GREAT TROTTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23203, 24 November 1938, Page 11

GREAT TROTTER

VISIT OF GREYHOUND MUCH INTEREST AROUSED " T 1 CITIZENS SUPPORT PROJECT GUARANTEE TOWARD COST [ilY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] CniUSTCIIU.KCH, Wednesday The proposed visit to New Zealand of tho world's champion trottor Groyhouftd, 1.551, has created a good deal of interest in trotting 'circles, and today a meeting of Christchurch citizens decided to support the project. At an enthusiastic meeting tho sum of £Bl5 was guaranteed toward the cost of bringing the horse to New Zealand. It is hoped to > raise this total to £SOOO. Mr. J. It. McKenzio was elected chairman. In outlining the objects of the meeting, Mr. 0. Ballin said . it. was an attempt to boost trotting in. New Zealand, and to prove that tho Dominion had horses as good as any in the world. Greyhound would prove a big attraction at Addington, and New Zealand would benefit by such a visit. Tho conveners of the meeting had received tho greatest encouragement from the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, which would •handle all arrangements if the champion were > brought to Christchurch. If the citizens of Christchurch i gave tho expected support; /the visit of Greyhound was assured. :. , . • t ■ > ■ ]\lr. McKenzio said it was the - first time that such a project had. been mooted, and New Zealand sportsmen could bo depended upon to carry it through. The Metropolitan Trotting Club . gave £17,000 in stakes at its inter-Domiriion championships, dnd in spite of bad weather and postponements a profit was made'. '> He thought there was little chance of failure over such a meeting as was contemplated, but the!grounds at Addington might not be, large enough to hold the crowd that would attend. In the event of Greyhound makiqg th,e trip, there Was*" also the possibility of the world's champion pacer, Billy Direct, 1.55, accompanying him'. - ; ■ Mr. ,R. E. Hall, representing the Canterbury Owiiers and Breeders Association, said- the inducement offered was Out of all proportion when it'W,as considered that, a prize of £250 was all that Lawn Derby had competed- for. He considered it would. •be better* to import the unhoppled pacer Billy Direct at a lower price. Mr. Hall moved that arrangements be left in the hands of a small committee, which was elected as follows: —Messrs. J. It. McKenzio (chairman), H. A. Jarden, J. N. Clarke, O. Ballin and J. Mawson Stowart. * . * -