A BIG LOSS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 176, 15 October 1927, Page 6

A BIG LOSS

DOMINION RACING CHIEF STIPENDIARY’S COMING DEPARTURE By the departure by the Ulimaroa next Friday of Mr. John McMahon, Dominion racing circles will suffer the loss of a stipendiary steward who has enjoyed the confidence of all connected with the sport, his sound judgment and spirit of fair play being striking features of a highly capable official who has done his utmost to supervise activities for the betterment of the game. With a reputation for well-balanced judgment and fair-mindedness already built on solid foundations, Mr. McMahon was appointed in 1904 a stipendiary stewart to the Australian Jockey Club, and with Mr. L. G. Rouse, who is at the present time a member of the committee of the A.J.C. and keeper of the stud book, supervising operations on a basis of equality. It was in 1912. in response to an invitation from the New Zealand Racing Conference. that; Mr. McMahon came to the Dominion to fill the position of chief stipendiary steward—a position which he has so worthily filled over the long period of 15 years. He now returns to his native land to fill the position of chairman to the Australian Jockey Club. A SEVERE LOSS The departure of Mr. McMahon from these shores will be readily recognised by all closely connected with racing as a severe loss, but it has been evidenced for some time past that Mr. McMahon has been far from satisfied with the radius of powers imposed in the stipendiary stewards by the authorities governing the sport in the Dominion. Such Mr. McMahon readily admitted when in conversation with the - iter, it being his opinion that the powers of stipendiary stewards might well be extended. Under the existing circumstances the benefits which should naturally arise from the supervision of the stewards were more or less restricted and the over-riding

authority of the judicial committees of racing clubs had proved far from advantageous. Comparing the wide disparity in the powers imposed upon stipendiary stewards in New Zealand as compared with Australia Mr. McMahon mentioned that in the latter country, stipendiary stewards had direct control over judges and

rr. rlt r'.i ylx officials, they having the power to appoint deputies to fill those oifices should they deem fit, while they had direct control over the totalisator in in respect to its closing and determined whether a meeting should be. postponed or otherwise in the event, of weather or other conditions making such a course of action worthy of consideration. DRASTIC POWERS A cursory examination of the rule book of the A..T.C. covering the duties of stipendiary stewards, disclosed the following under the heading of rule 16 (c): To regulate and control, inquire into and take consequence of and adjudicate upon the conduct of all officials, riders, jockeys, trainers, grooms and attendants on any horse, etc. . . . Section (d) further reads: To punish subject to these rules by fine, or suspend or disqualify for any term or at pleasure any person for the contravention of these rules. However, the day has not yet firrived when the Dominion Conference has seen fit to repose in its stipendiary stewards the same degree of confidence, but it is common knowledge that by that delay the Dominion now loses a valued official which it can ill spare. It is Mr. McMahon’s intention to leave Wellington on the TTlimaroa on the 21st inst.. but the occasion will be taken prior to his departure, by owners and clubs along the West Coast of the North Island, from New Plymouth to Wellington, to bid farewell at a complimentary dinner to be tendered Mr. McMahon in Palmerston North on the evening of Tuesday next.