RACEGOERS AND RAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 4, 6 January 1937, Page 6

RACEGOERS AND RAIN.

I was interested in the complaint voiced by "Soaking Wet" 5 in the "Star" on Saturday last, and I thought that it compared witi one of the reforms suggested by the New Zealand Turf Association. "Soaking Wet's" complaint has not been voiced a moment too soon, because many more punters on the hill at Ellcrslie and at the trots got soaking wet owing to the fact that no shelter was available. What a wonderful state of affairs after all the years that the clubs have been running races. The patrons on the outside have not been considered, otherwise the wretched conditions would have been altered. There are a number of other complaints of outer patrons which should be rectified urgently in order that the hill or outer racegoers receive a fair deal. An investor on the outer is fleeced of the odd sixpence fraction which is paid out on pound dividends, as no pound tickets are procurable on that part of the racecourse. Investors have no alternative but to take two ten-slulling tickets on a horse and lose the sixpence fraction on the dividend. Regarding the demonstration at the judge's box, those matters will continue just as long as one individual has the power to state which horse won. It is time that an electric camera was installed which would be the means of ending the usual controversy "Which horse won!" It is very questionable whether the clubs concerned would take much, if any, notice of a deputation of, say.' 24'individuals'who might'' approach them with complaints. The only way that I can see is for the racegoers themselves to have an association of their own to obtain better conditions. SOAKING WET. TOO.