RACING CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 166, 16 July 1931, Page 5

RACING CONFERENCE.

OPENED IN WELLINGTON. REDING OF APPRENTICES. CLUBS TO KEEP TO OWN COURSES. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.). WELLINGTON, this day. The annual Racing Conference opened, to-day. The president, Mr. 0. S. Watkins, read his address, and the stipendiary stewards' report, which were adopted. The chief racecourse inspector reported that during the year 205 persons were warned off or excluded at race and trotting course gates, against 206 last year. An application by Dr. C. C. Murphy, of Auckland, for the removal of the balance of his term of disqualification for live years, imposed in 1928, was refused. The report of the executive committee in reference to schemes for the improvement of the riding of , apprentices was adopted. The committee had decided to take no action at present, and was of opinion that the responsibility of instructing apprentices rested entirely with employers, and that it was the function of the Licensing Committee to deal with any employer who had failed to give an apprentice the necessary tuition to enable him to become competent to riclc in a race. The annual levy payable by the Napier Park Club was reduced by 50 per cent, the balance to be paid at the pleasure of the conference. Mr. I). G. Johnston, of Wellington, was appointed auditor.

The president moved for consideration of tlio draft of rules of racing notified in tlie official calendar for April, with a view to making such amendment as might be considered necessary.

Dates were fixed with the following amendments: —Birchwood Hunt, September 19; Wanganul, September 17 and 19; Marton, November 4; Dunedin, September 12; Gore, September 24 and 2(5; Banks Peninsula, October 31; Winton, November 27 and 28; Taumarunui, December 4 and 5; Oainaru, January 2; Hororata, May 28; Manawatu, April 20 and 21 j Marton, April 27; Waikato, February 20 and 22; Dannevirke Hunt, July 6; Waimate District Hunt, July 21; South Canterbury Hunt, July 23: Christchurch Hunt, July 30.

It was recommended in the report, which was adopted, that the practice of allowing clubs to race on other than their own "courses be discontinued.