THE D.J.C. COMMITTEE.

Evening Star, Issue 10400, 23 August 1897, Page 3

THE D.J.C. COMMITTEE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —It is an open secret that one of the recently-elected members of the Dunedin Jockey Club Committee is about to res ; gn his position on that body, if, indeed, the resignation has not already been handed in. A great deal of interest is being taken in tho matter by those who follow such questions, aud various opinions aro expressed as to what steps tho Committee are likely to take to fill the vacancy. To my mind the position is very clear, however, and I cannot see how the Committee can do otherwise than appoint the next on the list, unless they call a special meeting of the c’ub to make the appointment. This would entail a lot of expense, and is, under the circumstances, quite unnecessary. The gentleman whose resignation will cause the vacancy has really never, entered on his duties; and as the members of the club, at the annual meeting, clearly showed who they considered the next best man, the Committee cannot in justice go past him in filling the vacancy. When it is further considered that the gentleman who headed the list of unsuccessful candidates at the annual meeting (Mr J. Grindley) ia well known and highly respected by all racing men, and that he has already done good service for the Sport in many ways, it will be very strange if the Committee can bring forward any reason for refusing to appoint him now. Added to this, it is generally recognised in cases Jibe the present that the next man on the list should bo pat in. This custom is followed on school committees and nearly every other body where elections aro conducted as in the present case. It ia rumored that the Committee intend to appoint a favorite of their own choosing to the vacancy. Whether there is any truth in the rumor I am not in a position to state, but I scarcely think they will adopt such a course, which would be flying in tho face of the wishes of the members, expressed so recently at the annual meeting of the club.—l am, etc., _ Fairi-lay. Dunedin, August 23.