RACING COMMISSION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 104, 23 June 1911, Page 3

RACING COMMISSION.

REDUCTION OF RACING 'DAYS. MANY PERMITS CANCELLED. WAITARA AND PATIfiA TO GO OUT. (Per Press Association) Wellington, June ’/I. ’] ho Ra’cnig Commission’s _ repent was issued to-day. In the preoico the Commissioners protest against the o )- motions raised by the Crown Law Oilier rs, and decline to concur in their validity. The report itseli states tiiat the Commissioners fulfilled the duty of reduction with regret, as they were unanimous in their opinion that somq measure of redistribution wqiild have been preferable, and that with exceptions which could have been remedied, ■mil considering tho consequent diminution of registered clubs caused by tho restrictions imposed by the Gaming Act, the days of racing arc not excessive to supply the requirements :,f so scattered a population. the Commissioners recognised as m principle that the larger cities also cater for a periodical influx from the neighbouring districts. i hey also icgaided less accessible communities as entitled to special consideration wherovoi they have shown an active desire by provision of the needlul equipments. Every thing approaching the proprietary principle is to be strongly deprecated, and it is obvious that where tho courses are held on leasehold tenure from companies or individuals, there is a danger, if not certainty, that a more or less disguised form of profit must ensue. 1 ney therefore recommend that the requirement for clubs obtaining tho iicehold or right to race in perpetuity he at a fixed rental. 'll icy consider that to guard against the accretion or personal profit, that on any chib ceasino- to carry on racing alter December 31, 1911, any surplus he devoted to tho nearest hospitals; and where the clubs amalgamate, the surpluses to he considered as assets of the amalgamated clubs. As a general rule they consider that no license should he granted where the course is less than a mile in circumference, and fenced on the inside in tho approved fashion. They call attention, to the shortcomings of certain clubs regarding fittings, sanitation, etc., and iocommend tiiat if such is not remedied within one or two years, the license should he permanently withdrawn, in view of the lessened number of meetings the Commissioners suggest that the Railway Department should supply facilities to the public, especially within a radius of 20 miles. The report recommends the reduction in the days of racing from 212 to 199, and oi trotting from 02 to 51. Ihe reductions arc as follows Auckland fimu 13 to 11, Wellington from 10 to 9, Hawke’s Bay from 8 to 7, Danneviikc from 4 to" 3, Avondale from 5 to 1 Napier from G to 5, ’l’arataln (Cartel ton) from 2 to 1, Master ton, Lorn 4 bo 3, Reofton from 1 to 3, Kumara from 2 to 1, Rotorua from 2 to 1, and Tuapcka from 2to 1. Licenses aio withdrawn altogether from die following clubsAshhurst, Rohaiigiua, L’ahiatua, Patea, Christchurch Racin'* Club. Horowhenna Hack, Lower Valley, Taiori Turf Club, Waitara, \\ aipawa, Choke, Eyreton, North Canterbury, Alexandra, Westport, Maaiototo, Waihi, and Kaikoura. Rangitikei and Marlon meetings arc to l»o combined, and between them will have four days instead of six as previously. One day has been given lo each of tho To Knili and Bay of Plenty Racing Clubs. Trotting volitions are:—Clnistehnrch Metropolitan from 11 to 9, Canterbury Park • loin G to I, Now Brighton I com b to !, Auckland from 8 to 7, Ashburton from 3 to 2, Otahnhn from 5 to 1, Urey month from 5 to !, Unit Valley from 2to 1. A new license has been granted for one day annually to Oamani. Other clubs not mentioned above have not been interfered with.