SOUTH OTAGO TROTTING CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23058, 8 December 1936, Page 4

SOUTH OTAGO TROTTING CLUB

The adjourned annual meeting of the South Otago Trotting Club was held at Balclutha on Saturday night. Mr D. Sinclair presiding over a good attendance of members, including a number from the country districts. The chairman welcomed the members and said their presence showed that they still managed to preserve their enthusiasm, although the club had not held a trotting meeting for some time. The election of office-bearers resulted:—Patrons —Messrs D. T. Fleming, F. Waite and Simon Wright: president Mr D Sinclair (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs Phil. Clent and W. B. Duff, solicitor, Mr G. J. Kelly: auditor. Mr J. M. Doggart; treasurer, Mr S. Riach; secretary. Mr J. A. Henderson (reelected) ; committee—Messrs James Little. R. Chalmers. G. M'Feeters. J. P. Moir, E B. Gold. J Bilzon and W. TuTsZ6 The chairman said the principal reason for the adjournment of the meeting previously had been to allow members time to consider the advisability or otherwise of holding a nontotalisator meeting this season. It seemed to him that in the near future they would see an amendment to the Gaming Bill. In the past amended Bills had been brought forward and

then conveniently shelved, because M.P.'s did not like to show their hands before constituents. It was the same with proposals to license bookmakers, but the present Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. E. Parry) was definitely out for the good of the country clubs and against centralisation. For some years many of the country clubs had just managed to struggle along, but with a little encouragement legislatively, such as the new Gaming Bill would provide, with an extension of totalisator permits and the licensing of bookmakers, the country .clubs would have a chance to go ahead. If the South Otago, Club undertook to run a one-day's trotting meeting without a totalisator the cost would be from £350 to £4OO, and members would have to -put their shoulders to the wheel in order to raise the necessary funds. He would like to see a full and free discussion. The liability was considerable, and if the meeting resulted in a loss someone would have to provide the money, for they could depend upon it that the club would always pay 20s in the £.—(Applause.) Mr James Little asked if the club's chance of getting a totalisator permit would be prejudiced by not holding a race meeting this season, and, secondly, could they get permit for the present track? The chairman said that if the club did not hold a meeting it would not affect the question of getting a permit at all. This was the centre of. a splendid district, 50 miles from any race meeting, and the club's claim for a permit was a strong one. The fact that the track was a small one and the ground not owned by the club should not prove a bar. Mr Little said he would favour not holding a meeting this season, and he would like to see a committee set up to approach the owners of a ground at Finegand, where a good six-furlong track could be got. Mr W. B. Duff said that if bookmakers were licensed that would suit the club even better than a totalisator permit. Mr Parry, in a recent statement, had said that he would like to see country districts given a chance for more sport, and he favoured race meetings of the picnic type. Mr Neil Gunn said the best thing to do would be to take a vote on it, and if they intended to carry on to raise the subscription to one guinea. Mr F. Robertson said he would like to know what was wrong with the present five-furlong track. In answer to further questions, the chairman said he had interviewed several of the leading men associated with the control of trotting in Otago, and they recognised South Otago's claim to a totalisator permit to be second to none. There were few clubs with a membership to equal that of South Otago. viz.. 400. It was perhaps unfortunate, but true, that 95 per cent, of those who attended race meetings liked to have a " little flutter " on the result, and if no facilities for betting could be provided, then a meeting lacked popular appeal. Messrs George Reid and W. Hutchins reported that they had just inspected the track, and while the former was of opinion that it would not cost much to put it in order, the latter stated that in his opinion it was not fit for sulkies to race on. It was all right for saddle horses, but a lot of money would have to be spent on top-dressing before it was suitable for sulkies. Mr William Telford suggested holding a mixed meeting, but the chairman said the Trotting Conference would not pass a programme with gallops. After considerable discussion Mr Little moved that the question of holding a trotting meeting be held oyer until an alteration pf the Gaming Bill made it advisable to carry on. Mr W. Mayne seconded the motion, which was carried by a substantial majority, the negative vote representing those who desired to hold a non-totalisator meeting. ~ . , Afterwards a very enjoyable social was held, an extensive toast list being interspersed with songs and recitations.