THE BIRCHWOOD HUNT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16399, 2 June 1915, Page 3

THE BIRCHWOOD HUNT

APPLICATION FOR TOTALISATOR PERMIT. (From Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, May 31. At a meeting of tho Birchwood Hunt at Otautau last week it was intimated that there was now a big probability of the permits allotted under the Gaming Act Amendment Bill being available to hunt clubs during the present season. Tho first intimation received from tho Minister of Internal Affairs conveyed the news that the Birchwood and Otago Hunts were to have permits year about, and that tho Birchwood Hunt had the option of/accepting the first permit, which, however, would not be available until after August I—the1 —the commencement of the new racing season. This seemed all right, and a resolution was carried that the hunt should race at Otautau on Dominion Day, September 27, if the Dates Committee would sanction that date. Although no further news of any alteration in tho mind of tho Minister was conveyed to the Birchwood Hunt, it soon became evident frgrn reports in tho press that other jcluhs were moving in the direction of holding race meetings this season, and tho action of the Otago Hunt Club was Tul Th° d«''s:on of the Otago Hunt was that, as the Birchwood Hunt had decided to apply for a date for next season, it would apply for a date for the current season. Since then tho telegraph o/Tico has been made tho medium of placing the Birchwood Hunt in fuller conversance with tho facts, and the result is that, acting on information now in hand, tho hunt has decided to apply for a permit to race on Wednesday. July 23 Should this application bo granted two 'meetings will be conducted by the hunt 'within a period of 13 months, both with tho assistance of a totaliaator permit. In the event- of the Dunodin District Committee favourably meeting a deputation from the hunt at Duiiedin tills week, an extraordinary general mooting of all members of the Birchwood Hunt, will be hold at Otautau on Juno 9 to decido where tho mooting will take place, and to draw up a programme. It is understood that the Rivorton, Winton, and' Invercargill Clubs are placing their courses at the disposal of the hunt, and in addition the sportsmen of Winton are offering to nut on a .specjal stako of from £60 to £100, "locally subscribed.