GREATEST LOSS TO N.Z. RACING

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 179, 19 October 1927, Page 10

GREATEST LOSS TO N.Z. RACING

MR. McMAHON’S DEPARTURE

NOTABLE TRIBUTES (Special to THE SUE.) P Tuesday. Mr. J. McMahon, goes to the Australian Jockey Club as chairman of stipendiary stewards, was entertained at a big function here to-night, and presented with an address and a beautiful case of cutlery. Mr. C. Louisson, president of the Manawatu Racing Club, who presided, said it had been intended that a Dominion function should be held in Wellington during the Wellington Racing Club’s spring meeting, but as Mr. McMahon was leaving New Zealand on October 20 this was rendered impossible. Mr. McMahon was a man of high character, and one who understood thoroughly his business. His tact was unfailing, and he was always just, and those who came before him appreciated the British justice which they always received. Me. McMahon’s loss was irreparable. Mr. W. C. Weston (Taranaki), Mr. C. G. Russell (Wanganui), Mr. E. P. Cox (Hawera and Opunake), and representatives of many other clubs, paid tribute to Mr. McMahon’s abilities. LAUDABLE AMBITION Responding, Mr. McMahon said he could r.ot find words to express his gratitude. lie regretted in many ways his departure from New Zealand, but ambition to get to the top of the ladder was partly responsible. Much as he felt was due to the grand old president, Sir George Clifford, he always hoped to hear that New Zealand racing would continue to prosper, and lie trusted that some day it would see fit to extend the powers of stipendiary stewards. That, he thought, would be a step in the right direction. Mr. C. G. Russell presented Mr. McMahon with a rug from the Wanganui Jockey Club. Proposing the toast of sports and pastimes, Mr. J. R. L. Stanford commented that sport had gone a long way toward putting New Zealand on the map. The toast was replied to by Messrs. R. S. Abraham and J. Bull. Mr. W. Duncan proposed the toast of the president of the racing conference, Sir George Clifford, than whom no one had done more for racing. Mr. J. M. Johnston said the Racing Conference would not have let Mr. McMahon go if it had any backbone. His departure was the greatest loss racing here ever sustained.