N.Z. TROTTING CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19667, 10 July 1929, Page 14

N.Z. TROTTING CONFERENCE.

ANNUAL MEETING. [THE PEESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, July 9. Every trotting cluj in New Zealand was represented at the meeting of delegates to the New Zealand Trotting Conference, held in Wellington to-day, and while the meetir provided many interesting discu ions on matters of vital interest, it was the longest that Mr 11. F. Nicoll has had to preside over. A lot of the delay was caused through the tenacity of Mr D. H. Eoberts (Greymouth), who had evidently made a very close study of the remits and had come well prepared for the battle. In the morning session, extending for three hours, Mr Eoberts spoke on 47 occasions. Never before has such interest been taken in the conference, and as most of the delegates had arrived several days previously there was any amount of discussion previous to the meeting. President's Address. Mr Nicoll praised the manner in which the stipendiary stewards had carried out their duties and said that all club officials who had come in contact with them on a racecourse would testify to their sincerity and earnestness of purpose in doing the right thing by the sport, and to their increasing capabilities and knowledge of their business. That they had made their presence felt in the right direction was undoubted, and he desired again to assure these officers that in the performance of their task, without fear or favour, they could always rely upon the support of the Conference. One of the proposed new rules was that which would give the stipendiary stewards more power to deal with minor offenees. The executive would not have proposed this if it had not been that they had watched the work of these officers attentively since their appointment, and had come to the conclusion that they were trustworthy and could be relied upon to justify the confidence this extra obligation would entail. The speaker acknowledged the good services of the racecourse inspectors, and commended the New Zealand Sports Protection League to the support of clubs and their members. It was one of the functions of the League, while protecting the present privileges, to assist in the removal of unnecessary statutory restrictions, and to maintain the rights of the people to the full enjoyment of legitimate sport. Handicapping. Early in this year a petition was received, signed by the leading owners and trainers of the Dominion, requesting the executive to consider some method whereby the anomalies at present existing in handicapping could be rectified. The petition set forth some of the ills consequent upon the present system, and was of such a representative character that it commanded both respect and attention. The executive met and discussed the petition, and it was decided to call a meeting of some of the leading men in the sport, who had a thorough grasp of the working of the handicapping system in vogue, to consider whether a change was desirable, and, if so, what alterations would be expedient and acceptable to the clubs, owners, and trainers. That meeting was held in May, and the committee came to a unanimous conclusion upon certain points, the main one being the principle that there should be a limitation of penalties for placed horses in a race, so that the extraordinary fault apparent in New Zealand of horses being often handicapped upon the state of the weather prevailing at the time of their performance, instead of upon their merits, should be checked and modified. The scheme devised by the assembly of experts met with the general approval of the executive, who considered it better—the annual Conference being close at hand —to leave the matter until the opinions of the clubs concerned could be heard in debate, and a new rule was accordingly to be submitted giving the Conference, or its ; executive, power to make regulations for handicapping otherwise than by a special resolution. There were few reforms carried through without meeting honest objectors, and he was aware that there was opposition to this reform by some who did not realise the benefits that would accrue to the sport when this corner had been turned.

Another suggested new rnle was that relating to the licensing of handicappers. The handicapper's position wap one of the most important in the realm of trotting, and it was questionable whether it was to the advantage of the sport that there should be an unlimited number of these officials operating at one time. It had been suggested that the Conference should appoint the handicapperß to clubs, but he doubted whether they had progressed so far as that yet, and in the meantime it might be sufficient if they granted power to the executive to license handicappers, thus raising their status and denning their position. Revision of .Rules. The revision of the rules authorised by last year's Conference had been an onerous task, and a great deal of time and thought had been devoted to the work. Some of these would have aroused interest and criticism, as was to be expected, but, whilst considering the order paper, they have to remember that many a false step was made by sitting still. It had taken over forty years to build up the sport to the present state, and such a structure could only be stabilised by steady progress, and whatever readjustments might be agreed upon must be inclusive of the experience and knowledge of those men who had made a close study of the I subject.

The attendance at this Conference of delegates elected by the several clubs ensured that they had the right matei ial with which to carry on the good work instituted by their .predecessors. They made haste slowly towards the desired end—a perfectly controlled and organised sport, free from abuses, and giving recreation and pleasure to all concerned. They had, of course, critics both inside and outside of the sport. Some principles that were taken to-day for granted were looked upon with doubt and suspicion when they were initiated, but all they desired to do was to decide what was right, what was their duty, and where their responsibility lay, and then to go ahead and let the future justify their undertakings. With reference to a remit on the order paper by the New Brighton Trotting Club concerning the right of appeal to the Gourts, there appeared to be" one or two who did not understand that self-depreciation was both a sign of weakness and a means to weakness. It impaired confidence; it diminished their good repute and energy. The worst enemy of success and progress was the man who complained about difficulties, and, instead of relying upon those who had been placed in charge of the government of the sport, sought outside aid to uphold him in his theories. The Conference was the ruling body of trot ting, and, if at any period it should lose the confidence of those directly interested, then the sport must deterior- , ate and lose that respect it at present commanded. There had been no sport more progressive or more successful than

the sport of trotting, and this success would never have been attained had it not been for the high standard set by their forbears, whose tradition they endeavoured to carry on in this generation, under the supervision of the controlling body of the sport—the New Zealand Trotting Association—and by the governing body—the New Zealand Trotting Conference. The meeting signalised the twentyfifth anniversary of Mr J. B. Norris as secretary to the Conference, and the trotting clubs of the Dominion had decided to mark the event by making him a presentation to commemorate their appreciation of his services. A Satisfactory Year. "The past year has been one upon which we may look back with much satisfaction, '' said Mr Nicoll. '' Some clubs have experienced disappointments, and anxiety over their finance, but, taking a comprehensive view of trotting throughout New Zealand, we can note that the steady advance in popularity has been well maintained, and that the conduct of the Eace Meetings has been almost invariably of an exceptionally high standard. There have been few serious breaches of the rules, and %ve can compliment the Judicial Committees and the Stipendary Stewards upon their intelligent oversight of the racing, and the licensed trainers and horsemen upon their conduct both upon and off the racecourse. "In a considerable and widely spread ".ommunity such as prevails under the control of this Conference, it speaks well for the temper existing amongst the clubs that no serious friction or grievances have been apparent, and that all can join in our annual Conference in the earnest essay to work together with goodwill for the advancement of the sport we are here to represent. The love of sport is born, not made, and it is historically correct that the British people throughout the world are a race of sportsmen. It has been in living up to that tradition that the unquenchable heart of the nation has sustained it through the trials and adversities encountered in generation after generation. "The sporting character never knows defeat, and, notwithstanding the shrewdest blows, surges forward to ultimate victory against all odds. We demonstrate upon our racecourses the spirit of the realm of which we are a sector, stimulating fair play, loyalty, self-control, and submission to authority, and we can deem that we, and those working with us, are assisting, in our small way, to uphold the privileges for which our Empire stands." Notable Performances. "During the season," he said, "some notable track performances were rei corded. At the August Meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, Native Chief paced a mile in 2.7 1-5, establishing time better than any previously registered in the world under saddle. At the same Meeting Peterwah won the August Handicap in 4.23 4-5, constituting a world's race record in two miles by an unhoppled trotting horse. "In November, again on the Addington track, still another world's record was broken. This time it was by Peter Bingen, who, after winning the New Zealand Cup, won the Free for All in 2.38 4-5 for a mile and a quarter —a world's race record for that distance. "Three such achievements in as many months are well worth remembering, and are proof of the high estate to which our sport is steadily climbing. It is sometimes imagined that America is the only country to which we should look for trotting blood, but it must not be forgotten that in Europe, Eussia had its breed of trotters, the Orloffs, before America thought of producing the national horse, and prior to the revolution was far ahead of America in the magnitude of its prize-money and the importance of its racecourses. Horseracing in Holland and Denmark is confined wholly to trotting. Austria, Hungary, Germany, France, and Italy were great trotting centres prior to the war, and the light harness sport is now fast regaining its reputation. When the Orloff trotter was at its apex in Kussia, the leading breeders made an effort to prohibit the importation of American blood, and, according to an American paper il would appear France has taken up that attitude, for it is stated that the triumphs of Uranie, the French trotting champion, in Austria and Italy have created the greatest sensation in European trotting circles, and as a consequence French trotting blood has gained vastly in prestige." System of Handicapping. The big question concerned Eemit 413 a, which aimed at giving the conference or executive power to make, alter, or rescind regulations or by-lawß in respect of handicapping. Such regulations or by-laws shall, when signed by the president and transmitted to the secretary of the Conference, be notified to and be binding on all handicappers. It was recognised that on being given this power the executive would immediately introduce the system propounded by the conference of trotting officials in Wellington some time back, which fixed a li it on the penalties that could be imposed by handicappers. Previous to the meeting there were expressions of disapproval over the power that was to be given the executive, and it was plain that many members had received definite instructions to oppose the remit.

Mr J. Cuthill (Invercargill) was one of these, but he got out of the difficulty by proposing an amendment favouring the adoption of the system formulated by the Wellington delegation. Mr Nicoll was plainly very anxious to have the remit passed, and he stressed the many advantages to be derived through the establishment of a system. Mr CuthilPs amendment and Mr Nicoll's oratory had a decided effect on the meeting, and even with the stout opposition put up by Messrs McKenna and Eoberts the remit was carried. Previous to discussing the remit the president read a big Bfleaf of telegrams that he had received from owners and trainers throughout the country wishing him success in his effort to have it passed. This also had something to do with the success attained, for members realised that if the majority of owners and trainers were in favour of it, then it must have its advantages. There was much satisfaction over the result in Wellington, and this is a feeling that will extend throughout New Zealand. District Committees. Another remit that caused a lot of discussion and had been the subject of much comment of late was a motion that the New Zealand Trotting Association be abolished, and in its stead District Committees be instituted as under the Rules of Eacing. As many of the remits high up on the order paper and moved by the executive of the Conference actually affected the Association, Mr B. J. McKenna moved that this motion be taken early in the proceedings. This was agreed to and there was some good speaking on the subject. Mr B. S. Irwin, representing the Forbury Park Club, introduced the remit, and made a good effort to prove to delegates that the cost of running District Committees would be a good deal less than the present system. The expense of running District Committees was extremely small. They wanted the views of members as to whether District Committees would be better than the Association. He considered that there were many men who would be only too anxious to devote time to trotting in their own districts while it was impossible for them to travel long journeys to attend meetings of the Association,

Mr J. Lilico (Winton) spoke in favour of the motion, stating that it would be for the good of trotting to have a change. He considered that trotting had become too big to be controlled by a small body of men in Christchurch or Wellington. Mr Lockington (Eeefton) opposed the motion, considering that central control was to be preferred to committees all over the country. The present system had worked very well. Mr L. J. Brake (Northland) said he thought that the time was not ripe for a change, and it would be detrimental to the sport to make a change at this stage. The type of very worthy men now on the Association would be hard to find in everv district in New Zealand. Mr L. Cohen wished to impress upon delegate's the very great importance of having qualified men to govern the sport. On the Association they had men with a high-minded purpose and remote from local prejudices. A unirorm method was absolutelv necessary. In a number of District Committees he did not know that thev could get a type of man that would be best for the sport. He had not hftard that the men who comprised the Association had fallen short of giving dio-nitv to the sport and confidence to Xf outside public. He thought that the new Wea /as full of peril. The dig-r-Hv of the sport and confidence or the'public were the most precious things that could exist. \tr Nicoll said he did not propose to inin in a debate on the subject. He wished to point out that the Association had cost the clubs nothing outside a fee for registration and a fee for the passing of programmes. If the Trotting Association were abolished and District Committees were formed it would prove much more expensive. The work of the Conference would be increased a great deal. to being put to the meeting the motion was defeated by a big majority. Other Bemits. There was some discussion on the remit to alter Rule 33, giving the executive Power to do anything that the Conference can do by resolution not bein" a special resolution. Delegates consfdered that this was putting too much power into the hands of the executive, and they promptly defeated the motion. . . Rule 73, as a result of a remit being carried, now says that any decision made by the New Zealand Trotting Association would be final, subject to the right of appeal to the Conference. The secretary of a club shall not act as handicapper, starter, or judge at any meeting of a club was an amendment to the rules sought by the executive. but there was strong opposition from a number of delegates, and the remit was lost. Rule 203 A was an addition that simplified a rule which demands that the same horseman shall ride or drive any one horse during the course of a meeting. Delegates required that the rule be made still more definite by stating that a driver shall drive, and a rider shall ride a horse during the whole course of a meeting. The remit was carried. Rule 216 A, dealing with the registration of trainers and horsemen and the Association's power to grant a trainer's or horseman's license for any term and to impose any conditions it might think fit, was carried. There was a lot of discussion on Rule 287, which concerned race-driving and interference in races, and it also gave the stewards powers to inflict a penalty of £lO on a driver who looks round unduly in a race. This was carried. With a view to preventing team driving, a remit was introduced, stating that a horse may be disqualified for a race if a horse racing in the same interest interferes with another horse in a race and the driver may be disqualified for any period. A new Rule, 298 A, makes it obligatory on a horseman directly affected by an accident in a race immediately to report the occurrence to the Stipendiary Steward. Failure on the part of a horseman to do this may result in him being fined £5. This motion was passed. Rule 301 deals with horses breaking in races, and provides for the disqualification of a horse for a race, and the fining of the driver any. sum up to £SO. This was carried.

Eule 329F proposed to give Stipendiary Stewards power to inflict a fine up to £lO, on any horseman who, in the opinion of the Stipendiary Steward, had committed an offence in a race. The president asked permission to include in the rale a clause providing that the Stipendiary Steward be given power "with the approval of the chairman of the Judicial Committee." Mr Cohen explained that the general feeling was that the sum of £lO was too much to be imposed under these conditions. Mr Irwin said that he had come to the meeting with instructions to vote against the remit, but the amendment suggested put a different complexion on affairs. He thought it a very good rule and that £lO was not too big a sum. It was moved by Mr T. S. Roulston, and carried, that the amount be reduced to £5.

Mr McKenna spoke strongly against the motion. He stated that it was not equitable that one man should have the power to impose a penalty. In the interests of British fair play he hoped the remit would not be passed. He did not think the rnle necessary. The amendment was carried with the addition that the deposit be £2 instead of £5. As amended, the remit was carried. SOUTH CANTERBURY HUNT STEEPLECHASE MEETING. (SPECIAL TO THE PEESS.) TIMARU, July 9. The following nominations have been received : HADLOW HACK HURDLES, of 110 govs; l£m —Mime, Royal Land, Membo, Gala Day, Shut Eye, Heisler, Csrinthia, Antrim Boy, Blue Peter, Gay Bird, Apache, Paris, Nine I of Spades, TJleaborg, Gold Town, Elysianor, Clarenson, Zeuxis, Swindasa.

I FAREORA HUNTERS' STEEPLECHASE, of 120 sovs; about 2m—Te Haunui, Soldier's Dream, Diamond Jack, Master Garland, Tea Boy, Ma Rosa, Silver Light, Exide, Fairness, Faloose, Krosnoi, Hyperion, Valves. SOUTH CANTERBURY STEEPLECHASE, of 200 sovs; about 21m—Radiac, Mainspring, Terehn, Taramoa, Lord Ranald, Fabriano, Handy. Kapuna, Oriflamb, Mataipuke. LEVELS HACK HANDICAP, of 190 sovs; 6f—Sweet Refrain, Ranelagh, Haulage, Phastar. Night Effort. Miss Marco, El Nido, Felony, Hidden Mystery, Dumblane, Dundalk, Broadfield, Bon Waif, Mount Boa, Full Flight! El Boa. Red Boa, Grand Acre, Huntley, Martian Spear, Airplane. Commentor, Ripdale. WASHDYKE TROT (in saddle), of 100 sovs; l£m —Liberty Hall, Cannaich, Adon, Mary Locanda, Kid Logan, Golden Vale, Tiny Bingen, Jeanette Locanda, Harold Bingen, Harry Locanda, Mystery Child, Direct Red, Student Prince, Lord Lupin, Otaio Rose, Upstart, Muri, Wee Brent. TESCHKMAKER HUNT CUP STEEPLECHASE, of 150 sovs; about 2Jm—Hyperion. Radiac, Nifrht Raid. Shut Eye, Te Haunui, Soldier's Dream, Mataipuke, Greenstone, Handy, Silver Lig'at, Faloose, Krasnoi, Sea Boy, Valves. HUNTERS' PLATE HANDICAP, of 100 sovs; l£m —Hyperion, Fresh Breeze, Royal Land. Beauty Light, Symons. Shut Eye, Equerrv, Scion. Tintore-tta, Hidden Mystery, Ayrburn, Master Garland. Beauty Light, Whiffler, Ace Pot. Mount Boa. Barrington, Exide Blue Ray, Krasnoi, Peterette, Clarenson, Royal Dispatch, Mime. CLAREMONT HANDICAP, of 100 sovs; lm Pangolin, Overdrawn, Waterlow, Rascal, Martis Evening, Membo, Taboo, Wingatui, Town 'Bank, Filosol. Fairy Herald, Black Duke King Balboa, Haze, Royal Saxon, Solferite First Raid. Wayward, Boyel Tractor, Bed Boa, Front Bank.