THE RACING CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, July 20.

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

THE RACING CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, July 20.

The Racing Conference met in the Parliamentary Buildings this morning. Sir G. Clifford presided, and all the principal clubs were represented. The Chairman said : Following the precedent of last year, I will endeavour to give the Conference a concise statement of the transactions af the 12 months in anticipation of the questions which would naturally be asked thereon, and in order to save as much as possible of the limited time at our Jisposal. There has been no sign of deterioration either in the character of the sport or in the class of our horses. Carbine and Trenton are splendid advertisements in the mother country of

the quality of New Zealand stock, and we may have confidence that Multiform will^show that great horses are still bred here. The demand which exists, and very possibly increase, for horses of tested merit to race in England calls further attention to the need foi the perfect Stud Book which will command the confidence of buyers at a distance. It wul be an . advantage in this connection to issue a New Zealand Stud Book under the unimpeachable authority of this Conference, and I will lay before you a scheme for your consideration in regard to such, a publication. The classification and verification of pedigrees should be such that the editors of the English Stud Book could accept them as authoritative. During the year five appeals undei rule 117 were decided by the appeal court of the conference. It cannot be expected that the result of litigation will please everyone concerned, but the questions raisnd were decided by tribunals free from any trace of local influence, and therefore commanding general confidence. A collateral advantage • from this system of appeals is that points in dispute, which would otherwise create continuous discussion, are quickly settled, and being settled, are soon happily forgotten. J have to thank Captain Russell. Messrs W. H. Henries, G. G. Stead, C. Hood Williams, F. H. Pyne, T. Teschemaker, H. A. Knight, H. D. Bell, and Hon. J. D. Ormond for their services in connection with these appeals. It will ho remembered that the Hon. the Colonial Secretary drew our attention last July to the overcrowding of racing clubs in certain districts. The effective action by which he followed up this representation has been distinctly successful. In the case of the Ashburton and Tinwald Olulk, in Canterbury, a new club is prospering after a somewhat protracted evolution from the ashes of its predecessors. At Gisborne, as at Ashburton, the diminution in wumber of Racing Chibs has resulted in a marked increase of totalisator revenue. In Now Plymouth the contiguous Waitara and Bell Block Clubs are now confined to one license. It is to be hoped that other clubs in a similar position in the Wellington and Otago provinces will, after the respite afforded to them, make some voluntary proposal to meet the mandate of the Colonial Secretary. The useful rule as to nomenclature of racehorses has no doubt fulfilled its purpose of restricting the double use of names, but it needs the co-operation of the secretaries of clubs to render it completely efficient. I may point out that an owner who runs a wrongly-named horse contrary to rule 51 is liable to a fine of £5 under rule 50, as his horse is technically unnamed. I have exercised the right of formal disapproval of a name for other reasons than duplication twice only, and in both cases on the ground of personality. I considered, foi instance, that an owner who desired to name his horse " J. G. Ward " should the permission of the bearei of thai name to its use on the turf. The licensing of trainers, jockeys, and apprentices still leaves something to be wished for, and must continue to show certain irregularitieL while, it is entrusted to so many different bodies. I would suggest for the improvement of the system that the annual issue of licenses should be in the hands of a committee of this Conference, with provision for isaue of temporary licenses to men who may through absence from the colony or other special causes have been unable to send in their aijplieations in July. Every application should be endorsed by the Jockey Club in whose district the applicant resides. There is some laxity in the use of assumed names, and in the nomination of horses in names other than those of their owners. Certain notices upon our orderpaper bear upon this question' which is a very grave one, owing tc the fact that the person to benefit 'by a horse's buccess shovild in every ca^e be responsible for the means adopted to attain it. An instance could be quoted in which a horse, the property of a disqualified person, continued to run under the names 'of various members of his family. I would point out that such palpable evasions of punishment should bo sharply dealt with, and I trust that means may be devised for rendering the ownership of all racehorses readily and distinctly ascertainable. I would call the attention of metropolitan clubs to the infringement or evasion of rule 54 as to ownership of horses by paid officials. This rule is directed toward ensuring public confidence in the impartiality of officials; but. if I am correotly informed, it has been disregarded in more than one instance. This is one of the points of which a metropolitan club should take cognisance without waiting for a formal objection. Criticism lias attacked the rule which confines disqualification to the course of the disqualifying club until endorsement by the metropolitan club. The rule was so drafted for valid reasons, and it is doubtless better to allow the guilty to snatch a temporary advantage rather than oji-.langeo the innocent b.y over-hastiness. The difficulty would be minimised by prompt action on the part of the endorsing body wherever circumstances may permit of it. Moreover, I see nothing in the rules to prevent a temporary endorsement pending further investigation. I regret that the forfeit list in the official calendar ie stall used by many clubs for the collection of entrance and acceptance fee?, which are only in arrear by permission of their secretaries. Clubs which insist on prompt payment of these sums find that course advantageous. A hard-and-fast scale of penalties for malpractice is impracticable ; but stewards should remember that they hold their office in trust not only for the benefit of their own club but alsc foi the general welfare of all clubs ; hence the quality of mercy was overstrained where for an offence alleged to be of a most serious nature, two horses, -vyith their trainers and jockeys, were disqualified for the period of the meeting only. It is also a matter of great importance and of courtesy between club and club that pentences of disqualification should be .recognised everywhere as debarring the disqualified person from access to all racecourses under the terms of rule 15. It -is necessary to Tecall the value of rule 139 as to the identification of foreign horses. The observance of this rule is not only important for prevention of fraud but neglect of the rule by secretaries in receiving entries is liable to lead to ibjections of a complicated character. There have been instances within the year where such horses have been permitted to start without the necessary certificates and declarations. After taking legal advice I have .acted upon the authority given toine^ by this conference in January last by instituting criminal proceedings on its behalf against the parties concerned in what is known as the "Ethel case." The Masterton Racing Club deserve a word of thanks from the racing community for the energy with which it applied itself to a full examination of this case. The knowledge that a criminal act on the turf bears the same fruit as criminality elsewhere cannot fail to have a salutary effect in diverting the attention of perpretators of such acts from a field where detection is so easy. So far my report may be taken as commeating on some of the blots which it is our function to remove ; but lam satisfied they are but Wofce j and that the sport of which we are constituted the guardians is in the main sound and healthful to its participants and to the couu-

try. The vast majority of those who find . their recreation in it are attracted' by the ;' eport itself, being genuine sportsmen, to whom pecuniary considerations are a second* ary interest. The smaller class who subordinate racing to gambling are the most dangerous assailants of our position — enemies as it were within the garrison — and to ihis section, we owe all the troubles which tend to excite prejudice against us. Hence arises our antagonism to those who utilise our sporn to extract from it a questionable living ?.s professional gamblers. 3y the substituti .<n of the honest totalisator we have almost emancipated ourselves from the evil influence of such men. To complete the reform we seek the enforcement of the law which, as it stands, is adequate if enforced for our protection against the bookmaker and against the illicit existence of the \mregulated "tote shop." A statement has been prepared showing the stakes paid, the totalisator investments, and the proportion of stakes to gross totalisator revenue for all clubs holding a totalisator permit. Comparison with last year's table will suggest general prosperity with the exception that all the clubs on the West Coast of the South Island have fallen off; the uniformity implying some local cause. The . greatest advance has been made by the Wellington Club, which, is the more satisfactory us it is obviously due to increased stakes and programmes framed on a higher standard. Auckland, Wairarapa, Avondale, and Gore have been notably rewarded by increased returns for the larger prizes offered by them. •Otaki furnishes an example of the opposite policy as it reduced its average stakes by £40 per diem, whereupon its totalisator average followed suit at the rate of £1500 per diem. In the case of smaller clubs in country districts holding one meeting per annum, the figures clearly demonstrate the wisdom of giving fair stakes fov a one day's meeting, instead of frittering away the available money in paltry stakes spread over two days. The totalisator returns for As-hurst-Pohangina, Waverley-Waitobara, Waipukurau, Dannevirke, Waitara, Hororata, Opunake, Akaroa, North Canterbury. Ohoka and Eyreton, Horowhenua, and Wyndham — all one-day meetings — amply prove this,while Stratford, which last year had two days, confirms this""lesson by doing very much better with a single day's racing. The whole table, in fact, is replete with~proofs that the better the clas? of sport the more freely the public support it. We may assume thac wherever the proportion of stakes to totalieator revenue is less than 100 per cent, the authorities who control licenses will scrutinise balance sheets with some care. Many of the clubs in this category aro placed there in consequence of their improved receipts which; will no doubt be taken into account in arranging their meetings for next season. The Ashurst-Poh angina and Mar ton Clubs have, however, in spite of apparent success, occupied the lowest ov almost the lowest position in this respect for the last three years — a fact which seems to call for explanation. I have touched on these details of the statistics supplied, not for the sake of criticising individual clubs, but to emphasise a few of.the- useful lessons taught' by. the figures presented to you. The first endeavour of racing clubs " amist naturally be to make both ends meet; it is therefore mo3t encouraging for the future to find practical evidence that this object is best achieved by raising the qxiality of their meetings. The resulting improvement must in its turn have an educational influence tipon. the taste of the public, and if we in our administrative duties can assist in this elevation of the tone of our national sport we shall be accomplishing a. task of no mean importance. List of Racing Ci.uns in New Zealand, With Amount of Stakes Faid, Number of Days' Racinr, and Amount- Invested in the letalisa'or for Sea on ending July 31, 1899 :—

A. motion." was .passed, without dissent, recommending that nominations, etc., should not be received at.publichoufes. Mr Hankins moved that the time had ariived when country clubs shall be permitted to have direct representation on the metropolitan committees. Captain Russell opposed the motion. The Chairman approved, so long as the internal administration of metropolitan affairs was properly protected. One speaker said that great friction would bo caused if the motion was not carried. It was eventually passed by 24 to 11. Mr King moved that rule 7 be altered to read — "That at any race meeting where the totalisator was used no race shall be run for less than £50." — The Chairman thought that nothing would tend to put racing on a better footing than this motion, but he was afraid that the sum named was too high. — The motion was lost.

A motion by the Canterbury Jockey Club "That the Trotting Association of New Zealand be recognised as a club for the purposes of rule 15," — was carried On the motion of Mr Hood Williams, the following new claupe, 32a, was carried: — "In all races other than handicaps, or races run under the standard scale of weight for age, the weight to be carried must be specified in the conditions of the race."

Mr Hood Williams moved the following new rule, 42a: — "In all pases by the conditions of which horses which have won open races are barred from entry, no horse shall be eligible to start which has won a race of the value of £80, or races of the collective value of £150." — Mr Hankins supported the' motion, as tending to do away with hack races altogether. A discussion took place as to the sum to be fixed, £70 being carried against £50 by 21 to 10. and £150 in lieu of £300. — The motion then passed. The recommendation by the judges appointed to decide the appeal case of R. H. Brown v. Wellington Racing Clvb — " That the rules relating to ownership and nomination of horses should be revised " — was agreed to.

The following new" rule, 46a, was carried : — " That a horse cannot be entered in the real or assumed name of any person as the owner, unless that person's interest or property in the horse is at least equal to that of any other one person, and has been so registered."

On the motion of Mr R. H. Nolan it was decided that the English rule of racing with regard to partnership be included in the Rules of Racing with the addition — " That any wilful breach of this rule will be met by disqualification." In regard to rules 80 to 87, it was decided that the decision of the starter be final, except in the case of a start in front of the post, on a wrong course, or before the appointed time.

The Canterbury Jockey Club moved in rule 103 that the following words bo added after the word "divide" in the third line: — "But if any one of the horses running a dead heat be two years old, the dead heat shall not be run off, and the"ownefs shall divide." — The Chairman ' advocated ' abolishing running off dead heals as being barbarous to horses^ and involving a great risk of injury to horses. He moved that the rule apply to all ages, and, as amended, the motion was carried Rule 15.7 was.amended to provide that when a person is, wariied off. a course, so long as his exclusion continues disqualification shall apply, .and . . this shall also apply to persons who were owners at the time the offence was committed. It was decided that in the case of suspension or disqualification, secretaries of metropolitan clubs be notified by telegraph immediately, and that it take effect forthwith throughout the colony. It was decided that the following new rule Ke added: — "That no jockey be permitted to bet on any horse in any race in which he is riding except the one ridden by himself, and then only through and by the permission of his employer." The Hon. Mr Carroll, Colonial Secretary, addressed the conference. He said he was very glad to hear thai a. " hack " had now been clearly defined, and that registration of owners had been decided on. As to the question of totalisator permits for the coming season, he noticed the conference had gone much on the same lines as hist season. As to the application of the Waihi-Waitekauri Ulub for a permit, he was inclined, considering that the northern district had its full quota of racing, not to grant this permit for the present. .As to .the extra permit for the Takapuna Jockey Club, .he thought it would be well to leave that question to the chairman of the conference and himself for settlement. He spoke in favour of the amalgamations that had taken place, expressing the opinion that it would be better if more of the small club 3 in the same districts amalgamated. As to the application of the Geraldine Club for a permit, he thought it would be wise to treat the matter in the same way as the Taka.puna Club's request. Certain conditions would be imposed in both cases. In regard to the Otago district, he drew attention to the smallness of the totalisator investments by some of the club 3 there, quoting cases in which the total investments were under £1000. In this respect, however, the Bay of Plenty held a record with a total of £395. In some of these

instances the investments were rather small to warrant the continuance of totalisator permits. He suggested the amalgamation of two of the olubs on the Otago goldfields with the view of strengthening the remaining clubs. The remarks as to amalgamation applied, he added, to other districts as well as to Otago. He instanced the position of some of the smaller clubs in Taranaki as an example.

The list of permits practically remained the

same as in the past season. Applications for new permits would be held over for consideration and investigation. In some cases he thought the racing might with advantage be confined to one day instead of ■ two. The etake3 were so small that they were not an incentive to owners to run straight. The success of the sport must be increased as the stakes were increased, and he was willing to assist the conference as far as he could in the matter. He congratulated the chairman on the work of the conference, paying a special tribute to the good influence Sir Geo. Clifford himself had had on the gport. It would be a sorry day when the sport lost such men as Sir Geo. Clifford. Sir Geo. Clifford, in acknowledging Mr Carroll's sentiments, made reference to the high standard Mr Carroll had always set in the interests of sport. It was decided that where a jockey is engaged to ride, and refuse 3to do so without just cause, it will bo in the power of the club to fine, disqualify, or suspend the jockey, as it may think fit. After considerable discussion, it waa resolved- 1—"1 — " That a committee of five be appointed to prepare rules for regulating (a) the proper investment of jockeys' and trainers' provident funds, and the accumulation thereof; (b) the administration of relief; (c) the audit of accounts of boards, providing for an annual report to the conference, and for such other matters as to the committee may seem expedient : and " that H copy of the resolution and of the proposed .fculaa be printed and forwarded to each club.

and that tbe matter be further considered at tho next nfeeting of the conference." The question of totalisator permits was then considered in committee.

Mr Hankins's motion desiring to bracket upon the totalisator all horses starting in a race being the property of one person was lost by one vote. A three-fourths majority being required to carry the proposal. Considerable discussion took place on the subject of the voting power of different racing clubs at the conference. A deadlock then occurred. Mr Harbroe (for the Wellington Racing Club) moved in the direction of giving the Auckland, Canterbury, Duuediu, and Wellington Metropolitan Clubs three votes each at the conference. Country delegates objected to this system of voting. Mr Allison proposed an amendment .giving country clubs equal voting powers. This was lost, and on the motion being put it was declared lost also. The Chairman suggested a way out of the difficulty by going back to the old system of representation for the next conference, and this was agreed to.

On behalf of the Masterton Club, it was moved — " That the costs of the Masterton Racing Club, incurred re the Ethel ringing-in case, bo paid by the conference." In the discussion which followed, the Chairman stated that the Government had not intimated that it would not pay the costs of the criminal prosecutions in the case. The delegates thought it would be establishing a bad r re " cedent in paying such money, and the motion was lost.

It was decided that the costs of the Dunedin Jockey Club (not exceeding £30) in the case of the Queen v. Sydney James, for advertising that investments for the totalisator will be teceived, be paid by the conference.

The conference adjourned till the next night.

July 21. The Racing Conference resumed to-night. The question of the publication of a New Zealand Stud Book was broached by the Chairman, who said the cost might be perhaps about £200. It was decided to publish the work, the only clubs voting against it being Taranaki and Dunedin. It was stated by the Wellington Club's delegate that the Metropolitan Club had decided to recognise the rights of the Feilding Club in. the matter of dates for its Spring meeting, and would either keep their present dates or make suitable arrangements with the Feilding Club.

The sub-committee appointed to consider the rules relating to the registration of trainers, jockeys, and apprentices, presented its report, and it was decided that the proposals stand over till uext conference, the various clubs to be supplied with a copy of the alterations suggested.

On the motion of the Hon. G. M'Lean, Sir George Clifford was unanimously re-elected chairman of the conference for the ensuing year. Eulogistic reference was made to the good work done by Sir George Clifford during the past season. The question of a levy to be made on clubs for the season was left in the hands of the chairman. On the motion of the Hon. G. M'Lean, it was resolved that before next conference the chairman should obtain from each metropolitan club a list of the dates of racing within its district for submission to the conference, the conference to have power to accept or alter the dates. It was decided that the new rule relating to the definition, of a " hack " should not be retrospective from Ist August next, as regards the amount of money won by a " hack " previous to that date". This concluded the business of the conference.

Auckland ... ... Canterbury Wellington Dunedin Hawke's Bay Wanganui .. ... Napier Park Takapuua Manawatu Turauaki Kgmcmt Woodville Feiiding .:. Wairarapi Grevmcmlh ... Otaki Rangitikei Avondale Masterton South Canterbury Poverty Bay Gore Westland Ashbuiton Heefton Marlbor.mgh ... Southland Gisbovne North Otago Thames Chris tchurch Taratahi-Carterton Poxton Lower Valley ... Ohinemuri Waipawa A "•hiu'st-Fohangina Nelson Pahiatua Westport Taieri Marten ... ... G'oromandel Waverley - Waitotara ... ... Waipukurau Kiimara , Winton Vincent Tapanui Lake Riverton Tuapeka „, ... Wairoa ... ... Waitara ... ... Man;«toto Whangarei Stratford Cromwell ... ... Te Aroha Bay of Plenty Dannevirke ... Hororata aunake „, „. aroa Waikonaiti Patea North Canterbury South Auckland ... Alexandra ... Ohoka * Eyreton Horowhenua ... Beaumont ... Tolosa Bay Wyndham ... ... Amberley w-aimate ... ... Wairio ... ... Kurow ... ... Palmerston ... Porangahua ,J Rotorua „.. .., Amur} «.. („ Name of Club. . 11l - 12 9 8 9 8 6 (3 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 IN P ! 15,t!22 15,515 8,759 0,441 i 4,!)97| 4,380 »,301 3.' 971 2,550 2.21)0 2,175 1,880 1,795 1,^5 1 C%' 1,440 1,300 1,£82 1,2(5' 1,211 1,090 1,140 974 960 899 890 885 812 826 77!) 760 6\o tGO 598 570 565 485 475 470 46) 456 403 400 += © <3 c+> > £ ■ 119,520 86,644 72,331 I 30,«41 38,578 ! 39.909 I 2^,994 ! 34.43S ! 25,482 ! 1?,203 12,091 14,415 17,982 !9,705 14,857 12,97*. ! 13,125 i 15,072 12,797 6,865 7,343 9,047 7,t52 6,325 7,166 6,771 8,89) 8,521 3,783 5,007 6,792 6,450 6,774 4,401 5,075 5,156 6,120 4,401 4,408 4,495 4,203 5,4!)2 2,303 Proportion of Stakes to Gross Totalisator Revenue. I'er cent. i-Xi 176 121 :6T l::() 110 110 BO ]0O im »:;o 100 fi(J 10? 1.2 99 85 PS 177 . 14« 115 13K 152 125 131 10« 95 219 J3S> 112 S9 138 112 110 73 108 105 • 102 109 73 174 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 X 1 1 1 1 1 x 400 400 385 381 375 365 361 357 336 330 328 317 305 300 300 30fj 300 275 270 ! 265 235 1 222 215 209 200 200 200 195 185 180 180 171 168 160 159 157 153 153 151 3,850 3,601 2,674 5,098 2,360 4,526 1,714 3,937 1,878 2,240 1,786 2,182 1,408 2,084 1,497 1,621 790 2,530 1,571 2,515 1,673 1,173 3,150 1,938 1,351 955 1,817 1,896 1,165 1,388 2,290 1,212 655 1,295 694 662 1,718 518 1.136 104 111 145 75 ieo 81 211 91 17.1 147 185 145 218 144 201 185 380 109 172 105 Ififl 190 68 ll'g 148 208 108 . 163 160 130 82 141 •258 130 268 238 90 294 124