TROTTING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19276, 13 September 1924, Page 15

TROTTING.

POPULARITY OF THE SPORT. STEADY PROGRESS RECORDED. (Per United Pbess Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, September 12. In returning thanks for his re-election to the position of president of the New Zealand Trotting Association, Mr P. Selig said that the sport of trotting in a very satisfactory position notwithstanding the unpleasantness which bad occurred during the season. _ After all, it was caused by men in the fringe of the sport, and not by men of any standing. Trotting to-day was in a much higher position than ever it was, and so long as the public had confidence in those conducting the sport it would continue to bp the most popular pastime in the dominion. The clubs, notwithstanding the heavy taxation, were all going ahead, and the sport was steadily progressing. The figures which had been published by the Government Statistician practioallv agreed with their own. The sum of £148,930 had been given in stakes by various clubs during the past season, and the sum of £1,883,832 had passed through the totalisatox. Addingtbe stakes given bv racing clubs for trotting events on their programmes these totals' were raised to £180,263 and £2,051,221 respectively. “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 hat passed through the totalisator was returned to the public in some shape or form This is a fact which should not be lost sight of bv the opponents of the sport. Some of the money went to the consolidated revenue and some to the owners by way of stakes. This money was spent by the owners in various ways, such as employ-, ment, saddlery, etc. I say that there fs not too much trotting for the population of the place. We should cater for what the people roouire. I hope that the Gaming Bill will go through and also that there will lie some relief from the heavy taxation which has had to bo borne since the war.”