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Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1930, Page 4

I.v its recent Christmas meeting the Westland Racing Club placed another Successful gathering to its credit. Although the meeting cannot show « very substantial credit balance, it is fortunate, for clubs just now to get through a meeting on the right side of the ledger. Many clubs, including those of large centres, have lost considerably of late, while others have postponed or abandoned meetings. Clubs generally are cutting down stakes due to the prevailing stringent conditions. The local Club however, retained its stakes at the usual level. With the smaller Clubs there is not much room for economy in stakes, as horses have to be travelled at considerable expense, and to secure the fields it is necessary to make the stakes as attractive rfi possible. The result locally wa.s achieved in that the fields were good invariably, and with the uniform qualitv of the horses engaged some fine racing resulted. The officials mainly responsible for the good racing, were the handicappm- and the starter, and Mr Noble and Mi Reed alike deserve credit for the outpnme of their responsibilities so well discharged. On the opening, day, tlie weather was not what could be desired, but the conditions were not overpowering, and certainly the venther the -second day made the fullest amends. The course and appointments were in excellent order. The racing on the first day on a damn course made but little effect on the turf, and the caretaker eevtain.lv bad the running track in prime condition. The Executive officials of the Club as usual displayed excellent team work with the result that the meeting passed off very pleasantly and without delays, the racing being all to schedule time. The totalisator was worked with the usual dispatch, while the amenities conducted for the pleasure and comfort of the visitors were all conducted excellently. The meeting therefore was quite a, successful one from almost every point- of view. There were complaints about the increased taxation, and the extra toll taken from the Clubs without giving them nnvthing in return. The course of events in many parts is demonstrating Fie fact that the Government, has over-inched the mark in . the matter of racing taxation, and has gone about its trsk in oniie the wrong wav. The Imsin' c s of betting is being driven into illegal channels from which no return is derived either bv the Government nor the Clubs, and the po - icy in its general effect oil racing is most harmful. There is an insistent demand for the racing taxation to he reduced to its former level at least and that vns high enough too—and the public be given the facilities to telegraph their money to Clubs instead or being forced as at present to invest thromdi illicit channels. If this were done there would he some hope of the Clubs holding their own more comfortably and more revenue would by received by the Government. Public opinion is shaping in the direction indicated and the present experience should recall to the Govern-

ment the futility of its present policy in this matter.