RACING CONFERENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 15874, 13 July 1922, Page 3

RACING CONFERENCE.

{Per Press Association!

WELLINGTON, this day

The Racing Conference opened to-day, Sir George Clifford presiding. The- statement showing the receipts amounted to £4236, and expenditure £1433, was adopted. The accident fund report showed receipts £23,006, and expenditure £22,526. The president said that he could not .account for the largo increase in claims for injuries. Among insurance companies it was recognised that claims were liable to very, considerable fluctuations. They might hope that this was one of the exceptional years, and not likely to occur again. The report was adopted. It was decided that three delegates from the conference and three delegates from the trotting conference confer with representatives of the Sports Protection League with regard to united action concerning increased totalisator licenses.

The stipendiary stewards' report stated : The management and control of racing has been well up to standard, but some clubs still show laxity. More care is advocated in the control of jockeys' rooms, also weighing rooms. Since the appointment of racecourse inspectors the cleansing of racecourses has undergone a very marked improvement. Racing had maintained a good standard. There had, however, been a shortage of the valuable class of jumping horses. In many liack and maiden events the fields still remained too largo and unwieldy. It should be possible to classify or divide contestants, thereby reducing the fields and minimising the risk now existing. With some exceptions, the conduct of jockeys had been good. Where vicious or careless riding had been proved, the stewards in some cases had taken too lenient a view and inadequate punishment was rnetted out. Increased taxation had effected the, totalisator returns, and in the stewards' opinion had driven much money into the hands the bookmakers. They had reason to believe that a few owners still continue to do business with bookmakers. All clubs should provide a ten shilling totalisator. The very heavy cost which was involved in carrying on lacing threatened the very life of the sport, .making it almost impossible for any owner to make ends meet. Several owners had discontinued racing during the past season. The stewards regretted to noto that many clubs were adopting a system of re-handicapping winners. They were of the opinion that fixed-penalties was a much more satisfactoiy method. .Mr. Hazlett (Dimedin) thought that some explanation should bo sought to add to a very bold statement. The president promised the matter would receive attention.

The existing Stipendiary Stewards Committee was ro-elected.