A TROTTING TROUBLE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 456, 27 July 1915, Page 5

A TROTTING TROUBLE.

| NEW BRIGHTON CLUB. LIVELY MEETING ANTICIPATED. ! A BUDGET OF CIRCULARS. I ! The- affairs of the New Brighton Club are still exciting great interest in local trotting circles, and it is quite certain that the forthcoming general meeting will be of an "electric" nature. Apparently the opinions of members are divided into two sections—those who hold that the officials elected at the recent meeting should continue in office, and those who favour a drastic change being made. Adherents of the latter opinion have issued a circular letter to members, suggesting a list of officials that will introduce much new blood into the management, and it is understood that this "opposition" ticket has been nominated for office. Another circular letter informs members that the opinion of Mr F. Wilding, K.C., has been taken regarding the interpretation of certain rules, which opinion is against the position taken up by the present executive. The circular also points out that in face of Mr Wilding's opinion the present committee has decided to continue in office, and debar any fresh election. Still a third letter is being circulated to members by Mr W. Simes, who occupies a seat on the New Zealand Trotting Association. In this he requests members to record their votes in favour of those officials who were elected at the recent annual meeting. The writer goes on to say: —"I think you will agree with me that the fact of making any alteration and of electing fresh officials would prove prejudicial to the welfare of the club, and must necessarily create and cast a slur upon the present executive if they are not returned. In fact, outvoting them would establish a vote of 110 confidence and damage the reputation of the club. The members of the club are precisely in the same position as a jury, and, as you are doubtless aware, definite directions and instructions are invariably given by a judge to the jury 'that no notice must be taken of, or credence given to hcresay evidence and newspaper reports.' lam confident the officials will at the proper time account for their actions, and I feel certain that if they cannot do so satisfactorily they will act honourably and hand in their resignations. I contend it is grossly unfair to censure a club or ' hang a man without a trial,' which will happen if the officials referred to are not re-elected. By no stretch of imagination can I picture members doing a deliberate injustice of this nature, either to the club or its executive. All reasonable-minded members will, I am sure, take this view and return the present officials to their respective positions, and thus show them and the public generally that they still retain members' confidence. ... The charges levelled have not been made in due form, or at a club meeting, nor have the party or parties concerned had anjr opportunity of meeting the club to answer those charges. Till that is done every member should act on British principles and believe in a man's innocence till he be proved guilty. This election is your chance of doing that. To oust officials is a reversal of justice—a judgment without evidence. Upon that principle I appeal to you to think the matter out fairly and record your vote in the direction indicated."