TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 273, 19 November 1887, Page 5

TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB DISPUTE.

Mr James Mays sends us a statement with reference to the above matter. He says : — "As mover of the amendment, ' That provided ai'rangecaents can be made with the Devonport Ferry Company, so that a through ticket can be issued at one shilling, the Club retain the gates," I did so because in my opinion it was judicious at a time when money was so scarce to make the cost of access to the course as cheap as possible, so that the public might be induced to attend in larger numbers. The A.R.C. made arrangements with the railway management that if they would make a concession in the railway fare the Club would reduce the charge for admission — a step which the general public heartily approve of. It struck me that if similar satisfactory arrangements could be made with the Devonport Ferry Company, ■ both the interests of the public and the Club would be promoted. The proposal made by Mr Rowley, " That the gates should be offered by auction," is one which he and a few connected with the opposition Ferry might, for some object of their own* have desired; bub the public convenience and interests could not be so well served by any other proposal than the one I made, viz., that the through tickets should be Is, the effect of which will be that the public are benefited, while I feel certain the increased attendance will prove a gain to the Club. Some people take exception to an arrangement being made with the Devonport Ferry Company, to the exclusion of the opposition Company, but the latter have neither the number of boats nor the facilities to convey the public to and fro on race-day, while no person can deny that the Devonport Ferry Com pany have hitherto given the fullest satisfaction to the travelling public, however large the crowds may have been. The new Company have only one boat at present on the service, which could not possibly carry the number of people who attend Takapuna race meetings, and even if they had their two steamers they could nofc do so, while the old Company, with their h've steamers and admirable arrangements, have always received the highest praise both from the public and the press. No doubt the opposition Company feel annoyed that tiie Devonport Ferry Company should have an advantage in this arrangement with the Club, but that is not the question for the Club to consider, but rather, will the public be benefited by such a proposal, and will the Club's finances be advanced? There can be no two opinions that by my proposal the public do get the benefit, and I feel sure that the Club will too. I have no interest in either Company, and in moving in the direction I did, I was prompted simply by my own opinion and convictions, and there is no doubt that if the question came up for discussion now, and Mr Rowley and his supporters Were present, the Stewards would decide in favour of my resolution by a clear majority, and would not require the casting rote of the chairman,"