TROTTING MERGER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 922, 15 March 1930, Page 1

TROTTING MERGER

AUCKLAND-OTAHUHU PROPOSAL FOR BENEFIT OF SPORT ‘'Members of the Auckland Trotting Club and the Otahuhu Trotting Club who are working in the direction of bringing about an amalgamation of the two clubs are actuated only by a desire to see the sport grow still further in the district/’ stated a member of the joint committee set up by both clubs, to a SUN representative this morning. 4 Tlie proposal to amalgamate both clubs is now being considered by the joint committee, after which it will bo submitted to the members of both clubs for approval, meetings of which will be held at an early date. It is considered that the amalgamation of both clubs would have the effect of greatly improving the sport in the Auckland district. At the present time it is considered that it would cost about £20,000 to put the Otahuhu course in proper order, and the view held by many is that any such money could be better spent in the interests of the sport at Alexandra Park. ELECTRIC “TOTE” With both clubs joining forces, stated a member of the joint committee, a new members’ grandstand and an electric totalisator could be erected at the city course. These would be a big improvement. The terms of the amalgamation are to be embodied in an agreement to be drawn up by the clubs’ solicitors, and will be submitted to the members for their consent. If the amalgamation proposals are adopted, it is proposed to keep the Otahuhu course as a gaining ground. During the approach of a meeting, as many as 50 horses are in training in that district. It is thought that the action of the two Auckland clubs will. prove the forerunner of similar centralisation proposals in other districts. A very fine feature of the present proposal, stated a member of the committee, is that the personal element has entirely been kept out.

“If the proposal is carried through, it will mean that some executive members of both clubs must necessarily submerge their ova personal interests,” he said, “but this question is being faced in a very sporting_manner.” Personally, he thought it would tnean a lot for th<v advancement of the sport. The Minister of Internal Affairs has been communicated with, and it is expected that his reply endorsing the proposals tvill be received within a few days.