THE RACING CONFERENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 23 July 1907, Page 2

THE RACING CONFERENCE

[United ""m?*--* Associ.ation.] WELLI T\' l; i ON, Monday. At the Racing Conference the statement of receipts and expenditure in connection with the accident fund show ed that the receipts, including £4500 brought forward, amounted to £7557: claims paid, £786; claims not settled, £591; credit balance, £6522. The Chairman said that the fund had been increased but he had been advised by actuaries that the time had not yet arrived for reductions. Mr George Hunter gave notice to move that contributions should be reduced from £1 to 10s. The Committee to consider Totalisa tor* permits, and dates of mcetin*,was appointed as follows : — Messrs Frcidlander, Alison, Goodbehere, Hood, Williams, Abbott, and McKay. A motion that this Committee be appointed for tbe next Conference as well was negatived. The opinion was express ed that if the Committee were to be a permanent oue Metropolitan Clubs should have further representation. Sir Geo. Clifford moved a long resolution providing machinery by which suspected cases of malpractice could be investigated, and dealt with by a permanent tribunal of five members appointed by the Conference, which should have power to issue, cancel or suso-'-nd owners' licenses. The motion was seconded by Mr Vavason. Mr Alison said ho thought the proposal., were too drastic, and would cause, no end of trouble. Mr Samuel symjithised with Mr Alison's view but felt it was time something was done. Still, any method of licensing owners should be avoided, and he could not think of anything more dangerous. He moved that a permanent committee of, five members be apnointed to make inquiries, and take .such means as may oe expedient to deal with any circumstances coming to* its knowledge with rcs-nrd to any corrupt practices. The Chairman said he would support Mr Samuel's motion, and it was decided to defer its" further consideration I until next dayMr Nolan moved a resolution providing for the appointment of four stipendiary stewards by the Conference, salaries to be paid by "the various clubs in proportion to the gross totalisator earnings. Delegates were not in sympathy with the proposal, and it was negatived on tho voices.. A motion lo make the appointment of a uriical Committee compulsory in stead of optional was negatived by 2. votes to 16. A motion by Mr Ormond that tho programme of eveiv meeting shall include a fiat race of not less than a mile and a quarter was negatived. Mr Ormond moved to amend the rule relating to days over which race meetings shall extend as follows: — "Two days meeting not to extend over more than three days ; three days meeting not over more than five ; tour days meeting not over m«v_ than eio*ht. Negatived by 22 to 18. It was unanimously rV-ided that unless the Metropolitan Committee certify, a breach of rule with regard to re signation of partnerships shall carry disoualifica'tion for not less than twelve months. A resolution was passed nrovid.lng that iockevs' fe^>s must be paid at the scale for the losing mount, and the balance of the fee for the winning mount shall be deducted from the stakes payable to the owner. It was also decided that jockeys must ride their horses out when they have a reasonable chance of running second.