SPORTING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 392, 18 May 1910, Page 8

SPORTING

TARAXAKI METROPOLITAN COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Taranaki Metropolitan Committee was held last night. There were present: Messrs. C. M. Lepper (chairman), W. Sole, L. A. Xolan, A. Alexander, J. Hempton, and A. L. Blumlell. Apologies were received from Messrs. Xawiton King, A. Standisli, and L. B. Webster. A jockey - apprentice's license was granted to Theodore Smith. The following dates of meetings were approved:—Stratford Racing Club, 31st December, 1010, and 2nd January, 1011; Egmont Racing Club, Bth and !)th February and 10th .and 11th May, 1911; Patea Racing Club, Easter Monday, 17th Patrick's Day, 17th Mawh, 1911; Taranaki Jockey Club, 26th and 27th December, 1910, and 15th and ltitih February, 1911. The date of the Waitara meeting will be fixed on Friday. The balance-sheet of the Trainers and Jockeys' District Fund was laid on the table. The Hon. O. Samuel, M.L.C., was appointed delegate to the New Zealand Racing Conference. Several names were submitted to be sent on to the unpaid forfeit list. TARAXAKI JOCKEY CLUB. The same gentlemen sat subsequently as the Taranaki Jockey Club •committee. The Xew Plymouth hockey Club wrote thanking the club for the use of the racecourse last year.—The club was again granted the use of the ground for this season. The North Taranaki Hunt Club forwarded a letter of thanks to the club ■for granting the use of the freehold portion of the course for its 'annual meeting, and applying for the same privileges at the next meeting to be held in September next. —The request was granted. Accounts amounting to £3l 17s 5d were passed for payment. Considerable improvements are ibeing effected on the racing track- on the local racecourse. The bend ait the High 'School has been thrown out a considerable distance, an alteration that has been the desire of horse-owners and jodkeys for some time. The bend on leaving the straight has also been eased a good deal. These alterations gain about three to three and a-half chains in the length of the course. Amongst other improvements, the sections lately acquired 'nave been levelled off and laid down in grass, and portions of the grounds are being laid off and planted in ornamental shrubs this season.