VINCENT JOCKEY CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22779, 15 January 1936, Page 4

VINCENT JOCKEY CLUB

TO THE EDITOR Si«v —The uncalled-for remarks of your jjporting -reporter anent the Vincent Jockey Club’s races cannot be allowed to pass without challenge. On behalf of the totalisator staff I take umbrage at his adverse criticism regarding the staff waiting for the most belated investors. To nail him down, let me emphasise the {mint that, notwithstanding the fact that the first race on the second day was delayed fully 15 minutes awaiting the arrival of the train from Dunedin, at the tecond last race the scheduled time for closing of the totalisator was merely erven minutes late. Further, the preicntation of the trophies was celebrated

after the second last race was run, and sportsmen will readily understand the delay thus incurred. Yet, it is on rerecord that whereas the last race was scheduled to start at 4.58 p.m., the totalisator was closed at 5.32 p.m.—and that after the ceremony of the presentation 6f trophies was concluded. Truly a remarkable record, which compares favourably with the running of metropolitan clubs! Had your reporter inspected the working of the totalisator from the inside of the small, inadequate building he would have observed for himself the extreme difficulties under which the staff was labouring. Upon these facts he has the audacity to pen his derogatory remarks. Of course, we sportsmen all know him as an advocate of centralisation, and whenever he visits the Central race meetings he is always carried away with his personal feelings by having a cheap jibe at the control of some department of the meeting. On behalf of the totalisator staff I enter an emphatic protest against his unjustifiable report on the working of the totalisator. —I am, etc.,

T. H. Oahill. Fitzroy Hotel, Dunedin, January 12./

[Our report stated that the general management of the meeting was so excellent as to disarm criticism. To describe the observation that the totalisator staff waited for the most belated investors — which would seem to have been the l only flaw in the two days’ meeting—as a “ cheap jibe ” is somewhat inept.—Ed. O.D.T.]