Increased interest in conference elections

Press, 2 May 1984, Page 33

Increased interest in conference elections

By

G. K. YULE

While nominations for positions on the executive of the Trotting Conference do not close until May 20, everything points to intense electioneering for at least two South Island appointments.

The South Island vicepresident, Mr George Kelly, a past-president of the Methven club, will have at least two rivals, as will Sir James Barnes, of Dunedin, who is seeking another three-year term as the South Island representative on the Racing Authority. Mr Jack Phillips, of Timaru, and Mr Bruce Woods, of Christchurch, have already been nominated to oppose Mr Kelly. Mr Bob Duff, who is due to retire this year as president of the Canterbury Park Club, and Mr Murray Taylor, the retiring president of the Metropolitan Club, have been nominated to oppose Sir James Barnes.

For a time it looked as though Mr Kelly might have to seek a club outside Methven to nominate him. The Methven club decided not to nominate Mr Kelly and supported another former

president, Mr Ron May, for the position. More recently, the Methven committee met again and reversed its original decision. It will now nominate Mr Kelly, while Mr May will oppose Mr Colin Baynes, of Gore, and Mr Bob Dayne, of Greymouth, for a South Island seat on the executive. Messrs Phillips and Woods are two of the three South Island executive members who do not come up for re-election this year. Should Mr Kelly retain his seat, both will remain members of the executive. The expected election for South Island representative on the Racing Authority is certain to arouse much interest.

That Sir James Barnes was considering seeking another term surprised many club officials. Twelve months ago Sir James was

heavily defeated by Mr Dewar Robertshaw, of Auckland, when he sought re-election as president of the conference. It is difficult to imagine any increase in support for Sir James in the last 12 months. The surprising feature is that the opponents of Sir James Barnes are both retiring presidents of Christ-church-based clubs. There has been growing support for Mr Duff on a national basis, mainly as a result of his valuable contributions to discussions at annual meetings of the conference. Unless there is a radical change in views so obvious at present, Mr Duff is the person most likely to unseat Sir James.

Mr Robertshaw will almost certainly not be opposed for another term as president, and so far there

is no rival for the North Island vice-president, Mr Charlie Elliott, of Morrinsville, who has retained his position in the face of stern opposition in recent years. There will be elections for both North Island and South Island seats on the executive. Should either Mr Phillips or Mr Woods unseat the South Island vice-presi-dent, Mr Kelly, the highest polling unsuccessful candidate would be the replacement for the resulting vacancy.

Mr Ron Hanford, of Auckland, Mr Jack Knight, of Franklin, and Dr lan McKay, of Palmerston North are the retiring North Island of the executive. Mr Barney Reilly, of Cambridge, will be among their rivals. Mr Merv Corner, of Auckland, is the retiring North Island represenitive’of the Racing Authority. He is unlikely to be challenged.