SPORTING.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17221, 11 August 1921, Page 9

SPORTING.

Nominations for the Avondale Cup, Flying Stakes and Plumpton Handicap, to be decided at the Avondale Jockey Club's Spring Meeting, and for the All Aged Stakes, to be decided at the Autumn Meeting, 1922, close at 5 p.m. to-morrow. The Masterton Racing Club's stakeß for its Spring Meeting in October total! ogBSO, an increase of £lO5 over last v«a£ The Masterton Cup is worth 500,bovs. A J. Joyner, the American trainer, scored his 1000 th win in a race at: Jamaica (New York) m June. Joyner, w ho nas trained for many of America's principal owners, and also spent seven veari in England, has been credited with £341,500 (pre-war rates) in prizemoney by h'a charges. He is hopeful of reaching the £400,000 mark. One of the most remarkable betting disputes heard for some time engaged the attention of the V.R.C. Committee last month. A backer claimed that a provincial bookmaker was indebted to him for a succession of winning wagers amounting to something in the neighbourhood of '£9200. Considerable evidence was taken, and a number of documents bearing on the case were submitted. It is understood that several of the wagers were on the "all up" principle. Among the winners mentioned were Tangalooma and Sir Mnemon. The committee, after going very thoroughly into the matter, decided aeainst the bookmaker who, it is understood, is the owner of a_ wellknown steeplechaser. The wagering is stated to have originally commenced with a stake of £lO. The, backer's judgment in nicking winners was remarkably good, and many of hig winners ; scored at good prices. In the Sydney "Referee," of August 3rd, "Pilot'-' writes: Gloaming iß_ already galloping faster than anything else at Randwick. It is difficult to butmise what he will do in the way of time-making: a month hence. As Gloaming promises to be better than at any of his previous visits to Sydney, Eurythmio will be thoroughly tested up to a mile and a half if he competes at Randwick next spring. If Eurythmio does not come over. New Zealanders will he- difficult to convince that his .owner was not unwilling to 3ide-step '■• Gloaming. However, if Eurythmic is an absentee, it will not be due to anything of that kind, but to the difficulty J; Holt will experience in leaving a big team behind in order to get to Sydney towards the end of September. .V "There's one thing that football has got over trotting—it's cheaper for the 'enthusiast," remarked Mr A. Dey, ' "amidst laughter, when replying on behalf of football to the toast of "kindred sports," at the annual reunion of the: OnmerV and Breeders' Association'last evening. "I've followed trotting for many years, and I'm hanged if I can .Beo anything in it yet." N.Z. TROTTING ASSOCIATION,

MEETING OF BOARD. - ' A meeting of the Board of the >'New Zealand Trotting Association ' was lidd last evening- Present:— gelig (president), J. M. Sam- {<■ eon, J. H. Williams, fl. P. Nicoll, H. t >W. Kitchingham, C. F. Mark, B. A. ' ~Arz and' B. W. Short. An ' apology'for absence was received from MrWH. Denton. -, An explanation from Mr B. Shadboltas' tohra failure to send the necessary particulars for the registration, of bis mare, Lady Ena, was accepted. A--.letter was received from Mr C. Hercock in reference to the timing of lis horse, Waitipopo, at the South Waii.rnpgß(,Tjrottinß. ClnV» Meeting, alleg- ?., king that tie-time was inaccurate. £ ** had' been referred to the ,olub j-ilior an and* in reply, the M* r secretary wrote that the timekeeper the times as given were correct. Nicoll pointed out tbat if the of tho third horse was correct, it have, beaten the winner, while fpihe fourth horse .should have beaten pfjktbe second horse. was decided to writ© again to tho feSolub, pointing out the discrepancies ixt ifSiha "times. Ei .letter from Mr 1. S. Wilson, of ||?liintoß, making certain suggestions for Ilfethe improvement of trotting; was re* jKpocived. life''A bonus of £loloa. was voted towards i|jp#" 'cost of production of the "New Ipealand .Turf Register." -\ mkissho secretary of tho, Timarq Trot* §sjMing Club wrote recommending the reWti moval of the disflu.alificatiou of the #§£*W St. Queritin, who had been purby T. Carrodus, m good faith} understanding that the horse Jj|j||d/be etfgiblo„to compete-after the original disqualificatiottipf WL ifr Kitchingham Baid Be thought Mr hatt'stifered some hardship, such cases he considered- the Barnes of all .horses a the possession owner, a* the time of his disqual*. J&rabtvafao-jUI be advertised, so that of the disqualification. ||fpUfter same discussion, it was decided flp|refer the matter to Mr Samson'to enquiries. as suggested by Mr Kitchingftfßw waß.Ht-to tbe W* £i&Q» programmes of the Otago Hunt >JC3ub4 September lQth*, itewldine'Eae. September 29th and 80th; Count* Racing-Club Sep23rd and 24th, and KuroW Club, October 6th, were aubfor approval. . . -S - -There,, was, some discussion in refer* tff encetoHhe value of the atakes for the & trotting erentaVw-fcOT 4id not in all £,?ases reach'the. average' of the other Mr Ma*.ft ■«** $$ " _ u—-

out prejudicing any action the new Board might take. n.™™,*,,*-!,' The programme of the flW»««g Trotting Club's Spring *^ m ߣF October 22nd and 24th, was approved.

ANNUAL MEETING, The annual meeting of tb* Board was then held, the same members being present. y Eeport and Balance-sheet. The hon. treasurer, Mr J- S. Williams, presented the following report:— The balance-sheet for the past twelve months, which I have the honour to submit, shows receipts from all sources to be £3057 18s od, and .expenditure £3052 6s Bd. Commencing with a small credit balance of £6 16s Hd, the year ended with a balance at the Jianli of New Zealand of £5 lis 9d. A comparison with last year's figures shows an increase in the revenue in nearly every department. The fees for licenses accounted for an increas3 of about £IOO. The following shows t)ho principal items of revenue during the past four wars;

The items under expenditure represent the usual disbursements. The publication of Vol. 11. of book of horses registered, which added to the expenditure, embraced all the books published since 1908, and (has no doubt proved of great assistance to secretaries of clubs and others. There was also incurred the triennial expense of a fresh volume of the N Z. Trotting Stud Book, the publication of which meant, roughly, a loss of £IOO, or £33 annually, to the Association. The Association's accumulated funds of £1335 9s Id include £1127, the present value of New Zealand Government War Bonds theld. The claims paid out of the Provident Fund to disabled trainers, riders, and drivers amounted to. £2BO 13s. The oredit balance at the end of the year was £419 18s 3d This, together with £4500 of war bonds and Government inscribed stock, and what has been received since the new season commenced, represents a sum approaching £SOOO as the assets of the Provident Fund. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The President, in his address, said that the year just closed had been one of progress. It was only when they looked backed a few years that they really found how amazing hadybeen the growth of trotting. For instance, in 1903 there were 1416 licensed riders, drivers, and trainers. Nine years later there were 2147, while, as would he seen by the honorary treasurer's report, 2617 were licensed for the past' season, when the additional horses registered numbered 627.' In 1911 the stakes given in New Zealand amounted to £85,000; 2kincL lash' season* -ten years later, they totalled £130,000, an increase of nearV £IOO.OOO. The reports of the stipendiary stewards showed that the meetings during "the season had been conducted in a manner that left little to be .desired. . Owing, however, to .an adverse report from the stipendiary official in respect of one meeting towards the end of last year; the Board decided to hold an enquiry, with the result that certain penalties and restrictions were, imposed. The clut> appealed to the Trotting Conference, the: appointed judges of which uphold the Association in its decision. £kp same was in attendance ,'at the club's Easier meeting, and, ho -was glad, to say, reported favourably. In a previous address, he had referred to the fact that in Australia three stipendiary stewards were given entire charge of the ..meetings, their decisions being subject to appeal to the stewards or committee of the club. A wellkuown owner and club official had expressed to him during the recent Conference the hope that the day whb not far distant when meetings in New Zealand would be, similarly controlled. While many, of their stewards thorough,'Jy understood trotting and the rules governing the sport, he was. aware that others would gladly*welcome the suggested innovation—a system that had given great -satisfaction for years, and which officers" of clubs might enquire into for themselves, so that they would be in a position, if called upon at some future -tune, to giv© a considered opinion. Referring to the Goverifment's intention to claim totaHsator fractions and nriclaimed dividends, the "President said:—"lt is all very well to say that the Government requires money. This cannot be held as an excuse for appropriating Bums'that undoubtedly belong to a certain section of the public; Is it equitable that this money should be taid into the Consolidated Fund? urely the rightful owners of the unclaimed dividends and the "fractions are already very heavily taxed, added to wbibh owners, clubs, and their patrons -contributeveryhandsomely indeed to the Consolidated Fund, through the special taxation levied. I am of the opinion that clubs should contest the action of the Government in every possible fegitimato manner. As the money is tor the moat part re-dis-tributed in some shape or form for the benefit Of the sport, public opinion in support of any action would, I should say, be certain. Whether the Government, even in view of their anxiety just now to lay hands on all the money they can get—will insist on impounding unclaimed dividends, I think is doubtful. I am not aware whether any representations have been made to the Minister. If not, I consider the clubs should lay their case before Cabinet. There is nothing to prevent clubs paying dividends to the last penny. Some, 1/ hear, intend paying to threepence." . Dealing with the question of trotting events on galloping programmes, Mr Selig said that at different times, in their history, it had been suggested that they should not allow such events, but-

Tie -was glad to say that to-day there «usted no such feeling. He was pleased to see, too, that the proposal at the .Racing Conference, to allow only one trotting event on galloping programmes was bonnd to be strongly resisted—was withdrawn. While it was admitted that events for the trotting horse—as a result of the large entrieswere a valuable source of revenue to the racing clubs that included them in their programmes, it must not bo f orgotte n \ toat tliey greatly assisted the trotting i interest of the district they were held : ra.and the sport in general. ' i "T-.* 10 - one featu re about the report of the Kacmg Commission," said Mr Selig: that should appeal to us and all interested_ m the sport of trotting is its complete recognition aa a popular pastime by the members of the Commission, on which, by the way, there was ±u <m % Te V Te^ of trotting clubs, the other gentlemen being leaders in the galloping ranks in which they were more keenly interested. During their tour of the Dominion, however, they had evidently seen and learned sufficient to prove; as they stated, that the great American sport had established itself beyond' question, as one of the most acceptable forms of recreation enjoyed by the masses of this Dominion. It was felt by those who had studied th<> position, that an increased number of permits for trotting would be decided upon, to provide assistance for new and deserving clubs in different parts of the Dominion. The cutting .out of old-established clubs in leading centres •—whatever the merits or demerits of the decision may be—must have come as a surprise to most of those interested. "We have on the one hand clubs in cities giving large stakes for competition, with everv convenience for their patrons, and on the other country clubs who contend that thev should have their annual gathering. If there is the demand for the sport in any country district, whore a meeting is shown by the attendance of its residents to be wanted, it is rierhaps unreasonable to deny the country club, especially if it can be accepted that such meetings are in the interest of breeding and the sport as a whole."

After, reviewing the business transacted at tliie Trottng Conference last meeting, the President said in conclusion, that he would like to take that opportunity to thank-most sincerely both trotting and racing clubs for their handsomo testimonial prior to his departure abroad last year, and for their sympathy in a trying time since his return. He could onlv say that he had endeavoured to carry on the trust placed in his bands for so many years with a_dne regard to its great importance, and he hoped he was riebt in concluding that in the opinion of "those clubs he had not altogether failed. To the loyal assistance of '-ho members of the Board, he was much indebted, and for their honorary work in the interest of trotting patrons of the sport, ho was of opinion, had nmch to be thankful for. On the motion of Mr.Niroll, seconded by Mr EitchinEbam. the President was thanked for his address, and it was decided that it.should be printed and circulated among the. clubs Election of New Board.

The result of the election of two North Island members and three South Island membars was declared as follows:—North Island: G. F. Mark 31, R. Wv Short 27, Q. Spriggons 8. South Idand: .H. W. Kitchingham, 27, P. Selig 25, J. M. Samson 22, W. J. M. Hopkins 17, C. E. Cross 8. : Messrs Mark and Short (North Island), and Kitchingham, Selig, and Samson (South Island)' were declared elected. A.vote of thanks was passed to t)he members of the various committees, including Mr W. J. M. Hopkins, who, though not a member of the < Board,.acted on the Licensing Committee. OWNERS' AND BREEDERS' * ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL REUNION.:;

The"dnmial reunion .o£ the Canterbury * Owners and. Breeders' Association was held in the Maeonio Hall, last night, ' Mr R. J. Mimro, 'president of the Association, proBided over a very large attendance, and amongst the guests were Sir James Carroll, the Hon. J. Grimmond, M.L.C., the Mayor (Dr. Thacker, M.P.), Mr G. Witty) M.P., and officials of various trotting clubs in tho Dominion.- The function was a complete sucoesß, owing largely to the energy of the secretary, Mr G. S. Simpson. Mr H. J. Otley, president of the Canterbury Park Club, propoaed.th* toast of '.'The Bport of' Trotting," and iudoikg'so spoko of the hardships encountered in the old days by those who put trotting on a firm footing The thanks of all, he said, were due to those pioneers of the epo'rt. At one time Canterbury had' been uractioally the only centre where trotting was carried on,,but now, he was pleased to say, /all parts of the Dominion were trying to. outstep the others. Trotting had always been kept clean, and therein lay its success, and .it numbered amongst ita supporters some of the -finest eportsmen in' .New Zealand. Bacing was "the sport oi kings," and trotting the sport of the people, and ao long as it was kept as clean as it now was its success was assUTod. Mr H. K. McKensie, president of the uta*. huhu Club, responded to the toast. Auckland were children as far as trotting was concerned, he said, and it was their ambition to attairi a position in the sport, similar to that of Canterbury. Canterbury had "made the game," and Auckland hoped to be able "to play the game" as wal sportsmen should. The he continued, provided the money for the sport, but the ewners and trainers made that sport, and were the custodians of it for the people, and for, that reason- he was pleased to see the- fine cooperation of owners and breeders in Canterbury. The supporters of trotting were democrats, and 991 Per cent, of thp Pfopl? °* New Zealand-were democrats.' Therefore, there must not bo, and never had been, any autocrats in trotting, and that was a big factor in the success of the sport. In conclusion Mr McKenzie heartily tbanked. the officials' of the Metropolitan Trotting Club for the hearty welcome they had extended to visiting officials from all parte of New Zealand. . The toast of "The Visitors" was-proposed by Mr George Duncan, who expressed great re=ret that such clubs as the Otahuhu and Canterbury Park had been "turned down" by the Racing Commission, but ho was called to order by the chairman, who said'that nothing of a controversial nature was desired in the various speeches. Mr Duncan then extended a very hearty welcome to the visitors. , Messrs H. Absolam arid E. Sutherland, of Auckland, responded to the toast. . Mr Sutherland said that Auckland recognised that Canterbury was the home of trotting, but Auckland was doing its best to catch up. Canterbury had the material, and Auckland had the population, and between them it was hoped that before long all the trotting Btakes would be very considerable. * Mr Absolam paid a high tribute to New Zealand sport of every description, and con'gratulated the officials of the Canterbury blubs and the Owners and Breeders' Association on the success that efforts had attain-'d. "Kindred Snorts'' was the toast proposed by MJrG. "Witty, M.P., who eulogised the value of 'sport for young people. Sport, he said, would always exist, and it was for the sportsmen to'see that it was kept clean. Sportsmen were always good-hearted, and whenever a collection was taken up for any charitable purpose sportsmen headed tho lirt. It would be a bad day for the world when 6port ceased to exist. The toast was resi-onded to by Messrs M. Nottingham (hunting), Penwick (cricket), A. Dey (football), and C. Piper (bowling). Mr Piper was one of the seven founders of the Owners and Breeders' Association, the. first organisation of its kind in Australasia. ,Mr D. F. Dermehy proposed the toast of "Members of Parliament, Past and .Present." The New Zealand Partiameit, lie said, wag more closely connected with trotting than any other Parliament in the world. The Racing Commission, whicli included only one. direct representative o: trotting, had. shown that it recognised the ho'.d and claims of trotting, and the Commissions • recommendations were sufficient to show that the "sport deserved a great deal more patronage from Parliament :c- thefwiiT of permits tutu it had received in tint past ' Mr Dennehy hoped that meMbers of Parliament would take that to heart.

In replying to the toast, Sir James Carroll earl that trotting had unpolled to the sense of the authorities. Ti;nt status mtist tKjfc be for&itcil, but tho sport must Ix> stimulated, and its. .cone kept irom uanger. Sir James spoke humorously ot the value of sport, from trotting to marines, and referred with partioukr pleasure 10 ilia vieit of tho

South African footballers, trfwa would Co a very great deal to fibre, cords, arTd -threads whididwod W the British Empire more clcselj As an es-Pwlimnwtarian he could ««? «« Parliament at all tur.es etiwwwa £. <£ itß Vest m its wisdom and were differences of opinion m Parl-ain-mt, which was just as well, hat the voice, ofthe people would always rule, and tho mra.whom the people put into Parliament ww»mtad their w&hea and their demands. The triennial syst-m of election *£ people. Parliamentary merit, must always obtain, or 'M"™try would find itself.in a state of <*«* The Hon. J. Grimmond Dr. Thayer , _and Mr Q. Witty also respondedto the toast. Mr C. w! Hervey proposed tho toast of "Th« Donors of T'oohi'o. Messrs £l. A. jlrden Trist briefly responding and Sir James Carroll proposed that of Ine Chairman," Mr Mur.ro responding. SSS.won dnxing T the season were pre; ; serrted as follows: -Leading reinsnun,J.. McLennan and B. Jarden «qual (each a goldmounted whip presented lij/t •!■ < T ; *°?>- loading trainer. J. Bryoe ( trophy PjW* by Mr M. O'Brien and gold-mouii.<d whip pLenLl by the trainer, B. Jarden gold-mounted whip presented by Messrs Trigg* mounted whip presented r Small); loading horsemen, J. McLennan and ■>. Withers ernal (cech a trophy «hwdtt £5 & presented by Mr f- T Y0 ?"^., 1^ d . 1 sire, Messrs Thome 8r0.3.' Harold Dillon (red ribbon presented by Mr H. Jarden and oak shield presented by Mr A. Hamilton) winner of New Zealand Trotting Cup, dn>er, A. G. "Wilson (trophy presented by Sir James Carroll). As a mutter _of fact, the lastMimed trophy, an histono Maori pendant, was not actually presented owing to its not bein" itf Chrietchivrch, but it will bo given out during the November Meeting. During the evening some excellent musical and elocntionary items were given 4y Messrs F. L. East-rate, D. M-fliH. L. CiiTnininw, and A Dey Acceptable instrumental items were provided by Mr T. l.awren.e's orchestra, and Mr Lawrence himself acted ae accompanist.

years:— 1917-18. 1918-19. 1919-20. : 1930-21. Registration *t Horses .. 355 S69 617 627 Transfers of • Horses .. 411 461 684 703 Licenses .. 1677 1748 2317 2617 X. B. i! e. £ s. £ e. Fines . .. 07 15 237 5 310 10 C08 10 Passing Programmes .. 59 0 110 10 147 0 151 0 Assumed Karnes' .. 92 8 8G12 80-6 88 i Joint Interests 28 2 29 0 . 35 2 40 5 Colowe .. 26 5 283 10 800 6 242 11