NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CON FERENCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 12, 14 July 1903, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CON FERENCE.

The annual conference of delegates of Trotting Clubs affiliated to the New Zealand Trotting Association opened to-day ■at Mr. H. M. Lyon's offices, Government Insurance Buildings. The following delegates were ill attendance : —Messrs. P. Selig, Greymouthj C. S. Howell, Plump ton Park j •W. Armstrong, South Wairarapa; D. M'Lean, Ashburton ; C. F. Mark, Auckland; G. M'Hafiie, ~New Zealand Metropolitan ; T. H. Davev, M.H.R., New Brighton; W. Absolem, Otahuhu ; U. Shannon, Wairau ; T. Duncan, Masterton ; J. H. Pollock, Nelson ; Hon. H. Gourley, Gore ; A. L. Myers^ Tahuna Park. The Chairman, addressing the delegates, said that he thought it might ba taken for granted that, speaking in general terms, the labours of past conferences had borne good fruit, in that the control of the sport of trotting tinder the code of rules set up had shown a decided improvement. While saying so nvuch, it must be admitted if they were to take stakes money and totalisator returns as a guide, that the figures did not show chaos, as a whole, to have progressed to any great extent. He submitted statistics dealing with the operations of trotting clubs during the past season, showing that there had been 32 meetings embracing 58 days' racing, and 439 races, the added money amounting to £18,378, and the amount passed through the totalisator £159,147. Thirty Jockey Clubs " in the South Island had during the past season decided at their meetings 108 trotting events, which were approved by the governing body (the New Zealand Trotting Association), and run under tiba rules of trotting. To these trotting races; the clubs gave £3180 in stakes, and £25,842 was speculated upon them, through the totalisator. It was instructive to note that in many cases the trotting events attracted larger fields than] the flat races on the programme The North Island Trotting Clubs, judging by the totalisator figures, would seem to have gone back during the season, Auckland district showing the heaviest shrinkage as compared with the previous twelve months. In the South Island most of the clubs had experienced an increase in. their totalisator levenue, the Canterbury Clubs especially showing up prominently in this respect. For the whole of the colony the grand totals so far as stake money and totalisator revenue were concerned could be said to be practically the same as last season. The status of more than one club had been under review, and in the case of Wellington, - the New Zealand Trotting Association had seen fit to disaffiliate the club, which consequently was not in a position to hold its second meeting, the totalisator permit not being available. If the sport of trotting was to prosper and to command the respect of the people, all would agree that it was imperative that clubs should bft conducted in such a manner that would leave no shadow of suspicion. The Chairman made reference to "ringing-iu" cases winch had been the subject of investigation, and indicated that it was intended to alter the conditions so that evidence tendered to the Association would be legally acceptable in any Court of Law. They had only to look back a very few yeats to quickly see how by "leaps and bounds," the breeding industry in connection with trotting had gone ahead. Ifc spoke well for trotting as a sport when New Zealand could produce such as Ribbonwood, who, he was assured, wowld realise a high figure in the United States to-day, ao^d would still knock some seconds off his record. They had other evidence of what trotting had done for th© breeding of utility horses — in the sale of the late Mr. H. Mace's stud, one of which, Almont (who was now 'putting up brilliant records in Victoria) realised the satisfactory figure of £600 odd. These were surely very gratifying evidences that 'trotting had become a very valuable and appreciable branch of New Zealand's out- * door sport, and a no less valuable breeding industry. Alluding to the attack again being made on the totalisator, the Chairman remarked that it was said there was a majority in the House o£ Representatives in favour of the < totalisator, and that the Abolition Bill would be rejected, if it should come to a division, by at lease eight votes. Personally, he thought the majority would be larger." Notwithstanding these predictions, it behoved all who favoured the retention of the machine to leave undone nothing that would assist to defeat the object of those who are seeking its abolition. Without the assistance of the totalisator the sport of trotting could not be kept up to its present standard. The Government was again introducing a Stud Bill. The matter was one affecting materially the breeding industry, and he asked the conference to set up a committee, as was done last year, to consider the Bill and report. As to the business to be brought before the conference, the first and most im-> portant notice of motion was in the direction of altering the constitution oft the New Zealand Trotting Association. In whatever way delegates might view the proposal, it was to be hoped the old cry of North versus South would not be revived. He had no hesitation in saying that the Board had shown the utmost impartiality in dealing with the various cases brought before it, and he thought the governing body — which should be as irreproachable as a Bench of Supreme Court Judges — would lay claim, together with the conference, to have been of great assistance to the sport of trotting. The proposal respecting pony races brought forward last year, but withdrawn on representations that it might not fit in with the Racing Conference's - decision on the subject, would be again before them. Ifc sought to ratify the arrangement made with the Racing Conference,, and should, to keep faith with that body, be given effect to. . Power was sought by the Association to set up reciprocal-agree-ments with the Commonwealth and America respecting registrations, disqualifications, etc., a step in the proper direction Members of the governing body were in the habit of attending trotting ! meetings held near headquarters, and they could delegate a member or membeis tv represent the Board at meetings outside Chnstchurch. The Association, however, Bought authority to appoint Stipendiary Stewards to act when considered neces--sary at any meeting at which trotting events were decided. He had on more than one occasion referred to the advisability of providing a provident fund from which men holding the Association's licenses might be assisted in. the event of accidents, sickness, etc. The conference would have before it proposals dealing with this important subject, and he hoped they would result in a fund being established on a sound basis. Some £250 in . round numbers, had been placed on deposit by the governing body " with i: view of such a fund being set up for distribution on properly defined lines. There are other proposals of more or less importance for consideration. The balance-sheet showed the receipt* to have amounted to £76 2s lid, and the balance to credit to be £7 17s sd. The assets were valued at £10 Is lid, and the liabilities were oil. The balance-sheet was adopted. At the instance of Masterton, the conference proceeded to discuss a proposal altering the constitution of the association, so that it should be composed of seven members of South Island clubs and two members of North Island clubs. The Masterton delegate (Mr. Thos. Duncan) said that without wishing to raise the question of North v. South, his club felt that some such change as proposed was necessary. At present, the North Island was wholly unrepresented t and

consequently had no say in the conduct of its affairs. Mr. M'Haffie, who seconded the motion, said the adoption of the proposal would do away with any existing feeling in the direction of the separation of the North from the South. After discussion, the mover, at the suggestion of members, agreed to amend the motion by deleting the provision that the executive must be members of trotting clubs, and substituting the term residents, thus allowing the clubs freedom to elect outside representatives if they chose to do so. The motion was adopted as amended, and the North Island delegates were authorised to bring down a recommendation as to the mode of election. At the suggestion of the New Zealand Trotting Association, rule 7 was amended in the direction of providing that all evidence given before the association in respect of disputes, appeals, and decisions on important questions should be declared under the Justices of the Peace Act 1882. An animated debate rose on a proposal to allow appeals on questions of fact. It was argued that stewards could not be expected to see everything, and consequently it was only right and just that there should be, right of appeal against -decisions given under such circumstances. The speaker declared that there were stewards in the colony who •would " swear away their souls." (Laughter. ) On the other hand, several speakers supported the present law, and the Hon. Mr. Gourlay went as far as to advocate that they should return to the old law under which the decisions of stewards were final, contending that appeals only encouraged people to make false statements. The motion was rejected, only four delegates suppprting it. The conference adjourned till 2.30