TROTTING IN WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3310, 17 December 1897, Page 4

TROTTING IN WELLINGTON.

I ‘ TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, —On reading " A Non-member’s " letter in your paper, I may say that there is a good deal of truth in his writing. We have some splendid property both in the Tlutt and Petone; right in the thick of a large population, ever increasing, and the ground is most suitable for trotting purposes. Take Taggart’s track, or another just formed, Mr Smart’s. Why, sir, if I could only get the stewards of the two clubs together on Smart’s track they would there and then forsake , sand and rushes and, with combination, ‘ go jjn for something good. Surely 300 members could be got from Wellington, Johnsonvllle, Petone, Hutt and Upper Hutt ? I . will undertake to., 30 members myself at 215.. . There,are.th’rte'groundsat.PetOhe worth considering', namely, the 3 show grounds, - where a: half-mile track can be obtained by going outside the grandstand and by this* time no, doubt [the management .committee of: the, above -will have seen their folly of refusing upon a past occasion fay allow a track to be made there. Their conditions - were suolr that nothing could have succeeded under them. The Wellington Agricultural and Pastoral Association thought when it first took the r Petone - grounds that, the whole of Wellington was going to rush it for the nse of it for- football, cricket, tennis.and general sports. The rent it has - received from such since the ground was. taken, .over would be rather interesting'to learn, but what a different state ,of affairs had they allowed •£2ooto be spent of others’ money on their property! Not only would there have been a first-class trotting track and conveniences as a good asset.but a good cycling track along side of it. ’We how;, take! a‘ look at that beautiful table-grouid between the, show ground and the river, about 2ft higher, well drained, and, I believe, never has been flooded. A track three-quarters of a mile round could be made * with little , cost—a lovely spot, no sandhills being swallowed by human beings. And last, but not least, the gasworks ground at Petone used by the ■footballers and cricketers. By going into the lower part and making up a little a traokhalf to three-quarters of a mile could be formed. There is a natural rise arid bank, which, with little expense in the way of seats, would make the people’s stand.—l am, &0.,.. i .it .■ 11 , -• : Tbue Sport.