RACING CONFERENCE.

Feilding Star, 23 July 1907, Page 4

RACING CONFERENCE.

Wellington, July 22. The New Zealand Racing Conference's statement of receipts and expenditure in connection with the accident fund showed the .receipts, including £4500 brought forward from last year, amounted to £7557. Claims had been paid amounting to £786. Claims not settled totalled £594. The balance to credit of the fund amounts to £6522. The chairman saia that the fund had increased, but he had been advised by actuaries that the time had not yet arrived for reductions. Mr George Hunter (Hawke's Bay) gave notice to move, " That contriutions to the accident fund should be reduced from £1 to 10s." The committee to consider the totalisator permits and dates of meetings was as follows: — Messrs Friedlander, Alison, Goodbehere, Hood Williams. Abbot, and McVay. A motion, "That this committee be appointed to act for a similar capacity for next conference as well," was negatived. The opinion was expressed that if the committee was to be a permanent one the metropolitan clubs should have further representation thereon. Sir George Clifford moved a long resolution providing machinery by which suspected cases Of malpractice could be investigated and dealt with by a permanent tribunal of five members, who should be appointed by the Conference, which should have power to issue, cancel, or suspend an owner's license. The motion was seconded by Mr Vavasour. Mr Alison said he thought the proposals were too drastic and would cause no end of trouble. Mr Samuel sympathised with Mr Alison's view, but felt it was time something was done. He moved that a permanent committee of five members be appointed to make enquiries and take measures as may be expedient to deal with any circumstances coming to its knowledge with regard to any corrupt practices. The chairman said he would support Mr Samuel's motion. It was decided to defer its further consideration until next day. Mr Nolan moved a resolution providing for the appointment of four stewards by the Conference, the salaries to be paid by the various clubs in proportion to their gross totalisator earnings. The delegates were not in sympathy with the proposal, and it was negatived on the voices. A motion to make the appointment of a judiciel committee compulsory instead of optional was negatived by 24 votes to 16. A motion moved by Hon. J. D. Ormond, that the programme of every meeting shall include a flat race of not less than one mile and a quarter, was negatived. Mr Ormond also moved to amend the Rule relating to days over which race meetings shall extend as follows: — Two days meeting not to extend over more than three days ; three days meeting not over more than five; four days mjeeting not over more than eight. The proposal was negatived by 22 to 18. It was unanimously decided that unless metropolitan committee certify that a breach of the rule with regard to registration of partnership has been made, then disqualification for not less than twelve months shall follow such breach. A resolution was passed providing that jockeys' fees must be paid at the scales. The fee payable for a losing mount to be ' then payable and the balance of the fee for a winning mount shall be deducted from the stakes payable to the winning owner. It was also decided that jockeys must ride their horses out when they have a reasonable chance of running into second place.