THE TWO RACING CLUBS. TO THE EDITOR.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1424, 18 August 1881, Page 3

THE TWO RACING CLUBS. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —l see that the Waikato Turf Club is to hold its annual meeting to-day at Ohaupo, and amongst other matters to be considered is the amalgamation of the Cambridge and Waikato Clubs. On what basis any amalgamation could be made it is hard to say. The W.T.C. are about £400 in debt ; assets, a grand stand. The C. J. C. are £1200 in debt; assets, a grand stand, which practically belongs to Mr Fantham. How are these two debts to be amalgamated equally? I cannot tell. Then again Cambridge, I believe, will insist on having their racecourse used for one meettng a year at least, if it is not made the course of the district. That will not do, and will never be agreed to by any except Cambridge people. The present uourse of the W. T. C. is a great deal too central, being most inconveniently placed for every settlement in the Waikato, and not approachable by river and rail. Te Awamutu is like Cambridge, in a corner of the district, and consequently not to be thought of. Hamilton is out in the cold, no course being available there ; consequently I say that Ngaruawahia is the most eligible spot for a racecourse, which would be in reality a Waikato course. My reasons for coming to this conclusion, after thoroughly thinking the matter over, are these : It is the nearest place to Auckland, and in the course of the next two years and a half, (and what is that to look forward to ?) it can be reached by rail from Auckland in five hours, from Te Aroha in 2\ hours, from Cambridge in 1\ hours, from Te Awamutu in 1£ hours, and from Hamilton in 37 minutes, and all who go can be landed right on the course and can go home again at night after the races to return again the next day (Auckland visitors alone excepted). Now, sir, were the course to be fixed on either at Cambridge or Te Awamutu it w,ould mean, I think, just about the extra quantity of travelling all round, which would prevent many persons from attending the races at all. If the C. J.C. think they can afford to owe £1200, and also to purchase 20 acres of ground at £30 per acre (£600), by all means let the C.J.C. do it; but if the C.J.C. wants the members of the W.T.C. to assist them in this little matter we must say no, and I warn our Secretary, and others who may wish to amalgamate, that they will got no material assistance from the majority of the members on the West side of the district unless they are very careful how they move. If any amalgamation is to take place, let both the present Clubs wind up their affairs, and then let us start a new Club on a neutral ground, and success will attend our efforts. Nemesis. Hamilton, lfth August, 1881.