Page 2 Advertisements Column 6

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 89, 17 April 1911, Page 2

THE RACING COMMISSION. «. A MONTH'S WOEK. In about a month's time the Racing Commission — which is to meet in Wellington on Bth May to draw tp its report — covered 5000 miles in its ruelv through the country inspecting courses on which totalisators are used. Mr. A. E. Cohen, one of the commissioners, in an interview with a Star; reporter stated that the courses iui epeeted were like the roads — in various •sta-ges of perfect-ion and neglect.! "Ellerslie," said Mr. Cohen, "is an/ ideal course, which compares favourably, with Flemington in ite appointments. At tho time of our visit a fiv'3-furlong course -was being prepared, at n cost of £3000, exclusively for the training of two-year-olds. Mind, exclusively fotj ■their training ! Some of the courses, on[ the other hand, were sadly neglected^ On one, the only ' improvemenT was a judge's box, sole designation of the use to which the ground was put, There you have the best and the worst." Tha commissioners were distinctly impressed by the beautiful surroundings of the Tauhereniktiu course, where niicau and climbing rata- mado a picturesque background ; and by the stables and jockeys' quarters, which were a feature Timaru. In one respect the conmiasfon found something novel at Hokitika, in the guise of a special stand far patients I from the local mental hospital — a jprivilege greatly enjoyed by such pat-ients as were permitted to attend the meetings. Some misconception appears Lo exist, i observed Mr. Cohen, in reference ~to a telegraphic message published I'rom the West Coast with regard to th<i size of tracks. It was there stated that th« members of the Racing Commission had expressed the opinion that all trotting courses should not be less than six furlongs, and that this standard was possible of attainment in all places except on the West Coast. What was observed, says Mr. Cohen, was that six furlongs was the recognised standard for trotting tracks. Forbury Park, for instance, is only five "furlongs in circumference, and it is recognised that it is one of the best shaped in the Dominion* j and absolutely safe. In America- halfmile tracks are largely ill vogue. What the authorities there— a« with tho Racing Commission here — insist on is thai the courses ai-e safe and attended by j proper appliances. An expr««.ibn o£ opinion as to the view of the commissioners in regard to the advisability \>i ! racing courses not being lees than a mil-o waa occasionally given ? but. of course, anything official in this respect cannot be understood to have ta-anspired till the commission pieets for consideration of it« report. The investigations made by tho commission on its tour vicro m raspoct of the history of clubs, age of courses, area of ground, financial position ol' clubs, contiguity to other courses, and a hopfc of other dofcaite which will help i-hem in their delicate task, which may include the abolition or ab&orntioai of some of th© clubs A