SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 298, 26 May 1915, Page 8

SPORTING.

Horse racing as known in England, dates from tile reign of Charles .11., who started the fashion of two annual meetings at Newmarket—one in the spring and the other in the autumn. The races at these early meetings were u-ually Kijitchrs in which the King himself frequently rode, and most of his courtiers followed the royal example, for there were no r,rofessional jockeys. The new pastime caught oil so rapidly that by IfiT'i it was found necessary to pass an Act of Parliament restricting the practice of Ifetting on horse races. This Act was framed on principles directly opposed to those of present-day legislation against gambling. It limited the amount of any liet on credit to £1IK); but in no way interfered with rcadynionev betting. TROTTING. WATMA'TE PLAINS. CLUB. A meeting of the Waimate Plains Trotting Chili was held at ilawcra last night. Mr. Xaliler presided over an attendance of about sixty. The chairman stated that much enthusiasm for the club had been shown throughout the district, and about 206 members had promised to join. The following officers were elected :~- Frosidenl. Mr. 1!. !f. Xolan; vice-presi-dent. Mr. ,T. Tui'ton; treasurer. Mr. W. H'Cailagiian; committee. Messrs. 1!. ,\!or-ri-ey (ll'aweral, W. J. Bradford, 0. .Tones, A. T. Johnson (Auroal, F. ,1. !>,;(!,-r (Stratford). R. Hicks (Hawera), •T. Grant (11:: were.). C. Anion (Stratford), C. Preston (Xormanbv) and \V. P!ati"ry (Mannia). The following were a]iji(.'"i":l stewards:—Messrs, 1!. Kerrey, I). ,T. flood win, R. Hicks,, T. R. Mountsey, A. J. Davy, M. .roues, \\. ,1. Hr.sdfoH and A. T. Johnson. Mr. I'.. A. Xalder was appointed secretary. Mr. J. Turton was appointed auditor, and he gave his first year's fee as a donation. Mr. W. Shannon was appointed linndicapper and Mr. A. Morse starter. It v/as decided to divide C IsO to jCSOf! in stakes amongst seven events.