A CHANGE NEEDED.

Hastings Standard, Issue 66, 13 July 1896, Page 3

A CHANGE NEEDED.

•To THE EmTOB.] Sir,—l must compliment you on your leading article of Saturday, bat assure you that you will have to hit harder to make an impression on those who p' n keeping Hastings in the back; ioi 1 It i b:c amusing to read in southern papers paragraphs as follows : " At the iast X«pier races a disc was shown at the starting post, kc. k<i." " After the Xajtirr Steeplechase Ivaika changed hands, Ac., &c." " The amount put through the totalisator at the Xapirr Steeplechase meeting was so-and-so." Why half the people in New Zealand never heard of Hastings. All the business comes from Napier, and Napier takes all the credit for our glory. Watch the telegrams from Hawke's Bay and you will never see Hastings mentioned in racing matters, whereas we have the best racing quarters, the best horses, the best trainers, the best jockeys, the best amateur riders, and the best course in the whole of New Zealand. If we had many gentlemen like Captain Russell on the management committee of the Jockey Club justice would soon be done, and the local public would not have to grumble at running to Napier to transact their racing business. The Captain is one of the few who run straight on the matter, as if the individual opinions of the committee were to be taken as gospel two-thirds are in favor of a much-needed change of head quarters to Hastings. And now, Mr Editor, let me give you the straight tip : Hide the matter for all it is worth—you have something good under you, and given fair play you are bound to get home. When Hastings lands the stakes all will admit that she gained nothing more than her deserts. As to the other matters you wrote about—the A. and P. Society and the County Council—-they don't carry any of my money, so I am not so anxious to see them, but from what I hear you may expect them and at an early date, too.—l am, &c., Or.n Sfokt. Hastings, -July 12, 1896.