HUNT CLUBS’ RACE MEETINGS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21827, 6 July 1936, Page 12

HUNT CLUBS’ RACE MEETINGS

PROTEST FROM SOUTH CANTERBURY DISTRICT COMMITTEE’S ACTION OPPOSED The action of the district committee in recommending that the Waimate and South Canterbury Hunts should be held a week later to allow the Christchurch Hunt to race on the last Saturday of this month is strongly opposed by the South Canterbury Hunt, on the ground that hardship would be caused the southern clubs, and at a meeting of the committee of the South Canterbury body, at which tlm master (Mr C. L. Orbell) presided, the action of the secretary (Mr H. H. Fraser) in forwarding a letter of protest was approved. The principal reasons for the objection were set out as follows:—That the South Canterbury Hunt has raced on the last Saturday in July for the last nine years except on one occasion; that the South Canterbury Hunt has not missed a season’s racing during the last nine years; that the Christchurch Hunt did not race in the 1927-28, 1931-32, or 1933-34 seasons; that only on one occasion in the last nine years has the Christchurch Hunt raced in July; that in 1932 the Christchurch Hunt held a combined meeting with Hororata and Amberley on July 23, a week before the South Canterbury meeting: that as there are only 240 days’ racing during the season, the Christchurch Hunt cannot, according to stature, race In July, 1937, if it races on August 3. 1936. This is laid down by the Minister, who would not allow the Timaru Trotting Club an extra day’s racing in July this year, as he had only 80 days set down by statute to allot during the year. As a result the conference in one season could not very well issue 241 permits to galloping clubs; that the Christchurch Hunt could easily race after the National without doing any harm, and everyone would be more than S3 The letter said that an attempt was being made to buttonhole South Canterbury’s date. It was apparent that Christchurch had been allowed to wander about the calendar just when it suited it. and it was obvious that if a suitable date in August before the National could not be arranged it should accept a date after the National. The letter said that it should be remembered that the only occasion in July upon which the Christchurch Hunt had raced had been when it had been successful in usurping South Canterbury’s date, aifd on those occasions South Canterbury had made strong objection. The fact that the Christchurch Hunt endeavoured to race 10 days before the National had apparently weighed heavily with the district committee, which had overlooked the fact that in granting it South Canterbury s date Christchurch would be racing twice in one season. It was hoped that the committee would reconsider the decision and Justify South Canterbury’s claim. In reply to a suggestion from Mr M. C. Harper that the committee might consider “win and place” betting for the coming meeting, the master said that with bigger fields there was more demand for place betting, and he considered that the system had come to stay. It was impossible, however, for the hunt to use the system this year. It was reported that the recent point" to-polnt meeting had resulted in a profit of £l7. DUNEDIN J.C. MEETING OF COMMITTEE The monthly meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club last week was attended by Messrs A. C. Hanlon (in the chair), Hazlett, Edmonds, Smith, Potter, Tyson, Coughlan, and Dr. Batchelor.

A financial statement of the recent meeting was noted with satisfaction. A letter was received from Mr W.

F. James, concerning the selling of win and place tickets at the same window. It was resolved to ask Mr James to attend the next meeting of the committee to discuss this and other matters.

A statement of the cash position of the club* showed the club to be in a sound position. I, was resolved that the works at Wingatui, as outlined by the works committee, be proceeded with at once, such work to include shifting of the

carpenter's workroom, alterations to the judge’s box, and concreting. The Otago Hunt Club was granted the use of the Wingatui racecourse for its annual meeting. The resignation of Mr B. Ireland as judge was received and was accepted with regret.

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