Trotting Secretary Appealed For

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 266, 8 November 1941, Page 6

Trotting Secretary Appealed For

AN ESSENTIAL “INDUSTRY”?

Per Presd Association.

AUCKLAND, Nov. 7.

The difficulties which the Auckland Trotting Club would have to meet if its secretary were called immediately for military service were enumerated by the president (Mr. E. G. Bridgens) before the Manpower Committee to-night when the club appealed for a postponement of the oinciai’s service for at least 12 montns. Tne secretary, Alfred Ernest Forre3t, did not appeal and it was stated tnat he was quite prepared to go into camp. la uis statement Mr. Bridgens said Forrest had been secretary for the last three years and jfheviously assistant secretary. The duties v ere not ordinary secretarial duties and entailed experience in running race meetings and a knowledge of tne rules or racing and arranging programmes. Meetings of tne ciub were attended by an average of about 15,000 peop.e and the running of a meeting mi;,aw be wnolly upset if the secretary was inefficient. It would take two years to train someone to replace Forrest and the club asked for a postponement of his service for 12 months at least. Forrest had heen previously called up and an appeal was lodged hut was abandoned when he was graded medically unfit. The club vould be in a very serious position if Forrest was taken.

The deputy-chairman (Mr. I. J. Goldstine): I suppose tne industry— I think we can term it that—would be upset if the appeal is not granted? Mr. Bridgens: Yes. The committee reserved its decision.