TROTTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20303, 10 July 1929, Page 9

TROTTING.

THE SPOUT TN DOMINION.

INCREASED POPULARITY.

PAST SEASON'S ACTIVITIES.

[uv TEI.KGHAI'iI.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday.

The annual meeting of tho New Zealand Trotting Conference was opened in Wellington this morning. I lie president, Mr. IT !•'. Nicol!. presiding, In liia address. Ihc president said Hie past year had been one upon which they could look hack with much satisfaction. Some chilis had experienced disappointments, mid anxiety over their finance, bill, takins a comprehensive view of (rotting throughout New Zealand, I lie steady advance in popularity hud been well maintained, and the conduct, of I lie race meetings had been almost invariably of an exceptionally high standard.

There 11 n<l been tew serious breaches of llm rules, and they could compliment the judicial committees mid the stipendiary stewards upon their intelligent oversight of (ho racing, and the licensed trainers and horsemen upon their conduct, both upon and off the racecourse. In a considerable and widely-spread community Bticli ns prevailed under tho control of this conference, it spoke well for (ho temper existing unong the clubs that no serious friction or grievances have been apparent, and that all could join ill the earnest essay to work together with goodwill for tho advancement of tho sport.

Notable Track Performances. Daring the season some notable track performances wero recorded. At the August meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club. Native Chief paced a mile in 2m 7 l-ss. establishing time better than any previously registered in the world under saddle. At the same meeting I'etcrwah won the August Handicap in Im 2:j t-Gs. constituting a, world's race record in two miles by an unhoppled trotting horse. In November. again on tho Addiimton truck, still another world's record was broken. This time it was by Peter Bingen. who. after winning the New Zealand C.'up. won the Fiee-For-All in 2m US 4-js. for a mile and .vriunrter—a world's rneo record for that distance. Tlirco such achievements in as many months were proof of the high es tute to which tho sport 13 steadily climbing.

"At our lust conference we welcomed the three newly-commissioned stipendiary stewards. Messrs. Beer, Commons and Kcid, and now that 15 months have passed since their appointment, we eun consider in what manlier they have carried out their engagement," continued Mr. Nicoll. 'I do not propose to suggest their work has been faultless, but all club officials who have como in contact with theso officers on a racecourse will testify to their sincerity and earnestness of purpose in doing tho right thing by (ho sport, and to their increasing capabilities and knowledge of their business. Work Still to be Done.

"There is still work to be done, and you will agree tKafc we have tho right to look with confidence to our stipendiary stewards, who have mado such a good start, to carry on and improve their superintendence of tho racing and their guidnnco to tho desired end. One of tho proposed new rules is that which would givo the stipendiary stewards moro power to deal with minor offences. "Your executives would not have proposed this if it had not been that they had watched tho work of these officers attentively since their appointmont, and had come to tho conclusion that they were trustworthy and could bo relied upon to justify tho confidence this extra obligation would entail. Jn the move forward to increase tho scope of tho stipendiaries' operations can bo seen not only reform but tho opening of avenues of further progress, paving Die way to facilitate and expedite the business of the day's racing." The president touched on proposals to remove anomalies in handicapping, including limitations of penalties, and said a new rule would bo submitted for consideration, giving the conference power to makes regulations for handicapping otherwise than by special resolution. The rovision of rules and the heavy work it involved was also touched on by Mr. Nicoll.

Fooling reference was made by Mr. Nicoll to tho loss Hie sport luul sustained by Hie death during tho year of good friends and official?. A warm tribute was paid to the lato Mr. 11. Brinkmnn. whoso connection with trotting as a handicapper dated back ns far as anyone at the conference could remember.

AMENDMENTS TO RULES.

DECISIONS BY CONFERENCE

[ISV TELEGIIAnr.--rttE.SS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, Tuesday,

A number of' alterations to rules and proposals for new rules were considered at the annual meeting of the Now Zealand Trotting Conference to-day.

On tho ground that trotting could bo carried on more efficiently and economically under tho control of district committees Mr. Irwin, on behalf of the Olago Club, moved: "That the executive take steps to have necessary, alterations to the rules drafted for submission to a further meeting of the Trotting Conference." Among tho points made in opposition to the proposal was that it would do away with the uniformity of penalty and that sinco tho formation of one association tho sport had been better conducted. 1 The remit was lost by a largo majority. llules '23 unci 2i were amended in the direction of limiting tho time for appeals from It lo 10 days and preventing agents from appearing on behalf of appellants, except by leave of the appeal judges, and giving the judges power not to insist on the forfeiture of deposit in tho case of unsuccessful appeal. Rule 181 was amended to provide inleralia for telephone or telegraphed entries to bo confirmed in writing within seven days and to do away with certain particulars not often in practice, given at present.

Ail amendment requires the particulars of colours under which a horse will bo raced.

A new rule was approved providing that the same driver must drive and the saino rider ride throughout a meeting, but if a. change from saddle to harness is made, or vico versa, permission may be given for a change of horseman.

A new rule was passed providing for the granting of short-term and conditional licences by tho association.

Minor alterations were mado to a number of rules Kovcrninii actual racing and particularly with regard to passing aud interference.

A tablo presented showed that during tho 1928-2!) season 51 trolling meetings wcro held and 039 •aces decided. Stake money amounted to i' 170,503, while totalinator investments amounted lo £1,927,057 10s.

For trotting events at racing club's meetings .£12,071; was paid in stakes, the lotaliaator investments being X 147.701 10s. In tho Hereunto the public invested £2,075,319 10s on trotting events for the

FORTHCOMING EVENTS.

N.Z. SAPLING STAKES. Jf is notified tlmi Hie firßl forfeit for the New 7ii y i daiid Sapling Stakes (1930) must he declared not later than 6 p.m. on Monday next, .Tuly 15. with Iho Secretary, Mr. J. 13. Nicull. Ashburton.