VALUE OF STIPENDIARIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 141, 16 June 1936, Page 13

VALUE OF STIPENDIARIES

The South African Jockey Club has a membership of 310, but only 30 voted when Mr. W. H. Hamilton, chairman of stewards of the Durban Turf Club, moved for the extension of the employment of stipendiary stewards, with the Jockey Club to make the appointments and control the officials.

In moving the resolution, Mr. HamilIton said that if racing was to enjoy the confidence of the public of South Africa the adoption of a stipendiary steward system in some form or other was necessary. The honorary steward systent was too susceptible to powerful private influences, and, with the dice loaded against them, it was not to be wondered at that the stewards often took up the lino of least resistance.

Mr. A. W. Stayt. chairman ot the Jockey Club, in replying to Mr. Hamil- ! (on's remarks, said that the executive was not prepared to accept the proposition. Durban's experience of the stipendiary stewards system was too short lo warrant the conclusion that the experiment was definitely a success. It was considered by the Jockey Club that the appointment of stipendiary stewards should not be made obligatory. Clubs individually could please themselves about such appointments.

The principle of the appointment of stipendiary stewards was approved by various speakers, but they did not think the- Jockey Club should interfere in the domestic affairs of clubs to the extent of forcing stewards on them. The motion was finally negatived by 27 votes to 3.