TROTTING DATES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24834, 6 February 1942, Page 6

TROTTING DATES

FORBURY PARK CLUB HOPES FOR MAY AND JUNE A decision to apply for May 9 and U and also for June 13 and 20 as the dates for the remainder of the club’s race meetings for. the season was made at last night’s meeting of the Management Committee of the Forbury Park Trotting Club. The club was originally granted its usual two days for the summer meeting in January, but owing to the exigencies of the war situation this meeting had to be abandoned. “ Where do we race? " asked a member. “Oh our own. course* said the chairman, :•> Mr B. S- Irwin. “If we cannot get our own course, we cannot race anywhere. We all realise the problem of the Army Department,- and if courses cannot be made available then there Is no more to be said.”

Members agreed with this point of view, but expressed regret that it was considered necessarv by the army authorities to keep clubs completely off their courses.

. . The. club, was prepared to carry, on racing in spite of any inconveniences, Mr Irwin said, and it vlould be to the benefit of the Government ■ as well as the club if meetings could be held. ** We can only try,” he added. “If the military decision is a hard and fast one there is no more the club can do about it.” A letter from Lieutenant-colonel J. G. Jeffery, Area Commander, dated January 14, stated that owing to mobilisation and to the exigencies' of the service in general, it was impossible -to JaUovy’further race meetings to be held until inch time as the position in , the Pacific materially improved. The Army Department realised that the clubs concerned were being seriously inconvenienced and financially affected by this decision. The position, therefore, would be reconsidered at the earliest moment. . . A telegram; from . the Minister. o£ Defence, Mr F. Jones, explained Similarly' the reisbn for the course available for the scheduled. Janoary meeting. -H’ The meeting was attended byjMessra Irwin (chairman), J. M. Samson, J. Mitchell, H. Archbold., A. H. Todd. R. K. Aitcheson, D. C. Jolly, D. H. Blackle.. A. Ferguson, J. Trengrove and J. Black.