SOMNOLENT STEWARDS.

NZ Truth, Issue 106, 29 June 1907, Page 2

SOMNOLENT STEWARDS.

As a great many... of the racing stewards tbc colony seemto be troubled with sleeping sickness, it is probable that the Racing Conference will have to set up a Commission to ascertain . the best means of coping with the spread of the 'disease. v There is a possibility that the increastog neglig«noe of our stewards may culminate m the appointment of paid officials, 'but while the present isystem is m vogue theauthorities m. several parts will need to exert themselves- m the performance of their duty a good more Shan they have. toaein< : w out to do. During the present racing season, so many cases of misdiemeanor have been let go (unchallenged, and so many inquiries have come to naught, that the stewards of several clubs, instead of ! snowing themselves to be real live beings with a miss-ion, have proved little better than wooden men. The ■pu'teldc has been bamboozled and robbed straight out on numerous occasions, and yet, without so much as a [ protest, it comes back to toe hood- !■ winked and robbed again. A; great :deal 'has -been written and said indenunciation of the management at the recent O.taki meeting, and though it cannot be denied that the authorities there were very lax m their duty, still 1 itcannot be justly said that this particiflar club stands, alono m that respscfc. The diming accommodation was no* adequate to supply the wants of one-tenth of the crowd assembled, no IJiooth: amd no tea-room, and a cold and huniffry puWic, is a Y fault-fin < ding one. It was m conseLquenoe of this that shady practices, t wbicb would have (barely qaoticeaWe" at anofiier meetang, stood out 'giossly conspicuous at Otaki. .Most likely (the unenivia'bie notoriety the Maori !Club has gained wilk' cause improvements m. the.; of i their future fixtures. . Stewards of ! other clubs should foe on the alert f or [unfair «tay and tafce. rigorous steps' to suppxess. any .underhand work. The Trenfcham meeting is aow approaching, ariid tdi-e local stewards . Should endeavor to set the smaller clubs .an' 1 example m management- Sporting people m the city ' labor under^ many disa'biii'ties. It .costs ;the best part of a golden goblet to land ( on the lawn amd m addrfcidh to *hds<ten /percent, is '.tfiecjucted from every 'poutiid passing ithiroug-h the machine. It, is only natural that the public should expect encouragement for their patronage and the clu-b should do everything possible to secure it for them.