RACING DANGERS.

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 100, 24 March 1888, Page 3

RACING DANGERS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR..

Sir,— ln your report of the inquest on the body of the unfortunate lad killed on the Sandon racecourse. You mako Edward Read to say that hewould let any boy in the saddling paddock ride providing his weight vr as. suitable — quite irrespective as to bis knowing how to ride ; so that any boy of the right weight (to hb killed ?), with foolishness and temerity enough, may find himself on a horse,: going at a breakneck pace, he doesn't know where. I confess my almost total ignorance of turf customs and regula» tions, but this recklessness of the life of the horse and his rider rather surprises me. Wo have laws passed for tho protection , of youth from \ ; the effects of dangerous ; and unhealthy occupations, and of over work, yet hore is a case where foolhardy and venturesome youth, imder the excitement of a popular sport, is exposed to the greatest danger of life and linib- Surely it is time something was done to alter such a state of things. I think th© possibility of a.boy getting charge of a horse for a race without being well up in the business, is simply a disgrace to the racing fraternity. Was it not the" duty of a- jury, under the circumstances, to recommend that, in future, no boy bo allowed to ride in a race without a qualification certificate from some responsible body. Hoping the suggestion will meet the consideration it deserves from, those most interested. — I am, ito.,

Safeguard.