TROTTING

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

TROTTING

DOMINION CONFERENCE VARIOUS AMENDMENTS TO RULES ADOPTED. Tho annual conference of the New* Zealand Trolling Association was hold in tho Fire Underwriters’ Association’s rooms yesterday. Tho president (Mr John Rowe) was in tho chair, and the following clubs wore represented:—Ashburton. Mr A. A. Rooks; Auckland, Mr John Rowe; Canterbury Park, Mr R. Wallace; Forbury Park. Hr W. J. Gore; Gore, Mr W. Latham; Grcymouth. Mr D. H. Roberts; ilutt Valley, Mr H. Palmer; Inangahua, Mr R. Lochore; Kaikoura, Mr A. J. Marshall; Manawatu, Mr A. Mcllroy; Nelson, Mr John Glen; Oamaru, Mr H. J. Horriug; New Zealand Trotting Association, Mr P. Selig; New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, Mr E. Fox; New Brighton. Mr E. A. Archer; Otahuhu, Mr E. G. Sutherland; Poverty Bay, Mr D. S. McDonald; South Canterbury, Mr Quirk; South Wairarapa, Mr W. Armstrong; Waimatc Plains, Mr W. O*Callaghan; Waikato, Mr J. A. Young; Wanganui. Mr C. li. Mackay; Westland, Mr T. J. Evans; Westport, Mr F. C. Roche; Wintou, Mr T. H. Noble-Bcasley. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.

The president, in his annual address, dealt at some length with tho influence ol the war on sport, and his remarks in this connection will be found reported elsewhere in this issue. Referring to the attitude of tho Legislature to racing, he said that since the Government, lour years ago, made a general reduction in tho days of racing and curtailed the totalxsator licenses, it was considered that a great injustice had been done the country clubs, some of which suffered heavily. A hill was brought before the House and defeated. However, a fresh measure last year was brought in restoring some of tho cancelled licensee. As tho spirit of the Act was to cater for country clubs, they were distributed amongst those clubs which then had no licenses. Before tho bill was finally passed only three out of the total number were apportioned to trotting. This was considered, by the conference and by the opponents of the bill both in tho Upper and Lower House, a most unfair distribution. The executive, therefore, on behalf of the clubs, strained every nerve to get the matter placed upon a better tooting. Although it meant much trouble and expense, he considered it would be well worth the time and money. Lo was not sure whether ho was inoro pleased for the executive's sake or that of the clubs that their efforts mot with success. The fact of getting tho number raised in tho House from three to eight spoke for itself. He expressed the indebtedness of trotting clubs to Mr G. Hunter, M.P., for his courtesy and assistance. They realised, the difficult work Messrs Hunter and Davey were set by the Government, and they deserved hearty congratulations for lihe manner in which they accomplished their, task. MORE GLASS RACING URGED.

In making a strong plea for more class racing, tho president said that, for several years past, proposals in this direction were considered by them, but were thrown, out, probably owing to the time not being considered opportune. With tho progress of the sport, confident that, if a system of ■ short limit racing were adopted, on suc-h lines as were suggested four years ago, it would prove an all-round success, particularly at the meetings of tho larger clubs, where tho system was intended only to apply. Various other matters treated by the president are reported separately. On tho motion of Mr Selig, seconded by Mr Gore, a vote of thanks was passed to the president for his address. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The baJanoo-sheet showed that the receipts, made up of levies on the various clubs, amounted to A;308 4s. Tho financial'year was commenced with a debit balance of £ls Is Bd, tho expenditure totalled -£279 14s 3d, and at May 31st last there was a credit balance of £l3 8s Id. In the provident fund account there was a credit balance at tho beginning of tho year of =£7lß 9s 4d, and tho receipts comprised: Provident fund fees £439 ss, fines collected <£l23, deposit Bank of New Zealand .£llOO, and interest ,£7l 7s 7d; the expenditure, including claims paid £197 19s and fixed deposit £l£flo, totalled £2150 is, leaving a credit balance of £3Ol Ifts lid. Tho statements of accounts were accepted on tho motion of Mr Maokay r seconded by Mr Fooks. AMENDMENTS TO BULLS. Remits from tho clubs named, embodying amendments to the Buies of Trotting, were dealt with as under:— Now Zealand ’fretting Association: In Part 1, "Interpretation," to substitute for tho interpretation of “Race" tho following:—“Baco"'-includes heat, plate, match, or sweepstake for trotting horses only.”—Carried. The object of the amendment was to add a heat to the scope of tho definition of a race. New Zealand Trotting Association: In Part 1, "Interpretation," to substitute for the interpretation of "Trotting" the following ; —" ‘Trotting’ includes pacing, except in races for trotting horses only.” —Carried.

Ashburton : "To add to Rule 38 "No person holding a license to ride, drive, or train shall bo eligible to sit on the association.”—Carried.

N.Z. Trotting Association: To substitute the words "a racing season” for "one year” in Rule 53, referring to the period during which a club applying for re-registration has not hold a meeting—Carried.

N.Z, trotting Association; To add to Rule 62 (setting out the powers of the association) the following clause (11): "Petemine all questions or disputes as to tho construction and meaning of any of these rules or any expression therein, or as to anything done or omitted" to be done by—(a) Any club or member thereof; or (b) by any person who shall apply for or obtain any license or certificate for the issue of which provision is made by these rules; or (c) by any person or persons who shall apply for issue or sell any totalisator ticket or tickets at any meeting; or (d) by any person who shall apply for admission to any course where any race meeting is held; or (e) generally any person in relation to any race meeting or proposed race or race meeting. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to repeal or in any way curtail the general powers conferred by these rules on the association.”—Carried. N.Z. Trotting Association: To add to Rule £3 (relating to cases of misconduct not provided for in the rules being determined by the stewards as they think fit) the following words:—"And they shall forthwith forward a copy of the evidence and their decision in such case to the association.’’—Carried. Canterbury Park: To substitute for Rule 87 the following:—"Clubs may insert in their programmes a race or races for unhoppled trotters, to meet the interests and requirements of the people in the district in which the club is situated."—Lost.

N.Z. Trotting Association: To substitute two guineas for half-a-wu ; nea, in Rule 113, as the fee for registering an assumed name.—Carried. N.Z. TroHing Ass-oHaHnn • To add to the end of Rule lIS (defining a joint Interest) the following words ded further that whenever an owner or part owner shall sell a registered horse or any interest therein subject' to a contingency of receiving a further payment out of_ any stake won by such norse, a joint interest shall be constituted between tbs owner or owners of such horse and the purchaser thereof.” , .

New Brighton: To add to the end of Sale 132 (providing for the registration of a horse before nomination) the following;—"This rule shall not apply to races for which nominations of horses under the age of two years are taken. Registration of horses entered for these events must he made on or before the date of final acceptance or payment. ' — Lost-

N.Z. Trotting Association: In Rule 133 to substitute 15s for 5s as the contribution to the provident fund on registering a horse.—Lost.

New Brighton: In Rule 2GO to strike out the words ‘‘if they have a reasonable cnance of being placed,” so as to make the rule read: —"Jockeys, riders,_ and drivers shall ride and drive their horses out to the end of the race, and shall in no case trust to a chance of protest or objection."—Lost. N.Z- Trotting Association: To amend Rule 302 to read:—"No arrears due on account of any horse permitted to start at the meeting at which • such arrears were incurred, nor arrears which have been owing more than six months before they are placed in the unpaid forfeit list, shall be notified in the Official Calendar. but nothing 'herein contained shall be deemed to discharge such arrears.”—Carried.

N.Z. Trotting Association: To add the following section to Rule 308 (defining the conduct in persons who are to 1 1 deemed guilty of a corrupt practice);— “Or (u) corruptly does any other act. matter, or thing, which, in the opinion of the association or the committee or stewards of any club is detrimental to the best interests of trotting."—Carried. New Brighton: To substitute for Rule 318 the following:—"The horses obtaining the money-, awarded the first, second, or third places in any race shall have the times done by them respectively in such race recorded against them, but where there is no prize, then no time shall be recorded.”—Lost.

New Brighton: To replace Rule 349 by the following-.—" All horses in which tho same owner has any interest, and all horses trained in the same stable, shall be bracketed on the totalisator, and the stewards may, if they think fit, order any two or more horses in a race to be bracketed.”—Lapsed for want of a seconder. PERMITS AND DATES.

The usual permits wero granted as in tho previous year. The following trotting dates were allotted New Zaeland Metropolitan, August 9th, 11th 13th; Auckland, October 20th, 23rd; Kaikoura, October 25th; Oamani, October 25th; Greymouth. October 25th, 28th; Now Zealand Metropolitan. November 9th. 11th, 12th; Otahnhu, November 17th, 20th; Marlborough, November 19th; luangahua, November 24th; Forbury Park. November 26th, 27th; Winton, December Ist; Now Brighton, December 16th. 18th; Gore, December 27th; Westport. December 27th, 2Sth;. Ashburton. December 27th; Auckland, December 2Sth. 29th, 31st; Canterbury Park, January Ist, 3rd; GTeymouth, January 3rd, 4th; Hurt Valley, January 21st; Forbury Park January 27th, 29th; Poverty Bay, February 4th; Nelson, February 9th; Now Zealand Metropolitan, February 13th t Manawatu February 19th; Wanganui, February 25th. 28th: South .Canterbury, March 2nd: Auckland, April sth, Bth; Waimate Plains, April 24th; Now Zealand Metropolitan. April 26th, 29th; Westland. April 27th; Forbury Park, May 11th. 13th; New Brighton, May 18th 20th; Canterbury Park, June Ist, 3rd; South Wairarapa. June 3rd; Ashburton, June Bth; Waikato. Juno 24th. Tho Otahuhu Club,., which claimed February 23rd and 26th. is to be asked to hold its meeting a fortnight Inter, and the Southland Club is to' select another date than April 22nd. OFFICERS ELECTED.

Officers for tho ensuing year were dlcried as follow President, Mr John Roive (Auckland); vice-president, Mr W. JGore (Forbury Park); executive, Messrs E Fox (New Zealand Metropolitan), JEowo (Auckland). C- E. Macfcay (Wanganui). W. J. Gore (Forbury Park) and D. H. Roberts (Greymouth); dates committee, members of the executive. It was resolved that tho next conference be held at Wellington in twelve months’ time. A vote of thanks was passed to the New Zealand Trotting Association for its administration of the rules during the year Mr P. Selig, president of the association, responded, and on his motion a similar veto was passed to the conference executive. Tho conference then concluded.