FLATLY REFUSED

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 300, 10 March 1928, Page 7

FLATLY REFUSED

TROTTING ■

. . By

“Abaydos”

R. Millen’s Driver’s Licence

COMMITTEE’S HARSH TREATMENT

Trainer Has Strong Case

\\THILE EVERY BROAD-MINDED SUPPORTER OF THE >V TROTTING SPORT ADMIRES THE CARE TAKEN BY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE NEW ZEALAND TROTTING ASSOCIATION IN GRANTING CERTIFICATES TO TRAINERS AND REINSMEN, IT CANNOT BE DENIED THAT IN SOME INSTANCES EAGERNESS IN A DESIRE TO DO ITS DUTY CAN LEAD TO EXCESSIVE CAUTIOUSNESS.

~P)ESPITE assertions recently made to the contrary, the manner in which the controlling factors of the light harness sport in the Dominion keep the game fair and square and above board is a matter for congratulation. The authorities are undoubtedly imbued with the laudable desire to keep the general management above suspicion and reproach, and by so doing assist the popular pastime to flourish and prosper. Adamant Rule One of the powers delegated to a certain section of the administration is the control of licensing trainers and reinsmen, a most important branch of the sport, and one calling for particular care and tact. Good work has been done in this direction and refusals have been made on the ground of incompetency. While admitting this, it is, of course, possible that the powers may, in their determination to eliminate any likelihood of danger accruing from this quarter, take a pessimistic view of certain applications, but no controlling authority should hold to the belief that its opinion is infallible. Yet in one case that has come before the Licensing Committee during the past eighteen months it appears as if the policy of “we can do no wrong” has been adopted. Bob Millen’s Case The case in point is that of Mr. R. Millen, a well-known, respected and prominent trotting enthusiast in Auckland. “Bob” Millen, as he is familiarly termed by the sporting fraternity, has had a lengthy and honourable association with the light harness business, and during a period extending well over thirty 3 r ears has never received a “black” mark in his turf dealings. Yet for some reason, presumably known only to the authorising body, Millen’s application for a renewal of his driver’s licence has been turned down. This attitude has inflicted a severe hardship on the Epsom owner-trainer, who has a useful team of trotters in work. Driving Him Out of the Game As he explains, the action of the committee in barring him the privilege of driving his own horses will force him out of the business. Trotters are different from pacers and a peculiarity about the square-gaiter is the difficulty experienced in many instances by a driver substituted for the trainer or owner in getting the candidate to repeat his track form. The sport can ill afford to lose a man of the Millen type, and he has played a prominent part in assisting to promote and advance the standard of the game in this province and throughout the Dominion. The Epsom trainer objects, and rightly so, to being found guilty without trial, and it certainly does not savour of British fair play. Favourable Evidence Mr. Millen has sufficient evidence of competency on his side, and it is passing strange that after all the cards have been played the authorities still preserve the rigidity of the first decision. “Abaydos” has read numerous testimonials from starters, judges and presidents of various clubs in the Auckland Province, all of which speak distinctly and decisively in favour of Millen’s request being granted. The applicant cannot get any definite reason for the continued refusal to grant the licence, but when he waited personally on the committee at one stage of the proceedings he gleaned that it was on account of advancing years that the licence was withheld. It was further stated that “horsemen were afraid to

take part in a contest where Bob Millen was driving. Vote of Confidence In contradiction to this statement, a petition was organised and signed by approximately 70 reinsmen, including many in the Southern districts, expressing confidence in the Aucklander as a driver, and giving the lie direct to the assertion regarding the attitude of other reinsmen. This was the trump card, but when played the Licensing Committee called a mis-deal and refused to alter its decision. The Auckland Club, with commendable spirit, made strenuous overtures on Millen’s behalf, but their evidence, in tangible form, was ignored, and things remain as “they were.” Clean Record Under the circumstances it cannot be denied that the Auckland ownertrainer is being harshly treated by the authorities; in fact, the persistency with which they refuse to grant the licence, in the face of such striking and favourable evidence, would lead some to think that Millen liac been guilty of grave misdemeanour. On the contrary, Bob Millen’s association with trotting has been above suspicion. He has taken part in contests for a considerable number of years and has never been “carpeted,” and never been implicated in an accident. Tr refuse a man with such a line record 'i licence to drive his own horses in a race is “over the fence,” and Auckland sportsmen generally hope to see the Epsom trainer receiving his just duos at the hands of the Licensing Committe without any further delay.