WEST COAST CLUBS

Grey River Argus, 2 February 1944, Page 3

WEST COAST CLUBS

j DISTRICT COMMITTEE MEETS. | Mr. T. E. Coates presided over a .meeting of the District Committee at /Greymouth yesterday afternoon. Also present were Messrs A. Beban, G. R. I Harker, C. L. Kettle, and W. Greenhill (Grev Club), F. McGregor (Westlland Club), W. Stewart (Kumara Club) and the secretary (Mr. M. J. ! Fogarty). I It was decided to recommend Joseph William Ashby, Greymouth, for a trainer’s license. ; Correspondence was received from the Nelson Club regarding holding a meeting on the Westport Club’s coprse, and it was decided to approve of April 1 as the date for this meeting. | Fines imposed at the Reefton Club's ' meeting on trainers whose horses [were late in the birdcage and at the Grey Club’s meeting on jockey’s wearing the wrong colours, were approved. RAILWAY RESTRICTIONS. A discussion took place on the possibility of clubs .on the West Coast holding ‘thgir meetings while the railway restrictions are in force. The chairman expressed the opinion that they did not have a chance 1 of racing. Mr. Stewart said that the Kumara Club had telegraphed the Minister of (Railways (Mr. Semple), who m renly ihad asked them to keen in touch with the Stationmaster at Greymouth. The secretary read letters which he Ihad written to Bion. J. O’Brien and Hon. G. R. Hunter (secretary of the Owners’ and Breeders’ Association). He had pointed out to Mr. Hunter that trains must run from Christchurch with empty trucks to bring coal from the West Coast and that a few horse boxes would make little difference. IMr Stewart said that the Kumara Club would decide on Monday whether it would hold its meeting. If the restrictions were not lifted it would postpone it till March. In reply to Mr. Greenhill, who suggested sending a deputation to meet the Minister of Railways, the chairman said it would do no good. It was a matter of policy. Mr. Kettle said that for the Kumara meeting at anyrate no extra' coal would be needed. The morning train to Hokitika could be delayed to take the horses to Kumara. Mr. Harker said that the railways would not take horses to Dunedin and he did not think they would bring them to the Coa'st. Mr. Kettle: That’s a different proposition. Mr. Beban said that he thought no harm would be done by getting in touch with the Minister. The chairman remarked that this had already been done and he had said to keep in touch with the Stationmaster.

Mr. Kettle said that this was a hopeful sign. It looked as if the restrictions might be lifted. Mr. Stewart pointed out that in his reply the Minister had said that no horses would be carried to race meetings. Mr. Beban said that he would be ringing Mr. Semple next day and could mention the matter to him, stating that no extra trains would be required. Mr. Greenhill said that no extra trains to the course would be needed.

Mr. Fogartyh said it would not be much use if they did not have a special train. It. was finally decided to hold the imatter over till next Tuesday, pending a reply from the Minister. GREY JOCKEY CLUB. At a meeting of the Greymouth Jockey Club Mr. |T. E. Coates presided following: Messrs ■C. G. R. I Harker, W. Greenhill, W. Costello, H. D. James, H. C. Moore, W. H. Parfitt, A. Beban, and the secretary (Mr. M. J. Fogarty). The N.Z. Racing Conference for,’warded a copy of an extract from the Stipendarv Steward’s report on the Club’s Midsummer Meeting, recommending the appointment, of a paid official to supervise the birdcage at future meetings. Mr. Fogarty; said that a similar position arose in other parts of the country. The issue of tickets might help, but members gave their tickets away. The chairman said that a difficulty was the number of connections which each horse had. They could only do their best. It was decided to meet next Tuesday to decide whether or not to hold the February meeting. The chairman said that if ’the restrictions were not lifted he did not think they would have any chance of racing. It was resolved that the bridge at the entrance of the course at Omoto be given another coat of tar and sand. Arrangements were made for an inspection of the course.