HORSE OWNERS' AND TRAINERS' ASSOCIATION.

Grey River Argus, 30 November 1906, Page 3

HORSE OWNERS' AND TRAINERS' ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of horseowners and train' ers of Trotting horses was held last evening at Ashton's Imperial Hotel. Mr P. J. Bellett was voted to the chair. Messrs Kirwan, Nelson, Johnston, Hannam, McGirr, Ang-us, Ashton, Hempseed, Mouat, Blanche, Cave, W. Thomas, T. Thomas, R. Mussori, Booth, Bourke, Racksworthy, Schaef, Mcllroy Avere present. Mr Ash ton stated that he had convened the meeting ■ on behalf 6T" the horseowners and trainers for the purpose of considering the advisability of forming an association. He had been actively engaged in trotting for five or six years and he found that complaints were ignored by the Trotting Club, and the man making them [ branded as a nuisance. As owners they had many complaints to make and the reason for the association was to get the complaints attended to. He instanced several cases where owners had withdrawn from the sport owing-to bad treatment. An association should be formed so as to protect themselves and thereby get justice for . the Club . On tie motion of Messrs 'Johnston and Angus it was resolved to form a West Coast Owners' and Trainers' Association. ' — The election of officers resulted:— Chairman: Mr P. Bellett. Secretary: Mr M. Johnston. Treasurer : Mr E. Ashton. Committee (all present). The fee was fixed at 5s per annum. A long, discussion as to the objects of the association ensued, and it was generally understood that it was not to be be antagonistic to the Trotting Clubs, on the Coast, but to endeavor to get -fair treatment for all concerned. The association was repesentative' and powerful enough' to get full consideration given to their complaints. Mr Hempseed pointed out that -on the Hokitika Racing programme the prize for the winner of the Trotting race was only This was a mat ter that owners must object to, as after paying nomination and acceptance the race, was not worth winning. He moved that the. Hokitika Club' be written to asking them to increase the Trotting -Club races to at least- £25 to ..£3O for first horse. Mr Kirwin seconded and said local • horses were not catered for, and the preference was given to the class races which only brought a few horses from Christchurch. Trotting on the Coast Had deteriorated during; the past five years, and they should endeavor to bring it up to its former standard The resolution was carried unanimously ' „;■ ■ : .■:... : . , ;.■ .- ■■• . . It was. resolved to make a similar ap plication - ; . to the Grey and Kumara Clubs to increase the stakes for local races. . The secretary was. instructed to write to the Grey Trotting Club requesting them' to make an alteration in the gates at the entrance, and to have the sticks removed from now up to the meeting. ' ■ The secretary was instructed tc. write to Christchurch for a copy of the rules of the Owners' and Trainer?' Association and on receipt of same *o cal the commiilce together. Bo}'s' wrestling.— H. Smith. Celestial Race.— Quon Luk 1. This event caused a good deal of amusement. Best spring cart horse.— M. Kennedy 1. . - Best pony, 12 hands.— T. E. Coates. Berkshire sow.— P. Stephenson r. Milk test.~J. George 2.0221b3 1, W. ■■Nut tall. i.B2ilbs 2, Mrs Shannahan i.'4221b 3. The judge, Mr Isdell, man ager of the Toiara Flat Butter Factory, stated that the cows were an ex cellent lot and- would be hard- fo beat : in: any part of .the colony.

. Nominations are due on Satii.ihv. : evening for- tha Trotting Club's Sum mer meeting' which promises to be Xmost successful yet held. Owners an 1 tiainers are reminded of the date. The regular meeting of the Greymouth Trotting Club was held 'on Wed hesday night Petrie /(chairman), ' ■'■JicCarthy, Eissenhardt, Wickes, Smith,\. Weber, Gieseking, iKitchingharh and Perkins. A rider's -license was granted to T.;.lralor 5 and trainer's drrivers' and .riders' licenses were : lgranted - -to ; Mr W. Funnel! and G. Quinn. Some routine business was gone through, and the '"meeting .. then .. adjourned till ■ Friday for reception of report