RACING COMMISSION’S REPORT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 275, 15 August 1921, Page 7

RACING COMMISSION’S REPORT

. THE RANGITIKEI PROTEST. I The Rangitikei Racing Club has issued the following Birther protest against the suggestion of the Racing Commission to take away its totalisator permit:-— "The Rangitikei Racing Club has for tho past sixty-fiva years upheld the best traditions of sport in the Rangitikei district, and has supplied clean, first-class racing for many thousands of country folk in Bulls, Sanson, and the surrounding districts. As showing the popularity of the club’s gatherings, it may bo mentioned that at tho last annual meeting about 4500 persons paid for admission. Tlio central position of tho club’s fine course enables tho Rangitikei Racing Club to cater for thousands of farming people who would never otherwise enjoy even an annual day’s sport, and it is not surprising, therefore, that intense indignation has been stirred up in Rangitikei by the rocommendaton of the Racing Commission that this and other country clubs should be deprived of their annual meetings in order to grant additional permits to larger clubs which aro already surfeited with racing. Tho Press of tho Dominion has lent a sympathetic ear to tho just protests of tho little country clubs, and It seems probable that when Parliament meets the findings of the Racing Commission will be vetoed. Nevertheless, the Rangitikei Racing Club has boon actively engaged marshalling its forew. and at the forthcoming meeting of the club’s members a mooter petition will be prepared for presentation to Parliament. Tho club’s supporters have included the leading horse breeders, horse owners, hunting and polo enthusiasts in tho Rangitikei district, and tho facilities of racing at homo, and tho splendid training tracks provided by tho Rangitikei Racing Club have been a big factor in promoting the sport in tho district. During the past twenty-four years the Rangitikei Racing Club has contribut. ed ,£18,815 to the New Zealand Government in totalisator tax alone, of which .£12,473 has boon paid in tho last six years, showing the progress the club has made in recent years.’’