THE RACECOURSE COMMISSION

Grey River Argus, 10 April 1911, Page 3

THE RACECOURSE COMMISSION

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ems auu oustacies incidental io uaveiiing- oy motor-car. The Commission, consisting of Sir Geo. Clifford Messrs j. Rowe, I J . Noian, A Mcivay and A. E. Cohen, with secretary jonnstone, arrived at me course about three o'clock in the afternoon. As the party left Westport yesterday morning at seven, and no word had

'been received of their arrival at Reetton, the Chairman and stewards of the cluS' were not quite sure exactly when to expect the party. But all doubt was soon removed by the "tout, tout" of the sounder of !Mr Harley's motor car, Mr Fred Harley acting as chauffeur.

•Not a second of time was lost. Mr M. Hannan, chairman of the Greymouth jockey Club welcomed Sir Georgre Clifford and the party, and introduced the stewards individually. Sir George and' party took a swift bird's eye view of the panorama and ascended the grand stand for a more complete survey ;of the course, its environment and various appointments. He then put a series of questions to the chairman of the clvh 1 as to its history, the size of the course, the area of ground in use, the financial position of the club, and also regarding any other information deemed necessary for the pur pose of the Commission. 'All the requisite information having been supplied and carefully noted by no fewer than three members of the Commission, the party inspected the var ious (appointments — the tea Iroom, uming room, bars, stewards' room, Press room, the scales in the weigh-mg-in-room, etc. They did not inspect the 'second stand, taking it for granted that as everything else of the course equipments was quite up-io-<?ate the second stand corresponded, as indeed it does. As it happened, the day was beautifully fine, a onght sun aha a clear sky, the build ings all newly painted, and everything atsout the place in apple-pie or der.our pretty little course could hon estly be regarded as quite a picture, and, something that the people of ijrreymouth have every right to be proud of. If a .good few thousands have been spent on the course and us improvements during the last iorty years, it is satisfactory to be aoie to say that there is 1 something to show for the expenditure.

The members of the Commission, who must be getting- satiated by this time with racecourses and their appointments, having: for the last month oeing; whirled off from one course to another at more than railroad pace, rapidly took in the features of their objective, losmg: no valuable time in discussing: unespentials. . iiey were rather non-committal in

rr remark's, regarding what they had seen, except <by the saying tnat "there are courses worse than that of Greymouth and many not Detter appointed."

The stay of the party was very short. As soon as the needs of the motor car were attended to in tEe way of the necessary overhaul of tires and oil supply, the party took tbcr s?ats once ,more. _and were whirled off at top speed, as the afternoon's work included a visit to the Kurriara course, and then on to Holcitika' for, a like inspection, and returning to Greymouth" the- same evening".

Arriving- at Kumara the necesary survey of the course was quickly effected. A snort run to Hofcitika

where a like inspection took place, and the Commission had completed the object of their visit to the Coast.

The return trip to Greymouth was safely accomplished, the Commission reaching the Albion Hotel during the evening. They leave by the overland express this morning for Christchurch.