SPORT OF TROTTING

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11933, 13 September 1924, Page 8

SPORT OF TROTTING

MOST POPULAR PASTIME. MR P. SELIG’S STATEMENT. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH. September 12. In returning thanks for his re-elec-tion to the position of president of the New Zealand Trotting Association, Mr P. Selig said the sport of trotting was in a very satisfactory position, notwithstanding tlie unpleasantness which had occurred during the season. After all, he said, it was caused hy men on the fringe of the sport, and not hy men of any standing. Trotting to-day was in a much higher position than ever, and so long as tile public had confidence in those conducting the sport it would! continue to be the most popular pastime in the Dominion. The clubs, notwithstanding heavy taxation, were all going ahead, and the sport was steadily progressing. The figures, which had been published by the Government Statistician, praotically agreed with their own. The sum of £148,930 had been given in stakes hy the various clubs during the past season, and the sum of £1,883,832 had passed through the tdtalisator. Adding stakes given by the racing dubs for trotting events on their programmes these ■ totals were raised' to £180,263, and £2,051,221 respectively. “MONEY RETURNED TO PUBLIC.” “I would like to point out for the benefit of those outside the sport who contend that gambling is so big,” said Mr Selig, “that the whole of the money which passer' through the totalisator was returned to the public in some shape or form. This is a fact which should not be lost sight of hy opponents of the sport. Some of the money went to the consolidated Tevenue, and some to the owners by way of stakes. This money was spent by owners in various ways; in employment, saddlery, etc. I say that there is not too much trotting for the population of the place. We should cater for what the people require. I hope the Gaming Bill will go through, ana also that there will he some relief from the heavy taxation which has had to be borne since the war.”