A STARTING MACHINE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10670, 3 June 1895, Page 6

A STARTING MACHINE .

The desiderata in a starting machine on a racecourse are that in its operation it shall be noiseless, that when nervous horses approach the temporary harrier they will not bo frightened, and especially when the word “off” is given that the tape disappears noiselessly. These important essentials are (says the Otago Daily Times) claimed for Mr John Rose’s invention, which was tested in the start for the Selling Race at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s May meeting, and on that occasion met with the unqualified tpproval of tbe stewaids and owners of racehorses, and last, though not least, the jockeys. It may serve a useful purpose to say that Mr Rose’s patent ha?, in these hard times, the strong recommendation of cheapness, and its adoption is within tbe means of the smallest country club. At the starting point for the different distances a post thirteen feet over ground, with an arm two feet long at five feet from the surface is 'erected on each side of the course. These posts are to be permanent and, with a hook attached to the top of each, are ready for the affixment, from time to time as occasion requires, of Mr Rose’s starting gear. The first cost of erecti -n is, therefore, less than would be incurred in putting up a gate-post. The attachment of the g?ur to the posts will occupy about five minutes, and as any schoolboy can press the handle of the gear, reproaches of favouritism in stasis should now become a thing of the past.