STIPENDIARY STEWARDS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1924, Page 1

STIPENDIARY STEWARDS.

In till 1 course of a review of the ringing in eases arising out of the trotting revelations. Air U. Selig. President ol" the N.Z. Trolling Association makes tlie following references to the Stipendiary Stewards' control in regard to their work at the various meetings:—

11 i, pertinent to mention that the setting up of a race-course iiispeuor system by the trotting and galloping authorities in combination lias proved a great success- insofar as it lias resulted in eliminating tbc undesirable from the ranks ot the spectators. Whet her we line*' ret civet! tlie benefits anticipated from the appointment of stipendiary stewards is another matter. When 1 originally brought lorwaiil the proposal to put the system into force--strongly nnp.osed by some clubs as ail infringement l of the rights of their honorary officials-—I mentioned that, first, men suitable for tbc position, and tlie money, laid to be ton ltd. W bentil,- s l .stem was ultimately approved it was quickly put--into operation. A - you will linnet less remember I have had occasion more than one' to point out. Hint the time of these officials was heing- laheii lip with trivial duties, to the neglect of limn- important work. Without desiring to reflect on these officers—who have considerable work to do—in any way. I think it has hen shown that, while the inspectors’ inspection has been clloetive. the inspection of horses on courses has not. I say ibis knowing that the officers do not know even yet all horses. and could not have had in their mind the probability or the possibility of recent happenings. At the same time, it comes to mo. as a member of the Stipendiary Stewards’ Committee, that tlie duties of ibe stipendiary stewards, anil what is expected of them, will have to be very clearly set out. And ill all hazards they uni't have lb whole-hearteii support of the honorary officials. The Australian system in giving sole control ot meetings—trotting and galloping—to three stipendiary stewards, with the right of appeal to dull committees, has been found to work with satisfaction in the ('omninnwealtli. and lias been more than cue: l suggested for adoption in the Do-' minion for both classes of sport. Ibe ollieials are naturally men of great experien'e. who are ncees-arily paid tug.: salaries, hut whether the time is rinfor the adoption of the system in ills'* Dominion K a mailer that can be left for later ennsidernlion. What we require to keep in mind is Hint at all costs the o.oiifiilonee of the publicgained after considerable uphill work, as is well known to those who have worked from the early days of trotting ... in our officials ami the controlling body must be retained il we are to see tile .-pert continue to flouri-li and prosper as it has done in the past. With lid' I am sure you "ill all agree.