TROTTING MATTERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19527, 9 July 1925, Page 13

TROTTING MATTERS.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE OPENS. QUESTION OF DISTRICT COMMITTEES. (Pun United Pkkss Association.) WELLINGTON, .July 8. Tlio annual conference of representatives of t.ho New Zealand trotting clubs is being held, Jill’ H. F. Nicoll in the chair. After tho president had delivered his address and had been thanked, Air K. Wallace (on behalf of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club) moved a series of proposals; with a view to abolishing the New Zealand Trotting Association, and substituting therefor district committees. The motion, it carried, said Air AVallace, would save expense and maintain tho dignity of trotting. Air B. S. Irwin (of the Forhury Park Club) seconded tho motion. lie said ids committee was unanimouo in supporting it. Ho thought it more likely they would bo able to get suitable men to act on district committees than on the association. Mr AI. J. Hannon moved, as an ameudmen, that the matter bo referred to tho executive to bring up a report and circulate it amongst clubs, and that a special meeting of the conference bo called to deal with the matter. Mr Robijliard seconded the amendment. Air Rowe supported tho motion strongly. They had, he said, heard Christchurch spoken of as tho home of trotting, but ho would say that it was the home of discontent. After others had spoken, Air Hannon agreed to alter his amendment to provide' that the matter should be deferred till tho next annual meeting of the conference. It '•kdig said that tho association, at his suggestion, had agreed that ho should exercise his veto on the question, which wasi one entirely for the clubs. Tho amendment was carried with a proviso that tho executive’s report should bo printed and circulated amongst the clubs prior to the conference. Tho conference passed resolutions giving persons as well as clubs the right to appeal against decisions of the association and giving right of appeal from the decisions of the association to the conference; forbidding officials holding the dual position of handicappor and starter or handicappcr and judge, to insist on the compulsory registration of colours before August 31, 1926; prohibiting tho uso of metal-lined whips; and refusing to allow persons disqualified for more than a particular race or races to race any horse till the disqualification was removed or enter a racecourse l under a penalty not exceeding ££o. A now rule was passed dealing with appeals under rule 341. A proposal to increase the membership of tho association from nine to 10 and give tho North Island an extra number found 18 supporters to 13, but it was lost as tho majority was insufficient. Tho following officers were elected: Air H. F. Nicoll. president (re-elected) ; Mr J. Rowe, vice-president ; Air C. AI. Ollivcr, treasurer ; committee—Alessrs Irwin’, Olliver’ and Alackenzio. ’ It was decided to allot totalisator licenses as in the past season. The next meeting of the conference was fixed for July, 1926, in Wellington.