THE EGMONT RACING CLUB.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 257, 5 June 1882, Page 2

THE EGMONT RACING CLUB.

The advantages which accrue to a town and district from the establishment of a racing club cannot be over - estimated. Apart altogether from the primary object which should, and no doubfc does, actuate racing clubs — viz., the improvement, in the breed of horses, there are other and

scarcely le=;s important considerations which should not be lost 6ight of. The establishment o£ a periodical race meeting attracts attention to the district, and has the effect of making it better known throughout the colony. Besides, a good club not only furnishes that sport which is so dear to the heart of every Briton, but also contributes in no small degree towards lifting the town, which forms its head -quarters into a position of prominence. Tho Egmont Racing Club may be congratulated upon the very promising start they have made. Notwithstanding the liberal distribution of the public money at its first meeting, tbe club have still in hand the nucleus of a very handsome fund for further requirements. The first and most essential requirement of the club is a course, and the club has doubtless taken the right step in dealing with the matter now at the proper season. The common object of all those connected with the club is no doubt to secure as successful ameeting as possible. In order to secure this end, they must offer the greatest facilities to the geneva! public, and the best accommodation the district can afford to all visitors, but more especially to the owners of horses. It is admitted by all who have experience of 6uch matters, that racingmen and owners of horses prefer to travel by rail rather than by road, and that nothing more contributes to the success of a race meeting than that it shall be handy to a railway station. No racing club in its youth can afford to neglect the consideration of gate-money, and in this respect the rule that " the nearer the town the greater the gate-money " almost invariably holds good. These considerations induce us to hope that a good course may be obtained, either by purchase or by lease with a right to purchase, at tho end of tho term, within a mile or so of the borough. This situation will, undoubtedly, be bftter for the interests of the club, and both the central position of Hawera and its rapidly increasing size and importance entitle it to the consideration of settlers throughout tho district.