RACING MERGER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 128, 2 June 1938, Page 10

RACING MERGER.

TAKAPUNA CLUB.

COMPLETION OF SCHEME

TRANSFER OF MEMBERS.

Methods for the carrying out of the agreement made four years ago between the Takapuna Jockey Club and the Auckland Racing Club, which involved a merging of the two bodies, have been discussed, and at a meeting to be held next Tuesday the final details will be arranged.

When asked to-day to comment on statements circulated this morning, Mr. E. W. Alison, sen., president of the Takapuna Jockey Club, stated that although certain decisions had been made at a series of conferences between the two clubs recently, finality would not be reached until Tuesday next, when an official statement was to have been made. However, in view of the nature of the statements already circulated, an official announcement would be made in the "Star."

The result of the conferences was a merging of the two clubs, in terms of the arrangement entered into in 1934, said Mr. Alison. The procedure was clearly set out, though there were certain details that would not be decided until next week. With regard to membership, the position was that all members of the Takapuna Club in August, 1034, who were'still financial, would now become members of the Auckland Racing Club without ballot and without entry fee. Provision had been made for this at the last annual meeting of the Auckland Racing Club.

Disposal of Buildings. "With the exception of the stewards' stand, which is being used as a club house by the Waitcmata Golf Club, all the buildings on the course have now been disposed of," said Mr. Alison. "No plan has yet been finalised for the ultimate disposal of the course, but it is likely, that it will be used in the manner best suited for the benefit of the public.

"Ultimately the Takapuna Jockey Club will be wound up by the process of voluntary liquidation," continued Mr. Alison. "We are in a position of being able to pay fill our liabilities from the eale of assets, and from the profits :derive<t.from racing while we have been using the EHerslie , course. In fact, there may even be a small surplus, and the committee may consider giving this surplus if it materialises to a suitable charity.

Tribute to Auckland Club. "I have nothing but. good.to speak of the treatment we have received from the Auckland Racing Club," said Mr. Alison. "They-came to our help, at a time.when we Avere at a very low ebb, and we are now able to face up to all our responsibilities."

The Auckland Racing Club would take over the Takapuna dates, this involving ,foUr days' racing, and the dates'would iprobably be the. eame as those on which •the Takapuna Club has raced for so many .years, stated Mr. .Alison. Takapuna had ;aktopted the two-pool system of betting jon the totalisator, whereas Auckland .'favoured the single pool, but it rested entirely with the stewards of the Auckland Club what system was adopted in the future. "There k no doubt that the ■two-pool method proved Very popular as ifar as the Takapuna Club" was ■ concerned," he added.

The question of the disposal of the club's offices in Shortland Street would ;be considered at a later dale, as would also the future resting-place of the fine collection of photographs and paintings of racehorses, eta ted Mr. Alison. These were perhape ttie finest in New Zealand, and included excellent reproductions of ,the most famous blood in England. There •waa r a particularly fine picture of the famous Musket, sire of Carbine.

History of Club. The merger would bring to an end a period, of 531 years of racing, said Mr. Alison. The course was first laid down in 1881, and was only four and threequarter furlongs. Subsequently the club obtained an area from the Auckland Harbour Board which enabled an extension to three-quarters of a mile. Outside the course was an area of 36 acres belonging to the Harbour Board, but an application for a lease was refused until the war years, when the board eventually agreed to the sale of the property to the club for £6000.

"The present course was then laid down," continued Mr. Alison. "The work wae done under the direction of two of the most expert engineers and surveyors jn the country.

"The course wae constructed so that it had a minimum width of 66 feet, and a maximum of 90 feet, the length being one mile and two chains. The cost was £21,000. Every turn was banked, and there was no course in New Zealand that hgU} the same measure of banking. /J!ur--thermore it was well drained and kept* in the best order, while no course could have a more level surface.

"No objection was ever taken to the first two courses," continued Mr. Alison. "However, the mile course, which was laid out to ensure the fullest safety, was

condemned, and the Racing Conference refused the club a permit to race. This followed an accident in a hurdle race, which the stipendiary steward stated was in no respect due to the conformation or condition of the course and was a pure accident, a view which was upheld by the coroner in his verdict.

"There were five accidents in the last five years we raced at Takapuna," he added, "and in each the stipendiary steward, and evidence adduced, proved that they were pure accidents and were in no way attributable to the course. Since racing at Ellerslie, during the past three years, we have had eight accidents in flat events, none of which was attributable to any fault in connection with the course; but accidents happen in racing which are due to causes quite outside the condition of the course and track."

Action of Conference. Continuing, Mr. Alison said that the course was inspected by representatives of the conference after the last accident at Takapuna,- and On their report, the license for racing was cancelled. That was in July, 1934. The speaker and a consulting engineer visited Wellington and submitted a plan to the executive for a new course. This was approved, and finance Avas arranged to have the work carried out. A. section of land was purchased to provide filling, and work was actually started.

Several weeks later the club had received a letter from the conference, which stated: "The .executive committee is far from satisfied the proposed alterations will render the course safe for racing, and if the club proceeds with the alterations it must be upon the dieitinct understanding tbat no permit will be granted to the club to race on the course unless the committee is satisfied upon inspection, that the course as altered is safe. Tne object of this resolution is to warn the club that the responsibility of-expending money on the alterations rests entirely on the club, which may-not receive a permit to hold any races whatever on the altered course."

>. Finance Withdrawn. "In view of this letter the financial backing was withdrawn and, as we were unable to obtain finance for the alterations elsewhere, it was necessary to look for another course upon which to race. It wag here thet the Auckland Racing Club met ue and. the arrangement which has now been consummated was entered into,' , concluded Mr. Alison.