RACING IN PARK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22580, 19 November 1936, Page 13

RACING IN PARK

MINISTER OBJECTS POSITION AT GISBORNE INTERESTS OF RESIDENTS [llV TELEGRAPH —OWN COUKESI'ON DENT] (iISIfOKXK, Wednesday The Lands Department objects to racing on the park racecourse now that it is a public domain, and in a letter to the Makaraka Domain Hoard hinted that in future it would not be allowed. The board, which is 1 lie 'Gishornc Horough Council, did not, support the department's views, however, and authorised the town clerk, Mr. W. M. .Jenkins, as secretary of the board, to accompany a deputation to Wellington. The department's letter stated that the l)oi: ain Hoard's request that permission be obtained to make charges set out for admission to the domain was submitted to the Minister for his consideration. When negotiations to acquire the present domain were under consideration the department was given to understand that the area would not be required for racing, as race meetings in future would be held on the Turf Club's property. Had it for a moment been considered that racing was to be continued upon the area it. was almost certain that the proposal would not have been approved, as the Crown's intention was to acquire a public recreation reserve, not a racecourse. The Minister had, however, decided in this instance to give his approval to the proposed charges, but he wished it to he clearly understood that his action was to no extent whatever to he regarded as a precedent and that in future the Poverty Hay Turf Club and other racing clubs must hold their meetings elsewhere than upon the domain. The Mayor, Mr. D. W. Coleman, said he had discussed the matter with the Minister's secretary and he seemed shocked that the Turf Club -wished to get hack. "I think the Minister is looking at this from a wrong angle." said the Mayor. "The idea is not to have the reserve as a racecourse, but to lease it to the Turf Club for seven days in the year." He added that by letting the grounds to the Turf Club the grounds would be better kept than otherwise. The Turf Club would pay <i rental that would meet all expenses and would keep the ground in order. He told the Minister's secretary that he was not in the least concerned with the racing club. He could not be called a keen follower of the sport for he had not been to a race meeting iti his life and was concerned only with the people of Gishornc. The Mayor will head the deputation to Wellington.