CHAMPION TROTTER'S VISIT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 24 November 1938, Page 6

CHAMPION TROTTER'S VISIT

EFFORT TO RAISE £SOOO ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING I United Press Association 1 CHRISTCHURCH, 23rd November. The proposed visit to New Zealand of the world champion, trotter Greyhound (lmin 554 sec) has created a good deal of interest in trotting circles and to-day a meeting of Christchurch citizens decided to support the project. At an enthusiastic meeting £Bl5 was guaranteed toward the cost of bringing the horse to New Zealand. It is hoped to raise this total to £ 5000. Mr J. R. McKenzie was elected to the chair. Mr O. Ballin. in outlining the objects of the meeting, said it was an attempt to boost trotting in New Zealand and to prove that New Zealand had horses as good as any in the world. Greyhound would prove a. big attraction at Addington and New Zealand would benefit by such a visit. The conveners of the meeting had received the greatest encouragement from the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, which would handle all arrangements if the champion were brought to Christchurch. If citizens of Christchurch gave the expected support, the visit of Greyhound was assured. Mr McKenzie said it was the first time that such a project had been suggested, and only New Zealand sportsmen could be depended upon to carry j-uch a thing through, though Australia in the matter of sportsmanship would run New Zealand close. The Metropolitan Trotting Club had given £17,000 in stakes at its interdominion championships and. in spite of. bad weather and postponements, a profit had been made. He thought there was little chance of failure over such a meeting as was contemplated, but the grounds at Addington might not be big enough to hold the crowd that would attend. If Greyhound made the trip there was also a possibility that the world champion pacer, Billy Direct (1.55), would accompany him. He was an unhoppled pacer. Mr R. E. Hall, representing the Canterbury Owners’ and Breeders’ Association. said the inducement offered was out of all proportion when it was considered that a prize of £250 was all that Lawn Derby had competed for. He considered it would be better to import the unhoppled pacer Billy Direct at a lower price. Mr Hall moved that arrangements be left in the hands of a small committee, and this was elected as follows: Messrs J R. McKenzie (chairman). H. A. Jarden, J. N. Clarke, O. Ballin and J. Mawson Stewart.