WHEEL AND TRACK NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 171, 22 July 1931, Page 13

WHEEL AND TRACK NOTES.

LOSS TO SPORT.

DEATH OF MR. R. A. ARMSTRONG. One of the Dominion's most promfrient trotting enthusiasts in Mr. R. A. Armstrong, passed away at his home, Lower j Hutt, yesterday. At the time of his death Mr. Armstrong was 49 years of age and up till 13 years ago resided in Auckland, when he removed to Wellington. He Jived at Kilbirnie, removing to Gracefield, Lower Hutt, about two years ago. Mr. Armstrong first came into prominence in Auckland when he founded the Sports Protection League. On arriving in Wellington he formed the Moderate League of New Zealand. He was secretary of the New Zealand Licensing Reform Association, a member of the board of the New Zealand Trotting Association and president since 1923 of the Wellington Trotting Club. Mr. Armstrong took a great interest in trotting and was the owner of Logan Park and Holly Boy. The position I the Wellington Trotting Club occupies among the trotting clubs in New Zealand is due mainly to his efforts. He is survived by his widow and three children. A FURTHER REDUCTION. The committee of the Auckland Trotting Club has decided to further meet the public who patronise the August meeting by reducing the price of admission to the enclosure from 7/6 to 6/. The committee by its action has clearly defined its policy is to make the trotting sport more popular than ever, and the success of the 5/ totalisator at the winter fixture was such that the same facilities for betting among the patrons of the outside will be provided. The committee has not given the matter of declaring three dividends any consideration, beyond ascertaining that it would be very costly to instal the extra totalisator necessary, and _in times like the present when money is scarce, there is little likelihood of anything being done. TAKING NO CHANCES. Mr. Paul must have been impressed with the performance of Ngingongingo when the Matchlight gelding, won the Adams Memorial, as he has imposed a 36yds penalty for the win. There was considerable merit in the win, as the gelding was badly interfered with just over half a mile from home and to win as he did under the circumstances stamped him as a pacer above the average. Ngingongingo will find the opposition at Addington next month much stronger than he met at Auckland, but even so he is a good one and weli able to hold his own from a 4.33 mark in a 4.35 class. AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB. The annual meeting of members of the Auckland Trotting Club will be held at the club's office on Wednesday, August 19. Nominations for seven seats on the committee and eight stewards will be received by the secretary, Mr. A. G. Mabee, up to noon of Wednesday of next week.