TROTTING CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21233, 13 July 1932, Page 7

TROTTING CONFERENCE.

CLUBS' DIFFICULT SEASON.

REVENUE STEADILY FALLING.

REGULATION OF SPORT.

[by telegraph.—racing reporter.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

The annual meeting of # the New Zea* land Trotting Conference was held to-day, the president, Mr. H. F. Nicoll, presid-

In his address the president said the season now closing had been a trying one for those responsible for the finance of the clubs, . and it spoke well for ths love of Jhe sport that so many continued to carry on in the face of the drain upon their resources. With a steadily falling revenue—and as it was impossible to reduce expenses "correspondingly—it had been fOund necessary to reduce stakes to a point quite undreamt of a year or two ago, notwithstanding which the majority of the clubs would show a serious loss on the year's working. Well over 10,000 people in New Zealand relied for their livelihood directly and indirectly upon racing and trotting, and it would be a disaster to the Dominion if anything should occur to curtail considerably the carrying on of those sports, in whose success some factor of the Dominion's prosperity was interwoven. Substantial Economies Effected.

Due to substantial economies effected during the year, tho conference expenditure was reduced to a minimum, and a statement was issued to clubs showing the amount that had been saved in all de partments. It was arranged to carry on with two stipendiary stewards in place of three as heretofore, and by arrangement with tlje Racing Conference the matton of the racecourse inspectors' levy was placed on a much better footing, so that by these means the sum of £SOO was sawed on the racecourse inspectors' account, £450 on the stipendiary stewards* account, and with the £650 voted by the executive from the conference funds, it was found possible to strike a much Bmaller rate for the general levy. Unfortunately, however, tho executive, through circumstances beyond its control, was involved in a considerable sum for legal expenses in the Ngingongingo case. For this reason, and also because of tho heavy fall in the totalisator receipts, it would be necessary in the new season to .strike a higher rate in order to balance the budget. The matter of inconsistent running had always been a troublesome one, but probably less so now than at any previous period, because they had had tho experience of some forty or fifty years, with judicial committees who are mostly comprised of well-instructed men with the backbone of. the stipendiary stewards behind them. One read occasional criticisms of the work of stipendiary stewards, sometimes to the effect that they were over zealous, and at other times that they wero slack in thoir oversight of racing. The stipendiary stewards' committee considered that the conference was exceptionally fortunate in having the command of the services of two such competent men as Messrs. Beer and Commons. Revised Handicapping System. This was the third year in which tho revised handicapping system had been operating, and, judging by the good results achieved, it would appear to have come to stay. The additional rule 3 adopted at the last annual conference proved beneficial, and assisted the smooth running of the system. Those who at first, were "a littlo dubious about _ the wisdom of the innovation wero now giving it their " wholehearted support. With a view, however,"-to further improvement, the stipendiary stewards' committee, which was empowered to alter or amend the table of penalties, called in the assistance of advisers, and, with their cooperation, drew up a comprehensive schedule and regulations. Accordingly all horses which raced during 1930-31 were assessed certain marks. While the system worked well, unfortunately some handicappers did not appear sufficiently to understand the regulations, and errors appeared. At the latter part of the season a system of checking was introduced, which made for more efficiency. The checking of handicaps should not be necessary, and advertised the fact that they had too many handicappers. The stipendiary stewards' committee, therefore, proposed to limit the number of licences to be issued each season according to the requirements of each district. As the present system developed, further minor amendments might'be necessary from time to time, but the committee was acting cautiously with regard to any alterations, and was determined to safeguard the schedule authorised by the conference. Races lor Best Horses. The president moved that clubs racing on four or more days in any season should provide one two miles race for horses that can do 4.27 or better, and one mile and a-quarter race for horses that can do 2.43 or faster. He said the loosening of limits by certain clubs meant that tho best horses had to be thrown out of work, which was an improper state of affairs. Mr. H. Morpeth (Auckland) said that as far as his club was concerned it was one of those that should if possible support the remit. It had for a considerable time had a 2.43 race, but the position regarding the 4.27 race was different. At present there were only two horses in the Auckland Province with records of 4.27 or faster. Therefore if the club put on a 4.27 race it would bo dependent on South Island horses, and in view of the cost of travelling it feared whether it would get sufficient support.

An amendment that it be a strong recommendation to clubs to hold of the classes mentioned instead of making it mandatory as proposed in the remit was carried. ,

The Trotting Association's remit, that no disqualification by stewards for inconsistent or unsatisfactory running should be imposed unless there was evidence of such character and sufficient weight in itself to substantially support the decision to disqualify, was defeated. Finding of Judicial Stewards.

A new rule sponsored by the Auckland Trotting Club was adopted to the effect that a finding of the judicial stewards based on personal observation should not bo reversed by the Trotting Association or appeal judges, except upon additional strong and convincing evidence. Percentages for three dividends were fixed at 70, 20 and 10, instead of 50, 30 and 20. • The Trotting Association's remit that in cases of protests or objections and subsequent appeals, dividends should not bo paid until the final decision was made by the association or conference, was defeated. The Invercargill Trotting Club's remit proposing to take away from the president of the conference his present authority to appoint appeal judges lapsed for want of a seconder. The Auckland Trotting Club's remit deleting that part of rule 29 referring to a subsequent review of appeal judges' decisions was carried. Its remit providing for paid officials to be eligible for election as members of the Trotting Association was lost, and 60 was that suggesting that the rule requiring 80 per cent, of the totalisator revenue to be given in stakes should bo inoperative until after July, 1935. The Trotting Association's remit making it compulsory for'owners to race thoir horses in their own colours, and not in those of trainers, was also defeated. Mr. H. F. Nicoll was Te-elected president} and Mr. John Rowo (Auckland) vice-president. . , Tlio, Northland Trolling Club was granted Novembor 19 as the date for its meeting, and the' Thames Club .October 29 or April 1.