SPORTING

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 July 1924, Page 6

SPORTING

COUNTRY CLUBS.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, July 8. The Annual Conference of the New Zealand Country Racing Clubs met today. The report showed that the year’s operations ended with the finanical position being satisfactory. The President (Mr. Jewett, Foxton), referred to their deputation to the Prime Minister. He hoped • that they would get relief from taxation. Many clubs were showing a loss. Relief was urgently required. The valuable assistance of Mr. Albert Bruce (Thames) was referred to. It was deided to send him a letter regretting his absence through illness. Mr. Lyons expressed the opinion that the tax on the totalisator receipts should be graduated, and not a fiat tax. A graduated tax was the only way to relieve the country clubs. It was decided to make representation to this effect to the Prime Minister.

Mr. Bruce (Thames) suggested a reduction. to per cent. Air Lyons: “Not Buckley’s chance!” If the country clubs could not carry on, they would go out, arid they would be killing the goose that laid the golden eggs. He had heard that exemption was likely under a certain sum, but it sounded too good to be time..

It was decided to write to the affiliated clubs on the matter of reducing expenses in regard to stipendiaries and raecourse detectives, and recommend them to cease contributions to the Sports’ Protection League. One member expressed the opinion that if they could not look after their own interests, without paying another association £6OO, it was a poor look out.

The election of officers resulted : — President, W. Jewett; Vice-President, J. Kennedy (Geraldine) ; Executive: E. R. Neale, D. J. Evans, and F. Roche (South Island), Hon. E. A. Alison, A. Bruce and W. A. Lyons (North Island). DELTA FOR SALE. The aged. Rothschild—Areida gelding, Delta, is advertised for sale in this issue. Delta is a well-known performer in the trotting world, having won, among other events, the Greymouth Trotting Cup in 1921. Full particulars may be obtained from Mr. Geo. Jones, Greymonth, or W. Smith, Phoenix Hotel, Papanui.