TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Volume 02, Issue 2420, 2 August 1900, Page 39

TALK OF THE DAY.

By MAZEPPA.

THE D.J.C.I.S OFFICIALS. The Dunedin Jockey Club's committee, after looking around somewhat carefully, have pitched upon Mr John Grindley as the ■man to succeed Mr Peter Miller as judge. The choice seems to be a wise one. It Mr Grindley is as quick and as sure in picking out the placed horses in a race as he is m spotting the highest biddera at a wool sale, there will not be many mistakes. I bespeak fore the new judge an impartial trial and a fair reception, and feel sure that he deserves this, and will prove to be the ngnt man in the right place. I may mention that Mr^ Miller was appointed judge on February 9, 1593, in succession to Mr Lacnlan Maclean, xnd has held office until last week without ever having a placing seriously questioned. I had almost written " without haying a placing questioned," but rememoered in time that some unthinking persons did set up a cry against the decision declaring Blazer and "Vanilla a dead heat at Wingatui. During a conversation with Mr Miller last week as to his experiences he said that he never gave a decision with greater confidence than this particular one. Vanilla got up on the inside of Brisa and Blazer, and*he supposes that owing to this, and Blazer being ever so much bigger than Vanilla, and Jackson getting very far forward on Blazer, some who attempted to be funny at the judge's expense never really saw the black mare. "It was a race, added Mr Miller, "in which I had to keep, my eyes open, but I was absolutely confident it was a fair dead heat as they came to the post, though the mare stopped very suddenly after getting there." In answer to a further question Mr Miller said that in 18 out of 20 races no judging was necessary — the public could judge for themselves, but the odd race now and again required a judge to keep .his eyes constantly on the horse.?. The most difficult race he ever judged was the Birthday Handicap, in which Captive and Melinite ran a dead heat, with Hippomenes third right under the judge's box. Some thought Hippomenes had escaped the judge's eye and won, but Mr Miller was quite sure of his placing. _ I pass on to note with satisfaction the appointment of Mr Harry James a3 acting secretary. This means, I suppose, that a year will have to elapse ere Harry is simply " secretary," but the promotion is secure, I believe, provided everything goes on. right and that is (sure to be the case. lam glad, too, that Mr Meenan is back on the committee. He is always welcome there. As to the handicappership: the party who for some time past have been agitating for a new man made their proposal and seemed fairly sure of success, but those who doubt" the wisdom of taking that step suggested a compromise by declaring the office vacant, and this being accepted, it is now open for the committee to see what candidates ara offering. I trust that Mr Dowse will be amongst the number, for his_qualifications have stood the test, and I do not know where a better man. is to be found. I am not. however, disposed to blame the committee for the decision, now arrived at. They have faced the difficulty in a businesslike way, and the outcome, whatever it may be, will, I hope, bring the committee together as one in loyal support of the peisoa appointed, whether it be Mr Dowse or anybody else.