HUNT CLUBS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1925, Page 4

HUNT CLUBS.

MINISTER AND DEPPTATIOX. AI’C'K I.ANT). June 13. It is not the intention of the (lovernicent to bring down legislation abolishing Hunt Club racing, was the reassuring statement made by the Minister of Internal Allairs -the Hon. H. K. Bollard) to a deputation from the Waikato Hunt Club. Major A. M. Samuel said the Hunt ( !ub did not want to lose its identity and regarded itself as being more important than a racing club. He stress'd the value hunting horses had been, in the war, whereas no racehorses had been employed, 'rue Waikato Club bad 15b 1 members, all of whom bred horses for limiting. He asked whether the club was in duty bound to amalgamatewith the To Awamutii Racing Club, a club, lie said, that was not strong financially and might mean the downfall of the Hunt Club. Mr Wynn Brown said hunting cluhs were permitted to hold race meetings for the purpose of securing revenue. The club's race meeting in Hamilton on Labour Day was the most popular oneday meeting in New Zealand. The Minister said the only legislation.

lie proposed to bring down next session affecting racing was to relieve some of the smaller racing clubs bv making the Ooverninent totalisatnr lew 1 \ percent instead of 2t per cent, on the first £20,000. The money thus accruing to these cluhs would be required to ho spent on improvements and not on stakes. The legislation would he embodied in the Kina nee Bill. The Prime .Minister had approved of thi- course. So far as doing away with hunt club permits was lomeroed, the Minister said he know nothing about it. S, long as ho was Minister of Internal Affairs lie would never agree to doing away with the hunt clubs, lie had never suggested that hunt cluhs should amalgamate with racing clubs. The Pacing Conference bad gone a little too far. lie had suggested that where there were a ntimlier ol small racing clubs .such as in the southern districts, 'efforts should be made to amalgamate some of them. Hunt clubs c-ottld race where they liked in their own hunting area. The Waikato Chib could race at Maimnata or To Aloha if it wished. He was not in favour of the club amalgamating with the To Atvannilu Racing Club.

Major Samuel, in thanking the Minister for his assurance, remarked

that the racing clubs were trying to beat tbe Hunt Club for its racing day. The Minister: As you have raced on Labour Day since- von have started, my advice* is to stick to it.