TELEGRAMS

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 2773, 23 July 1907, Page 5

TELEGRAMS

ißy Electric Telegraph).

SPORTING

■ THE RACING CONFERENCE. xfiecxric Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, July 22. The .New Zealand Racing Conference opened to-day, Sir George Clifford being in the chair. The president, in his address, said that all indications showed that the sport of racing had steadily advanced in popularity, and those selected to govern the sport had made every effort to secure the increasing confidence of its supporters. No trade, profession or pursuit which admitted of monetary profit had ever been wholly exempt from isolated attempts to reap the golden rewa id of success by forbidden or ever fraudulent methods, but assuredly in this country the turf did not furnish an undue proportion of such eases. Attacks upon the totalisator were still occupying the prejudiced and misinformed. To the former argument was inapplicable, but the open-m' \ded inquirer would find little in the conduct of race meetings or in the effects of the totalisator to warrant "the abolition of an .amusement affording much innocent pleasure. The substitution of the totalisator for the bookmaker had lessened the temptations and its removal would produce an effect diametrically opposite to that sought for by its misguided opponentsThe statement of receipts and expenditure in connection with the Accident Fund showed that the receipts, including £4500 brought forward, amounted to £7557, claims paid £786, claims not settled £594. The credit balance amounts to £6522. -Mr George Hunter gave notice to move that contributions should be reduced from £1 to 10s. The committee to consider the totalisator permits and dates of meetings was appointed as follows: Messrs Friedlander, Alison, Goodbehere. Hood. Williams, Abbott and AleV ay. A motion, ‘‘that this committee be appointed for the next Conference as well." was negatived. The opinion was expressed that if the committee was to be a permanent one the metropolitan clubs should have further representation. Sir George Clifford moved a Long resolution providing machinery by which 'inspected cases of malpractice could be investigated and dealt with by a permanent tribunal of members appointed by the Conference, which <nld have power to issue, cancel or is .spend owners’ licenses. The motion iias seconded by Mr Vavasour. Mr Alison said he thought the proposals were too drastic, and would cause no end of trouble.

Mr Samuel sympathised with Mr Alison's views, but felt that it was time something was done. Still any method of licensing owners should be avoided, and he could not think of anything more dangerous. He moved that- a permanent committee of five members be appointed to make inquiries and take such means as may be expedient to deal with any circumstances coming to its knowledge with regard to any corrupt practices. The chairman said he would support Mr Samuel’s motion, and it was decided to defer its further consideration until the next day. Mr Nolan mover a resolution providing for the appointment of four stipendiary stewards bv the Conference. the salaries to be paid by the vari.-u clubs m proportion to the gross totalisator earnings. The delegates were not in sympathy with the proposal. and it was negatived on the voices. A motion to make the appointment ot a Judicial Committee compulsory instead of optional was negatived by „24 votes to 16. A motion was moved by the Hon. J. I). Ormond that the programme of even race meeting shall include a flat, race of not, less than a mile and a quarter was negatived. Hon. J. D. Ormond moved to amend the rule relating to days over which race meetings shall extend as follows: Two days’ meeting not to extend over more than three days, three days’ meeting not over more than five days, four days’ meeting not over more than eight days. The motion was negatived by 22 to 10. A resolution was passed providing that, jockeys’ fees must he paid at the scale as for a losing mount and the balance of the fee for a winning mount -hall be deducted from the .-.takes payable to the owner, it was also decided that jockeys must ride their horses out when they have a reasonable chance of running second.