SOME BACK-SCRATCHING

NZ Truth, Issue 1187, 30 August 1928, Page 12

SOME BACK-SCRATCHING

Great Actress

How It Concerns Vexed Question Gf Electric Tote (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Commissioner.) TT would be just as well if the president of the A.T.C. could 1 realize the fact that all the patting on the back dealt out to those around him at the annual meeting' has been taken with the proverbial grain of salt.

TOO much boast has been made from year to year of the wonderful progress made m the sporting world at Alexandra Park, and it is admitted that trotting has advanced. | But "Truth" is bold enough to assert that even more success would have been attained had those holding the reins of power displayed more foresight than they take pleasure m crediting themselves with. In the last presidential report of the A.T.C. we are told that great credit is due to the stewards for their strict supervision of the racing. But even stricter supervision is necessary if the trotting game is to keep its popularity. In his report, the president .evidently endeavored to broadcast the belief that his club had been subjected to unfair press criticism from some quarters. He contended that this criticism- had been of the abusive order, and that an attempt had been made to "bounce" the A.T.C. into installing the Julius machine. Having unloaded these charges, the club must naturally be prepared for any defence that is forthcoming. So far as "Truth" is concerned, it challenges the president to prove that anything but fair criticism has been levelled at the. A.T.C. over the matter. ■ This paper has certainly been firm m its criticism, but it disclaims having been unfair or abusive. Sports bodies, like public men, should not be inordinately thin-skinned. Regarding the suggestion that an attempt was being made to "bounce" the club into installing the Julius machine, "Truth" is not aware that any such methods have been adopted. It does not matter what machine is installed so long as requirements are met and the discontent which has raged for years simmers into harmony. Judging by the. tone •of the presidential report, of. course, it must be regarded as very doubtful whether the Julius will be the machine installed. AH that matters is that the yast multitude of racegoers responsible for placing the A.T.C. on the financial map and which has been clamoring for a change from the present out-of-date method, is granted its desires. It has now been definitely given out that "an electric machine will be installed within the next eighteen months." The sporting "^public trusts that this promise will be fulfilled, for it will be

remembered that something like-. 12 months ago, the improved method of betting was promised for the early part of the 1928-29 season. If the A.T.C. worked against its own interests by not installing an electric totalisator years ago — when it was just as much a necessity as it is today — surely the blame for its lack of foresight cannot be cast on to present day conditions. "Truth" is not going to assert that undue influence or "graft" has been responsible for denying racegoers the privileges which were justly theirs. But the A.T.C. is certainly charged with laxity for not installing the automatic machine sooner. It is all very weir for the president to talk about the exorbitant charge asked for the patent rights. As a matter of fact, £2500 is probably a hit too much for the remaining seven years these Julius rights hold good for, but the question is: "Has the matter of a reduction been tackled m the best possible fashion?" There have probably been faults 071 both sides, some bf those interested m the patent rights being quite willing to make the charge , lighter, . while others probably clung too tenaciously to the original demand. Still, there was always the prospect of acceptable terms being arranged if both sides got down to solid reasoning at a roundtable conference. It is doubtful if the northern trotting club representatives deputed to wait on the Associated Racing" Clubs went quite as far on the lines . suggested to come to terms, though on their return from Wellington m July it was given out that 'the terms on offer were against an agreement being reached. "Truth" is m possession of correspondence from a reliable source that the syndicate holding the patent rights was still prepared to meet tlie A.T.Cin a reasonable spirit over the! matter. If a genuine vote of members and patrons was taken as to which was the most essential necessity '-. for the smooth running of a meeting.Jan overwhelming majority would be found m favor of the electric tote. Mercury is among the entrants for New Brighton, where he will be well received. # # * Bold Bill is being cheered up for a mile race by C. S. Donald. The gelding is pegged for one at New Brightoni

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