TROTTING IN WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1367, 12 May 1898, Page 24

TROTTING IN WELLINGTON.

The outcome of the unsuccessful attempt of the Wellington Trotting Club to secure a permit for another meeting thi3 season, I and the observations made by the Colonial Secretary when finally declining their application, will likely be the formation of an amalgamated club in this district at an early date. That this is the only way out of the existing difficulty, particulars of which have been so often narrated, is patent to all concerned. The unsatisfactory state of thing which has for so long existed here in regard to trotting has culminated in an official intimatioii that they must cease, advice being at the same time tendered as to the proper course of procedure in the future. It now remains for the stewards of both the local clubs to agree to meet in conference in an amicable spirit, casting aside any prejudices that might exist, and mapping out a scheme that will be beneficial to both elubs and trotting generally. In the event of such a meeting being arranged it would be necessary to consider a number of important questions: Firstly, the desirableness of amalgamation ; Secondly, the question of finance ; Thirdly, the best site on which race gatherings should be held. A decision having been arrived at on these points, it would then be necessary to call a special meeting of members of both clubs before which the results of the conference would be placed, for approval or otherwise. It is obviou3 that this step will have to bo taken, and at an early date, too, in ordtr that the question be settled definitely, and a fresh start made by the new club, which would be a more powerful institution than numerous organisations of a similar character that are now granted totalisator permits. The club would have the advantage of a strong membership list, and be enabled to give good stakes, a potent factor in the promotion of first-class trotting. The stewards of the Wellington and Johnsonville Clubs will, no doubt* approach the subject of amalgamation with a certain amount of diffidence ; but as the advantages of the proposal become apparent, those concerned will doubtless endeavour to bring about the de&ired result. That there will be considerable controversy concerning the question of site and the disposal of the financial question is quite apparent, but good counsels should prevail, and matters satisfactorily adjusted. It would be extremely inadvisable for the local trotting authorities to allow the sport to wane in this district. If it is intended to continue competitions for that class of horse here, it is their bounden duty to take such steps as will advance the sport to a higher level than it is reported to have attained in other centres of the colony. A great deal has been said and written lately concerning the way trotting has been managed, and. the amount of swindling practised by those connected with it. The multiplicity of enquiries made by clubs, of protests entered on acoount of ringingin, inconsistent running, and what not, published in the newspaper press weekly tend to get trotting into bad odour with the public; but the publication of these unpleasant proceedings has at least the. effect of demonstrating that so far as, the enquiries are concerned the trotting clubs, J or the majority of them, and the Assoeia- [ tions which control them, are carrying out their duty in endeavouring to purge the I sport of the evils that have latterly be- I come only too painfully apparent. Trot- | ting has greatly expanded in New Zealand i during the last few years; wo are far and ' away ahead of any oth«r e-W'.viy i>i *■'»* matter of meetings and qutii y >,) :i i-m*>.

but if the pastime is to b<* k«pt .m a proper basis clubs will need to exercise keen supervision over their meetings, and deal severely with unscrupulous persons when cases of malpractice are sheeted home.