SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 193, 23 January 1915, Page 7

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. : Jan. 23—Welington R.C. Summer, Jan. 23—Foxton R.C. Annual. Jan. 20, ,io—Takapuna J.C. Summer. [ Feb. 3, 4—Egmont R.C. Summer. Feb. o—Canterbury J.C. Summer. iFt'b. 10, 11—Taranaki ■).(\ Autumn. TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") "The Taranaki Jockey Club lias entered on a more enterprising stage in its pareer, and in these modern days enterprise is generally appreciated by the public." These cheering words, my dear brother sports, are taken from the official report of a Taranaki Jockey Club committee meeting held on Tuesday evening, anil tliev form a fine peg upon which to hang" a few laudatory sentences concerning the progressive policy adopted by the T.J.C. For many year this club ambled along contentedly in the rut of mediocrity, but a change came over the scene with the advent of the Webster regime Stakes swelled to generous proportions, old buildings gave place to new and up-to-date structures, fresh lawns were laid out and flower pots added to relieve the monotony of it all. The racing track was improved until it is now one of the best in the Dominiorf and for scenic beauty and general comfort it has few peers. It is a great thing to know that a town the size of New Plymouth can hold its head up so proudly in the racing world! And this progress is a standing monument to the good/work done by the enevpetic members of the T.J.C. committee There arc no slugs in that select coterie of good fellows. Workers all, "wise heads" and younger gentlemen grafting together in perfect unison with one object in view—Progress. The man in the street does not fully realise the arduous and worrying duties of a committeeman. One has to be prudent, however progressive, and apart from the many hours given gratis to the club, business instinct and considerable foresight are necessary qualifications. That these gentlemen have Avon out is a glowing testimonial to their good work for the town and, incidentally, the club. It : s only right that a Metropolitan Racing Club should hold its head high, and judging by recent meetings, and the glowing prospects for our February gathering, their object has been attained. It is unfortunate that the war has overshadowed the season 1914-1915, but the T.J.C. is in a sound position and should weather the storm with ease. Writing of the war as interfering with horse racing—a mere pastime after all—is apt to convey to many readers the idea that the sportsman places Ms amusement before the Empire's welfare. But that is ridiculous Sportsmen have been in the front rank in this most direful period. Racing o'Mbs have vied with each other in donating thousands to the various funds; individual sportsmen have freely given their services, their personal wealth, their horses and other necessities. In every expeditionary en-.campmc-nt you see gtvd sports, jockeys, trainers and others, all - t to uphold the honour of iliei- ,itry and amongst these men you v, . I ways find the straightest goers, the best 'riders, and the pluckiest, gamest, and jolliest fellows in the camps Ciood luck to them all. and may they all return to enjoy their sport in New Zealand.

This week's "Referee" gives an interesting account of a little racing fixture which proves that no matter how far removed from civilisation and from congenial racing conditions the sporting instinct of the Britisher will always come out on top. The fixture in question was the annual meeting of the Chatham Islands Racing Club. It is the event of the year, and the adult population of those wind-swept and Pacific-lapped islands look forward to their Christmas meeting with just as much pleasure and expectancy as the youngsters look forward to Father Christmas himself. In a way <he Chatham Island race meeting is a model that might be followed with advantge by many much more prosperous, pretentious and wealthy racing clubs. At this meeting there is only one event under a mile, and the Jubilee Cup is run over two and a half miles at welter weight-for-age. The stakes offered were purely nominal, being just about the amount given at the Taranaki Hunt Club meeting, but the sport was keen and interesting, and upheld the best traditions of the Turf.

The programme opened with a Maiden Hurdle Race (one mile and a half), and then followed a Champion Hurdle Race (two miles). The winners carried their 12st with ease, and their performances spoke highly for the stout breed of horses in those parts. The Maiden Plate (one mile) completed the morning's racing. In the afternoon the Forty-First Chatham Island Cup (two miles) was the first event, and nine horses lined up, producing a fine race. The Ladies' Purse (one mile and a half), Waitanyi Plate (six furlongs), and .Jubilee Cup (two miles and a half) concluded a good day's sport. This was the fiftieth race meeting held on the Island, and was easily the most successful one. That there are good sports in every remote corner of our wide-spread Empire was never doubted, and our brother sports in the Chathams are keeping the flag flying as gaily as the best of us.