A SPORTING FIASCO.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 204, 2 October 1914, Page 10

A SPORTING FIASCO.

EXTRAORDINARY ACTION. HANDICAPPING TROTTERS. (Sun Special.) AUCKLAND, October 1. The following letter was received today by Mr C. F. Mark, secretary of the Auckland Trotting Club: — „ Auckland, October 1, 1914.—T0 the Secretary, Auckland Trotting Club. Dear Sir, —At a representative meeting held last evening of the Northern Trotting Horse Breeders, Owners, and Trai iters' Association, it was unanimously resolved: "That if the Auckland Trotting Club wishes to secure the support of the members of this association at the coming meeting, it will be necessary that it adopt the system of handicapping as proposed in the schedule attached. "In submitting this resolution to your committee I beg to point out. that this, decision was arrived at after much deliberation, and in the firm belief that its adoption is in the best interests of the sport and will allay the present. dissatisfaction that exists amongst owners in regard "to the question of handicapping. Xt will be patent to you that the person most affected is the owner in so much that he finds the necessary material in horses and fees, and we submit that it is fair and reasonable when we ask that our horses be handicapped in the manner suggested by us. Wg regret that the time is rather limited. This, unfortunately, was":unavoidable, but it is a matter that.will doubtless take very litle time to discuss, and as nominations close tomorrow night we will thank you to consider and give this matter your immediate attention, as it is imperative that we are in receipt of your reply not later than 8 p.m. of the first day of October, 1914, for which purpose a messenger from this association will wait" upon you at your office at the hour specified. Trusting your reply will be favourable to our request, I remain, yours faithfully, D. Brophy, honorary secretary Northerly Trotting Horse Breeders, Owners and Trainers' Association. The following reply was sent this* afternoon: 1 — o '■'-,' ■ Auckland, October 1, 1914.—The' secretary, the Northern Trotting Horse Breeders, Owners, .and Trainers' Association, Auckland. Sir, —Your letter ot even date duly to hand at 10 a.m. this day. In reply, I have been instructed to inform you that at a special meeting of the committee, held this afternoon, it was unanimously resolved that the Northern Trotting Horse Breeders, Owners, and Trainers' Association' should be informed that the committee of this club does not feel- that it would be justified in experimenting with' the system suggested, and that it therefore cannot comply with the request of the association. —I remain, yours truly, C F. Mark, "secretary. TBOTTING CXjUB BOYCOTTED; Press Association. f ~ AUCKLAND, October 2. There has been an agitation originating in Christ-church from the New Zealand Owners', Trainers', and Breeders' Association-to secure a new system of handicapping, under which no trotting horse shall be handicapped lower than its best winning time. The Auckland Trotting Club consid-. ers that this would ruin trotting and declines to accept it. Yesterday the Auckland branch of the Owners' Association selit a mandatory letter to . the Auckland Ciub, dema ndiirg an answer before 8 o'clock, as to whether the Auckland Club would introduce a new system of handicap-'

ping. The club, held a special meeting and decided to refuse. The owners aud breeders thereupon resolved to boycott the Auckland Club's spring meeting, which takes place a fortnight hence, and for whic,h' entries dose to-night. The association further issued instructions to its members to" refrain • from nominating horses. TRAINERS AND OWNERS FIRM. (Sun Special.) AUCKLAND, October 2. The following advertisement appears in to-day's "Herald": — Northern Trotting JTorse Owners', Breeders', and Trainers' Association members please take notice that they are requested not to nominate their horses for] the Auckland Trottiffg Club's spring meeting,, inasmuch as the .Auckland ,Trotttng Club have refused to grant their request re handiSigned) I). Brophy. The peculiar part of the whole of this action is that the 'first. intimation the. club had thai the Breeders and-Owners (if they are the breeders and owners who are acting) had any pronounced yisws on the suggested system of handicapping was on October 1, at 10 a.m., when a demand was made that the club shall forthwith comply with., their suggested alteration and reply at 8 p.m. on that day.