“HARD HIT.”

Evening Star, Issue 14607, 1 July 1911, Page 4

“HARD HIT.”

TAKAPUNA J.C.’S .POSITION. JVIR E. W. ALISON, SPEAKS OUT. , fSI'KCIAL TO THIS StAK.J AUCKLAND, July 1. The Taka,puna. .Jockey Club have been one of the •* hard vet hit” by tho ilacing Coiumiscdon in tho alloc;uion of permit's, the number of raring clays being cut clown from seven to four. The aitepda.iu'e at tho Takapuna meeting, it ie contended, rnnlcs third in Nc-w Zealand. being only exceeded by meetings at Elk ratio and Riecartou. On Monday evening the ia.ke’inb (Mr E. W. Alison) put. the po.-inon, Interviewed by a ‘Star’ iepia.-ntaiivo. - .) ■ president of the Takapuna •lc.ck.ey bib (Air E. W. Allison) put Urn position. far as hie club is concerned, both ■ idly and forcibly. “ The Gommieciers, in my opinion,” raid .Mr --Hkon, '.uiii-ot b» complimented upon tho in.ni- ;■ in which they have discharged their pon.sibiiites and oneron-s duties, for likt their report is a comp ehensi ve .a. many of their docieom clearly point ;o the conclusion that limy ware not actuated by that high sons!' of impartiality and equity which was ex pc ek'd from them, and that the policy of cutting down of race clays rind the obliteration of lubs has not bvcu consistently adhered “What policy should have guided the .•mmjVsionc-rs v ” I contend, and I think it will bo generally admitted, that the ('onmiivion should have worked on the basis of population and area, but Mr Rowe, one of the Commitsioners, in an interview-, sl.-ti cl that (he Commiffion decided Unit an equitable distribution of tho number of racing days •-ould not bo arrived at mi any but geographical linos. Consequently the important factor of population has been ignored. Hence wo find Hawke’s Bay, with a population of about 68.000, and an area of a bout 6.000.C00 of anas of land, is al lotted 32 racing days, a reduction of five, v. hi Ist Auckland—prognscive, expanding A nek kind—with a po nidation of 253,000. and an area of 14.000.C00 of acres, is, on i he ‘ geographical basin,’ also allotted 52 : .icing days., a i< dueti-m of nine. Then, again, take Wanganui, which has a popo- : it ion of 55.000. and a comparatively i mall area of land. ft is. on tho geo , raphical basis, allotted 22 racing days, ;■ ('eduction of three, wliil.sk Wellington, with a population of 135,000. and an area <•[ 7.000,000 acres, is allotted 21, a rcduciion of nine. Then, on the geographical basis, Wellington Racing Chib lose one day. whilst the Wanganui, Chrif k hurcb. and Dunedin Jockey Chibs Miller no re- ! duction. Why ? On what geographical ! 1 principle has Wellington R;ume Ulnb 10-st , one day? Then, again, in their repot t I the Commissioners state* : ‘ We have recognised as a principle, that the larger | cities eater, not only for the recreation of their town residents, but that their great resources enable them to provide efficiently for a periodic influx from neighboring districts.’ Will the Cuinn.ucioners contend that, on this principle or on the ‘ geographical policy,’ Wellington Racing Club should lose one day. and the other metropolitan clubs mentioned remain unaltered’'’ On the latter nrimiple., howcan tho Commissioners justify the- ndaction of three days from the Takapuna Club—a dub which catered for the recreation of the people of Auckland and its suburbs, and to each meeting of which there is always a periodic influx from I neighboring districts, for there is no meet- 1 mg' iu New Zealand which can be more 1 justly termed a ‘people’s meeting’ than Takapuna? It is well conducted, tin sport is clean, the racing is of the best, tho charges are tho lowest in tho Dominion, the course ie easy of access, is well maintained, and owing to its natural position every person can obtain an uninterrupted view of the racing; tire ap pointments are up to date, and every effort is made to meet the public want, and convenience. Yet the Commissioners reduced the number of racing days by three, and have also reduced -Avondale by one. The remarks of Mr Glover, M.P.. in hi® criticism of the Commissioners’ report. and his reference to the injury d- n to Takapuna Club and the racing public by the cutting off of three days, were pertinent and appropriate—viz., he re gretfed such a result, and particularly regretted that the Takapuna (Tub were to lose three days. The Takapuna outing was more in the nature of a picnic; tin course was one of tho most popular in the Dominion, and it cost visitors only Is k go by steamer and gain admission to the grounds. I consider Auckland Pmvinchas, been most unfairly treated, and that the set made against the Takapuna Chi' is utterly unjustified. The unfortnmb part is that the club have big res’xnifi bilities, and certain annual expenditure which can only slightly be reduced. Fc instance, the rates and taxes and wale, account alone amount to over £275 pci annum, insurance* costs, £SO, and wages and’ officials’ salaried, some of which must now

be reduced, £I,OOO. These arc standing charges. There is ako the upkeep oi buildings, fences, railings, and general accessories. Then th&re is the Government tax of 2j per cent, on all the club's receipts. This tax alone amounted last racing season over £2,100. How is it passible, under such restrictions, to meet the public requirements, and do justice to horse owners and those interested and participating in racing, and at the same time conduct the club’s affairS'and racing successfully ? I contend that so long a.racing clubs arc legally permitted to hole; rare mootings no unreasonable or excessive taxation should bo imposed upon them. They thou Id either be wiped out of existence, or, under reasonable restrictions, bo allowed to hold ran* meetings with enccc.F.s, Doubtless the Commissioners had a difficult task sot them to equitably reduce the number of racing days by 43, but their task could cert-dnly have been carried out more impartially and more in the interests of racing than it has. and in reducing the racing days of the Taka puna Club by three a manifest injustice has been indicted—an injustice which is not only strongly reser.Wl by the clnVs members and committee, but by the great body of race-goers at Auckland and surrounding districts. The committee feel most indi. nnnt at the treatment Tak.mnnn has received, and a. niceiin/r has been convened for Monday next, when the Commissioncre’ report as affecting the dub will be considered.'’