TROTTING REUNION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2027, 13 August 1920, Page 10

TROTTING REUNION.

OWNERS AND BREEDERS. PROGRESS OF THE SPORT. A largo number of trotting enthusiasts gathered in the Caledonian Hall last evening, when the Canterbury Owners' and Breeders' Association held its annual reunion. Mr R. 3. Munro (president). took the chair, and at his table were Messrs W. Hayward, J. W. Trist, G. A. Duncan (vice-presidents), B. Jarden. B. McKemia, G. Witty. M.P., A. Fleming, N. L. Price. H. Jarden and D. McDonell. Sir .Tames Carroll arrived later in the evening, and was warmlv welcomed. The' chairman expressed pleasure at seeing so ninny sportsmen from all parts of the Dominion present, and extended a heartv welcome to the visitors. Mr W. Hayward,' in proposing the toast of "The Sport of Trotting," said that if galloping was described as "the sport of kings," trotting could fairly be called "the sport of the people." Nothing, unless, perhaps, wireless telegraphy, had made such rapid progress in recent years. In this progress the Owners' and Breeders' Association had borne a large share, but it was well to Tcmember that unless its pioneers had been "sports," trotting would not have become what it was to day. "The sport is clean," he went on. "and it is daily becoming even cleaner." The clubs and the. owners and trainers were now on a better basis of Jimtual understanding than ever before. The association had largely contributed to this understanding, which he hoped would be long maintained. Mr B. McKenna, responding, cordially endorsed Mr Hayward's remarks about the good understanding existing amongst those engaged in the sport. Trotting in Christchurch, he said, had been carried on from the start by very honourable men, many of whom were not so well known as'they might be. He believed that in Canterbury it was outdoing the kindred sport of galloping. (Applause.) From the utility point of view the sport stood on its own, and he was convinced that its services in improving the breed of horses was a Veal one. In time the Dominion would possess a creditable collection of trotting sires, which could be relied upon to transmit the most desired qualities. Mr J. W. Trist, proposing "The Visitors," said that the association was proceeding on right lines, and it was gratifying to know that a kindred "body in Otago was in a vigorous condition, 'pud that another body had been formed in Auckland. There was good reason .to believe that others would be formed elsewhere as time went on.

Mr C. .T. Preston, president, of the JPtawera Trotting Club, briefly responded. "Kindred Sports" was proposed by Mr W. S. Mitchell, and responded to by Mr D. McDonell, president of the Ashburton Trotting Club. The toast of "Kindred Associations" was omitted owing to the absence of representatives from other owners' and breeders' associations (due to short notice), but Mr H. A. Jarden, who was to have proposed it, was asked to make a few remarks on the subject. The associations, he said, had met with some official opposition in their early days, but now things were upon a good footing, and it was found that members and officials of clubs were never too busy to listen to suggestions from the _Ju>rsemen, The Canterbury association Was out to assist kindred bodies in any part of the Dominion. It was hoped that before long a conference would be held periodically in Wellington, with official approval. Much good could be accomplished, because there were many in the sport who were unacquainted with its practical side, and would benefit from information which only horsemen could give. He hoped that the younger bodies would write freely to the Canterbury association for advice, and that they would achieve the same success that it had enjoyed. Mr G. Witty, M.P., in his response to the toast of "Members of Parliament," confessed to playing truant from the House that evening, but pleaded as an excuse that it was his first holiday from Parliament in about _£s years. He mentioned that his elec-toratej-Bicearton—was the home of sport, inasmuch as it contained the Metropolitan and Canterbury Park trotting grounds and the C.J.C. course. Mr Witty urged owners, trainers and horsemen to combine, with the purpose of putting the sport beyond reproach. He advised them not to make too heavy demands upon Parliament, because such «--fi policy would defeat its own ends. By moderation they would gain the public confidence and the support which the sport deserved. Mr A. Fleming, in proposing "The Starters," said that he thought starters were rather underpaid as compared with other officials, and deserved better recognition of their work. He was strongly of opinion that clubs should not be compelled to adopt either of tlie two methods of starting, but should be free to choose which ever suited them best. This opinion was endorsed by Messrs

H. Norman and J. Tompkins, who responded to the toast. The following trophies, won during the season, were presented: — Leading rcinsman: V.. ('.. McDermott (clock, presented by Mr M. goldmounted whip, presented l>y Mr T. <i. Fox). Leading trainer: ,T. Brycc (set <>r harness, I presented by Mr (',. Ireland; gold-mounted j whip, presented by "The New Zealand Trotting Journal"). ia^ Second rcinsman: J. Mcl.ennan (pisfe.nl plate, presented by Mr K. L. Barnes; gohi--1 mounted whip, presented by Mr S. Thoitin- ! son).

Second trainer: Free Holmes (suit of clothing, presented by Messrs Triggs and Denton; silver-mounted whip, presented by Messrs Trist and Small).

Leading sire: Messrs Thome Bros.' Harold Dillon (red ribbon, presented by Mr H. A. Jarden; silver cup, presented by Mr A. 1). Hamilton).

The chairman, in presenting the trophies, mentioned that the competitions were instituted in 1914, and hail not only aroused much interest, but also benefited the sport. The award for the leading trainer had gone on every occasion to J. Brvce, who had provided 148 i winners, ami whose stable had won approximately £50,000. The red ribbon for the leading sire had been won for years by Rothschild, and for the past four years by Harold Dillon, who hail sired 183* winners. The leading reinsmen since the beginning of the competitions were:—l9l4-15, A. Pringle, 2:1 winners; 1915-16, J. Brvce, 31; 191(517. A. Pringle, 29; 1917-IS, A. Pringle, 20; 1918-19, ,T. Brvce, 20; 1919 20, K. McDermott, Ul. Sir .lames Carroll, in the course of a characteristic address, said that trotting Was no longer regarded as an alien sport; it w«« making a name for itself with the public. Sir James mentioned that the suggestion that a metropolitan club be set up, with power to grant permits, came from himself when he was Colonial Secretary. The effect, had been to clean out the "Augean stable," and the sport had benefited beyond all calculation. (Applause.) JTe hoped to -see the sport attain to the same popularity in the North Island that it now enjoyed in the south. This, he thought, would come about if Parliament granted the proposed extra permits, numbering about 20. The South Islnud should not ask for these permits, but, in the interests of the sport, should allow the North Island to have them. If trotting could be developed to an equally high standard all over, the Dominion the time would come when New Zealand might prove an example even to Allien pa, where trottiftg originated. Sir James spoke of the value of genuine sport as a relief from the dullness of life, and urged all sportsmen to unite for the purpose of protecting themselves against those who would take away their pleasures. A number of .mimical items were given iu the course of the evening.

At the Grand National Oarirval, King Edward Barrajcks, this eve .-. a presentation of a whip will be m. by his Worship the Mayor, Dr H. T. J. Thacker, M.P., to the rider of Dylans in the Grand National Hurdle Race yesterday. For Bronchial Coughs, take Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, 1/9, 2/9.