WHIPPET RACING.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20623, 12 August 1932, Page 16

WHIPPET RACING.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION. . The annual general meeting of the National "Whippet Racing Association of New Zealand was held last evening. Present: Messrs J. K. D. Johns (president), V. J. Drake (hon. treasurer), J. Mayder (Dunedin), J. Pa.yton (Dvnedin), G. Biltcliff (New Zealand), H. J. JFitisimmons (B'ullcr), E. J. Little (North Canterbury), G. S. A. Biltcliff (Invercargill), F. Solomon (North Canterbury), A. J. Wing (New Zealand), W. Price (Belfast). M. Kobinson (New Zealand), V. Neale (Belfast), J. Ramsay (Belfast), D. D. A. McPherson (Manawatu), F. Tanner (IJunedin), E. Davis (Ohai), and Mrs F. E. Biltcliff (hon. secretary). Report and Balance-Sheet. The annual report stated that during the past year the sport had continued to progress in the Dominion. A new club with its centra in Uhai had been affiliated, whilst the Kangiora Club, through difficulties in connexion with a ground, had, after a period in which it was in abeyance, finally disbanded. Increased interest had been aroused in the North Island, and th3re was a possibility of several new clubs being formed in the near future. The financial position of the association was sound, ae after meetifg several items of non-recurring expenditure there was still a substantial credit balance. The provision of the New Zealand champion shield had led to considerable, interest amongst the affiliated clubs. The shield had been allotted to the North Canterbury Club and was raced for at Woodend on April ICth and won by J. H. Prisk's May Wyn from a etrong field. The statement of receipts and expenditure showed a credit balance of £74 18s 8d and a turnover of £156 13s 4d.

. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The election of officers resulted:—President. Mr J. R. D. Johns (re-elected); vicePTcsident, Mr F. Collier; hon. treasurer, Mr V. J. Drake; hon. secretary, Mrs F. E. Biltcliff; committee, Messrs G. Biltcliff, L: Ilolbroiifrh, M. Robinson, F. Tanner, and A. J. -Wins. Other Matters. A discussion took place regarding class racing, and it was eventually decided that in all races which bear no restriction as regards weight and age the definition of classes should be left to the individual clubs. Special classes it was decided should be rrovided as follows:—(1) Nursery class, for dogs up to six months in age; (2) juvenile class, fpr dogs from six to nine months; and (3) light-weight class, ior dogs 21b and under. All races in any such special classes ara to have, jio bearing upon a dog's mark in a,ny other class. Special permits, however, may ba granted to clubs to extend the nursery class to dogs up to eight months of age. A largo number of remits were tabled in connexion with penalising and repenalising, the majority being carried. It was decided that in future each club should have one representative on the committee of the association, but that at the present time it would not be advisable to proceed with a suggested system of control by provincial committees.