IS HORSE-RACING DETERIORTING.

Hastings Standard, Issue 451, 15 October 1897, Page 2

IS HORSE-RACING DETERIORTING.

[To the Editor.] Sir,—l am led to ask the above question by the result of the last two meetings in Hawke's Bay. At the Hastings races it was generally admitted that the attendance was smaller than for many years past, while the Napier Park failed to draw even a decent crowd at either day's meeting. For some reason or other the sport is becoming unpopular in Hawke's Bay, and this can only be attributed to the governing bodies. The H.B. meeting is only for the big people ; a prohibitive charge is always put on the common people. Why should 2s be charged to go on the ground when admission can be gained to any other course in the colony for half that amount ? What makes Riccarton so popular is that everybody goes ; the general public are taken into consideration, aud a good day's sport is assured at a reasonable cost. In Hastings the charge is todf high, especially considering the nature of the running, for I maintain that there are always more non-triers in the local races than in even an up-country meeting. The "pulling" on both days at the last meeting was evident to every person except the stewards, who never seem to wish to discriminate between the quick and the dead. The last named had a great number of candidates nominated. The truth is the public ia getting tired of crooked running and until the J,C, puts its foot down the patronage of " the people slow. The remark as to hs6 charges for admission does not apply to the Park, but there is just as much crcols@d business there as at Hastings. If things go on as at present racing will become as extinct as the moa.—l am, &c., Old Spokt.