RACING IN N.Z.

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 9, 10 July 1942, Page 3

RACING IN N.Z.

DIFFICULTIES AHEAD

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

"Last year I alluded to the fact that the war had not affected us to anything approaching the degree it had our kinsmen in Great Britain, and that inevitably we would have to face up to the fact that greater sacrifices would be necessary as the struggle increased in violence," said Mr. A. S- Elworthy m his presidential address at the annual meeting of tlie New Zealand Racing Conference today. Mr. Elworthy said that in February last the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. Parry) had sought the recommendation of the conference to cover an assured reduction of 60 days' racing over the whole of the current racihg year; Then, in March, the Government had imposed a cut of 50 per cent, in the number of totalisator days for racing and trotting meetings. The executive committee had readily supported the necessary reduction, fully realising the gravity of the situation. However, if a further cut was found necessary, racing would have to be abandoned till after the war, for it would be impossible for the majority of "owners, trainers, and jockeys to carry on without considerable financial loss. It was recognised that the war came finst, and if anything stood in the way of victory, then it would have to be cut out. The work of the conference had been to allot the 120 days' racing allowed by the Government. Some clubs might have felt that they had been unfairly treated, but they had to remember that the duty of the conference was to further the interests of racing generally, rather than , clubs individually. Transportation had been a difficulty, and many clubs had found it hard to hold their meetings with any degree of success. Ultimately, the position would resolve itself to one of moderate centralisation. POSITION OF PRESIDENT. In conclusion, Mr. Elworthy said that it was with the greatest regret- that he had decided not to stand for reelection as president. Like most farmers he was finding it difficult to carry on under present conditions, and he did not have the necessary time to do justice to the position. Further, he was of the opinion that it was essential for the president to live in the city where the conference met. Many questions required immediate attention, and it added to the duties of the secretary if the matters had to be discussed by letter or by long-distance trunk calls. On the proposal of Dr. A. McGregor Grant (Auckland) it was decided to agree to the New Zealand Hunt Clubs' Association's suggestion that for the duration of the war the hunt master or the deputy of any affiliated club be empowered to issue a qualification certificate for hunters in lieu of the rule at present operating. An application for the remission of the term of suspension of the apprentice jockey E. V. Dye was refused. As a number of clubs had been under the impression that the conference would be held in skeleton form and had not suggested any amendmentas to the rules, it was decided to refer all notices of motion on the order paper to the incoming*executive for consideration. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr. H. R. Chalmers (Wellington); vice-president, Mr. C. Motion (Auckland); executive, Dr. A. McGregor Grant (Auckland), Messrs. A. S- Elworthy (Canterbury), L. C. Hazlett (Dunedin), T. E. Coates (Greymouth), F. P. Kelly (Hawke's Bay), W. T. Hazlett (Southland), G. W. Glenn (Wanganui), C. W. Tringham (Wellington), and the Hon. J. McLeod (Taranaki). A tribute to the services given to racing by the retiring president, Mr. Elworthy, was paid by Mr. Chalmers. RACING FIXTURES. The following race dates for the now season were agreed to :— Aug. 1, Christchurch H.C.; Aug. 1, Hawke's Bay H.C. (in association with the Dannevirke H.C.); Aug. 8., Canterbury J.C.; Aug. 8, Thames J.C. (at Paeroa) ; Aug. 15, Cuiterbury J.C.; Aug. 22, Pakuranga H.C-; Aug. 22 or 29, Egmont-Wanganui and Taranaki Combined Hunt Clubs (at Hawera). Sept. 5, Otago H.C.; Sept, 12, Avondale J.C.; Sept. 12, Wanganui J.C.; Sept. 12, Ashburton C.R.C.; Sept. 19, Wanganui J.C; Sept. 26, Geraldine R.C.; Sept. 26, Ohinemuri J.C.; Sept. 26, Foxton R.C Oct. 3, Hawke's Bay J.C.; Oct. 3, Masterton R.C; Oct. 10, Dunedin J.C; Oct. 10, Otaki Maori R.C: Oct. 10, Auckland R.C; Oct. 17, South Canterbury J.C; Oct. 24, Gore Racing Club; Oct. 21, Wellington R.C; Oct. 26, Waikato H.C. (in association with Rotorua and Buy of Plenty H.C); Oct. 26, Waverley R.C.; Oct. 26, Poverty Bay H.C; Oct. 26. North Canterbury R.C; Oct. .26 or 31, Wellington R.C Nov. 7, Napier Park R.C; Nov. 1, Avondale J.C; Nov. 14, Napier Park R.C; Nov. 21, Levin R.C; Nov. 21, Canterbury J.C; Nov. 21, Southland R.C; Nov. 21, Waikato R.C; Nov, 28, Canterbury J.C, Dec. 5, Woodville J.C; Dec. 12, Waipa R.C; Dec. 12, Otaki Maori R.C; Dec. 19, Manawatu R.C; Dec, 26, Dunedin J.C; Dec. 26, Manawatu R.C; Dec. 26, Taranaki J.C; Dec, 26, Jan. 1, 2, 1943, Auckland B.C. Jan. 1, Wyndham R.C.; Jan. 1, Waikouaiti R.C; Jau. 1, 2, Marton J.C. (one day to be In association with Ashhurst-Pohangina R.C.) ; Jan. 1, 2, or Apl. 24, 26, Wairarapa R.C; Jan. 1, 2, Hawke's Bay J.C; Jan. 1, 2, Stratford R.C. (one day to be ln association ivith Opunake R.C); Jan. 1, 2, Greymouth J.C.; Jan. 2, Southland R.C; Jan. 0, Vincent J.C; Jan. 9, Reefton J.C; Jan. 16, Wellington R.C; Jan. 23, Wellington R.C; Jan. 30, Auckland R.C; Jan. 30, Wairoa R.C Feb. 6, Winton J.C.; Feb. 6, Poverty Bay T.C.; Feb. 6, Egmont R.C; Feb. 6, Matamata R.C; Feb. 13, Poverty Bay T.C; Feb. 13, Taranaki J.C; Feb. 13, Taranaki J.C: Feb. 13, Rotorua R.C; Feb. 13, Gore R.C; Feb. 13, Westland R.C; Feb. 20, Waiknto R.C; Feb. 20, Woodvillo Dist. J.C; Feb. 27, Te Aroha J.C; Feb. 27, Greymouth J.C; Feb. 27, Rangitikei R.C.; Feb. 27, Dunedin J.C. Mar. 6, Banks Peninsula R.C.; Mar. 6, Franklin R.C; Mar. 13, Ohinemuri J.C; Mar. 13, Wellington R.C; Mar. 20, Manawatu R.C; Mar. 20, Oamaru J.C; Mar. 27, Bay of Plenty R.C. Apl. 17, Westport J.C; Apl. 24, 26, Feilding J.C; Apl. 24, 26, Auckland R.C; Apl. 24, 26, Riverton R.C (one day to be in association with Otautau R.C.) ; Apl. 26, Waipukurau J.C.; Apl. 26, Kumara R.C; Apl. 26, Canterbury J.C; Apl. 26, Beaumont R.C May 1, Avondale J.C; May I. Southland lI.C. (in association witii the Birchwood H.C); May 1. Canterbury J.C; May 8, Egraont R.C; May S, Ashburton C.R.C; May 15, Oamaru J.C.; May 10, Poverty Bay T.C. (at Te .Aroha); Jlay ID, Nelson J.C; May 22, South Canterbury J.C; May 22, Waikato R.C; May 122, Marlborough R.C; May 29, Dunedin J.C. June 5, Dunedin J.C.; Juno 5, Wanganui J.C; June 5, Auckland R.C.; June 12, Auckland R.C.; June 12, Hawke's Bay J.C.; June 19, Manawatu R.C. i July 3.—Wellington R.C; July 10, Wellington R.C.; July 17, Waimato R.C. (in association with Waimate Diet. H.C.); July 24 or 31, Manawatu and Rangitikei Combined Hunt Clubs; one day, Pahiatua R.C. (date to be approved). J

In the event of clubs associated In the holding of race meetings not agreeing to terms, authority was given for tho matter to be referred to the district 'committee for decision.