TROTTING CONFERENCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LI, Issue 9137, 9 July 1906, Page 7

TROTTING CONFERENCE.

[PSKSS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, July 9. The New Zealand Trotting Conference opened to-day with Mr T. Duncan in the chair.

In his opening address the Chairman expressed the Association's regret at tho loss of the President (Mr G. H. McHaffie), who had been chiefly known by the untiring zeal and energy which he displayed alike in the government of trotting and in the public interests during the season. Mr Ihuacam eontinuecl by saying tihat so far as he had been able to judge there was no doubt that the regulations and control of the sport had been of a most satisfactory character. Taterest in trotting among the general public throughout the colony and a steady all-round progress had been manifested, and clubs appeared to be on a sound financial footing. The first New Zealand Trotting Stud Book had already been published, and the Association was now moving in the direction of establishing a colonial trotting and pacing standard. Although nothing phenomenal so far as fresh times were concerned had been recorded, all-round speed had rapidly increased with the continued improvement wrought in the breed. During the year six new clubs had been affiliated, one in Canterbury, three on the West' Coast of the South Island, and two in Taranaki. Twenty- five clabs had held a total of 38 meetings, comprising 67 days' racing. Five hundred and ten races (including heats), £25,000 in added money, and £228,950 in totalisator receipts compared with the previous year. This meant an increase of £1375 in stakes and £37,980 on the machine.