BROADSIDING DISCONTINUED

Evening Star, Issue 21012, 28 January 1932, Page 4

BROADSIDING DISCONTINUED

CLOSING OF SPEEDWAY The management of the Speedway Roylehas made an announcement that no farther broadsiding meetings will bo he'd in Dunedin this season. The secretary of the Speedway (Mr h. d; vers) explains that the directors have come to the conclusion that the snppcrt received since the Speedway opened in December did not warrant any further meetings being held. The wcatler on the first five nights left something to be desired, but no increase m atjendance was shown last Saturday umht, when the weather was practically perfect. The fact that the band competition had failed to attract anything like the usual crowd convinced the Jircctors that the reason for the lack of support which broadsiding had experienced was due not to loss of altered; on the part of the public, hut to the prevailing depression, which had had the effect of causing the average perstu to curtail to a drastic extent the amount spent upon amusements.

It was thought that under the present conditions there was little possibility of hroadsidiug receiving greater patronage, and the directors were therefore compelled to cease operations for the year. Mr Divers said he felt sure that no change of policy h.y tlie management could have produced any better results. It was admitted that the control of the meetings had been greatly improved, and the centre of the enclosure had been beautifully grassed. It bad been argued hr some that the introduction of new riders at each meeting would have increased the public interest, hut the directors wore certain that, while this might result in increased attendances at one or two meetings, the heavy expenditure which would be involved would not bo justified. The four Australians who had been attached to the track had met with a good deal of misfortune, and, although undoubtedly rjders of the first class, had been unable to produce tlicir best form. Arrangements bad been concluded under which all would return to Australia with the exception of Packer, who had obtained a short engagement at Monica Park. In conclusion, Air Divers staled that the directors had every faith in the

future of the sport, and it was hoped that by the commencement of next season conditions would have improved sufficiently to enable them to reopen tho stadium.