RACING CLUB’S CHARGES

Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1920, Page 2

RACING CLUB’S CHARGES

(By Warfarer in the “Referee.”)

Among the copies of tlie local newspaper’s account of the annual meet-

ing of the Westland Racing Club, which have reached me this week,- is one from a member of Parliament, who being a good Democrat as well as an ardent sportsman, has specially directed my attention to a passage in which it is announced that tho Club is going to banish from its course all social' and class distinctions that underlie the dif-

ferences in the charges for admission and the accommodation provided.

“Hitherto,” the passage runs, “the charges for admission have been 2s Gd ‘outside’ and 7s Gd ‘inside.’ The new charge will be a flat rate of 5s to all parts of the course, excepting the stewards’ stand, reserved for the officers and members, and this nrnngement will no doubt be .greatly appreciated by the patronising public. As heretofore, lad- i ies will he admitted free, likewise 'returned soldiers who are members of the Association and are wearing the silver badge. With these concessions to the public generally, the Westland Racing Club can claim to be what is probably

I tlie most democratic racing club in the Dominion.” I am not sufficiently well acquainted with the conditions prevailing on the West Coast to spealv 11 ltli any authority on the subject, but it seems to me the innovation may prove both good democracy and good business. There are not many clubs, however, charging as little as 7s 6d for admission to the “inside,” and .as they all are largely dependent upon this source of revenue for the maintenance of their course and buildings, none of then can be deemed undemocratic because it provides cheaper accommodation for people who caPnot afford to pay 10s or 12s for their dafv’s ' amusement,