NEW ZEALAND TROTTING ASSOCIATION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 178, 2 September 1914, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND TROTTING ASSOCIATION.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual -monthly;'meeting of. the N.Z. Trotting Association was held this afternoon, when there were present:— Messrs Selig (president), 11. N. Kitchingham,_H. F. Nieholl, W. E. Simes, W. G. Garrard, T. T. Ritchie, and J. Barron. An apology was received from Mr C. F. Mark. Before proceeding with the ordinary business, Mr Selig extended a hearty welcome to the new members of the board. He missed several, old friends, but had no,, doubt the new board would do its duty just as conscientiously as had been done in the past. On the motion of Mr H. F. Nicoll, Mr P. Selig was elected president for the ensuing year. Mr Selig thanked the members for. the confidence reposed in him; more so in this year than in previous years, as there were so many new members on the board. At the end of the, season he hoped the "confidence reposed in him would be found, to have been justified. Other officials were elected as follows: —Vice-President, Mr IT. F. Nicoll; treasurer, Mr W; E. Simes; Licensing Committee, Messrs W. Garrard and W. E. Simes; Colours Committee, Messrs IL Kitcliingham ami J. Barron; Appeal Committee, Messrs P. Selig ami 'H. Kitchingjiain; Foreign Horse Committee; Messrs W. Garrard ami T, Ritchie; examiner of foreign horses, Mr W. Garrard; auditor, Mr C. J..Marshall. The Chairman mentioned that the Alexander Park case had not been settled, and it lay with the new board to deal with, the matter. It was decided to deal with the mtater.in committee. The Oamaru Trotting Club requested the board to suggest an advisory steward for the spring meeting, and Mr Garrard was appointed. For a breach of the registration rules, E. Bowes was fined £l,'and the original registration of the horse Lorauz .was cancelled. A-letter was received from W. Orange thanking the board for a grant from'the'Provident.Fund. _„. Programmes were approved as fol-

fbws:—Gore Racing Club (four events), Inangahua Trotting Club, Waiau Hack 8.C.. (two events), Westport Trotting Club, Cheviot B.C. (two events), and Vincent Jockey Club (four , events).. The Metropolitan Trotting Club wrote notifying an alteration in its November programme, also that it had reserved the right to withdraw the same. Several licenses as approved by the Licensing Committee were passed, and grants of £6 were made to J. F. Milne and E. McCann from the Provident Fund. A deputation representing the Breeders', Owners', and, Trainers' Association waited on the board with regard to the present system of handicapping, to which the association objected. "Mr /Whitema'n, as spokesman, mentioned that under the present system there was little inducement for owners to'breed or buy good horses. He mentioned instances of horses having been unduly let out on .-handicaps. Over fifty Canterbury owners had signed the petition to the board, all of whom objected to the present method of treating horses. ' ._. Mr A. Fleming, suggested that the association had made representation to the club some three years ago to have the system altered, but without effect. Now the association asked the board to take the matter up and go into it with an idea of urging a change, of system to the clubs. He detailed the system sug : gested by the association the main features of which wer-e that all maidens be treated alike'; that horses should always be handicapped on their best winning tinie; that no fraction of a second should count in handicapping, and advocating a general introduction of class racing. (Proceeding.) .