SPORTING.

Otaki Mail, 16 July 1923, Page 3

SPORTING.

LBVIN RACING CLUB. PROPOSAL TO RACE AT TRENTHA.M REJECTED BY RACING CONFERENCE The .racing by country clubs on metropolitan courses came in tor a good deal of criticism at the annual Kacing Conference on Friday. The Dates Committee, in its report, desired to endorse the general recommendation ul the 11)21 Gaming Act Commission as follows: ''Only in exceptional circumstances should* a club be allowed to race on any course other than *is own. mid in no circumstances should a license granted to a. country club be permitted to be exercised on a city or suburban racecourse." A letter was read Horn the Minister ol Interna] Affairs, staling filial a permit, tor the transfer of a country meeting to a metropolitan course would be grained only in very exceptional circumstance?, and in reply to Mr Goodbehere (Wanganui district), who strongly protested against the practice, tiie president stated that the delegates could rest assured that such transfers would cease. In connection with the foregoing the conference adopted the recommendation oi the Dates Committee in giving the Horowhenua Racing Club November 1-i to race on it»s own course. instead of its amended application to nifn at Trentham on October 2-i. The annual report oi the Country Racing Clubs' Association, of which the Levin Club is a member, has Hie following reference to the above mat-; tei : The practice adopted by some clubs ol holding their meetings outside their own districts is certainly against th interests of country racing clubs generally. We iia\e gained considerable sympathy—even | from some of our opponents hi Parliament—through our constantly stating that one or two days racing in country places was the means oi bringing settlers together for friendly intercourse—better than any other means—that, in fact, it was a"'country picnic where each brought their own provender and foregathered in manipulating it. Totalisator licenses aie practically granted to the residents oi the various districts and clubs are merely the purveyors on their beliali. j Of course, it may be argued that hav- j ing only one day's racing, and the j many calls on tiie revenue, compel j clulis to hold meetings in large cen-. tres where the gate money ami extra totalisator receipts enable them to I square accounts; however, it is J against our interests to countenance J takfhg away from the residents Sn'y j privilege that racing may collier." The following raring "' clubs have ' been allowed to change their names : j Ranlurly Racing Club to Maniatoto Racing Club, Wairoa County Racing Club to Wairoa Racing Club, Waver-1 ley-Waitotara Racing Club to Waver- 5 ley Racing Club, Horowhenua Racing j Club to Levin Racing Club, TarataliiCartertor. Racing Club to Carterton I Racing Club. !