RACING CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1928, Page 2

RACING CONFERENCE

By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright,

CHRISTCHURCH, July 13.

At the -Racing Conference to-day it was decided that certificates of registration of tlie following clubs bo cancelled as they had not held race meetings for tlie past three seasons:Muriwai Beach Sports Club, Rangatua Maori Racing Club, Lumsden Hack Racing Club, Maniototo Racing Club, Mari Hari Racing Club. "Motuekai Racing Club, Okarito Racing Club, Okurii Racing Club, Mawa Racing Club, Foxton United Sports Association, I.uikorea Sports Club, Hawke’s Bay Polo Club—was registered In part two rules, three and four of the rules of racing.

An application for registration by tlie Cambridge Racing Club was not granted, as the course on which the club proposed to race was situated within twenty miles of the course or a registered club, and , registration opposed by the Auckland District Committee. It was resolved that when granted permission to a club, other than a Hunt Club, to race on a course of another club, the District Committees be directed to grant such permission only under exceptional circumstances, and with a condition tliat the club must race on a course nearest its own course. The Chairman stated that the Accident Fund had grown from £SOO in the first year to £6OOO a year, and there was now more to come. AMENDMENTS TO RULES. Mr W. E. Bicivvell moved, as requested by tlie President, the following amendments to the rules:— That in view of increased work required in control of racing in New Zealand, tlie Conference appoint the Vice-President and Executive Committee, consisting of the President, VicePresident, and six representatives of the Conference. In reply to a question, Mr Bidwell said the Committee was to take tlie place of the Conference Committee. In almost every case tlie Executive would act in place of the President. The motion was carried, as were also consequential amendments to rules. The applications of L. H. Wynyard and W. Burnett for tlie removal of disqualifications were refused. Tho rules were amended to- provide an extension cf the term of apprenticeship for jockeys, from three to four years. There was much discussion on a remit from the Taranaki Jockey Club: “That on the hearing of an appeal any club or person interested in the decision appealed from, shall be entitled to be represented by counsel.” In. support of tlie remit, it was argued that it was unfair to the accused person, espec-ialy an uneducated apprentice or jockey, to ask liim to put his case to liest advantage to Appeal Boards.

After discussion, the remit was amended to provide that the rule should apply only t-p jockeys or apprentices. ’ The motion was defeated by 22 votes to 18.

Mr Brown moved on behalf of the Auckland Racing Club' that a special committee be set up to investigate the administration of affairs of the conference, and costs and expenses thereof, with the object of ascertaining which economics, if any, may be effected whereby the hearing of annual levies on clubs may be reduced. Mr Brown said the payment of £6OO to the Sports Protection League by tlio Conference was waste of money.

At the suggestion of Mr Hazlett, the motion was withdrawn in view of the decision to alter the management. The Canterbury Jockey Club’s remit that an interval between starting time of any two races not exceed thirty-five minutes, except for the luncheon interval—forty-five minutes —was withdrawn after discussion. In proposing the re-election of Sir. iGcorge Clifford as President, Mr Ewan Campbell sard that during the 32 years of office, Sir George had been an ornament to racing, and had given his time to the sport. Sir Geo. Clifford was re-elected with acclamation.

A resolution was carried expressing the regret of the conference that owing to illness, the President was unable to attend the conference, placing on record the deep appreciation of all he had done for racing, and expressing the hope of an early restoration to health.

Other officers elected were as fol-lows:—Vice-President, Mr 0. S. Watkins W. T. Hazlett (Southland), J. H. iPerrett- (Wanganui), H. A. Russell (Hawke’s Bay), G. Gould (Canterbury), A. C. Hanlon (Dunedin), L. W. Nelson (Auckland).