Auckland President Replies To Avondale Objections

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 408, 17 July 1928, Page 10

Auckland President Replies To Avondale Objections

(THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter) WELLIXGTON. Monday. At the annual meeting a fortnight ago .of the members of the Avondale Jockev Club, the president, Mr. Donald McLeod, had something to say about racing dates, referring particularly to the spring meetings of Avondale J.C., and Auckland R.C. Inter alia. Mr. McLeod said: “It will be remembered that at our last annual meeting the rumour of the Auckland Racing Club changing their spring dates was discussed. At the time I did not think such an action on the part of the Auckland Racing Club was likel\*. but I am sorry to say the rumour was well founded, and they

eventually raced in October, cumin* right on top of our spring meeting with the result I have already men tioned. This season they have adoptei a similar course, which to my mind i decidedly unfair, and will be again pre judicial to our fixture. It seems alto gether unreasonable that the Aucklam Racing Club, by reason of its powers can choose any dates it likes irrespec tive of the wishes of smaller clubs.

“It is stated that racing: in October is to prevent clashing with the spring meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club, but would the change have taken place if November 0 was still a holiday ? THREAT TO SECEDE “It is only quite recently that it was officially stated by the Auckland Racing Club that they would secede from the Conference if their spring dates were interfered with in the interests of Canterbury, and without being in any way parochial it would have been thought that a club in its own district would have the assistance of the metropolitan body, in the matter of dates, before one of the large metropolitan clubs in the South Island. “If racing at Ellerslie and Riccarton on the same dates is prejudicial to Canterbury, members will readily realise the effect it will have on your club's spring meeting if the Auckland Racing Club is to be allowed to continue to hold its meetings in October.” AUCKLAND PRESIDENT REPLIES The Sun’s report of Mr. McLeod's statement was submitted to Sir Edwin Mitclielson, president of the Auckland Racing Club, and the following announcement was made by the latter in reply:— “Re Avondale objection to Auckland's change of spring dates; the alteration was mutually arranged between the Canterbury J.C., and the Auckland R.C., after years of correspondence on the subject, and was afterwards ratified by the New Zealand Racing Conference, the Auckland R.C., reserving to itself the right to revert to its old dates (in November) if the change proved not to be satisfactory. “The change made is really in the interests of owners of horses which had engagements in classic races with both Auckland and Canterbury Clubs, and the result of the first year has given proof that both clubs will probably benefit under the change, and further that the Avondale Club must also benefit, as horses coming to Auckland will undoubtedly race at Avondale first. Apart from adverse weather, which all clubs must risk, 1 feel sure future seasons will prove Avondale will be gainers, not losers, under the new dates.”