COUNTRY RACING CLUBS' ASSOCIATION

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 23, 27 January 1923, Page 15

COUNTRY RACING CLUBS' ASSOCIATION

The executive of the New Zealand Country Racing Clubs' Association met at 'Wellington this week, Mr. A. Brucj*' (president), of Thames,' presiding, the meeting considering matters in connection with the extension of the constitution. It was resolved to circularise all country racing clubs and hunt clubs in | the Dominion, urging united affiliation with a view to a better organisation in the interests of the country clubs. The annual meeting will be held at Wellington in July next, when it will be resolved to recommend the appointment of a paid secretary for the association and to establish the headquarters of the organisation at Wellington. The president was asked to watch the interests of country racing, clubs in regard to any legislation promoted for Parliament, and to act as necessary in regard to any possible remission of taxation, which was now pressing so heavily on the country racing clubs. The practice of country clubs holding race meetings on courses other than their own was not thought to bo in the best interests of the sport, and it' was considered that the practice, if persisted in, would be harmful to the claims of the country clubs for further consideration, in regard to, additional permits. The. vicepresident (Mr. Evans) was invited to draft a circular to be forwarded to all country clubs urging united action with regard to country racing, with the object of strengthening the position oi the association in tl\e continued effort for more liberal recognition of those clubs which were carrying on. at present under great disabilities through a restriction of permits. Various matters affecting the welfare of the. association were discussed, including a proposal to increase the levy payable to;

this association to one guinea per day's racing. This matter will come before the annual meeting, which it is expected will be attended by a representative body of delegates' from the principal country clubs of both islands.