TROTTING ASSN.

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 September 1924, Page 6

TROTTING ASSN.

PRESIDENT’S REVIEW

(Per Press Association).

CHRISTCHURCH, September 12. In returning thanks for his re-1 lection to the position of President of the New Zealand Trotting Association Mr Phineas Selig said that the sport of trotting was in a very satisfactory position, notwithstanding the unpleasantness which had occurred during the season. After all, it was caused by men on the fringe of the sport, and not by men of any standing. Trotting to-day was in a much higher position than ever, and so long as the public had confidence in those conducting the sport, it would continue to be a most popular pastime in the Dominion. The clubs, notwithstanding heavy taxation, were all going ahead, and the sport was steadily progressing. Figures wl ich had been published by the Government Statistician practically agreed with their own. The sum of £148,930 had been given in Hakes by the various clubs during the past season, and the sum of £1,883,832 had passed through the totalisator. Adding the stakes given by racing clubs for trotting events on lheir programmes, these totals were raised to £180,263 and £2,051,221, respectively. He would like to point out, for the benefit of those outside the sport, who contend that the gambling is so big, that the whole of the money which passed through the totalisator was returned to the pub-, lie in some shape or form, this is a fact which should not be lost sight of by the opponents of the sport. Some of the money went to the consolidated revenue, and some to the owners, by way of stakes. This money was spent by the owners in various ways, employment, saddlery, etc.

He added: ‘‘l say that there is not too much trotting for the population of the place. We should cater for what people require. I hope the Gambling Bill will go through, and also that there will be some relief from the heavy taxation which has had to be borne since the war.”