KING'S BIRTHDAY

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

KING'S BIRTHDAY

MUCTI-SOIJGHT DATE RIGHT OF CLUB CHALLENGED CALENDAR FOR NEW SEASON [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Wednesday Tho change in the date of the Sovereign's Birthday has been responsible for a disturbance of the Trotting Calendar, and there was some strong criticism of the allocation of June 9 to tho Ash burton Trotting Club at the annual meeting of delegates to the Trotting Conference to-day. Mr. FT. H.' Eraser (Timaru) moved that June 9 be not allotted to Ashburton, which would thus have two holiday dates for the new season, June 9 and December 27. Mr. P. F. Ryan (Canterbury Park) in supporting the motion, said bis club had raced in the first week in June for some 30 years, and had now lost this.

Such differences came at an inopportune time, when the conference was seeking 50 additional permits, declared Mr. B. J. McKenna (New Brighton), but he agreed that the Canterbury Park date in June had become a birthright. He had a great admiration for the Ashburton Trotting Club, but the Canterbury Park Club had raced on the Sovereign's Birthday for many years. Decision Defended Mr. F. B. Robilliard (Ashburton) said that to justify his club's right to June 9 it had to be brought under tho notice of delegates that Ashburton had raced during the second week of Juno for the past 20 years, so that it was not a matter of materially changing the date. He could not see that his club was asking for anything to which it was not entitled.

Mr. B. S. Irwin pointed out that Mr. H. F. Nicoll, president of the conference and of the Ashburton Club, had taken no part in the matter, which had been decided by the other members of the dates committee. It had been brought to his notice that a club had sought the intervention of the Department of Internal Affairs on this question—an action that was to be deprecated. Mr. Nicoll said he regretted that a certain club had approached the Minister of Internal Affairs over the heads of the conference. He thought the majority of delegates* would agree with him that the action of the club was reprehensible. Mr. Eraser's motion was lost on the voices, and the dispute-will bo finally decided by the dates committee. Fixtures Altered Applications for dates were approved with the following exceptions and alterations: —The Forbury Park Club has been asked to select other dates than October 21 and 23. The Manawatu November date has been changed from the 20th to the 13th and Westland's from January 5 to January 4. The New Zealand 'Metropolitan Club has dropped its meeting on January 22 and will add this day to the championship meeting now scheduled for April 16. 20 and 23.

The application of tfhe Auckland Trotting Club to race on February 5 and 7 has been held over, as Wellington lias been granted February 2 and 7. Marlborough has been allotted May 13, instead of May 5, and Taranaki will race on April 23, instead of April 9, as in the original schedule. The Ashburton Club lias been granted April 9 in place of April 23, and Waikato will race on May 14, instead of May 7.

NEW REPRESENTATIVES

MR. E. G. BRIDGENS ELECTED

FLOATING PERMITS ALLOTTED [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Wednesday Of interest to trotting in the Auckland province was the election to-day at the New Zealand Trotting Conference to the executive of Mr. E. G. Bridgens. A vacancy had occurred through the retirement of the Hon. \V. Perry, and the nominees were Mr. J. H. August, president of the Wellington Trotting Club and Mr. Bridgens, a delegate of the Auckland club.

The remit from the Auckland Trotting Club for additional representation, on the Trotting Association was agreed to and it is anticipated that an appointment will be made from the Auckland province. The floating permits available through (heir surrender by the Te Aroha and Northland clubs were allotted to the Cambridge and Thames clubs respectively.

PRESIDENT RE-ELECTED

VETERAN SPORTING LEADER [by telegraph—owx correspondent] WELLINGTON, Wednesday The re-election of Mr. H. F. Nicoll to the office of president of the New Zealand Trotting Conference has now become a matter of course for delegates. and upon Mr. B. S. Irwin, the vice-president, falls the task each year of referring to the work Mr. Nicoll has done in every branch of the sport; first as an owner, then as a breeder and a committeeman, until his outstanding ability had won for him tho highest honour that clubs could confer upon a fellow delegate. Mr. Nicoll was a strong man and a fair man. said Mr. Irwin to-day, and he held the confidence of the trotting clubs.

KING'S PLAY AND MUTE CLUB'S ACTIONS ENDORSED [by telegraph—own* correspondent] WELLINGTON, Wednesday Mr. H. W. Kitehingham presided over a meeting to-day of the Board of the Trotting Association. Also present were: —Messrs. .1. R. McKenzie, J. M. Samson, T. J. W. Buxton and S. W. Kelly.

The action of the Auckland Trotting Club in accepting the explanation of the owner of King's Play in regard to that horse's running at the June meeting was endorsed. The board also confirmed the disqualification of Mute from third place in tlio Winter Handicap. The case of Cliarteris Bay, who won from the wrong mark at the Auckland winter meeting, was discussed. The chairman said the position was covered by Rule 469, which made provision for a mistake of this kind being rectified prior to the advertised time of acceptance, but not thereafter. It was decided to advise the club to pay out 011 the judge's plncings. The Auckland Trotting Club wrote, regarding the conditions of one of its races, making provision for a horse to be re-nominated Tor a faster class if it did improved time in an earlier event. It was decided to inform the club that the conditions applied for were in conflict with Rule UM. and that in future this rule should be complied with. A vote of sympathy was accorded Mr. T. J. W. Buxton, Auckland, 011 the recent death of his wife.