SPORTING.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1925, Page 1

SPORTING.

RACING CONFERENCE. [nv telegraph—ruß press association.] WELLINGTON, July 8. Tlie annual meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference is being held to-day, Sir George Clifford presiding. ’llle annual report was read. llie Dates Committee, in its report, protested against the action of tho Minister of Internal Affairs in not agreeing to the Committee’s recommendations for the allocation of 12 extra days, and also against the action of the Minister in over-riding the recommendation that two dates, vacated by the Lake County J.C. be allotted to Riverton, instead of which the Minister lent only one day to Riverton, and lent the other l ( , the Wellington 11.('. After interviewing the Minister the committee had agreed to his all-v cations on the understanding that in future the views of the Racing Cunterence will lie ascertained, and that in tlie event of any difference arising, the .Minister "ill consult with the Conference for solution of the difficulties. Air ISidwell stated that the Minister,

"itli Mr Coates, met the Dates Com mittee yesterday, when it was acknowledged that the Racing Conference Jitu

i ot the right to allot the permits, hut that hitherto its rooomniend.'itions have generally been approved. Hun. Mr Dollard, however, said lie bought lie had a mandate to allot the permits.

ami he had done wo. The .Minister said that he wished to assist the Conference in every way. and Mr liidwcl! said there was no dark cloud ahead. The i onl'erence with the Minister had resulted in hurving the hatchet. The Dates Committee also reported as follows: Otaki Maori Club, 19 and 91 September, instead of September 2-Ttli. and 90th.: Nelson J. C. oth. and 6th. of March; Wellington Tl.C'., 15th. and 17th. of April, instead of 25th and 27th. March; Manawatu R.C., 21st. and 22nd. April, instead of 2Trd and 211 h. .March; Wellington R. 0., Bth. and Kith, of July, insead of Oth., Bth.. and 10th. of July. Tlie April dates for Wellington were referred bark. Otherwise the report was adopted. On Mr Mazlett’s motion it was decided that all Clubs he written to and given a description of the standard hurdle. J. A. C. Fleming, b. Holes, A. (•'rant, and .). Richardson, applied for remission of their various terms of siispensin. T(, was decided to refer the applications to the various appeal judges interested. The Chief Stipendiary Steward reported that control of jockeys’ rooms was now very efficient. The matter of bird cages was not so good. Some definite rule slinld ]«_■ oinliodicd in the Holes of Racing, debarring vicious or unruly liorses from entry. Itetter provision should be made, on all courses for attention to injured horses. The scales in use generally were not, satisfactory. Clubs were still careless about the compilation of race cards. There was a. great, improvement in the punctuality of race meetings. Most dubs had done their host to improve the sip-

poiiitmcnts. but- in some cases the tracks had been neglected. The use of a standard hurdle for hurdle race-

should he made compulsory, and feet nil hurdles should lie absolutely prohibited during the season. The tutalisator returns had shown a considerable increase on last, season. nut" ith.standing that tin- bookmaker was still operating in every town in the Dominion, and i rumour was anything like correct, his patrons include many owners. The standard of racing remained high. The adoption of standard colours was neces-

The Oamaru Racing Chili and the Waimate District Hunt Club were granted permission to increase the numliet of trotting events on their progra mines.

The President reported that the President of the Trotting Conlereiui 1 had asked him to bring forward the matter of an increased number ol

trotting races on racing programmes. There was no recommendation. and the matter lapsed. An application from Morrinsville Racing ( lid), in liquidation, for recommendation of a tote permit, was received. The Club lost £3OOO, which loss had fallen on twelve guarantors. It was suggested that part of the profits on the race meeting should go to the guarantors. The conference declined, as it would create a bad precedent.

Mr A. A. McKeliur, of Christchurch, was re-appointed auditor. “We are quietly passing rules every year giving more power to the stipendiary stewards.’’ said Mr T. Hazlett at the Racing Conference, “and if we give them much more to do, we might, as well turn over to them the control of the whole meetings. We are getting to that now.”

N.Z. TROTTING ASSOCIATION. WE hi DING TON. July 8. The Annual Conference of representatives of the New Zealand Trotting (-lulis is being held, Mr 11. F. Nicoll being in the chair. After the President had delivered his address and been thanked Air R. Wallace, on behalf of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club, moved a series of

proposals, with a view to abolishing tho New Zealand Trotting Association, and substituting therefore Dis trict Committees. The motion, if carried, said Mr Wallace, would save expense and maintain the dignity of trotting. Mr B. S. Irwin, For bury Park Club, seconded the motion. He said that his committee was unanimous in supporting it. He thought it more likely that they would he able to get suitable men to act on District Committees than on the Association. Mr M. J. Hannan moved as an amendment that the matter should he referred to the executive to bring up a report and circulate it amongst the Clubs, and that a special meeting of the Conference be called to deal with Hie matter. Mr Robilliard seconded the amendment. Mr llowe supported the motion strongly. They had. lie said, heard Christchurch spoken of as the home of discontent. After others had spoken, Mr Han nan agreed to alter his amendment to provide that the matter should bo deferred till the next annual meeting. Air Selig said that the Association, at his suggestion, had agreed that he should not exercise a vote on tho question, which was one entirely for the clubs.

The amendment was carried with the proviso that the Executive’s report should he printed and circulated amongst the clubs prior to the confer-

ence. The Trotting Conference passed resolutions as follows: (1) Hiving persons, as well as clubs, the right of appeal against the decisions ot the Association, and givng the right nl appeal from Association decisions to the Conference. (2) Forbidding officials to bold the dual position of li.ondieapper and starter, or hamlicapper and judge. (3) For the compulsory registration of colours before August 31st.. 1920. (I) Prohibiting the use of metal lined whips. (■>) Refusing to allow persons disqualified for more than a particular race, or races, to race any horse till the disc)ualideation is removed, or to enter a racecourse, under a penalty not exceedin'' fifty pounds. A new rule was passed, dealing with appeals under Rule 341. A proposal to increase the membership ol the Association from nine to ten, and to give the North Island an extra member found 13 supporters to 13, but it was lost as the majority "as not sufficient. The follow ing officers were elected : " H. F. Nicoll, President (re-elected); J. Roue, Vice-President; 0. M. Olli'vor, Treasurer; Committee—Messrs Irwin. Olliver and MaeKenzio. It was decided to allot rote licenses as in tlie past season. The next meeting of the conference was fixed for July 1926, in Wellington.