THOSE PERMITS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 662, 14 May 1929, Page 6

THOSE PERMITS

MANY APPLICANTS POSITION HAS ALREADY BECOME FARCICAL By EARLY BIRD.” The unseemly rush on the part of racing and trotting clubs for extra permits continues. Far better if the Minister of Internal Affairs conferred with the executive of the New Zealand Racing Conference instead of proceeding with his endeavours to ascertain which clubs are entitled to additional permits. It is undoubtedly a boon to the racing community to have a Minister in charge of the sport who is able to speak with authority on racing, but for all that, the Hon. 12. A. de la Perrelle might be well adVised, in this question, by the executive of the New Zealand Racing Conference. Ministerial interference with racing dates and permits has, in the past, done considerable damage to the sport. Take the Labour Day dispute. Has that improved the position in the eyes of the anti-racing community, or among the enthusiasts themselves? No. On the contrary, it has led to considerable friction, with a serious split in the Turf camp, and the end of it not yet in sight. Now there is talk of another Richmond entering the Labour Day field; that is the Auckland Trotting Club. Without doubt Mr. de la Perrelle is actuated by the best motives in his efforts to “see things for himself.” But it is possible that these efforts may serve to complicate further an admittedly delicate situation. There are two extra permits available. There may shortly be a third. Waiting for the last breath to depart from a Southern racing club, there are clubs that are ready to pounce; eager to clutch the permit from the defunct body. And the demise of the club referred to—it shall be nameless —is slowly but surely approaching; its moribund condition being due to apathy of local sportsmen. It is to the great credit of the Auckland District Committee that in dealing with applications for extra, days’ racing from clubs under its jurisdiction it decided that “it had no recommendation to make.” In other words, the District Committee has left the deci-

sion to the Minister and the Racing Conference. Minister's Statements A message from New Plymouth yesterday announced that the Minister of Internal Affairs met a number of deputations concerned with racing matters. According to a statement by the Minister, there is a probability of a further racing permit being available for allocation to some deserving club. The Minister did not state the name of the club which would be handing in its permit. Reference was made by the Minister to a probable amendment of the Gaming Act. He said he understood it was proposed by Sir George Hunter to introduce a Bill providing for the publication of dividends and the telegraphing of money to racecourses for investment. The Minister added that any such legislation would be non-party, but he wished to sJtate that he favoured the proposal in regard to the publication of dividends. It did not seem right that a paper published m Sydney should be the tirst to give information of dividends paid at New Zealand race meetings. Deputations met the Minister trom the Taranaki Jockey Club and the Opunake and Stratford Racing Clubs at their respective centres with applications for an extra permit. The Minister replied that he intended to complete his tour of inspection of all racecourses and appointments, so that ne would be personally acauainted witn the whole position before making a decision. He was emphatic upon the point that clubs must race on their own tracks. Many clubs, he regretted to say, in the past had been inclined to race in metropolitan centres, but this was contrary to his view and would have to stop. Still Trying One never knows how a hurdler will shape when tried over the various types of jumps met with in steeplechases. Performers will fly over the hurdles, but are sometimes very nervous of brush jumps, a stone wall, or the water jump, and in some cases no persuasion will induce these horses to negotiate such obstacles. These features do not apply only to the poor class animal, but in cases to the best and most honest hurdlers. Possibly want of confidence or nervousness is the reason of this failing. The nominating of Nukumai, Comical and Brigadier Bill for the Great Northern Steeplechase suggested these lines, states a Taranaki writer. Three years ago Nukumai won the Egmont Steeplechase at his first attempt as a steeplechaser, but-in place of improving with experience at cross-country racing, Nukumai lost confidence, and his career as a ’chaser was a dismal failure. Put back to hurdle racing, Nukumai .again proved the best we had at that department of jumping races, a feature that makes his failure over country more remarkable. Last season Brigadier Bill won the Egmont and Wanganui Steeplechases in his two early attempts at steeplechasing, but his subsequent form as a ’chaser was little better than that of Nukumai. Much time and money was wasted last season in an attempt to turn Comical into a payable proposition as a steeplechaser. Most of us expected Comical to develop into an ideal performer over the big fences, but from the very beginning his was a case of expectation. Will this trio do any better this season?