HORSE-RACING MENACED

Otago Witness, Issue 3555, 2 May 1922, Page 41

HORSE-RACING MENACED

SPORTSMEN SEEK PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION.

The drum of hoof-beats on green turf; the thrills of the . struggle for supremacy of fine horses and game jockeys; gay dresses and sunshine on beautiful racecourses; rollicking days of enjoyment and good fellowship—how much these things mean to the average New" Zealander ! Yet, at this moment, one of our finest sports and relaxations is menaced by a canker from within. Betting with the bookmaker, driven underground by ill-considered legislation, is affecting the moral fibre of the people in every centre and unjustly drawing racing into disrepute. The road is open for the propaganda of extremists who seek nothing less than the abolition of horse-

When the Gaming Act was first passed, the fine, honest, breezy cliaps who used to call the odds of our racecources —men whom everybody trusted and respected—were compelled to relinquish their profession in order to maintain their reputation. A number of good sportsmen have nowseen tlie mistake of this legislation, and are endeavouring to nip its ill consequences in the bud. A petition it at present being circulated and freely signed, asking for a Parliamentary -Commission to take evidence as to whether reputable men should not be licensed to operate on racecourses only, in competition with the tot-alisator. This is a democratic solution of the problem which has presented itself to fair-minded people.

If bookmaking, is again made a respectable avocation if will enable the authorities to deal effectively with the undercurrent of undesirables. The reputable men who would then be legalised would take a sincere interest in assisting to restore racing to its proper place in public- esteem. Do your part, sign the peiition to-day. It has been freely circulated, and may be signed almost anywhere.

vv hen petitions are filled up they should be promptly returned to Box 10il, Wellington.

VISIT OF ENGLISH TEAM. CHRISTCHURCH, April 28. At a meeting of delegates of the New Zealand Cricket Council to-night Mr J. S. Barrett (chairman) said they were looking forward to having next season a visit from a very fine English team. Negotiations had taken place bciween the M.C.C., the Australian Board of Control, the New Zealand Council, and Mr MacLaren, and from what he could see he thought the team would come out under the auspices of the M.C.C. He was sure they would agree with him that this was a very good move. Much as they appreciated MacLaren, there was no doubt the M.C.C. was the chief body that controlled cricket, and an added lustre would be given to the team under MacLaren if it came out under the auspices of that body. As to the financial aspect of the proposed visit, as far as lie could see the arrangements iv-ould be such as 1o relieve the council of any anxiety, and might possibly bring a little profit .to the New Zealand Council. On the subject of finance the chairman referred to Mr Wilson’s motion on the subject, proposing that the whtjle of the finance should be in the hands of the Management Committee, a.nd said the idea was that, a fund should be built up to provide for New Zealand teams to visit England and Australia. When a fund of £3OOO was obtained they could think of such visits. They had no possibility of securing such a fund unless under such a scheme as Mr Wilson proposed. While the financial proposals in respect of the proposed visit from an English team were in a state of flux they could not carry out Mr Wilson’s ideas, and he thought the matter should be left to the Management Committee. At the October meeting it might be possible to inform delegates of the position. HOCKEY. NEW ZEALAND HOCKEY ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH. April 29. At tho annual meeting of the New Zealand Hockey Association Mr Goodman was elected president and Mr Quartermain secretary. It was resolved that it be an instruction to the incoming committee to arrange a conference of referees at Wellington with the object of forming a New Zealand Referees’ Association. The. policy of arranging for island tournaments on the lines of that conducted at Timaru last season was discussed, and it was decided to recommend the incoming executive to grant Otago’s application for a tournament this year. -It was stated that the New South Wales Association was prepared to send a team to tour the dominion, provided that the expenses of the team were paid. The chairman stated that a strong effort would be made to secure the team’s visit. SCULLING. WORLD’S RECORD ESTABLISHED. WANGANUI, April 22. Onpe again an Australian has proved his superiority over a New Zealander. In a professional scullir.g match this afternoon, J. Casey (Australia) defeated Archie Sharpe (N.Z.) in a contest for £SO aside over the championship course, and in doing so he swept the world’s record for the distance ou t of sight, the three and a-quarter miles being cut out ir. 14 minutes 50 seconds. The weather was boisterous, and unpleasant conditions prevailed. The water was fairly good, but in places it was choppy. A heavy storm last night was responsible for the presence of a good deal of floating timber in the river, and there was a big run out, equal to about five knots, which accounted for the phenomenally fast time put up in the race. The record is hardly likely to be accepted because of the abnormal conditions obtaining. The finish was extremely exciting, but Casey crossed the line first with four lengths to the good, the time for the course being 14min 50sec. The previous best time put up on the Wanganui River was in the Amst-Webb match, when the distance was covered in 18min 15soc. The race was admittedly one of the best ever seen on the river, though the fast run out naturally shortened the distance considerably, being equal to at least a mile. Both Casey and Sharpe came in for hearty congratulations upon their great achievement. FADDON RETURNS HOME. WANGANUI, April 26. Paddon. the champion sculler, and party left for Wellington this morning. They intend leaving for Sydney by the Ulimaroa on. Friday. Hadfield’s backers declare that they intend giving him a chance to regain the title. LONDON, April 29. George Towns, ex-champion sculler, has •arrived, accompanied by Bryan, the Queensland amateur champion, who will compete in the Diamond Sculls at Henley in July.-