of residents is to be held on the 23rd of this month. At the Town Hal! last evening Mr G. C. Tsrr.el, representing the Technical School managers, the inadvieability of the Y.W'C.A".' spending money on class rooms for the teaching of subjects which were dealt with nt the Technical School. Thftre was already a good deal of overlapping and wasted effort in our educational system. It was a thousand pities that the j citizens, and also such associations as the | Y.W.C.A., did not make more use oi the opportunities oflerod at the Technical I School- He suggested that the instruction work proposed could bo conducted much mere successfully and economically by an arrangement with the Technical School, and asked that the managers bo approached in the matter.

Mr Theomin, speaking at the annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce as one of tho trustees of the Public Art Gallery, said they had now here a collection of pictures, the finest shown in the South Island since the grfat exhibition of 188J-LO. The Christchurch Exhibition, although very fine, had not had the wide range of subjects of this one. Tho City Council had been good enough to promise a subsidy of £250 on a liko sum raised by the public. Mr Loudon and he had been deputed to canvass with that end in view, and they would not hesitate to ask firms to be liberal. That afternoon one firm had generously given £SO, and had also promised to call together the Scottish societies of the town with the idea of inducing them to collectively present a picture to the town. He was bold enough to suggest that it would be fitting for the executive of the chamber to donate £SO or £IOO for the came object, as had been done in Wellington. As indicated in a Wellington telegram yesterday, as a Tesult of the tremendous sea on the coast, or in consequence of a submarine disturbance, many tons of eatable fish have come ashore dead at Island Bay and Lyall Bay during the last 24 hours. All tho familiar varieties are represented, and lorries have been used by enterprising dealers, who will put the fish into tlie cooking chamber. In contrast with the dead whale, which is still battering about on the rocks in the same locality, the fish is perfectly sweet.

The annual insp?ction of the Port Chalmers Volunteer fire Brigade was carried out last nignt bv the Mayor (Mr D. A. De Maus) and tho borough councillors. After the inspection was concluded, Mr De Mara and several of :ho councillors mado brief speeches, congratulating Captain Dougherty and his men ov. the satisfactory state of matters disclosed by the inspection. In reply, Captain Dougherty mentioned how rare fires had been" lately. Exactly 12 months had elapsed between the last fire and tho one which preceded it. During the past vear, Captain Dougherty said, ex-Lieutenant F. Perry, a mueh-roFpected and old member of the brigade, had retired. The retired officer had been a member of the brigade for 30 years, and had served ur.dei every captain who had comma.nded the brigade since its inception—a, record. " Our Own " at Waimato wires that tho South Island pigeon championships were decided at the local Winter and Poultry Show to-da.v. Results :—Best Magpie .- G. E. -Hales, Spreydon," Ciirktchurch. Pouter piemv, Pouter! or Cropper: V. Lindsay, liivefcargill. Best Muffed Tumbler: Alick Fraser, Christchurch. Mr Morris, photographer, Garden Studio, 554 George strest (niai S'.. Dav.d street), exhibits some beautiful ladies' portraits in sep.a on left-hand side of the Zenith Studio vestibule, in Princes street. Appoiiiiments made in Zenith Studio, or telephone 2,279.—[Advi.] Messrs Semple ar.d Howard, of the 1 ederation of Labor, will hold a public meeting at the Tiades Kali this evening to explain the Waihi and Rcefton troub.e3. As this is the only meeting that can bo held in Dunedin by these delegates, they are anxious that all unionists and others who are interested in the matter should be present. Ladies are specially inv.ted. The Kaitangata trouble win also be dealt with.

Speight's a\e and stout ate acknowledged by the Dominion public to bo the best on the market. —[Advt-3 Simon Brothers, of Georgo street, near Octagon, invite special attention to reduced price list this week. —[Advt.] Never in this City has there been a better show of beautiful and carefully-finished work than in the showcase of the Acme Photo Company, George street—[Advt.] The public are recommended to purchase jewellery before the end of this week, when E. Souness's great sale closes—[Advt.] You need not suffer from severe and hacic jng coughs, hoarseness, or distressing colds " Benjamin Gum" will give you almost iro mediate relief, and quickly cure. Children take it gladly. Is 6d bottle, all chemists and storekeejers.—£Advt3