SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 24 July 1907, Page 3

SPORTING.

J RACING CONFERENCE. I I Per Press Association. Wellington, July 22. At the New Zealand Racing Conference, a statement of receipts and expenditure for the accident fund showed that receipts, including tloOO brought forward, amounted to JU7557; claims paid, £780; claims not settled, Xo'M: credit fallance, £O-322. The chairman said the fund had increased, but he had been advised by actuaries that the time had not yet arrived for reductions. Mr Geo. Hunter gave notice to move that contributions should be reduced from £1 to 10s. The following committee to consider totalis jtor permits and dates of meetings were appointed:—Messrs Eriedlandcr, Alison, Goodiiehere, llood, McKav Williams and Abbott. Kir (ieo. Clifford moved a long resolution providing machinery by"whleh cases of suspicion for malpractice con!,! ■ be investigated and dealt with bv a permanent tribunal of five members 'appointed by tile Conference, which should have power to is*ue. cancel, or suspend owners' licenses. The motion wassecond*d by Mr VavasourMr Alison said he thought the proposals were too drastic, and would c-ause no end of trouble.

Hon. 0. Samuel svmpathised with Mr Alison's vi w, but felt it was time something was done. Still, any method of licensing evners should be avoided, and

he could not think of anything more I d ingerous. He movnl, 'That a permanent committee of five members be appointed to make inquiries and take such means as may be expedient to deal with any circumstances coming to its knowledge with regard to any corrupt practices."

The Oiairman said he would support Mr Samuel's ruotionjand it was decided to defer its further consideration until next day.

Mr Nolan moved a resolution providing for the appointment of four stipendiary stewards by the Conerenee, salaries to lie paid by the various clubs in pro|>ortion to the gross totalisator earnings. The delegates were not in sympathy with the proposal, and it was negatived on the voices.

A motion to make the appointment c f the judicial committee compulsorv instead of optional was negatived by 24 votes to 16.

A motion moved by Hon. ,T. D. Qrmond, "That the programme of every meeting sh ill include a flat race of not less than a mile and a quarter," was negatived-

It was unanimously decided, 'Tint unless the Metropolitan Committee certifies that a breach of the rule with regard to the registration of partnership is justifiable, disqualific l'tinn for notlvss than twenty months shall follow such breach." A resolution was passed providing tHat jockeys' fees must be paid at the scale as for a losing mount, and the balance of the fee for a winning mount "hall he deducted from the stakes payable to an owner.

It was also decided that jockeys must j ride their horses out when they have a reasonable chance of mnnfng second. Wellington, July 23. At the Racing Conference It was decided that no programme of a race meeting should be approved by the Metropolitan Committee unless it provided that no hurdle race should be ov?r hurdles of less than approved height. A sum of €l5O was granted to the compiler of the Stud Boot.

Sir O. Clifford was re-elected president, .ind a motion appreciative of his services was passed. The President moved a motion urging the licensing of owners, to which Hon. O. Samuel (New Plymouth) moved itn amendment to the effect that a permanent committee should be appointed to inquire into circumstances needing inyestigition in regard to corrupt pr.xctic* or misconduct in relation to racing. Speaking to the amendment, Mr Samuel spoke against an nndue spirit of gambling that did harm to the pulilic, ajid said the Conference must do f<l it conld to render racing harmless to the people. In the course of discussion several delegates advocated the abolition of the double totalisator. Eventually the President withdrew his motion, and Mr Samuel's amendment became the motion. It was negatived.

The Conference decided that dividend 5 !>e paid on first and second horses in the proportion of 75 and 25 per c"it. respectively.

The D-ites and Permit Committee reported that applicntions for new and additional permits were received from Papakura. Shannon. Carterton nndWairarapa Bacing Clubs bu{ there being no permits available the committee could not make allocation. Application wag received from the Dannevirke •Tockey Club for an additional permit, and suggesting that they should receive one of the permits at present h>'ld by Waipawa County Racing Club. Tlie committee was unable to mike nny recommendation. The Palmerston Racing Club having complied with the conditions proposed by Dunedin .Tockey Club, will be granted a permit. Dates of race meetings were approved subject to the following amendments:—Avondale and North Canterbury .Tockey Clnhs. to select other date 3 : Wellington Racing Club's spring meeting to be en October 17 and ID. summer meeting .Tanuarv 22. 24 and 25, autumn meeting April 30 and Mny 2, winter meeting .Tuly 18, 22 and 25: Manawatu Racing Club to be permitted a third day at *hc Christmas meeting, the days to Include "December 2ft find 27, and a day prior to tho«e davs. Tlie committee recommended that certificates be granted to the Huntly and TTukitrenni Racing Clubs, that the certificate of the TTiku* taia Bacfng Club be c.neefled. that the St. Andrews District Sports certificate be granted: that no certificate h* issued to the Karnmea Racing Club and the Rfdnn Sports flub. Sir Ceo. Clifford wa« unanimously reflected Chairman.