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Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1929, Page 4

Tun Wcsthi ml Pacing Club came through its Christmas meeting with fair measure of success. despite flic untoward circumstances of lli<> occasion. In this instance l the ('lull had two fine days to its credit, hut pcor fields accounted for a. material drop in the totalisator, the chief source of revenue. The experience has caused the Club ma iiagement some special thought, and it, will have been seen hv Saturday’s issue that an important decision was reached l>,v the Committee the previous evening, namely to coniine the Christmas meeting in the future to one day, namely Boxing Day. There are probably several good reasons for this change. The chief appears to he tic plethora of racing and trotting meetings on the Coast over the Christmas and New Year. From December 2(sth. until to-day. twelve consecutive week days, there has been daily racin'* or trotting on some- part of the Coast, reaching from Hokitika to Westport. In all there were thirteen meetings at which the totalisator was used in those twelve days This has been a considerable strain on the economic resources of tlie sporting public. Probably this was one of the chief deciding factors with the local Club in determining to eliminate one day at Christmas and add it to the Faster week circuit, when there are but five days’ racing. The one day at Christmas will be utilised oii Boxing Day. a popular public holiday. With the increased stakes which will be. ollered more generous support from owners should be assured, and the financial result should he more satisfactory to the Club. It has to be borne in mind also that more people are off the Coast on holiday at the Christmas period than at any other time. The rail and the motor cater so much for those bent on a holiday jaunts, that there is a large exodus always. This is not- so marked

over the shorter Faster holidays. The local Club, after weighing all the pros and cons, expects the change to he a ll for the belter, and that it will strengthen the prospects for success on Loth occasions. The Club with its increasing membership and popularity appears to be getting into a stronger position, and probably with the changed dates it will the quicker place its position in an altogether happier condition. That appears to be the immediate aim of the management.