SITTINGS AT WELLINGTON.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14099, 19 July 1911, Page 10

SITTINGS AT WELLINGTON.

THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. (niXSS ASSOCIATION TKLF.OBAM.) WELLINGTON, July 18. The annual conference of delegates from racing clubs opened to-day. The president, Sir George Clifford, in his address, said: —"The event of the' gravest moment during the past season has been the enactment of further legislation affecting horse-racing. So far as this reversed the previous imposition upon us of the baneful system of licensing bookmakers, it must meet with our cordial approval. Unfortunately, the Act of last ses.ion went further and decreed the contraction of tho sport by the rather peremptory process, of which the supposed advantages could have been better obtained by a redistribution of permits, and which in itself was unnecessary where population is so widely scattered that racing can never be more to the local participants than an occasional recreation. It was perhaps hardly foreseen when the Act was drafted that thero would be such a reduction of non-totalisator meetings, and , a consequent diminution of racing, without the infliction of other drastic measures. During the past season 25 non-totalisator clubs did not hold a meeting. In 1906 there were 127 of ; these meetings, but last year there \ wero only 84. Surely this curtailment j would have sufficed until experience bad shown our opponents its effect, and until we had been given an opoortunity to readjust our arrangements to the changed circumstances. To fortify ourselves against future attacks, we should aim at a higher standard in the appointments to our racecourses, and afford such provision for the comfort of spectators as may increase the popularity of healthy open air sport. After suggesting that the opponents of racing consisted almost wholly of . those who had no personal knowledge of it, and advising them to obtain some practical experience, Sir George argued that their true defence against attacks lay in establishing the fact that their aims and practices were above suspicion, and in establishing their sport impregnably in tho good will of their fellow-citizens. Dealing with other subjects, he said it might be advisable to" call attention to tho rule which now rendered it a corrupt practice to administer internally or externally for the purpose of affecting tho speed of a horse. An owner or trainer who, in face of this rule, used these methods or abetted their use, was on an exact level with the scoundrel who cheated at cards, and deserved, when detected, the same contemptuous fate. He had every sympathy with tho proposal to encourage longer distance racing, both from the spectacular and breeding standpoint. The lengthening of races for older horses was desirable, but it was also desirable to counteract the prevalent impression that the stamina of horses and their usefulness were lessened by sprint races. As a rule tho most massive and muscular horses wero not stayers, and many of tho most noted sires of hunters and steeplechasers had been unable to race under pressure for more than a mile. Races were now run from end to end under such a strain and at such an accelerated pace, that probably a modern six-fur-long race needed a more perfect heart and lungs than a mile course ten years ago. "liOoking back," Sir George Clifford concluded, "we may well congratulate ourselves upon the character of the year's sport, upon the standard of our horses as indicated by tie creditable performances in their various classes of those ; whicK have raced in Australia, and by the prices realisod for exported "yearlings. There is every prospect of • successful season, undisturbed, we may hope, by any such convulsion as that which has so unjustly debarred us from a number* of days' racing, which 'deprivation was'wholly needless." The statement of receipts and expenditure. was as follows:— STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS: AND EXPENDITURE. From 80th June, 1910, to 80th June, 1911 RECEIPTS. To Balance 80th Jake, 1910 .. 843 15. 4 „ Sundry debtors . ... .. 116 „ Registration of colours .. 498 7 6 „ Registration of partnerships '... 42 15 0 „ Registration of assumed names 102 18 0 „ Levy, 81 Clubs, 242 days at £1 242 0 0 „ Deposits on appeal .. '.. 100 0 0 „ N.Z. Stud Books, Vol. I. £6 7s, Vol. 11. J. 4 10a. Vol. 111. !A 9s 6a. Vol. IV. £26 13s Bd, Vol. V. £6 10s .. 48.10 3 „ Interest on deposit .. ~ 11 14 l „ Fines .. .. .. 26 0 0 £1917 1 7 EXPENDITURE. By Deposits on appeals refunded 80 0 0 „, N.Z. Stud Book binding, Vol. I. 8s 4d, Vol. 11. £4 ls lid, Vol. 111. _3 15s id, Vol. IV. £2 8a 9d 10 14 1 „ Registration of colours: Printing £10 17s lid, fees refunded £3 2s, clerical assistance £50 .. 63 19 11 „ General expenses: Salaries , £225, clerical, assistance £13 17a 6d, auditor SS. 2s, postages, telegrama, exchanges, etc.. £56 13s ■ lid, Advertising,, printing, stationery, etc., £74 18s lid, Rules of Racing (printing) £44 3s Gd, legal expenses £141 15s id, office rent £7 10s, office furniture £2 15s, travelling expenses £59656 d 628 2 5 „ Fixed deposit .. .. 800 0 0 ~ Balance m bank 30th June, 1911, £387 13s= 6d (less unpresented, cheques £57 10s) .. 330 3 8 „ Sundry debtors ... .. 4 16 £1917 1 7 ACCIDENT FUND. STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE. From 30th Juno, 1910, to 30th June, 1911. £ a. d. RECEIPTS. To Fixed deposits 30th June, 1910 9500 0 0 „ Balance in bank 30th June, 1910 247 12 6 „ Accident fees: 1904-5 £1, 1907----8 SI, 1908-9 £1, 1903-10 £17, 1910-11 £2036, 1911-12 £8 .. 2064 0 0 .„ Trainers' fees: 1909-10 £6,1910----11 £412 .. 418 0 0 „ Jockeys' fees: 190-3-10 £3, 1910----11 £330 , .. .. .. 383 0 0 ,', Emergency riders' fees: 1909- i 10 £9 15s, 1910-11* £97 10s .. 107 6 0 ~ Interest on deposits .. .. 386 5 0 „ Fines .. .. .. '.-2.0-0. £13,108- 2 6 EXPENDITURE. ' 7' .:''■' '■ .'<-' s. d. By Claims paid £1100 6s 9d (less fee refunded £2 2s) .. .*. 1098 4 9 ! „ Claims ..not settled, estimated ■£60 y, ';■■:>.: „ Accident fees refunded, 1909-10 19 0 0 „ General expenses: Salaries £225, auditor £5 ss, legal ex- < penses £14, postages, telegrams., exchange, etc., £$9 10s fid, advertising, printing, stationery, etc., £9 13s Bd, office rent £7 10s .. .. .. •■ 290 19 2 ~ Fixed deposits .. ..11,500 0 0 „ "Balance ia bank 30th June, 1911. £372 6a 8d (less -unpresented cheques £172 10s Id) .. 199 18 7 £13,103 2 6 W. H. E. WANKLYN, Secretary. . Christchurch, sth July, 1911. I have examined the above statement of receipts and expenditure of the N.Z. Racing Conference, and compared the same with the books, vouchers, bank pass book, and hereby certify that the above statement is correct in accordance with the "books.—ARNAUD McKELLAR, Auditor. The suggestion was made by Mr O. Samuel that tho large amount (£11,699) to the credit of the Accident Fund might be appropriated for some general .purpose that would meet with wide approval. This view, however, did not meet with the support of th© delegates. The dates of meetings hitherto existing were approved, subject to certain alterations rendered necessary byjihe Racing Commission's report. The Wellington Club was allowed October 21st and 23rd for its Spring Meeting, and

Jnly 17th and 20th for its Winter Meeting; the Manawatu Club was allowed its usual dates, with December 26th. 27th, and 29th for its Summer Meeting; Marten Club, January Ist and 2nd; Taratahi-Carterton, December 26th ; Dannevirke, September 13th ; Hawke's Bay, May Ist and 2nd, and June 20th and 21st; Masterton to change from March 21st and 22nd to March 28th and 29th: Wanganui, May 24th and 25th. The President reported having received a deputation representing a certain number of country clubs. He had impressed on the deputation that the Conference desired unanimity for the furtherance, protection and cleanliness of the sport, and that if anything could be done to remove grievances, whether actual or imagined, it was desirable to clear away such obstacles- He had also assured the deputation that he was absolutely neutral, and that he did not accept as perfect the constitution of the Conference, evolved as it was under long-forgotten circumstances; and, further, he had explained that be was prepared to recommend the Conference to set up a committee to consider the points submitted, and any other alterations of the government of racing which might deserve attention. He thought that the agitation was due partly to local irritations (which might easily bo rectified by modifying some of the Conference methods), and partly to i misconception, owing to want of knowledge. "There is," he said, "an assumption that this Conference is a . sort of racing parliament, with tht» ' metropolitan clubs arranged on one side, and the country clubs on the other. i Nothing could be further from the j : truth. No suoh cleavage exists. Could ; i anything be more absurdly inaccurate i than tbe assertion that country delegates come here as dummies, and can only speak when country clubs are affected? Delegates of country clubs j on the Conference are an emphatic contradiction of the implication. As some- | thing," Sir George continued, "was interjected as to my position on this Con , ference, I may say just this: that, j whatever I have done has been subject to sanction by this Conference, and that I could not. have held the presidency for two consecutive years if my aim had not been to subordinate any personal views to your collective opini ions. It is right, however, to meet apI plications such as we havo just received, 1 with honest investigation." He gave notice to move:—"That a committee of j the Conference bo set up to consider | its constitution and report as to feasi- | bility of giving effect to the represer.- ---! tations of the deputation, i.e., (1) equal ' representation of country and metro ' politan clubs on the Conference; (2) the suggested setting up of a New Zealand Jockey Club." I In connection with the registration of I clubs, it was agreed that certificates of ■ registration should be granted to all ! those clubs . applying for registration j under Part 11, Rule 2, the committeo ' being of opinion that in the case of those clubs which have 1-cst their racing rights, owing te the reduction brought about by tho Commission appointed I under the Gaming Amendment Act, , 1910, upon ,being reinstated, their ; claims to their old dates should receive j favourable consideration. It was also agreed that "any disqualification under the exceptional circumstances governing the granting of registration during the .1911-12 season, and owing to a consequent irregularity in tho date of applications for registration, be at once removed by the Metropolitan Committee of the district." A moticn to take into consideration the question of racing on Easter Saturday in relation to dates for next succeeding racing season, was lost by 24 votes to 16. The question of the appointment of stipendiary stewards was introduced J again to-day. The Stipendiary Stewards' Committee, set, up at the last .Confer-' j ence, submitted the following su«- ---! gested new rules: ' 'Stipendiary stewards j shall be appointed by the New Zealand ! Racing Conference, or by a committee thereof, nominated for that purpose, end with suoh powers and subject to suoh regulations as may from time to. time bo conferred or approved by the Conference." Tho Order Paper also contained draft regulations for th© carrying out Of this proposal, and proposed that stipendiary stewards be nominated by the committee of the New Zealand Conference, tho committee to consist of three members. Mr Nolan moved the adoption of the committee's report. ' In reply to a question, the President said, if the motion were carried, the appointment of stipendiary stewards would be mandatory. . •." Mr McVay (Hawke's Bay) considered that every racing club in New Zealand would be benefited by the appointment of such officialsi The general feeling on racecourses was in favour of the appointment of stipendiary stewards. Mr Samuel (Taranaki) wanted a definite proposal. If there was to be only one stipendiary steward, it would be useless. If, however, arrangements could be made so that the great majority of meetings would be attended by stipendiary stewards, he wculd bo heartily in favour of the proposal. He moved as an amendment: —"That a Stipendiary Stewards' Committee be elected, with power to select and appoint not less than two, or more than five, persons to act as stipendiary stewards at race meetings, on such terms, and with such powers, and subject to such conditions, as the committee may prescribe; provided that no part of the expenses incurred shall fall on a club at whose meeting no such stipendiary stewards attend;' Mr Fried lander seconded the amendment, .pro forma. Tho President said he thought it important that stipendiary stewards should be appointed, more because they would satisfy a public demand than any belief in the good they would accomplish . Mr Samuel was allowed to withdraw the last clause in his amendment. Mr Nolan intimated his willingness to give way to Mr Samuel. The Hon. J. D. Ormoncl strongly supported the proposal. "There is a very great deal of public distrust in connection with the sport at present," -he said, "and there is no doubt there is a great call throughout the country for this change. If we are wise we must remember that." iur Friedlander was surprised that the Conference had accepted Mr Samuel's motion. If they were to have stipendiary stewards, lot them be placed in the rules, so that the resolution would be operative. Mr Samuel was allowed to alter his motion so that it would become a rule. It then became the substantive motion, and on being nut to the, meeting the voting was ayes 21, noes 14. As threequarters of the total votes was required to carry the motion, it was declared lost. A Wanganui remit was considered, urging that a committee be set up to consider if it was desirable to establish a New Zealand Jockey Club. On the Chairman' 3 motion it was agreed that the following committee be appointed to consider the constitution of the .Conference, the government of racing generally, and the feasibility of effecting improvements:—The Hon. J. D. Ormond, the Hon. E. Mitchelson, Messrs Samuel, McVay, Bidwill, Nolan,* Guinness, and Friedlander. Th© Wanganui motion was therefore withdrawn. The following were appointed a Dates Committee:—Messrs Friedlander (chairman). Abbott, Goodbehere, Miller, McVay, and Hood Williams. It was resolved that there shall be at least one race of a mile and a quarter at any meeting; that all licensed apprentices under tho age of 21 years who have not ridden five win-

ners. shall be permitted to claim 51b allowance in all selling races and in handicaps of not more than 150 soys to the winner; that stewards shall refuse to take cognisance of any dispute between an «wner and jockey with regard to any engagement for riding, unless there is documentary evidence to suooort the complaint; that the disqualification of all otuckls, owners, trainers, riders, and horses, for breaches of rule 9 of part 2 is hereby removed as from the Ist day of August, 1911, save and except where the names have been published in tbe official list of disqualifications; that it be a recommendation that the Conference approach the Government with a view to sanctioning racehorses breaking their return journey for the purpose of racing, without incurring extra railage; that a committee be appointed to consider the advisability of sunporting the hunt clubs of New Zealand, and te suggest means by which such support can be afforded. Sir George Clifford was unanimously re-elected president.