SPORTING.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3145, 20 July 1901, Page 4

SPORTING.

AN APPEAL DISMISSED. Per Press a. WELLINGTON, July 19. The judges appointed by the Racing Conference to consider the appeal of W. Holmes against the decision of the Taranaki Jockey Club in endorsing his dis-. qualification for two years by the Egmont Racing Club for alleged corrupt pracf..;e when riding Tukapa in the Railway Handicap at the Egmont meeting on May fill last, find that only a statement of fact being involved, they have no jurisdiction, and consequently dismiss the appeal, but order Holmes’ deposit to be returned. The judges’ finding states that the evidence submitted to them does not in their opinion substantiate the allegation that Holmes was guilty of corrupt practices, but the majority of the stewards of the Egmont Racing Club having decided that Holmes did not endeavour to win the race, the judges have no option but to dismiss the appeal, as rule 117 provides that no appeal shall'be against questions of fact. Mr Bidwell, for the Wairarapa country clubs, moved that pdren the official calenfixed by the conference the scale of charges for advertising should be fixed by arrangement between the conference and the publishers of the official calendar. He stated that the Wairarapa country cubs felt that the charges were excessive, and out of proportion’to the benefits receL 7l ;!. The chairman stated that the Refere.'. ’’ was appointed for one year.' It was ior the conference to make any es.i arrange rncj is.

Mr Samuel recognised the services of the official calendar. There was throughout the North Island a strong feeling that the clubs did not receive a beneficial return from the “ Referee.” North Island clubs were obliged to advertise in their own papeis as well. The Hon. G. McLean said that the proposal to issue their' own calendar ivas a good one. He recommended that the chairman interview the proprietors of the “Referee” and endeavour to get their charges altered. This recommendation was adopted, except that the official calendar be issued as usual.

Mr Green, for the Otago country moved that the question of country delegates’ expenses be decided by the conference. _

It was agreed that the metropolitan clubs can collect expenses and refuse to pass any programme till they are paid, The committee which was appointed to consider the question of gentlemen riders’ lee diew up the following proposal—That the fee for licensed gentlemen riders be £l, ’and that the fees received be voted to welter fiat races for gentlemen riders only pit the winter meeting of the metropolitan clubs. —This was agreed to.

Mr Baldwin’s resolution in favour of instituting class handicaps was withdrawn). The saitie gentleman’s resolution for appointing stipendiary stewards led to a long discussion. Jlost of the delegates who spoke were in favour of the proposal, though some questioned whether suitable men could be found, and others thought that the expense would be too heavy. It was finally agreed that the committee appointed to consider the distribution of tire jockeys’ and trainers’ fund should go into the proposal with Mr Baldwin. Mr Elliott was granted fifty guineas in connection noth his claim for preparing the stud book. The committee appointed to consider the conditions of the Auckland Racing Club’s Century .Stakes reported that in their opinion the advertisement in the book programme of the Auckland Racing Club under rule 52a must be considered void, but that the advertisement in the official calendar must be regarded as constituting a contrad between the club and owners entering horses. Under the circumstances, the committee unanimously considered that the proper allowance to geldings in the Century Stakes of 1902 will be 31bs. The report w r as adopted. In connection with pony racing, the chairman said that from, the remarks made bv .Sir Joseph Ward, it. was obvious that something must he done to meet the difficulty, which had arisen. They had permitted trotting at fiat race meetings, and must consider the question of pony racing at trotting meetings.

it was resolved that the conference, <o remove the difficulty existing in relation to pony racing in trotting programmes, recommends the admission of their own motion by the metropolitan clubs of all disqualifications which may be incurred in relation theieto, always provided that the races are run under tiie Rules of Racing; that not more than two races be included in any day’s racing, and that programmes be submitted for the approval of the metropolitan club in the same way that trotting races on racing programmes are

subjected to the approval of the trotting authorities.

The committee appointed to consider the ((vestion of dates and totalisator permits, reported as follows : —That taking + he fical lists supplied they recommend that the number of permits in the resne i.'ve metropolitan districts be the same as last year. The applications of the Waikouaiti Racing Club, Waiapu Racing Club, and Waverley and Waitotara Racing Club were not granted. The extra permits applied for by the Avondale, Poxton, and Wairarapa Racing Clubs were not granted. If permits are available the committee recommend that they be granted in the following order—Waverley, Waitotara, Cheviot, Avondale, Wairarapa. All applications for registration were granted, excepting that of the Greytown Racing and Trotting Club. The dates submitted to the conference were approved, with the following exceptions—Dunedin Jockey Club granted November 28th and 30th, or December 26th and 28th, for the spring meeting; Palmerston South Racing Club granted January Ist; Te Aroha Jockey Club, February 16th and 17th; Dunedin Jockey Club, May 21st and 24th; Egmont Racing Club, May 7th and Bth; the Napier ParkClub, July 2nd and 4th. The Westland and Southland Racing Clubs were asked to select dates to be approved by the chairman.

On the motion of Mr Samuel, seconded by Mr Friedlander, Sir Geo. Clifford was elected .chairman for the ensuing year. Several delegates paid high compliments to the chairman for the admirable manner in which he had filled the position. This concluded the business of the conference.