FORBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21772, 11 October 1932, Page 5

FORBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB

MEETING OF COMMITTEE A mooting of the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s Executive Committee was held last evening, the president (Mr B. S. Irwin) in the chair. Others present were Messrs James Mitchell, H. Archbold. G. J. Barton, H. Halliday, W. J. L, CoughInn, I). C. Jolly, John Mitchell, J. Richardson, and J. Black. An objection to the regulations with respect to the use of the course for training operations asj enforced by the caretaker was considered at length. The complaint was made that the grass track could not be used except for special purposes.—lt was decided that a reply should be sent advising that the caretaker was merely carrying out the instructions of the committee, the members of which had every confidence in the caretaker. An application for an amateur license to train was received from Denis William M'Kewen and approved. With respect to the application recently made to the Railways Board by the New Zealand Trotting Association for reduced fares for ■ persons travelling by rail to trotting meetings. Sir Charles Statham, Mr J. G. Cobbe (Minister of Justice), and Mr F. Jones, M.P., wrote, intimating that they were in agreement with the terms of the request and would be pleased to support the proposal. The Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society wrote asking whether the club would give authority for the inclusion in this year’s catalogue of the annual donation of £5 >ss to the prize fund of the Summer Show. —It was decided to make the usual donation. Mr John Mitchell to confer with the society regarding its application.

Applications for the position of assistant starter at Forbury Park were considered in committee. After some discussion it was decided to appoint Mr W. Dingwall, of Christchurch, at a fee of £3 3s per day. A FAVOURABLE RECOMMENDATION. The New Zealand Trotting Association advised that Thomas Butler, who was dis. qualified for life by the Forbury _ Park Club 23 years ago for participation in the Conacrah case had renewed his application for the removal of his name from the list of disqualified persons. It was suggested that the club should make some recommendation in the matter. —After some discussion and the perusal of testimonials it was unanimously agreed to recommend that Butler be granted his clearance. STARTING BARRIERS. The meeting considered a letter from the Trotting Association commending the Djngwall patent barrier. It was stated that the Reynolds barrier 'now in use cost £75 for the installation of three points and a royalty of £1 per day for every day used. The new device would be erected for £l7 for .four points and a per diem royalty of £2 2s. Mr Black asked what was wrong with the existing barriers. Only once in all. the years of his connection with the club had the Reynolds barrier failed to function. Mr Barton said the greatest objection to the Reynolds device was the noise it made. Time after time horses were upset as a result. It was , agreed to ask the designer to give a demonstration at the clubs next meeting. It was decided that in, the event of the demonstration being satisfactory, the club should purchase the barrier and use it under royalty. Particulars of the installation covered barriers at four starting posts at the mile, one mile and a-quarter, one mile and a-half, and two miles, comprising eight transferable release boxes, eight rubber and cord barriers, a pull, cable, 439 yards of 9G fencing wire, and screw plates and accessories, the whole to cost £l7. It was stated that the features of the barrier were its simplicity of action and facility of operation. The device was .demonstrated to the association, members of the committee of which were impressed by its merits. , i THE SPRING MEETING. On the motion of Mr Barton, it was decided to make the stakes for the spring meeting the same as those ,for the winter meeting, namely, £2250. . Times for the first and last, races were fixed at 12.15 p.m. and 5.15 pan. respectively. The matter of three-dividend races was deferred. The Judicial Committee for the spring meeting, was appointed as follows: — -.Messrs Greenslade, Jolly, Neill, Archbold, and Irwin. ,