RACE DAYS CURTAILED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1009, 24 June 1911, Page 2

RACE DAYS CURTAILED.

LEVIN CLUB ABOLISHED. ALSO RANGITIKEI, ASHHURST AND PAHIATUA. Dunhuin, June 2t. The Racing Commission’s report has reduced the days of racing by 43, and the days of trotting by n, compared with last year’s allotment at totalisator meetings. The Commissioners express the opinion that some measure of redistribution would have been preferable, but the Gaming Act compelled reduction by 54 days. Wherever a less accessible committee had shown any active desire tor racing by the provision of needful equipments, they had been given special consideration. To orevent any approach of proprietci.y ownership, committees are recommended that when courses are on a leasehold tenure from companies or individuals, the freehold should be acquired or a right of lease-in-perpetuity at a fixed rental. Where clubs dissolve after December 31st next, it is suggested that any assets over liabilities shall go to the funds of the nearest hospital. The Commissioners lay down a general principle that no racecourse should be less than a mile in circumference or unfeuced, and urge that no new licenses be granted except under these conditions.

As regards the courses where the sanitary arrangements are uusatisfactory, or no proper provision is made for the safety of riders, it is suggested that unless such deficiencies are remedied within two years, the licenses should be permanently withdrawn from such negligent clubs. In view of the withdrawal of licenses for a number of race meetings, the Committee urged that increased attention on the part of the Railway Department is advisable for supplying facilities for the public within a twenty-mile radius for attending races. The amended report, with its schedule, meets the view of the Crown law officers, and alters “conditions ’’ imposed upon some clubs to simple recommendations. These conditions or recommendations are the outcome of exhaustive inspection of the racecourses of the Dominion, and consequently the Commissioners “strongly and unanimously ’’ urge their enforcement in all important points within a reasonable period.

RACING DAYS APPROVED. The following are the principal clubs for which racing days are approved, and for which totalisator licenses should issue : —Auckland, 11 ; Avondale, 4 ; Takapuna, 4; Danuevirke, 3 ; Gisborne, 4 ; Hawke’s Bay, 7 ; Napier Park, 5; Poverty Bay, 4; Woodville, 4; Egmont, 4 ; Taranaki, 4; Feilding, 4 ; Foxton, 2 ; Manawatu, 5 ; Marton - Raugitikei (to race at Marton), 4 ; Wanganui, 6 ; Mastertou, 3 ; Otaki Maori, 4 ; Wairarapa, 4 ; Wellington, 9 ; Ashburton, 4; Canterbury, n ; Marlborough, 4 ; South Canterbury, 4; Greymouth, 4; Reeftou, 3 ; Westland, 3 ; Dunedin, 9 ; Gore, 4; North Otago, 4 ; Southland, 4. The total number of days is 199, aud the number of totalisator licenses 109. Two new clubs, Bay of Plenty and Te Kuiti, receive one day each.

CLUBS ABOLISHED. Waihi, i day.—Should coalesce with Ohinemuri.

Waipawa, i. —Should coalesce with Waipukurau. Patea, i. —Should coalesce with Waverley.

Waitara, i.—Well served by Taranaki.

Ashhurst-Pohaugina, i.—Unnecessary ; midway between Woodville and Palmerston.

Rangitikei, 4. Should unite with Marton.

Horowheuua, 2 days.—-Easily accessible to Otaki, Foxton and TTauawatu.

Power Valley, 2. —111-appointed, and well supplied at Tauhereuikau.

Pahiatua, 2. —Easily accessible to Woodville, with which it should coalesce.

Christchurch Racing Club, 3. — Contiguity ; being two miles from Riccarton course.

Kaikoura, I.—No interest shown and no replies to repeated requests for information.

North Canterbury and OhokaKyreton, i each. —Very ill-ap-pointed. With A mberley Steeplechase Club should form one strong North Canterbury Club.

Westport, 2. —Hopelessly illappointed and obviously no interest shown in sport; tenure very unsatisfactory.

Alexandra, r —Poorly appointed. Maniatoto, 2. —Course in utter disrepair, and for practical purposes the district sufficiently served by Vincent Jockey Club. Taieri Amateur Turf Club, 2. — Contiguity ; being one and a-hall miles from Wingatui; tenure very unsatisfactory.

reductions. Clubs whose racing days are reduced are as follow : Auckland, 3 days.

Takapuna, 3. Avondale, Rotorua, Thames, Dannevirke, Hawke’s B&y, Napier Park, Tolagoa Bay, Masterton, Taratahi - Carterton, Wellington, Kumara, Reefton, Tuapeka, 1 day each. Total, 47; less 4 days added, 43trotting. Fifty-one days for trotting have been approved, and 20 totalisator licenses issued. Manawatu is not included in the list.