KEEN-EYED OFFICIAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 824, 19 November 1929, Page 13

KEEN-EYED OFFICIAL

JUDGE WHO HOLDS PUBLIC CONFIDENCE E. V. SUTHERLAND Of the many offices to be filled on sporting bodies, none is more exacting than that of judge, and in this important role E. V. Sutherland, who will once more hoist the numbers at Alexandra Park, has no peers. So faithfully. promptly un.l decisive! v does Ted Sutherland give his decisions In* might well be asked to till tho position of judge in any walk of life. A keen sportsman, and one that has been associated with many phases of recreation, E. Y. Sutherland was quite competent to take on office with tho Otahuhu Club, when it. L. Absolum gave up the post to take over the secretarial ribbons. Like his illustrious predecessor, the present judge will not record a dead heat, unless lie is satisfied a pin’s head cannot be inserted between the contestants. Judge Sutherland is not acting in this allimportant position with the Otahuhu Club for any personal gain. He ac-

—Schmidt Studios ceptcd the lob only in an honorary role, and his heart is in his work. He has made a long study of the situation and has it down to a fine art, and when Ted goes iuto the box -on raceday, every investor is perfectly satisfied that the decision will be correct. Air. Sutherland’s efforts are not confined to the Otahuhu Club alone, and his efficient services as the man who is in the position to have the final say, have been commandeered by numerous sporting clubs in the Auckland Province. It is a feather in his cap that, during his lengthy record at hoisting tho numbers on top of the box, his decisions have never been officially queried. There are, of course, isolated instances where spectators have differed with tlxe judge in a tight finish, but tho average race-goer arid speculator knows perfectly well in such cases it is only the man in the direct lino of fire that can tell which competitor really won. The greatest compliment that can j bo paid to any man in such a ticklish i position is the renewed confidence of the clubs lie serves, and this can only bo done where the management is satisfied that the public is getting a square deal. Right along the line E. V. Sutherland has executed his job with the utmost precision and careful judgment, and followers of the sport hope to seo liim retain his present position for very many years to come.