RACING CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1923, Page 4

RACING CONFERENCE.

AVONDALE & TAKAPUNA CLUBS

The committee reported that they lia<l adopted tlie following: report with regard to the resolution passed at last meeting of the Having Conference relative to the administration of the nfiairs of the Avondale and Tukaptma Jockey Clubs. The report of Messrs W E. Bidwell and F. Earl has been referred to and considered by the Dates Committee. This report, which is a plain statement of facts unaccompanied by any comment—commmcnt being evidently quite unnecessary—makes highly unpleasant reading. The action of members of the committee of the Avondale Jockey Club after being allowed their expenses and outlay upon a lavish scale, paying themselves in addition considerable sums by way of remuneration for services rendered, is a proceeding hitherto happily unknown in the history oi New Zealand racing. There are oilier unsatisfactory features in the manner iii which the committee of the Avondale Jockey Club has drawn upon the funds of the club, particularly heavy payments made to one member under the heading “ solicitor’s charges." and it is not surprising that the auditor should have resigned by way of protest. Had the constitution and government of this club remained as it was at the time of the happening of the regrettable incidents referred to, it might have been necessary to seriously consider whether any dates at all should have been allotted to it. In view, however, of tbe facts that members ol i lie committee concerned, and also that another member of the committee, and also that the secretary have recently died, and that as a result of the Rat ing Commission’s report the club has been reconstructed with satisfactory rules and ample membership, and that what i- here complained of is in all probability not likely to reeur. tbe Dates Committee have decided to lake no action beyond this expression ol tueii views. Regarding the Takapuna Jo'key Club: This club bits boon reeonstrueted. and its affairs are now in perfect order. Everything mentioned b.v the Racing Commission has been attended 10,, bu! both ihe Avondale and lakapuna. ( lub~ s Itort ii! construct properly-equipped training tracks. This they have uiideilakcn to do. At tin- lime of the visit oi Messrs Earl and Bidwell the training tracks of these clubs appear to have lawn in a deplorable condition, quite unfit for training purposes. Considering the status of these two clubs, we i,insider they should attend to this matter at once.