The Big Problem of Horse Transit

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 674, 28 May 1929, Page 13

The Big Problem of Horse Transit

SOLUTION REQUIRED

IS ASSOCIATION OPERATING?

Silence appears to reign supreme as far as the reorganised Auckland Owners, Trainers and Breeders’ Association is concerned, or if the body is functioning the public is not being made aware of the fact.

It may be with the season drawing to a close that those controlling the general business of the organisation are content to wait for the dawn of the trotting new year before they make any move toward activity, and if such is the case then it is a foolhardy policy, as various questions in connection with the sport generally, and affecting owners and trainers and breeders in particular, should be tackled immediately. It is useless to wait, for instance, till the different clubs hold their annual meetings and complete arrangements regarding dates and programmes for the approaching season before making overtures in relation to suitable classes, a fitting circuit, or any other necessary measures of a remedial nature that will bo in the interest of members, clubs and the sport as a whole. Better Transport Facilities

One subject that should be tackled without delay is that of transport, and because the country circuit has terminated Tor the present season it should bo no excuse for the executive of the association to adopt a “taihoa” policy. Several owners have complained of the unsatisfactory train arrangements operating after both the Te Aroha and Cambridge fixtures. In the former case, many state the horses were loaded after the last race, but did not reach Auckland until five or six o’clock the following morning, while after Cambridge the horse train did not reach its destination till the wee sma* hours of the morning. If such was the position, then the association has an important duty to perform in this respect, and there is no doubt that if strong representation was made to the Railway Department to havo better facilities provided in future, it would be done. If proper negotiations wore entered upon, surely a train could be arranged that would land the horses home in a reasonable time, instead of having the poor animals couped up for unnecessary hours, and subjected to shunting operations at stations by the wayside.