TROTTING AFFAIRS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22775, 8 July 1937, Page 9

TROTTING AFFAIRS

SEASON OF RECOVERY MANY NEW PERMITS NEEDED REVIEW BY MR. H. F. NICOLL [BY TF.I.KG KAI'Il —OWN CORK KSFONDF.NT] WELLINGTON, Wednesday Indicative of the recovery made by the trotting sport, said the president of the Trotting Conference, Mr. H. F. Nicoll, at the annual meeting in Wellington to-day, was the fact that the totalisator aggregated £1.614,9:37, this sum being £147,106 in advance of last season's total. Two clubs, Taranaki, which had not raced since 19.'i2, and Kaikoura, whose last previous meeting had been held in 1934, were able to resume.

Improving social conditions had enabled some former owners to resume active participation in the sport, and with, larger stakes ; there was every inducement for an increased number to join the ranks, niore especially as they were hoping that in the near future more days of racing might bo granted. In referring later in his address to this subject, Mr. Nicoll stated that 80 days were allotted to trotting clubs, whereas there were applications for a much greater number, and it was evident they required a further 45 or 50 days, without in any way overloading the sport. They were following out the advice of the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, to push for all they were worth and hoped for the results for which they were aiming.

It appeared to the speaker to be an anomaly that all sports, excepting racing and trotting, were able to hold as many meetings as they desired. In England, the Jockey Club decided upon the number of days of racing to bo held each year and it could be taken for granted that in New Zealand also the racing and trotting authorities had sufficient sense of responsibility to be trusted with the same measure of control, so there would be no over-racing nor anything allowed to prevail that would be contrary to the public interest.

Betting Systems

Mr. Is icol 1 dismissed tho recent ballot in Christchurch on betting systems as being of little value. However, he believed it would be wise to have one system, because or four variations inevitably caused confusion and discontent. While his personal opinion was in favour of the 75 —25 system, he was convinced that win and place betting increased the totalisator returns at meetings where big fields were competing; that it had a large following among small investors. He preferred to leave the question open for another year.

Tho executive had resolved that the time had arrived when the rules of trotting should be rewritten and regrouped in order to simplify the order of reference. Messrs. H. W. Kitchingham, P. Selig and A. 1. Rattray, three of the four members of the revision committee of 1906, were still actively interested in the sport. The fourth member was tho lato Mr. C. F. Mark. Mr. B. S. Irwin, the vice-president, and Mr. A. G. Neill, Dmicdin, had been of great assistance in presenting the conference with a code which would considerably simplify the task of officials. There was no remit this year on the subject of reduced limits for the slowclass races, notwithstanding that it had been the subject of discussion by clubs for some time past. In 1934 the Auckland Trotting Club moved at the conference that the limit for the maiden classes should be tightened from 3.45 to 3.40 for pacers. After a full debate it was unanimously agreed to make the limits 3.43 for pacers and 3.49 for trotters, and that the subject should be reopened at a future conference. Inter-Dominion Carnival After reviewing the inauguration of inter-Dominion trotting carnivals, the president reported that the third carnival would be under the management of the Metropolitan Trotting Club, with the assistance of the conference and the association. This meeting would be held at Easter, 1938.

In 1928, three stipendiary stewards were appointed. Two years later, Mr. T. T. Reid resigned, and the two others carried on, deputies being employed where necessary. Conditions had now improved greatly and, to enable the conference to have stricter control of the racing, the time had arrived when they should appoint at least one more permanent oflicer. The executive considered itself fortunate in having two such capable and reliable men as Messrs. Beer and Commons. The executive thanked clubs for the support given them, and requested that at all times full consideration should be given to their evidence and to their recommendations. The racecourse inspectors' work was also praised.

The Government had extended the rebiito of one-fifth of the totalisator tax for the season ending July 31, and the executive was working in conjunction with the Racing Conference to endeavour to obtain the concession for another 12 months. Last year the Government received over £IOO.OOO from the totalisator turnover. Although the completed figures were not vet available, it was possible the increase would he in the vicinity of 35 per cent above last year's amount. The New Zealand' Metropolitan Trotting Club, with a totalisator turnover of £356,277, and giving £26,700 in stakes, had paid £31,117 in taxation. High as the stakes might lie, the amount paid in taxation to the Government by that club alone exceeded the owners' share by £4417 for the past 12 months.

LICENSED ASSISTANTS CHANCE FOR STABLE HANDS [by TELEGRAPH OWN" correspondent] WELLINGTON, Wednesday It was proposed under the new rule's to adopt a system of licensing stable assistants, and to establish a form of apprenticeship for the younger stablemen, stated Mr. H. F. Nicoll in his address to the Trotting Conference today.

" We know that in all big stables there are men who are advancing in years and have no desire to drive in races, but there are also the younger assistants who have had few opportunities to prove their abilities or to fit themselves for better positions," continued tlio speaker. " There are some, notably sons of leading trainers, such as Br.vco, Holmes, Kenuerley, Townlcy, Teahnn, Eraser, Withers, Pringlo and others, who have established themselves, but apart from those who have been trained by their parents we have few of the younger generation who are making much way, and the idea of this scheme is to encourage suitable youths to enter trotting stables. Proper training in good stables should result in a stream of suitable men coining forward ready to carry 011 the training and driving in the future. Owners and trainers support the scheme. Under the Rules of Racing the system has worked most satisfactorily, both for employer and employee, and there is 110 reason to doubt that a similar result will follow the introduction of tlio proposed new rule in trotting."