COUNTRY RAGING CLUB'S CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1920, Page 4

COUNTRY RAGING CLUB'S CONFERENCE.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 13. Tlio annual conference of the. New Zealand Country Karina Clulis’ Association was held to-night, Mr A. Bruce, (Thames) presiding over a large attendance. The annual report of the. Executive stated that though Sport generally had been good during the year, there was a “rift in the lute” occasioned by til# restoration of racing days to less than the dumber which existed prior to 1910, notwithstanding that the population had considerably increased and now districts had been opened up and largely settled. Legislation bad been prepared under the instruction of the Executive having for its object the restoration oi the number of racing days and providing for eight days for Hunt clubs, so that the sixteen Hunt clubs licensed biannually to use the totalisator, might have annuai licenses. The Executive considered that as a means of breaking up the bookmaking fraternity the double totalisator machine should be reintroduced and given a. trial.

“Those gentry (the bookmakers) have given credit,” said the report, “and eases of embezzlement ha ve been traced to threats' made by bookmakers to expose the poor victim to liis employer. It would bo in the best interests ol racing and the morals of the community if bookmaking were driven out oi New Zealand.”

The report was adopted, and it was decided to recommend to the Pacing Conference that district committees should issue licenses, but that no committee should issue a iicense to any person who had been refused a lioense by any other district committee. Tlie Conference also resolved to urge that the Auckland Pacing Club and the Canterbury Jockey Club should be asked to eliminate the penalties from their turf events.

Mr G. Stead, (Hawke’s Bay) raised the question of pressing for an improvement of horse boxes provided on railways. He said that, the boxes should be lit by electricity, or some better method than existed at present, and tlie accommodation for attendants should ho improved. Tt was resolved to mention the matter when the deputation from the Conference awaits on the Prime Minister.