SPORTING Plan For Amalgamation Of Clubs

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 February 1947, Page 7

SPORTING Plan For Amalgamation Of Clubs

Recently some country clubs decided to make a protest against any proposal for the amalgamation of clubs. There are two sides to the question, however, and the first consideration should be the best method of helping the interests of racing generally, writes “Sentinel” in the Otago Daily Times. Force of circumstances wiped some clubs out of existence because they could not pay their way. The cost of transport to owners in proportion to stakes was responsible for lack of patronage, and consequently small fields and lack of interest. It is always very pleasing to see a good attendance at a country meeting, but the real support may come from owners and patrons of racing who have travelled long distances at considerable expense. Such meetings

would probably perish if left to depend on local support. This, o course, applies to all meetings, large or small.

At one time the midsummer meeting at Riccarton was considered to be one of the most enjoyable meetings of the season. Now.it provides only one day’s racing between the New Zealand Cup meeting'and the Great Autumn meeting. This gap occurs in connection with racing on one of the best racecourses in the world because some permits are held by meetings which are of little real value so far as racing and breeding are concerned.

Until the allocation of permits is placed under the complete control of the Racing Conference executive, however, no move is likely to be made concerning the position.