WHIPPET RACING ON SUNDAY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 71, 17 December 1935, Page 11

WHIPPET RACING ON SUNDAY

Lower Hutt Discussion

NEW COUNCIL BY-LAW TO OPERATE

Whippet racing In the district, with particular reference to Sunday meetings, was debated at the meeting of the Lower Hutt Borough Council last night, when a motion adopting a bylaw to give the council authority to regulate the holding of meetings was carried.

The by-law is a general one, and it will be necessary for the council to lay down its policy in particular under it. Discussion arose as to what action should lie taken till such time as the bylaws committee and the council had decided their attitude. Or. J. Mitchell moved that no permits for Sunday meetings be granted until the by-laws committee had met a deputation from those concerned.

This was seconded by Cr. M. Macaskill, who eaid the principle involved was the main thing. Until such time as the council said meetings were to be held on Sunday it would be failing in its duty if it permitted these meetings to be held on Sunday. If the matter of issuing a permit to a racing club for races on Sunday arose, he did not for one moment think that it would be granted. While there had been no mention of betting in connection with whippet racing, councillors, as men of the world, must know that those things were not run for fun.

Cr. AV. B. Rainey said the question was a big one, and careful consideration should be given to it. Representations would be made to the council by those concerned in the conduct of the sport. Cr. P. Dowse, urging that permits for ordinary meetings be granted till the council had decided its policy, said he had as much regard for the public morals as any other councillor.

The Mayor, Mr. J. AV. Andrews, said the main objection introduced had been by people who objected to Sunday racing.

Cr. C. J. Ashton said lie did not like the idea of dog racing being held on Sunday. It could not be carried on without a lot of yelping and noise. An amendment moved by Cr. Rainey that the coming into operation of the by-law be deferred till February 15, instead of December 24 as proposed, was carried. This means that the council at its first meeting next year will determine its policy and make regulations under the by-law accordingly.