OWNERS AND TRAINERS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLII, Issue 1729, 3 February 1921, Page 4

OWNERS AND TRAINERS.

FORM NORTH ISLAND ASSOCIA- ' TION. A fairly well attended meeting of .•acehorsc owners and trainers, convened with the obje"ct of forming a Xorth Island Racehorse Owners and Trainers' Association, was held in Mr W. McKenzie's rooms last night. There were present:—Messrs P. Nash, E. Watson, Hearsey, T. George, J. Kelly, W. Paddy, G. West; W. J. Phillips, D. Buick, A. J. Shearsby, P. Meohan. F. Lovelock, C. Millen, A. M. Williams and J. B. Kirk. Mr Kirk, who had convened the meeting, at the request of several owners and trainers, said he believed that both owners and trainers had been agitating for some years past to have an association such as suggested formed, and he did not see why, if the owners and trainers got in behind the movement, it should not be a success. He contended that if the association was properly formed and loyally supported by its members, they would be able to shift the power from the racing clubs on to their own shoulders. It would mean a big thing if all the owners and trainers in the North Island came in and backed them up. He averred that if the association were not formed in • Palmerston North it would be in spme other place. His idea was for the-as-sociation to have its president; and committee here, with sub-committees in the other centres. Mr A, M. Williams was voted to the chair. Mr Lovelock moved "That those present form an Owners and Trainers' Association." It was estimated by some of those present that the / number of owners and trainers in the North Island eligible to join the association was about 750. In the course of a general discussion which ensued, Mr Phillips remarked that the owners and trainers were in many respects much injured people. If the association was taken up as it should be, they would, through its agency, have an opportunity of redressing the grievances under which they now suffered. At the same time he would like to see something more tangible placed before the meeting. Mr Lovelock contended that all that was required of this meeting was to form the association and that details of organisation, etc., could be entered into later. He agreed that the association would have power to remedy many difficulties with which owners and trainers now had to contend. Mr Williams agreed that it was first necessary to form the association and later go into details of organisation, such as linking up with owners and trainers in other parts. After some further discussion it was unanimously decided to form an association. , It was mentioned that associations already existed in Wellington, Auckland and Hawkes Bay, but it was thought that these merely operated locally and it would be necessary to link them up with the association just formed. It was decided to set up a provisional committee, consisting of those present, pending the appointment of permanent officials at the next ingMr Phillips proposed that Mr Kirk be appointed provisional organiser, with instructions to circularise owners and trainers and associations already formed in other parts of the North Island; and also to write to the Soutn Island Association, asking for copies of its rules and any other information relative to the forming of the association. The motion was carried. It was decided that the association should be named the North Island Racehorse Owners and Trainers' Association, and the organiser was instructed to take proceedings to register it. .