WANGANUI RACECOURSE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 197, 24 September 1909, Page 2

WANGANUI RACECOURSE.

THE RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wanganui, Thursday. A case of considerable interest is being heard in the Supreme Court by Judge Edwards to-day, affecting the rights of the. public and the trustees of the racecourse. A number of residents at the back of the course arc. being summoned for trespass, and the case is to decide whether the public has a right to cross over the course In the course of his evidence, Mr. 11. C. Field surveyor, and a very old resident, said in 1851 there was a track across the course, and to the best of his belief the track had existed ever eincc from 1831 to 1870. Witness often went across the reserve, which up till then was not fenced off. As far as witness knew, the track always entered and left the racecourse at the two points now used for entrance and exit. One house had been at the back of the course since 18C5 or 1806 and its only exit was through the course. The reserve was originally granted for the purposes of public utility and was not used as a training track in the car'.y day's. Witness laid out tho road round the reserve under orders of the 'ate secretary of the Jockey Club, as track 6 were dangerous to horses in training as the dray track~ soon had ruts formed in it.

The case practically hinges on whether right-of-way has existed over the course. In the event of the Jock?y Club losing tho case it is thought more than probable an effort will be made to obtain another course.