COAST RACE MEETINGS

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 May 1924, Page 4

COAST RACE MEETINGS

REEFTON CONFERENCE. F - r '! (Own Correipondant.) REEFTON, May 8. A conference of delegates from the West Coast racing and trotting clubs was held at Reefton oh. Tuesday .evening, there being present: Messrs T. -,E. Coates (chair), M? J, Fogarty (GnV Jockev Club), Gilbert, Ford (Kumara? Racing Club), R. Patterson, McFadden (Westport Jockey Club), W. T. Slee, J. M. Robertson (Westport Trotting Club), A. Perotti and Panckhurst (Reefton Jockey Club), M. Fagan, J., Noble (Inangahua Trotting Club). Mr R. E. Sellers, secretary of the New

Zealand Racing Conference, was also present. In opening the meeting, Mr Coates said it was an excellent idea to meet and talk over matters relating to racing and tlie West Coast circuit generally, and it was by such gatherings that Coast racing might be improved. He regretted that Westland representatives were not present, but an important meeting prevented their attendance. Mr Kitchingham, of the Grey Trotting Club, would, be in Reefton next day, and the decision of the meeting (if any) would be made known to him. They had met to formulate a scheme of a circuit so that horse-owners could ba saved unnecessary travelling and expense, which could then Ke referred' to their respective committees. He rcognised that Coast racing, must be improved if they wished to attract owners from both North and South Islands. They must improve the standard bf sport. He welcomed Mr Sellers, who* had drawn up a scheme of dates, and the delegates could hear it and discuss it. Mr Sellers said he was pleased \to visit the Coast and see for himself the conditions pertaining to racing. He recognised the battle West Coast clubs have had to reach their present high, standard of racing, and hoped that ere long the courses would be increased .‘in width and/ length, and attract better horses. He had drawn up a list of dates for the season’s races as follow:—• Grey Trotting Club, October 25 and 27; Westport Trotting Club, December 26 and 27; Westland Racing Club, De-

mm ui j xuavxxLg viuu, x/.tJ* 26 and 27; Grey Jockey Club,. December 30 and January 1; Grey Trotting Club, December 31 and January 2; Reefton Jockey Club, January 5 and 6. He had left out both the Inangahua Trotting Club and Westland Trotting Club. He hoped to get Marlborough and Nelson clubs to adopt his suggestion, the former to race on. February 25 and 26 and the h Trotting Club on February 27. Nelson could *then follow on March 5 and 7 and the Trotting Club on March 6, Westport Jockey Club on March 17 and 19, and Reefton Jockey Clnb on March 26 or thereabouts, and Inangahua Trotting Club a couple of days later; He thought the Westland Trotting Club should race on April 11 (Easter Saturday) or follow the Grey Trots in October. Then would come Kumara R.C. on April 13, > Westland R.C. on the 15th, and the Grey J. C. on April 18. He had given the matter a lot of consideration, and hoped the meeting would give the scheme its support, and

thus reduce the excessive racing at Christmas and New Year. Mr Coates said the Christmas racing interfered with milling, etc., and the Grey Club was willing to "fall into line, though the transfer of their third, day meant a big loss. Mr Robertson said the Westport Trotting Club were prepared to go on with their present dates. Mr Slee supported the scheme. Mr Perotti said the Reeftpn Club "was content with the present dates, at the end of the circuit. . The dates of Grey Jockey Club, De'cember 30 and January 1; Grey Trotting Club, December 31 and January 2; and Reefton Jockey Club, January 3 and -5, were approved. Mr Gilbert objected to proposed date, Easter Saturday, for .the Westland Trotting Club. . Mr Patterson objected to racing on

St. Patrick’s Day. They wanted a pay Saturday. He wanted the other clubs’ dates brought closer; March 21 and 23 would suit. In reply to Mr oCatesj Mr Perotti said Reefton would not come in about that timd. The Chairman: They were trying to save the horse owners expense. The Grey Club would help them in any possible way. Mr Sellers thought Reefton would reap considerable advantage if they . adopted the circuit. Mr Perotti said he would lay the matter before the Reef ton Committee m the same way as it had before'that meeting Mr Fagan thought a change of <lates desirable. Whatever that meJing de cided, he would put before h’ik <committee> and then to the general committee of the club, arid- w6ulct' l(fecommend the adoption of March 27. q The Chairman said he'wanted Reefton to affirm the principle of a circuit. After considerable discussion on various matters, votes of thanks to the Chairman and Mr Sellers were* carried by acclamation. The meeting was resumed on the Racecourse, Reefton, yesterday, when Messrs Kitchingham (Grey Trotting Club) and D. J. Evans (Westland Racing Club) and M. Houston (Westland Trottiifg Club) were also present. The proposed circuit was enlarged upon by Mr Sellers, and the advantages .expounded at some length. Mr Houston said he would put the proposals before his club at the earliest opportunity. • Mr Sellers said he would supply each club with a list of the dates proposed and hoped they would see their way ta adopt them. /