SPORTING ITEMS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9818, 30 August 1897, Page 2

SPORTING ITEMS.

"Weekly Press and Referee." ALREADY the Spring programmes of quite a number of racing clubs throughout the colony have been issued, and it is apparent from tho prize money which v ->3iuj» oilerc:! all round, that the various institutions arc as hopeful of the future as ever. Tho programmes which have so far come under our notice, in no instance show a decrease in the amount of stake offerings, but, on the contrary, in nearly every case the prizes have been augmented. Particularly is this so in connection with the Auckland Racing Club and the Canterbury Jockey Club, both of which, »3 previously stated, are mikint; very substantial additions to their prize money, not only at their earlier meetings but throughout the season. Auckland has indeed, we are glad to be able to day, made rapid strides, and can be complimented on the enterprise shown during last season. The A.R.C. have, too, an eye to the future, as this seaeon they will give very substantial additions in stake money, it being the intention to endow the Auckland Cup, wo understand, to the extent of lOOO3OVS. But at the time of writing nothing definite is before us, and as the Club do not now intend holding their first Spring Meeting, no totalisator permit being available, further comment on the intentions of the Club must await the publication of the season's programme. Another Club that is steadily marching to the front is the Metropolitan body of the Empire City, and judging by the nominations received for the poaitionofstewards, increased interest in the working of the Club is being •vinced. The Wanganui Jockey Club, as alrcadyannounccd, intend giving very largely in excess of all their previous prizes at their Autumn Meeting when celebrating tho jubilee of racing in the Wanganni district. Some of the leading and most of the minor clubs have not yet decided upon the amount ©f money they intend to disburse, but it may be taken for granted that, as the result of a particularly successful year, most of them will be in a position to give with a free hand; and this most clubs can do now-a-days, seeing that they are invariably well found in racing properties and accessories. Altogether, the outlook for the racing season of 1397-98 appears a vory bright one.

WniLE congratulating clnbs all round upon the general results of their operations during the paat year, there is one important matter we would desire to say a word or two upon, and that is the appointment of racing officials. It is the aim of every wellorganised club to secure the services of a good secretary, a competent handicapper, and an up-to-date starter, and it goes without saying that upon the capabilities of these officials a very great doal depends. Moat clubs appear to be very fortunate in the selection of paid servants, and others again are Incky in having efficient honorary offioers. Daring the past aeaaon we have frequently had to call attention to mistakes made by judges, who are more often appointed because of thoir social standing than for qualifications that so responsible an.officer should possess. We shall not dwell upon the shortcomings of " the man in the box " farther than to aay that gentlemen who undertake duties of the kind should be cool headed, sharp sighted, and alert, and not require to be asked to rectify mistakes. If it is necessary that the secretary should be a competent man, and that the handicapper, starter, and judge stunfld havo the confidence of all concerned, how important must it also be that the racing should be under the control of capable and reliable stewards, men who take the trouble to acquaint themselves with the duties appertaining to office, and give the requisite study to the rules laid down for their guidance, and the protection of the public— their patrons generally, be they merely spectators, horse owners or horsemen. It is unfortunately too often the case that stewards of meetings know little or nothing of racing law, and, however anxious they may be to do what they conceive to be right, are prone to err. Betting stewards may, indeed do, act wrongly at times, when aeked to decide questions in which, their monetarynnterests are at stake, and strain the rules to gain their ends. Boaxo stewards who bet are of course above adopting such tactics, and can be depended upon to act impartially. A thorough knowlefige of the rules does not necessarily imply that the unscrupulous steward will try to Tkct in conformity therewith, but such will ,- teach him that he has no option than to go straight unless he is prepared to risk condemnation. The betting steward takes an interest In the sport and generally would be reckoned to know more about the racing catechism than men who never bet at all. Men who are not versed in racing law, or who do not take the trouble to make themselves oon. versant therewith, are the ones who, as frequently as not, are responsible for wrong ttocisione which land their clubs in difficulties with the powers that be, thus showing how desirable it ie that the stewardship of clubs ■bonld be in the hands not only of men of probity, but men of experience. We trust that at the close of the current season we shall have a more satisfactory record than was the case last year. We certainly now have Appeal Courts which should greatly assist in the good government of racing and the turf generally.

What good interests are eervod by encouraging pony racing is a question that has been often discussed in New Zealand. & there any sound reason to foster pony racing in this oolony, and if so, are those dubs who eater for the pony-owners doing bo from an £ s. d. point of view, or with the idea of fostering and benefiting the breed of small horses ? These are questions we heard propounded on a recent occasion when a few sportsmen were assembled together. The nnanimons opinion of those present was, that it was, so far as New Zealand is concerned at ■oyrate, a bastard sort of sport that there was no occasion, from a sportsman's point of view, to encourage at a meeting with any pretensions to being a high-class fixture. We have before now expressed on opinion as to pony racing. We have no doubt that pony racing amongst thoroughbreds would be of interest to many, bat whether it is advisable to encourage the breed of small horses in this colony is a very different question. In parts of Australia pony racing n surrounded by all that is undesirable, and is carried out for gambling purposes pare and simple, and tho swindling in connection with the " sport" has been proved on occasions to beof the vilest character—gross jobs having been perpetrated in connection with those hliputian contests, especially those held by tho aid of the electric light t Even that searching light has not been strong enough at times to show up the " tricks " of the ponies and their riders and other connections. With reference to this class of racing in Sydney the Australian Jockey dab's committee make some pertinent remarks in their general report to members. Thus:—" With regard to pony racing it is stated that during the past year an effort has been made to induce the committee to give an indirect sanction to that class of sport, but that body was unanimous in their determination not to countenance a so-called sport, which was instituted far more for pecuniary considerations and gambling than for any useful or commendable purpose, such as tlie breeding of a class of strong Nrviceable horses*" When we find an

influential body of men like the Australian J.Cvs committee reporting like this in reference to pony racing in their citj-, we ni\y well ask ourselves the question : Should pony racing l>e encouraged in New Zealand ? We certainly think thufc at least our leading clubs might couiiiio their operations to events for racehorses. It does not sound nice from a sportsman\s point of view to heW it sikl, "Oli, they pay so well." That seems too much lika promoting them for gambling purposes. It is quite ba.d enough to fiad the conductors of a trotting club retorting with the statement, "we cauuot make our meeting pay without having pony galloping races." We have before pointed out that v the public will not support trotting by their presence they do not want it, and simply to get up meetings for gambling purposes is what we want to see prevented in thi* colony. Surely from both a sporting aad a breeding point of view, there are plenty of mooting* provided by the racing and purely trotting clnbs to satisfy all legitimate demands in this colony without fostering another branch of racing, and before finally making up his list of totalisator permits we hope the Colonial Secretary will consider the pony r*M question from all points, and decide whether this cl-iss of competition should be encouraged. By way of test it would be curiou.s to note how these events would " pay :, if the totalise tor were not allowed to be used in connection with them.