WAIMATE PLAINS TROTTING CLUB.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1915, Page 7

WAIMATE PLAINS TROTTING CLUB.

THE NEXT PROGRAMME. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A committee meeting of the Waimate .Plains Trotting Club was held in Mr. Turton's office on Tuesday evening. Present: Messrs J. Grant (chair), A. Webster, R. Morrissey, R. Hicks, 0. Preston, X. Ford, A. Johnstone, 1?. Slattery, AY. J. Bradford, and J. Curran.. Mr. J. Turton was acting secretary, in the absence of Mr. Nalder, who was away on account of ill health, and an apology was received from Mr. J. Quin. A considerable amount of correspondence was dealt with, including a report on the club from the Trotting Conference as follows:—The Waimate Plains Trotting Club held its first totalizator meeting on "28th July last, in beautiful weather. There was a very good attendance. The meeting was held on the Egmont Racing Club's grounds at Hawera, the property being placed at the disposal of the Trotting Club for the occasion free of charge. The course, which is of grass formation, is one mile in circumference, and considering that it has always been used for flat\ racing it provided only good going for trotters and pacers. The appointments were up-to-date in every respect, the comfort and conveniences provided for the public being all tliat could 'be desired, The totalisator was capably managed, matters running smoothly throughout the day. The turnover was £4353 10s. The manner in which the meeting was conducted reflects credit upon the club, whose officials, though new to the sport, were energetic, and each keen to attend to the duties allotted him. The only question upon which the olub may be advised is that of coupling horses, which, though the property of different owners, are trained by the same person. In the majority of races' there were two competitors from the one stajble, and while

I do not suggest that anything of a dishonest nature took place, it may be more in the interests of the betting public if such coupling was adhered tn. There was not a semblance of a hitch or complaint, the day's card being executed in accomplished style. For the seven races there were 104 acceptors, of jwhich 24 were scratched during the day. From the number of horses that competed at the fixture, it would appear that much interest has been taken in light harness racing, and from the calibre of the "cattle" it is reasonable to assume that the standard of competitors will ere long be quits in accordance with the times. Provided the club is controlled in the same proficient manner 'in the future, circumstances point to the sport of trotting gaining a substantial hold in the Taranaki province.

The following officers were elected: Judge, Mr. .Tame l ! Crocker; clerk of scales, Mr. John Nicoll; clerk of course, .Mr. P. Eastbury; lion, veterinary surgeon, Mr. E. Mason; time-keepers, .Messrs R. W. J. McXeil and J. Curran. The question of liandicapper and starter •was left in the hands of a sub-commit-tce to deal with. It was decided that the totalisator tickets should be .CI instead of 10s, and also that a starting clock be profured. It wa3 decided to give £620 in stakes, as follows:—Auroa Maiden Handicap, of £6O. W s miles; Normsuiby Handicap, of £65, 1% milea (saddle): Waimate | Plains Handicap, of £l5O (harness); ,Taranaki District Handicap (harness), of £SO, 1% miles: Hawera Handicap (saddle), of £9O, 2 miles, unhoppled; Stratford Handicap (harness), of £75, 1% miles; Manaia Handicap (saddle), of £OS, 1 mile; Eltham Handicap (harness), of £65, 1 mile and a dutance.