N.Z. TROTTING CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 164, 11 July 1919, Page 7

N.Z. TROTTING CONFERENCE.

ANNUAL MEETING. Th. annual meeting ot representa'ives of New Zealand Trotting Clubs} opened to-day in "Wellington, and notwithstanding the difficulties attendant on travelling there was a representative attendance. In his annual address to the assembled delegates Mr. J. Rowe, president, after referring- to the checks received by the| war and the plague, and restricted meet-! ings, and restitution of some of them 1 during part of the closing- season, and' pointing out some of the disabilities] from which trotting had suffered during! the past four years, said that he felt I that ill a short time the sport would | be making such phenomenal strides that the trotting authorities would be forced; to find some way of obtaining greater, facilities from the Government. To him 1 it appeared ridiculous that there are only 37 licenses issued to'trotting ih'bs throughout the Dominion, also that the club in the capital city had been allowed only one, and that large ami prosperous distrk-ts like Manawatu, Waikato, and the provinces of Taranaki, Nelson and' Marlborongh had only one each, and: Hawke's Bay and Invorcargill none at; all. He contended that clubs onlyi allowed one license should each have! one more, naming Gore, "Winton, ] Oamaru, Timaru and Ashburton clubs in] particular. j Mr. Rowe then went on to refer to! the -statement made by the Hon. f>. W.I Rjjssell a few weeks ago in reference' to the position of racing and trotting, and pointed out the great" hold that this particular branch of the sport had in Canterbury, and the high standard it had reached there. With regard to the I North Island he hardly thought trotting! enthusiasts would be prepared to allow I things to continue as thej , were, but' saw little use in suggesting that racing clubs should sacrifice permits in order] that an equal number of permits! might be obtained for trotting. He considered, however, that the clubs should seek the aid of their members in trying to obtain an increase of permits by legislation for trotting to bring the numbers equal to those at present held by racing clubs. That aspect was to be gone into by the New Zealand Trotting Association and the conference at once. He was pleased to say that ■a section of the community had been thwarted in their endeavour to interfere with the rights and privileges of sportsmen. The New Zealand Sports Protection League and its functions was referred to, and he expressed the opinion that the League had exercised a good deal of influence for good, and commended that body as deserving of th? support of the conference. The president next paid a tribute to the work of the stipendiary stewards for their unassuming helpful methods, which had earnedthem the respect and esteem of officials, owners, trainers and the confidence of racegoers. He maintained that their influence had helped to make the sport clean, and he lioped their worlf would be still more fully acknowledged by the stewards of all clubs. He urged that stewards everywhere should do more to support, their paid men, and pointed out what he conceived would be the way to better the control generally and the supervision of the contests. The hoppled pacers came -in for attention, .and- he,.-suggested, that races, for tiiihoppled horses and races exclusively for trotters should receive more attention. The restoration of special races by various clubs came .in for favourable mention, the liberally endowed stakes for tv o and three-year-elds given b3' the Ashburton, Auckland, Canterbury Park, New Brighton, New Zealand Metropolitan anil Waimate Trotting Clubs' classic events being specially named as evidence of progressivnness. The starting question was referred to next, and the superior claims to consideration of the yards system in handicapping and starting were urged in a clear and convincing manner, .as offering the fairest conditions for the greatest number of those concerned. A compilation was laid on the table show-; ing the number of trotting clubs in New Zealand which had operated during the past season, and the amount of stakes given, which ran up to £74,550, as against £54,486 in the previous season, which had shown a decrease of flli.OOO, caused by a one-third reduction of days. The improvements effected on, and the upkeep of courses was touched upon to show that clubs were doing their best to keep abreast of the times, and were meeting with the appreciation of the public, owners and trainers. •Mγ. Rowe concluded a very interesting address by moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet for the year.