Racing Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1922, Page 3

Racing Conference.

[ BY TKJ.EOKArri — PER PRESS. ASSOCIATION J

WELLINGTON, July 13.

The Racing Conference opened today. Sir George Clifford presiding. A statement showing receipts amounted to £4230, and expenditure £1433 was adopted. The accident fund report showed receipts £23.000 and expenditure £22,520. The President said lie could not account for the large increase in claims for injuries. Among insurajice companies, claims were liable to very ecmcdera’iie fluctuation, and they might iiooe that this was one of the ex< epti.ua! years and not likely to occur again, ’i lie report was adopted.

It win di ided that three delegates from t! .• Crafcrenee and three delegates from the Trotting Conference con fer with representatives of the Sports’ Protection League in regard to united action concerning increased tote hcen-

Tlie Stipendiary Stewards’ report .stated tin management and control of racing has been well up to the standard. but six Clubs stiy show a laxity. More cure is advocated in control of jockeys’ rooms and also weighing rooms. Since the appointment oi racecourse Inspectors, the cleansing of racecourses has undergone a very marked improvement. Racing had maintained a good standard. There had, however, been a shortage ot the very valuable class of jumping horses. In many hack and maiden events, the fields still remained too large and unwieldx. . It should he possible to classify or divide contests, thereby reducing the fmhls and minimising the risk now existing. AVith some exceptions the conduct «• jockeys has been good. . Where vicious or careless riding has been proved, the stewards in some cases had taken too a. lenient view and ; inadequate punishment was meted out.! Increased taxation had effected the tote returns and in the stewards’ opinion, had driven much money into the bands of bookmakers. They had rea- j son to believe that a. few owners st • t continue to do business with hook-j makers. All clubs should provide a ten I shilling tote. The very heavy c-ost m- , volved in carrying on racing threatened , the verv life of the sport, making it, almost, imoossihle for any owner to | make ends meet. Several owners ha- ; discontinued racing during the past | season. The stewards regretted to, note that innnv dubs were adopting ■ svstem of rehandicappiug winners. , They were of opinion that Gld penalties were a much more satisfactory j *Mr Hasdett (Dunedin) thought that | some explanation should he sought, to j add to such a hold statement. The President promised tho in.ittii wold receive attention. The existing Stpendiary .Stewards Committee were re-elected, J