SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1916, Page 7

SPORTING.

' NEW ZEALAND RACING CON- « FERKNCE. (PRESTDENT\S REPORT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, July 14. The .president delivered his annual report as follows: — Once again the din of battle soululs in our ears as we assemble for our annual conference. A war forced for a most wicked crime upon peuce-desiring nations is progressing towards our lina! victory. We may be satisfied that in carrying 011 during its continuance the institution of of racing we have added to other utilities much direct benefit to the defenders of our liberties. That we .have acted wisely finds confirmation in the fact that his Majesty has kept his racing stable In active commission, supported in that respect by LoTd Derby and other sound leaders of British opinion. I Inay, nevertheless, be expected to take notice of the puerile demand for a cessation of racing. It is a cry of the nninstnicted. Those who repeat it little understand the \ital importance of a supply of suitable horses for defi-nci' purposes; nor can they have realised that the thoroughbred' horse is essential to their production. Trench warfare during one stage of a campaign may put cavalry out of action, but when the enemy i s on the run the mounted arm of the service has its turn, as was shown quite recently in the Russian advance into Austrian territory; nor is horse traction wholly suspended for artillery and transport.' If the point needed insistence I could quote I.ord Kitchener, whose tragic loss we so deeply deplore, but it suflices that except where there limy be interference with railage of troops or' munitions, racing is kept going both in Britain and Germany. When the opposing clamor does ont arise from honest ignorance, it i s the outcome of dishonest claptrap. The intriguer who utilises the national crisis to promote his otherwise unattainable end is on a par with the politician whose vanity seeks a paltry prominence for himself by illtimed and unfounded criticisms of responsible officials. The lesson taught by war goes to the very heart of the value of racing, and explains in part why many private individuals are maintaining expensive studs to secure for the British Umpire advantages pfined in foreign countries by costly establishments at (iovermnent expense. It further points to the necessity for the proper conduct of a sport which professes and serves such high aims, In this respect we can claim that •nowhere in the world is racing better conducted than in New Zealand. The absence of proprietary clubs, the devotion of all profits to the sport, the cleansing influence of the totalisator, and the searching investigation of disputed decisions by an elaborate system of impartial tribunals, all contribute to this result. They have also rendered possible the magnificent response of the racing clubs to the financial needs of t;i.c time. 1 have be/n at pain.- to e-limale the bulk of this assistance. My figures may nearly approach to accuracy fur the past, and may enable you to form some forecast of the future. They are as follows: Voluntary contributions £45,942 10s 3d. taxation paid to Government £200.00!) Ids lOd: total, £:I00,01'2 7s 3d. Is this the record of a useless frivolity? Let the next brilliant charge of British cavalry reply! Let the permanent help to our maimed fellow-citi-zens answer! We will leave it at that. At one time 1 hud ventured to hope that the voluntary payments by racing club 6 might be pooled for the foundation of an institute for disabled soldiers, but a prevalent desire to befriend kindred local efforts rendered a national scheme impracticable. Passing to administrative detail*, we may congratulate ourselves upon the good work wrought by the stipendiary steward- Much of it has passed unnoticed, and that is not the least important. A tactful word here and there, a little quiet advice unobtrusively given, has often helped to foster among the workers of the turf nobler ideals of a noble sport, while on occasion there has been no lack 01 nerve and courage to check sternly attempts at malpractice. It may be an indication of resulting restraint that so few appeal cases have demanded attention. In these I we have to acknowledge with thanks the assistance of Messrs. \V. E. Bidwill, C. I'. Skerrett. Kand O. S. Watkins, as judges of appeal. It seems advisable to remove certain misconceptions by reiterating the principle upon which the control of nomenclature is based. I have never vetoed proposed names merely because tliev are clumsy or inappropriate. Hence many ill-adjusted and meaningless combinations of syllables bave been permitted. The main restrictions have been the exclusion—(l) of all names previously entered in the New /calami Stud liook: l2j of names which have a personal reference to well-known persons unless with consent; (Hi of names of distinguished winners abroad, or of any sires or mares whose repetition may possibly hereafter cause confusing in pedigrees: (I) of names which might be regarded a.; offensive by any religions or political organisation- or as having a special bearing on the political controversies of the hour: (5.1 of names which might create misunderstanding on race cards, or in descriptions of racing; of the use of initials or numerals except in the case id imported horse* previously named. Von will recognise that this is not a iiiling time for endeavoring to rectifj the inconveniences and injustices under which we labor through the hasty enactments of a rei'cnf period. 1 may. however, mention for future attention the mistaken prohibition of publication of totalisator investments, which defeat.-, its supposed object and plays into the hands of law-breakers. I'sclcss in itself, it lessens the interest of racing records, and helps to conceal the policy of evildoers.

That bookmakers habitually evade the law is commonly known. Whether own ers in regard to their own horses respect universally the undertaking to refrain from patronising them may be doubted, though breaches of this obligation must, of cour'c, be exceptional. Those who disregard the specitic injunction in the rule arc liable to disqualification, and, as it were, take their racing lives in their hands, even if the self-contempt, due to a dishonorable act. is an insullicient deterrent. In this connection we may deplore the facilities which are afforded by the postal authorities for the transaction of illicit business, while the same department rigorously bars investors in legalised methods of investment from the use of its facilities. 1 cannot conclude without deploring the death of Mr. K. 11. Pyne, who lias been a member of this Conference, and who was wore widely known as the leading auctioneer of racing stock in the

Dominion, liis .stcrliiiy integrity commanding universal confidence. We also regret the loss of Mr. H. J. Gotliaril, who so often represented the district clubs of Hawke's Liny district. May our next meeting be free from the anxieties which must ever attend a life and death struggle with a relentless foe, and may we ail be conscious at its end that we have borne our part throughout as individuals and as sportsmen, regardless of our personal interests. This is a spirit which the friendly contests of the turf should engender, Mid wdiich should guide every loyal Biiton in this Imperial emergency. The conference re-appointed the members of the Stipendiary Stewards Committee and appointed judges tu go into the question of removing the disqualification imposed in connection with the running of Croesus. Frank Howard, a jockey, who was seriously injured some time ago, applied for further assistance. The matter was referred to the Auckland District Committee. It was stated that considerable dissatisfaction exists as to the administration of the Accident, Fund. Mr. Geo. Hunter urged a more liberal scale of payments.

The conference adopted the Dates C'ommil tee's report that tin- North Tarniiiikj Ifunt Club be granted Augii-t '24 in lieu of August HI: also that the t'aranaki Club's objection to the amended application of the Marlborough Racing Club, for February 7 and S in lieu of November 15 and 10. be not upheld, and that the Marlborough Club he granted the dates applied for as above. RACING FIXTURES. July 15 —"Wellington R.C. Winter. Aug 15. 17, I!) Canterbury Jockey Club National. TURF TOPICS. (By 'Muluroa,'') Ci rein-ling <iay at Treutham. Grind National weights are due 011 Frhhn. Martvress is due for a win at any L. Traill broke his collarbone when Ngatoa fell in the Wellington Steeplechase. Sty rax is very fit now. and should be worth following at Trentham or at Uieoartc n. A.though beaten in the Parliamentary Handicap, Maid o ? Gowrie paid a limit dividend for second place. B;a.-isfchl's success in the Wellington Steep'ei oasc saved the double layers a heap of money, but New York should have won. There va; a great mix up at the finish Mr tie Wellington Steeplechase. Queen's Post collided with New York at the last fen-e end Eranslield, coming with a clear run, nonaged to win on the post by a ncclc from New York, who beat Fagot jv half a length. Then came I Merry lad, Captain Jack, Vascular, I lllack S( a aiv.l Tarero. I ( rown Pearl was served up a warm ; order for tl;:; Winter Hurdles, but after j running in e handv position until half a lirlo from home, a faulty jump put him ; out of ennt Here again another great i lin !e h was witnessed,' Marconi, Styrar (and PnrsellPcr figbling it out in great -tyle M.in i 111 i stuck gamely to his Mask and scoied by a head from Stvrax, •who !i"at Pio-selHler by a neck. Then I came Crib, ''ladful. Crown Pearl and : l.eonta

iliillifual, rfith Dccley in the saddle, won the Paifamenlary Handicap rather comfortably, and if ' not too harshly treated may run well in the Winter Cup, Maid 0 t.owr:o made all the running on \\ edne-day, but Multifual quickly gathered Im: in when the straight was reached, ami won like a good one. Harbor Light finished very fast in third place, and Ringfonn, Merrie Gain, Sir Knov, Orleans, and King Chiara, also ran well ' Crowr. Pearl was heavily backed away iron! (he cc.i.rse 011 Thursdav for the ■lompers' l-'lct Race, Iml was not started. It h'ol-ci lite: picking up money, too. Sir Agnes, Iran«field. and Sea I.ord all paid b:g dividends on Weduesdav, and Patronymic. ?felord. Kooya. and Master Achili'-s rem-ned big money 011 Thursdav NOIV, watch the favorites strolling home tc da.v! T'e *'| lat.'is" at Trcnfhnni must he a very ovd nary lot when Master Achilles can heat them from end to end of five f.irlongs, ami win by half a dozen length-, with his head on his chest. C.imcly was wiicd all over the countryside or: Tho'-sdav. and dulv "caught." I he Bar \'ii received a bud gruelling. F tr a hor.-e that has ben performing so foii-istently during the past few month., i'.oc-ui paid a line dividend in the Fie.|: Ha'-dieap 011 Thursday. Cheery Hlo som ran :®olher second oil Thur-'d.iy. Better luck soon. Ills' gee ni.ssed 011 Wednesdav. but had bcttei luck on the second day, and 'lauv Tiranaki punters had a royal win over it. l.adogiKr has run two fine races this week. X >xl start may see the gods in a nioie |';.,orahV mood.

WELI.IXdToX li t:. M EF.TIXO. ACCEPTAXCKS FOP, THIRD DAY. I'dllowinif aro the third's day's ac•C]itiifor (lie Wellington races: TALAYEPA IHIiDI.I' 11 AXDK'A I'. — "olden Miircli 1111,1 Patronymic 1(1.1!, Austin and St. Kin:,, 'Arlington 1(1.S. 0111 ep o t and Sir Solo ]0.7. Crazonus 1(1.."i, Portland Lady 10.-.'. Hirkl'ul 1 n.il. \i r „. mar 0.10. Orme-by 0.7, Amlw and White. Prince Delaware and lieno U.I). CIIOFTOX HAXDIO.VP.—Maid o' (lowrie 11.2. Otara ln.jl-i, llauniakaka II).0. Mellon! 10.4, Sir Kukri !>. 11. Mann 0..">. Rio <1.4. liallyliar and Uii'ipii 0.2. Try Coral and Cc'iisiilliition !).'(), WIXTKI! OATS UAXDH A!'.—MultiIna! 11'1, Ladotiiicr mid Sen Lord II).a, Lady l.oui>a 111.4, (Iporjjc 10.1. Bisoane HJ.I). A wall oil !1.1-_>, Scdd-cl-llahr O.S, ll.li, Sir Knox 0.4, Comely, •leiiniiol, Olara. Merry '.lain, Twelfth N'iulil and Ineuru (1.0. ONSLOW HANDICAP.—Sea Lord 1D.12, Olcnroy 10.11, Hisoyiie 10. S. Cherry Blossom !1,7, Torotoro 0.5, Black Lupin Mandoline, Mt. Victoria and Black Heart !U). HACK AXI) IH'XTERS' STEEPLES. -(Queen's Post 11."). Expedition and Diirliv Paul 10.7, Kirkbv 10.-1, Fond .Memory !>.ll, llerekolm !).',S, The Clief, Critic, Precious .Metal and Mail Park 0.7. ,/CLY STKEI'I.KS. —Tarero 11.0. Wirokino 10.10, Fujfot 10.8. Immensity 10.S, Xew York 10.J, (,'lenmore 10.1, Merry Lad H. 13. Vascular <l.ll, Black Sea anil Darbv Paul 0.7. FIXAL llL'KDLES.—Stvra.v 11.4, Tragedy Kins 11-', Pursolillor 10.11, Harbor Li,'liit 111.10, Leonta and Crib IU.S Crown Pearl 10.7, Sir Donald and Art 10.2. f"; lad fill and Tarowanui 0.4. KIA <il!A lIAX;DICAP. —Toki 10.5. Melford and Sliaki 10.4, <!olden Clad, 10.0, Limpet and .Martyres.s 0.12, Penie. 0.0, Bairnsdale 0.5, liallyliar o,.'i, Fop man and Captain (ilossop 0.2, Boml Strilio, I'oyiU Battery, Ally, Lady Nil nie, 'l'rickeri' Colonade and lielsiugfoi 9.0.