INCREASE OF STAKES SUGGESTED

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28010, 3 July 1956, Page 5

INCREASE OF STAKES SUGGESTED

A request that the club consider the question of stakes and give every consideration to owners, who had to contend with rising costs for training were made by Mr H. W. Drewery at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club last night. The club had been receiving large sums from the Totalisator Agency Board, and profits had been quite substantial. However, stakes for the club’s August meeting had been increased by only £lOO. The retiring president (Mr C. E. Hoy) had claimed in his address that the club had given £84,975 in stakes during the past year. “In actual fact you didn’t give that, as owners paid over £ll.OOO in nomination and acceptance fees," said Mr Drewery, who added that he hoped the club would soon be able to increase stakes.

There were two sides to the question of stakes, said the president (Mr W. M. Olliver). He assured Mr Drewery that the position would be investigated. There was not one member of the committee anxious to reduce stakes. The winner of any stake, however small, was receiving good money, said Mr Olliver. The owner not participating in stakes At all should not be overlooked.