SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 July 1919, Page 8

SPORTING.

ff.BE SCRATCHING OF BIPLANE, j PALMERSTON club rescinds RESOLUTION 7 . By Telegraph.—Press Association. Palmerston N., Last Night. At a meeting of, the committee oi the Manawatu Racing Club to-night the following resolution was passed in connection with the scratching of Biplane at the autumn meeting on April 17, 1018: "The committee of the Manawatu Racing Club, while strictly adhering to the principle which, in the interest of the sport of Hieing, guided them to pass a resolution on April 17, 1918, considers that, seeing some considerable time has elapsed, and having regard to Mr. R. J. Mason's letter of April 20, 1918, such resolution should now be rescinded." The following letter received by the president from Mr. R. J. Mason on April 23. 1918, was handed to the press: "I beg to apply to the stewards of your club for reconsideration of the severe penalty inflicted upon me in connection with the scratching of Biplane for the, Awapuni Gold Cup. vAfter due consideration I freely admit fhat I committed a grave error of judgment in not scratching the colt some days before the meeting, instead of the evening before. The common practice when attending a meeting with horses is, in ease of scratching, to do so on the course on the morning of the race, and I have nearly always adopted this method. I failed to realise the. seriousness of this delay in Biplane's case, also the awkward position your club \vaa placed in, but I can assure you it was only an error of judgment, and that, I had no other thought than the desire to do my best in the interest of my employer, with the hope of winning one of the two races in which Biplane was. engaged. Trusting that the stewards will rc-open my case and accept my assurance that I have not intentionally done any act discreditable to myself when I am Hearing the close of my career, which has hitherto escaped any public censure." OHRISTCHURCII TROTTING MEETING Christchurch, July 20. The Mayor has received a telegram from the 'Minister of Internal Affairs stating that a totalisator permit has been granted for a trotting meeting during the visit of Lord Jellicie. A Sydney wire states that there ate sixteen acceptors for the Australian Hurdles, including Cladful and Beltane EGMONT RACING CLUB. The annual meeting of members of the Egmont Racing Club will be held on Thursday, July 31, when the following report will be presented: The committee have pleasure in presenting the annual balance-sheet, and can congratulate members upon the continued prosperity and popularity of tliß club. The year's operations resulted in a n < profit of £3317 7s 9d, after making donations amounting to £2SS lis 9d and writing off £353 for depreciation on buildings, £153 10s for improvements, and £SO 12s 6d for plant. During the year the sum of £1915 14s has been expended in acquiring further land, and a sum of £153 10s on improvements, namely, a new judge's box and installation of electric light in buildings and caretaker's cottage. The sum of £715 13s 7d for. maintenance of property ia exceptionally large, owing to all buildings having been renovated and repaired where necessary, including the re-lining of the ceiling of the grandstand. All buildings are now in a good state of repair. The increased popularity of the club's meetings necessitates further accommodation for patrons, and your committee have in view an extensive scheme of improvements, which they hope to have completed in time for the next summer meeting. The year has been one of more than usual misfortune in the passing away of several of our esteemed members and officials, namely, Messrs J. M. Currin. G. H. Gibson, M. J. Goodeo< W. H. Hartgill, and A. S. Tonics, Your committee record the death of these, gentlemen with deep regret. The committee desire to express thanks to the paid and honorary staff for their services during the year. Nominations for the offices of president and vicepresident not being in excess of the offices to be filled, I hereby declare the following to be duly elected: President, Mr. R. 11. Nolan; vice-president, Mr. J. Gray. The balance-sheet shows the profit and loss account as follows: Advertising and printing, £OO2 is 7d; attendance at meetings, £1331 16s lid; general expenses, £OO3 4s fid; donations. £2Bl lis Oil; improvements, £153 ]os; maintenance, £715 18s 7d; plant, £SO 7s Gd; stakes, £S33O; salaries, £729 7s lOd; Government tax, £7184 17s Gd; depreciation, £353; bad debts, £S 10a; bnlance (profit), £3317 7s 9d; total. £23,811 12s Id. Members' subscriptions and entrance fees, £317 ss; nominations and acceptances. £1504; forfeits, Efilfl: privileges. £3172 7s lid; training. £93: totalisator account, £17,733 7s; sundry credits, £2lO 8s fid; farming, £257 3s fid.; total £23,811 12,? Id.

TURF TOPIC'S. (By "Mot-iiroa.") The acceptances received for the principal events at the New Zealand Grand National meeting are fairly numerous, considering the difficulties and inconveniences which attend a trip to-Riccar-ton .at present. Of the twenty-seven weighted for the Grand National Steeplechase fifteen remain in, and they comprise the best-.of those nominated for the race. Cynic has been reserved for the hurdle event, and various mishaps have accounted for Collector and Fooman. Nine of those flung in at the minimum have been withdrawn, and they will not be missed. The six top-weights hold their ground, ajnl the response is a good testimonial to Mr. J, E. Henrys. Thirty-four were weighted for the Grand National Hurdle Race, and fifteen have been paid up for. Thrace, who showed wretched form at Trentliam, is the most notable withdrawal, and the difficulty of transport led Kauri King's owner to scratch his horse. Euripos lias gone wrong, and Seadown. is also under a cloud. Teka would have had to show greatly improved form to have a chance of winning, and none of the light-weWit defectors gave much promise. The crowd remaining in are not a bad lot. Sixty horses engaged Mr. Henry's attention in the Winter Cup, and the number has now been reduced to twenty-seven. The pen wa& put through the names of Greenwood's trio, Gloaming, Afterglow^