Spirit of Charity

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 720, 20 July 1929, Page 13

Spirit of Charity

TROT TING CLUB’S ENTERPRISE a g c Rehef for Quake Suflerers “FRIEND IN NEED IS FRIEND INDEED” By ABAYDOS . HAVING secured the necessary permit from Cabinet to hold a. benefit meeting for the earthquake fund, the Auckland Trotting Club will lose no thne in getting to worxxk on a spitable programme to present to the general publm on a. (late that will be approved of by the New Zealand (fianference‘

To the Auckland Club, which is al—z ways most charitably inclined, and has? done remarkably well in past years' with its generosity, must be given every credit for instituting the “bencfit" trotting scheme to augment funds for the relief of sufferers in the devastated areas of the “‘est Coast and Nelson provinces. There was never any doubt about the project being viewed favourably by the Minister of Internal Affairs, and his Cabinet colleagues, and his intimation that any other application for this humane objective will be treated similarly will nol doubt encourage other progressive and liberal-minded organisations to follow the commendable lead given by the executive of the Auckland light har—ness body. When the club moved in this direction some weeks ago there was a chance of the fixture being arranged early in August, but owing to the delay in procuring Government sanction, this proposal is now out of l the question. 1 Probable Date August 81 i The granting of the special dispen—sation by Parliament is only the in—itial turn of the wheel, and before any—thing deflnite can be undertaken by the charitably-disposed, progressive club, the proposed date and suggested schedule of events must be endorsed by the New Zealand Trotting Conference. That this will be done goes without saying, and while the arrangement of a suitable card is now under consideration, the question of a suitable date attracts attention. As the New Zealand Metropolitan Club’s National carnival opens on August 10 and conclules on August 16, it will be impossible to choose a date prior to that function, and while there was a consensus of opinion favouring August 24, it must not be forgotten that the Pakuranga. Hunt Club holds its annual meet at Ellerslie on that day. As a clash of any kind is most undesirable, and would defeat the real objective, a later date N 1 become necessary, so that it looks very much as if the club will apply for Saturday, August 31. This date will most certainly suit owners and trainers throughout the province, besides giving any desirous of visiting the meeting from other localities a. chance of taking part in the proceedings, and it is safe to say that the stakes which will be on offer, and the classes arranged. will prove a good draw-card for owners in various parts of the North Island. while there is sure to be a reasonable response from South Islanders. CO-OPERATION NECESSARY The chief factor in connection with the function will be to make it pay—and that handSomely—and

to gain this very desiraNe and tbgre must be co-operation~ on all su es.

A spirit of harmony will be .essential between the promoters, owneys and trainers and the public, and if each section in turn will direct attentidn on the main goal—success with profitthen the objective will be achievedThe Auckland Club has initiated the movement in a. commendable spirit am Will play its part efficiently, While owners and trainers, pleased at the prospect of an early “try-out” in the new season, will support? the project whole-heartedly. The third party—a big consideration —-will be the general public, and to ensure the seal of success being stamped on the undertaking, this important faction must rally to the cause. Trotting and racing fans will naturally support the humanitarian effort, but to make the greatest success it is

essential that all other sporting organisations should enter into the real spirit of the occasion and assist the trotting club in its endeavour to materially assist the distressed and needy. ' To further this end, it would be a wise policy on the part of all associations which hold week-end functions, to co~operate in the project by declaring the eventual date selected by the Trotting Club “white.” That is, to keep the day set aside for the earth—quake benefit trotting fixture clear on the sporting calendar, in order to avoid any clashing. There may be of course representative arrangements which cannot be avoided, but in the main a. declaration of "all games suspended” generally would be of benefit to the cause. In order to make the function a “full benefit” affair, the club will cut out all incidental expenses usually associated with race .meetings, while many of the salaried officials have already generously offered their services on this occasion free of charge. which means that the amount payable for their duties will be a donation to the deserving fund. All complimentary tickets will no doubt be dispensed with, as far as possible, and everyone will be expected to “pay, pay, pay.” The tariff will be made Within the reach of all, and in this way, the profits should be appreciably larger. i

If the Government could be induced to make a donation of its share of the spoil, there would be a very fine sum indeed to add to the funds.

No doubt a further effort to have this accomplished will be strenuously