THE RACECOURSE.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1920, Page 4

THE RACECOURSE.

COUNCIL AND JOCKEY CLUB AGREEMENT ARRIVED AT The negotiations between the New Plymouth Borough Council and Taranaki Jockey Club were .advanced another step last evening, when a deputation consisting of Messrs. L. A- Nolan (chairman), J. McLeod, G. Eraser, and A. E. Standish, waited on the Council with regard to the • proposed amendments to the controlling regulations. The following draft of the proposed "New Plymouth Recreation and Racecourse Amendment Act, 1920," was Submitted on behalf of" the Club, who froposed to introduce the Bill during the session:— * The objects were: To increase, thi width of the racecourse to 3J chains (In eluding training track), instead of if chains as provided by the existing ActAuthorising the Jockey Club to holdraee meetings for not exceeding six dajfi in each year, instead of three days,aad to use the course for training and «xeriji»ing horses on every week day before 11 A.m., • instead of 9 a.m. [ To authorise thi Club to permit' the racecourse to be used for horse racing any Hunt Club, Trotting Club, or Other Racing Club for not exceeding four days in eafh year. To increase the amount payable br the Taranaki Jockey Club to the Council for r the use of the reserve and racecourse . from £25 to £IOO per annum. Mr. Noldn said the Club was' disappointed that previous negotiations did , not progress a little further. He urged ( that certain of the representations made at last rneeting be given effect to, Si regard to the building matter, the Clu'] • was prepared to waive their request, In 1 regard to the other matters the Ait of ' 1887 v:as all right at the period of its inception, but the position was consider- • ably altered now. The reserve formed a i big part of the track as at present. Tiie interests of other sports would not be > prejudiced, and the Club had also given every assistance to other sports bodies. I In supporting the remarks of this pre- | vious speaker, Mr. J. McLeod etnphas- ; ised the Club were not asking for : any of the rights of the people to be , filched away. Answering a query by Cr. Collii, Mr. '■ Nolan said he thought there would be no ' objection to recognised responsible iports > bodies using the outside stand. 1 Cr. Collis.was in favor of the Council ! assisting in the matter. He was of opinion that the movement would not Mt de- . trimentally, and that, with Joint ■ agreement with the Club, the .public of 1 New Plymouth, at least in the future, • I would benefit immensely by having such E a large playing area in the centre of the tovAi. fie was certain that the public would not be deprived of any rights. Ha , moved that the Council facilitate the f passage of the Bill amending the powers r conferred upon the Club. , The motion was seconded by Cr. Hayden. ' The motion was carried, with an amendment that provision be made for an agreement approved by the Council, • giving approved q>orU-clubs the right to 1 use the grounds and outside'Btandwhen the course was not being used' for racing; ' also that the consent of the Council be ' obtained before giving rights to other 1 racing clubs to use the course. 1 Mr. Nolan expressed the thanks of thj 1 Club for the manner in which the ptiuncil had met them. He felt that it Was an endorsement of tlfc Club's scheme. It . was an ambitious scheme, and it was : also pleasing to record that it had re- ) ceived the endorsement of sporting auth- ; orities in other parts of the dominion . The rights of the general public were nol : being infringed, though there seemed i be same misunderstanding of the", posit tion on the part of many. >