TROTTING IN CANTERBURY

New Zealand Mail, 15 February 1900, Page 39

TROTTING IN CANTERBURY

The deadlock—if deadlock it can be called-—existing between the Canterbury Trotting Club and the. New Zealand Metropolitan Club appears to be as far off settlement as ever. It is now some time since the amalgamation of these ’ two bodies was mooted, and although efforts have been made to achieve this result the negotiations have not been attended with succes-s. That both are good clubs, bent on popularising wie sport, and promoting good racing is not denied, but-there arises the question: ‘Ts.there any necessity for two clubs " at Christchurch P” The former Colonial Secretary , the Hon J. Carroll, who permitted no abuses in either racing or trotting when he controlled the issue of totalisation' permits, expressed the opinion that tlfere was not; ‘fine club was. ample. Both • olube have been given to understand that unless a combine was effected one of them wopld not receive further permits after the New Year. .Mr Carroll has not now charge of: this departmentj but his successor Mr. Ward, will .presumably be influenced by . his predecessor’s action when dealng with these two clubs in the future. As a. matter of fact the present writer has been given to understand that unless action is taken almost immediately in the direction’indicated by those concerned, the department will precipitate action, aud if the final maiidate fails to bring about amal-„ gamation some people will have cause to regret their obstanev. Unnecessary race meetings should certainly not receive official,.sanction; the cry of “too much racing” is always heard, and if one trotting club at Christchurch is ample 'to 'satify the public taste for that class of sport the wishefe ’of the department should bp met, and one big club formed. The adoption of this course is desirable in the interests of the pastime, and if not effected one of the institutions will have to go to. the wall, or. race, without ;the totalisator. ‘ ~

An American .exchange remarks that the ups and downs’ of the once great turf favourites were again demonstrated .when Walkill Prince, by Hambletonian, was sold recently for Bdol in Bluff ton, Ind. Not many years ago he was sold for 9,000d01. ... At a , blood stock sale in Sydney .recently Loch. Fyne, by Lochiel—Matilda. was purchased, by i T.- Payton for 200 gs. Reel jby Gigue—spyglass, who won a race at the S.T.C. meeting-, went to S. Fielder for 150 gs. Sapir, by Grandmaster—Enonewas passed in at 170 gs.