TROTTING CLUBS' CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, July 18.

Otago Witness, Issue 2369, 27 July 1899, Page 38

TROTTING CLUBS' CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, July 18.

At the conference of delegates from Trotting Clubs affiliated to_ the North and South Island Trotting Associations, delegates were present from all parts of the colony. The statement of accounts showed a balance in hand of £1 10s, but there are unpaid accounts amounting to £12 17s. In his address at the opening, Mi- P. Selig (president) said the interest in the sport had considerably increased, and no doubt the means taken to regulate and control it as the outcome of the last conference have been of a satisfactory character. There was still room for improvement, and the matter was in their hands. It was unfortunate that cases of malpractice should continue to occur, but olubs had shown determination to sheet home conviction to the offenders, and proposals would be brought before the conference for giving further power to deal with such cases. A schedule dealing with the 18 clubs in existence showed added money amounting to as much as £3860. The tote receipts of the four clubs at the head of the list ranged from £12,500 to £31,735, and besides these there were the trotting events included in the programmes of many southern Racing Clubs. Trotting did not appear to be encouraged in the North Island outside certain centres, owing to which several clubs had become defunct, and their totalisator licenses would become available for others better able to cater for followers of the sport. One of the mott important proposals to be brought forward was for the establishment of a New Zealand Trotting Association to take the place of the two governing bodies now in existence, and there were other suggested amendments, which seemed to be in the direction of purification. Mr P. Selig was re-elected chairman for the ensuing year, and Mr Rollitt secretary. A letter from the "Wellington Trotting Club complaining of the removal of the disqualification from the horse Rookwood -by the North Island Association evoked rather an acrimonious discussion, which, so far, has excluded any other business. Eventually the letter was referred 'back to the "Wellington Club.

The conference decided that members of the- association be elected annually by duly affiliated clubs, each club to exercise only one vote.

The conference spent considerable time in discussing whether or not a change should be made in the constitution in the direction of establishing one governing body, with its headquarters at Christchurch, for the whole colony, instead of having, as at present, one for each island. The principal opposition to the motion came from the Auckland delegates, who protested against the motion being carried, on the ground that it would prejudicially effect northern clubs. The motion was eventually agreed to by 13 to 4, and after it had been carried the Auckland delegates left the room.

Jnl/ 19. The Trotting Conference met again tonight, and spent considerable time in arranging amendments in the constitution necessitated by the amalgamation of the two governing bodies. It was decided that the council should meet monthly, and anyone absent from three consecutive meetings should forfeit his seat. New rules are to come into force next month, when the first slection will be conducted. A new rule was passed providing that all default lists submitted by clubs must be approved by the association before being advertised in order to prevent the practice of " ringing in." Another new rule was also passed insisting on all trotting horsec being registered with a description, any unregistered animal to be disqualified.

July 20. The Hon. J. Carroll, Colonial Secretary, said he agreed with the principle established by the conference that there should be one governing body for the whole colony. The North Island Association existed only in name, and its statutes were unsatisfactory. Care should be taken, however, that no injustice fhould 'b-e inflicted on any part of the colony. Auckland, for instance, wa3 placed in a unique position. Pony racing by clubs in that district had been of oveat assistance to their revenue, and it would be a hardship to them if the pony clement were taken away. As regards North Island clubs, he thought Auckland, Otahuhu, and Wairarapa Clubs would continue to exist, but Hawke's Bay, Hawera, and Palmerston would probably "pass out." The permits proposed to be allotted by tho conference wore: — Auckland, three: Teinuka, one ; Hawke's Bay, one ; South Wairarapa, one; Masterton, one; Otahuhu, one; Ashburton, one; Canterbury, three; Greytnouth, two ; Lancaster Park, hvo ; New Brighton, one ; Nelson, one ; Plumpton Park, three ; Tahuna Park, three. Additional permits had been asked for by Hawke's Bay, Masterton, Olahuhu, Ashburton. and Lancaster Park. The permit for Temuka would be hold in abeyance, but he favoured the issue of extra permits to Otahuhu and Ashburton, while one would alf-o bo granted to Reefton. A difference- had existed between Canterbury and Lancaster Park Clubs, and he hope,d that it would be got over by the amalgamation of the two bodies.

Mr Selig (president) assured the Colpnial Secretary no attempt would be made to stop pony racing in Auckland.

July 24. With respect to the colonial governing body set up at the Trotting Conference to control trotting, the Auckland delegates were inclined to refuse to recognise the new body, and go a "lone hand," but belter counsels have prevailed. Before their departure, the Auckland delegates conferred with President Selig. and the result is that they will recommend their clubs to work hi unity with the other clubs under tho New Zealand Trotting Association. Tho permits for the use of the totalisator have not yet been finally decided upon, but the Hon. Mr Carroll and Mr Selig have arranged the basis of their distribution. After congratulatory reference had been made at the close of the conference to the good work done by Mr .Selig, the latter said that he might now retire from further active participation in the control of this branch of sport, but he has since been strongly urged to retain office, the Hon. Mr Carroll expressing the opinion that Mr Selig riiould not retire at what he terms a critical turn in the affairs of trotting.