TEAM DRIVING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 40, 16 February 1929, Page 16

TEAM DRIVING.

"CHEAP PAPER TALK." At the meeting of the committee of the Forbury Park Trotting Club on Wednesday the question of team driving was discussed. It was reported that, according to a telegram which had been sent to the Press fiom Christehurch, the Trotting Association desired more evidence regarding the fine of £25 imposed on Townley, driver Of Engagement, at the recent meeting. Townley was held to have interfered with another horse in the Trotters' Race on the first day.

Mr. Barton said that there had been a fair amount in the papers about the Press not getting sufficient news from the judicial committee regarding its findings at inquiries. Could the chairman enlighten them on the matter? Mr. Neill (who is a member of the judicial committee) said that when a jury came back to the Court after deliberating it simply brought in a verdict of guilty or not guilty. It gave no explanations for its findings. Mr. Barton said that there was a lot of paper talk going on. On account of the way the papers were criticising, decent owners would not want to stay in the game very long. Mr. Neill: Decent stewards won't be in it very long either. Mr. Barton said that a lot of cheap talk had appeared in the Press. The writers wanted to put in the truth. If they put in the truth it would be all right. It was lies that hurt, not the truth. Mr. Neill said that they had heard several things about loose running, and questions had been asked why the stewards had not acted. The stewards, however, were out to do their best, and they could not do more. So far as he was concerned he would be glad to be off the judicial committee. Mr. Barton (to the chairman) t Did you hear of any team driving in the trotting race? The Chairman: No; there was no report from the stipendiary stewards or any of the stewards of the club. Mr. Barton: It appeared in the Pres* that there was team driving in the trotters' race. The Chairman: We cannot, stop that, Mr. Black: Most of the reporters know less about trotting than the general public That is the trouble. Mr. Coughlan: They are entitled to their opinion, just as much as yon arc. Mr. Black: It. is not a reasoned opinion—I am satisfied of that. Mr. Barton said it was very aggravating to pick up the papers and see such a lot of rubbish in them. Mr. Neill: The D-J.CL never gets such prominence. We ought to feel gratified at getting such a lot of prominence. (Laughter.) The discussion then ended.