NEW TROTTING GROUND.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18151, 14 August 1924, Page 13

NEW TROTTING GROUND.

THE PROTEST. t ~ Tiio ternv; of the resolution of the Christdim-eli Presbytery, protesting against the establishment of t-lio Now - Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's new track at Ilk-carton '.-s forwarded to the Miniater of Internal Affairs(Hon. It. ¥. Bollard), and correspondence on the subject, \rero read at yesterday's meeting of the Presbytery. Tho Minister, in his letter to Mr O. Witty M.P., a cony of which hud been rehired bv the Presbytery, stated:— "With further reference to your interview en July 21st, in which you handed mo a motion passed by tiw Christcuuit-H proti'jtinp against uk of a trotting course m eloso proximity to the 11-icvarton 1 re-s----bvterian Church, I hnve- the honour to inform you that, from enquiries made, i have nsccrtnined that the New /Zealand Metropolitan Trotting CI no, v.-hica up to tho present has been racing en a leased property at Addmgton. purcliaaod some three ye;<rs ago, tho prvwrty in question for the purpeso ol Forwiiiff a now trotting racecourse, and luis since disposed of its interests m the leased ground at Addinfiton to tlw Canterbury" P«rk Trotting Club. I have no statutoiw pov. - er to prevent the New Zealand Mctropohtuu Jrcttins Club from forming a neu- ratocou'rso on its property at Riccarton. Some menlbere nprjeared to be under •tho impression that an extra, trotting club had been established, but it was explained that this was not the ease. Tho Rev. N. L. D=. Webster said that the Presbytary had done quite right in making itb protest. In another, hiteen vcai-y tlw? site of tho new trotting course would be in the heart ol the. city. Ho knew ot no city where t\w 'trotting grounds wero jammed so close to the city. Trotting was tho sport of those connected with the grounds, and they were entitled to have it, but thev shotlld go out* a, bit and not have their course right in the heart of the city. ' . Tho correspondence on the subject was received, no further action heing token.