CONFERENCE OF DISTRICT RACING CLUBS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 2993, 18 September 1908, Page 4

CONFERENCE OF DISTRICT RACING CLUBS.

QUESTION OF COMPLIMENTARY"*. TICKETS. A meeting of delegates from the district Racing Clubs was held at the office of the Masterton Racing Club yesterday to consider the question of i the issue of complimentary tickets to race, meeting, when : the following were present:—Mpssrs Breeds, 0. C. Cooper and G. T H. Hawley-Drew R.C.), D. McLachlan and i, A. Hathaway (Masterton R.C.),.. L. ■ Nix, H. Judd and J. B. Bairstow (Taratahi-Cartertori R.C.),'„ \y., E.. Bidwill, J. S. Ctindy, A. J. Toogpod and E. A. Laery (Wairarapa R.C.), 1 and J. Martin, Riddiford aiid T. FEvans (Lower Valley R.C.). Mr 0. C. Cooper, wno also' represented the Masterton Club, was voted to the chair. , | Mr,W. E. Bidwill, Vice-Presidant , of the Wairarapg R; cing Qlub, said his Club had drawn up several recommendations as a basis for discussion in ,tho matter of the issue of complimentary tickets.' The present system was. opon to a certaii. amount of abuae, and'with a lack of unanimity .some of the racire bodies were looked upon as mean, while others were spoken of as being liberal. He pointed out that the racing duos ha 1 ever to consider the matter of. revenue, aiid while it might be difficult to arrive at hard and fast rules, it was advisable to curtail to. a certain extent the issue of complimentary and luncheon tickets. A letter was read from the Dannevirke Jockey CJub to the effect that the Stewards ,o$ the Club did not think it advisable for them to make a change at present in the issue of tickets. , j Mr Breeds considered the system of complimentary tickets had certainly been abused, but at the Same time the Pahiatua Stewards had been in favour of a liberal policy which increased the popularity of.the ?Club. Mr J. Martin said the Wairarapa Racing Club couid hardly be accused of meanness, as the members' tickets at Si for four days' racing were practically- semi-complimentary. He agreed with previous speakers,, relative py complimentary tickets often being received by p a r3ous to wnom th.ey should not be given, and as the evil was a growing one, a "basis of issue would be in the right direction. Mr A. J; Toogood pointed ( out that» it was necessary for anuminity to be arrived at on the, part of the clubs to prevent-one body cutting others, because when one club issued complimentary tickets liberally, others were expected to do likewise. He considered that even if the issue was curtailed, the attendance,tat meetings would not shflFer. . < Mr Riddiford thought it would be difficult to arrive at a minimum, and Messrs L. Nix and D. McLachlan spoke on the subject generally. Mr Bidwill: thought? that if. an un« derstanding could be arrived at, and the Clubs loyally carried it out, very little difficulty would be experienced. The following 4 resolutions were carried afjer. full discussion on each "point:— . r ;i >,- v • t (1) Each Steward of a Club to *" receive two tickets and two ladies* tickets in .addition tfi m mber'a - ticket. Any. Steward requiringtickets for friejids outside the district to hand in names to the seeretary, who will forward. . « (2) District and visiting 1 Mem-' bers of Parliament to receive oho ticket each. (3) Racing- Conference members to receive one ticket each. (4) Newspapers two tickets and two ladles' tickets efech. (5) Hrrse owners and licensed trainers not taking part at the meeting to receive tickets on application. (6) Annual tickets to admit Stewards to all district meetings throughout the year to be issued.. / Tickets to be signed by the secretary and endorsed by the President of one Club. It was decided to ask the Wellington Metropolitan Club to issue these. (7) Stewards and officials of the Club holding meeting, visiting secretaries, and press repre sent« atives to receive a stewards' iun cheon! ticket each. * (8) Visiting Stewards to receive one luncheon ticket each. It that the above resolutions be brought before the Club 3 reoresented for confirmation, and delegates present expressed the opinion that they would be favourably received. It was resolved that the Otaki and Horowhenua Clubs be written to relative to the issue of annual tickets for Stewards of the vatious Clubs. " A vote of thanks to the chair, acknowledged by Mr Cooper, concluded the meeting. , -