COUNTRY RACING CLUBS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 258, 4 December 1914, Page 11

COUNTRY RACING CLUBS.

CLAIMS FOR PERMITS. JAN AMALGAMATION SCHEME. IWithin the next month three Canterbury non-totalisatpr clubs will hold their nnnual meetings. They are Rakaia (December 12), Mount Somers and JSpringburn (December 29), and Methven (January 1), Each of these clubs Las a lengthy history, and though they have never attained anything beyond local importance, there is no doubt that they take a highplace in the estimation ©£ those concerned in their conduct. So far as the writer's memory serves him, none of them has ever been favoured Tvlth a permit, but up till a few years ago not a little of their income was derived from bookmakers' fees. This, and the generous support accorded by owners and the'racing: public, enabled litem to carry-on-for year after year, aiifl also" to accumulate small reserve fuWls. a DECREASING REVENUE. jSince the abolition of the bookmaker, not only has one of their chief sources ©£ revenue been cut off, but the absence ©Abetting facilities has robbed the fixtures of much interest. In these circumstances, the very fact of their haying: carried on at all indicates the justification of their existence. It is understood that each of the clubs referred to intends to apply for one of the extra permits that will shortly be available, Wt under existing. conditions it is doubtful if the request of any of them will be successfiil. There are other elubs of almost similar standing that race in what might be termed the backWocks of Cariterbitry, notably, the Alford Forest Racing Club, and the Springfield Hack Racing Club. Though these several racing centres are separated by a good few miles, their interests, which lie" in the direction of supplying a day's .racing to the many out-back settlers Who cannot attend the metropolitan fixtures, are practically identical. TO FORM ONE STRONG CLUB.

The question, therefore, arises as to it is better for these five clubs to struggle along, as in the past, with no prospects of advancement, or ■whether it would not be more advanr tageous for them to amalgamate. If this were done, a really strong club could be formed, with more than average claims to a totalisator permit. The concentration of iuterests would enable much-needed improvements to be effected at -the course chosen as their headquarters, and no doubt a v.ery strong *lnb could =be formed. At the present tiihd the conveniences existing at all these courses. Hvhere non-totalisator meetings take' place,. are of a most primitive nature. Of course, it is unreasonable: f.ito l expect anything else under present conditiohSj for no club' not' deriving' inepnie from bookmakers or totalisator can hope to even make both 'endi}, meet properly, . ; ,let alone spend. jnoney .< on "improvements that are only in.use once a year. - , .LOCAL JEALOUSY PEOBABLE.

One great difficulty of the amalgamation scheme would be the question of deciding the location of' headquarters. It is certain that each club would wish to see its own racecourse retained, and no doubt all would be able to put forth good grounds for.preference. Eakaia, as being so convenient to the big. racing centres, and having such an advantage in the matter of railway communication, would have a strong claim. On the other hand, it would be sure to meet with strong opposition from, the other clubs, as being so far oiit of the district the permit would benefit mostly. Methven would be more central in this xespect, but the claims of Mount Somers and Alford Forest could be urged with equally strong force. Altogether, the situation is a complex one, but until local interests are stink in a united effort, there seems little chance of any of the clubs benefiting in the matter of getting a permit. TEMPLAE.