A HINT TO THE D.J.C.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11400, 18 April 1899, Page 3

A HINT TO THE D.J.C.

Two or three times, in a quiet kind of ivay I have drawn attention to the strange fact, that the Dunectin .Jockey Club does not advertise its programmes in a single Otago paper. This studied neglect almost looks very much as if the club did not want Otago patronage. That, of course, cannot be the case. In past years,, when crowds assembled at the Dunedin Cup meeting, our rural friends made up ft large percentage of the throng, and'l cannot think that their support is not valued. As a matter of fact the club would Very much like to get their attendance and Iheir custom for the'totalisator as well; but ior reasons which I cannot pretend to guess ihe club will not openly avow this by going about the matter .in the ordinary.and businesslike way, and whatever publicity the metropolitan' meetings receive from papers which circulate in the Otago. country districts is given gratuitously and out of good nature or a pure love of the sport. This cheese-par-ing policy, so utterly opposed to the line of action adopted by. dubs in other districts, where local support is deemed of the first importance, has at last drawn from an outside and independent journal a well-deserved reproach. The Canterbury Times, in its editorial capacity, prints tlii3 advice: .."It has been hinted that the Dunedin Jockey Club Jias lately shown little disposition to popularise its .meetings among the inhabitants of Otago. If this criticism is justified, the authorities will be wise to accept the advice conveyed by it. and endeavour to_ gain the support of the people living in the immediate neighbourhood. - The locality of the Wingatui: course' should be sufficient to. ensure-the patronage of many, country residents who demurred at making the journey to the Forbury. The club will do well^to remember this, and advertise .its meetings in the coun-try-districts of-the province. When once it has succeeded in arousing the interest of the country folk it will not need to regard the future1 with, apprehension. It will have secured a, ((lass.of, supporters which, in. Canterbury, is regardpd as the backbone of the Canterbury Jockey Club. Then it will not be compelled to rely for its revenue, upon the money whicli it extracts from the pockets of the apathetic townspeople and visitors from other provinces. Briefly, it will be an institution supported by the whole of Otago, capable -of providing sport of the best description." I pass on this advice with my best respects to the. authorities of the p.J.C, reminding them, at the same time that there may be a possible connection between the 'mean policy and the reduced attendances. Can tho D. j.C. imagine the C.J.C. restricting its programmes to a.Hawko's Bay paper, or the Auckland Club confining its patronage to a Wellington journal? They are not so .foolish;