SPORTING NEWS

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 July 1918, Page 2

SPORTING NEWS

EXTRA TAXES ON RACING.

CHRISTCHURCH, July 17 Considerable consternation lias been caused in Dominion racing circles by the demand of the Commissioner of Taxes upon all racing and trotting clubs for payment of Income Tax under the Finance xlct, 1915, such demand being restrospective to August Ist, 1914. ' The racing season begins with August, and the demand .ol the Tax Commissioner is for the payment of Income Tax from the 1914-15 season. Just what this demand means is worthy of inspection. Practically ever since the outbreak of war a number of clubs havs been working almost wholly in aid of patriotic appeals. The whole of their net takings have gone to help one or other of the deserving funds, consequently the clubs have no money on hand. But now comes this request for what, to the larger clubs, will be an amount of anything up to £20 ; 000. The obvious query is: "Where is the money to come from?" Dr the constitution of racing it is specifically set forth .that moneys earned in revenue from the "tote" must, after deduction of working expenses, be distributed in stake money. That having been done, it would appear that the winning owners of the past few seasons have all a few hundred pounds of that which the Government is now demanding from the clubs. The Christchurch "Sun" says: The alleged injustice of the request is stressed by those who draw attention to the special war taxation which has been imposed on tho racing since the war. An additional 24 per cent, has been levied upon the amount passing through the tote, and quite new taxes <m dividends and stake moneys have been created. Those arc burdens which racing alone bears, and they are special war loadings, too, just as the . increased Income Tax is the special war levy upon the profits of ordinary business. Over and above nil this, racing clubs have to pay the increased Land Tax as well as the Amusement Tax. Tlie clubs, manny of which will be severely crippled if the Tax Commissioner presses his demand, are not s lying still, and there is every probabi- " lit.v of a case being brought before the e Supremo Court, so that the liability 0 of clubs may be determined." a e RICCAR7ON TRASNBNG NOTES e s Tlie weather conditions at Riccarton ;- oil Friday wore pleasant while trains ing operations were in progress. Hylans and Kimbolton were associated over seven furlongs, the former be--0 ing easily the better of the pair at the y finish. s Adjutant gave Brambletye a start of 3 three lengths in a spin over six fur--2 longs. They finished together, but s Brambletye had something in reserve. Prenez Garde galloped a. mile and 1 a quarter by himself. I Majestikoff registered an attractive s gallop over seven furlongs, Bore assistv ing her ever the last five. { Ascalauhus sprinted half a mile s pleasingly, but was not fully cxtend- ' ed. Jeannott was tiring at (he end of six i furlongs. > Collector was on the track, but is I showing signs of soreness. Charley was much too good for Minef sweeper in a sprinting task, while Sax- ! by and Jingo were well matched in a I spin over five furlongs. Missouri and King Star were comi panions in a smart sprint, in which i Missouri showed to special advantage. Achiiledes (L. Hagerfcy) and Kimbolton (T-I. Henwood) jumped three i hurdles, giving an excellent display. ' Master Strowan, looking a picture, i was on the track, but was not jumped. i Art was restricted to half-pace work I on the tan. He looks well after his recent racing in the north. Sleight of Hand was led in the middle of the course. He was somewhat ■ severely knocked about while making the trip from Lyttelton to Christchurch on Wednesday, and it will take him a few days to get over the effects of the p:iss;'ge.