CONTROL OF TROTTING

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9095, 14 July 1915, Page 11

CONTROL OF TROTTING

STIPENDIARY STEWARDS PRINCIPLE AFFIIMLO BY ANSI UAL CONi'LKLN CE. The question whether stipendiary stewards should be appointed was discussed at the Trotting ‘ Conference yesterday, with tho result that the principle of such a move was affirmed and further consideration of tho matter was leierreci to a later meeting. # lu the course of his annual address, the President. Mr John Rowe, said ho wag pleased to see that at one club had moved in the direction ot the appointment of stipendiary steua.xd.s. ■Two years ago the New Zealand Metropolitan Club proposed that stipendiary stewards bo appointed, and it was Jeit to tho executive to report. A- report was submitted, but to his great Burpiß® tho club which at first urged the conference to adopt the system deprecated it, mid after the conference was persuaded ,fo '<lrop the matter temporarily, the same club appointed for its exclusive use two paid officials from its own members, one being a steward of the club. Tho task of appointing such officials was always an invidious one, and the chit could have been Saved ibis last year, had the proposal been- carried. I'or years past he had strongly advocated such appointments and frequently' pointed out the advantages to be derived. One of the chief advantages would be that stewards • travelling from meeting to meeting would have special opportunities of noting the running of the horses and the behaviour of tho riders and drivers. Tho sport had progressed so rapidly that it had outgrown the present system, of control. There was a limit clause as to what any club would bo liable for in proportionate e.vpenseo. Tho question was one of grave importance to the future of trotting, and ho Recommended the matter as a very urgent one for their serious consideration.

The following remit on the subject was subsequently moved by Mr E. A. Archer, representing the New Brighton Club, the motion being in the form or an addition to the rules (Part Vl.: “Stipendiary stewards Tho executive of (tho conf/erenoe shall have power to select and appoint not less than two persons to act as stipendiary stewards at race meetings, on such terms, with such powers, and subject to suofr conditions as the executive may, by by-laws or regulations (which it is hereby authorised to make), prescribe. Such by-laws and regulations shall, when signed by the president, bo transmitted to tho secretary of the conference, and notified, and shall-thereafter have equal force and effect as if they were by-laws and regulations made by the conference itself. - In the event of no stipendiary steward being able to attend any race meeting, a substitute stipendiary steward may bo appointed by the executive to act at such race meeting, and in respect of such race meeting shall be deemed for all purposes a stipendiary steward. The executive shall determine the remuneration td bo paid to tho stipendiary stewards for ■ their services, and. the amount required for the purpose, and in order to' carry this rule into effect shall bo provided by the totalisator clnbs by payment of a percentage not exceed ing one-eighth pet- cent, (.but so- tnat no club shall pay move than JG3<lO nor less than ,£10) on the gross amount received by them respectively by way of investments on the totalisator during tho preceding year, with regard, «o far as tho executive may find expedient, to any change in tho number of days- on which the totalisator is used by any. club in the current year. Tho amount payable by each, club shall be fixed by the executive, and be paid to the secretary of tho conference, who shall apply it as the president or the executive may from time to time direct." Mr Archer said that the New Brighton Club had no intention of putting tho proposal in a hard and fast form before tho conference, but as a basis to work on. The object was simply to have export professional men, travelling through tho Dominion, who could give advice to the honorary stewards at any meeting at which they officiated. The motion was seconded by Mr E. E. Sutherland (Otahnhu). Mr E. Fox (New Zealand Metropolitan Club) asked if the motion was quite in order. The matter, he eaid. had never been before the New Brighton Club in proper tom. Mr Archer said that the proposal was referred to a special sub-committce o£ the New Brighton Club. The- conference secretary (Mr J. 3. Norris) said that the remit was handed to him by the president and tho treasurer of the club. As there was no letter from the club objecting to the manner in which the motion had reached the conferenoo, the president ruled that it was in order. Mr A. A. Books (Ashburton) moved, as an amendment, that the conferenoo appoint a committee, consisting of Messrs Roberts, Macfcay, Fox, and the chairman, with power to add to their number, to fix salaries and hay© lull power to take such action as they think fit in regard to appointing, dismissing, and any other matter referring to stipendiary stewards. ' The amendment was seconded by Mr T. H. Noble-Ben stoy (U inton). Tho chairman pointed out that the conference could not move in such a direction before the principle of having stipendiary stewards had been affirmed. The time had arrived when stipendiary stewards w-ero necessary in the interests of trotting owners, trainers riders, and the public. This was one of tho greatest needs of trotting. Although his club had instructed him to vote against the principle, his conscience had told him that ho was doing wrong, Mr P. Selig (New Zealand Trotting Association) welcomed tho conversion ot the chairman to the principle in question. He added that he was afraid that delegates too frequently camo to the conference with something crude to move. He moved, “That, the matter be remitted to the executive of the conference for consideration and report." Mr W. J.Goro (Forbury Park)seconded, but stated that he was against the present proposal, qhich was too crude.

After further discussion, Mr Selie substituted a motion that the matter be adjourned for a further conference, to be held within six months, and that in the meantime the executive prepare a detailed scheme, to be considered then. The chairman said that if the clubs did not appoint stipendiary stewards the time would come when they would bo appointed for them by the Government. Ho trusted that the conference would not go on year after year shuffling the subject until they were compelled to toe the line.

The amendments wore suspended while Mr Mackay moved, and Mr Fox seconded, "That this conference approves tbo principle of stipendiary stewards.’' Mr T. J. Evans (Westland) said that the -rules already provided an excellent system, and Rules 84 and 85 (providing for a judicial committee and advisory stewards) should be mode mandate :y. To saddle the clubs-with the present proposal would strain the finances too much. Mr Gore said he was out to vote against the stipendiary pronositiem simply on the score ot expense. Stipendiary stewards would have fo bo appointed in such numbers that f e expens ■ to the clubs would b? prohib'tVe. At least sis of these stewards wou’d »e required, and they could not be paid less than A3OO a year each which would entail a cost of about JSlCtOos each club.

The motion affirming the principto ot stipendiary stewards was carried by 15 rotes to fl.

The conference also carried the motion fo consider the question at a further meeting.