HALF HOLIDAY FOR CUP

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1929, Page 11

HALF HOLIDAY FOR CUP

RACING ASSET TO THE TOWN.

MEANS OF ATTRACTING VISITORS.

Emphasising , that he wets not'referring to the .matter in a carping spirit, because he recognised the good work of the half-holiday committee, Mr. L. A. Nolan* told the members of the Employers’ Association in New. Plymouth last night that he desired to mention one point —the decision to keep open on the afternoon of the Cup race in February, a Thursday. He recognised it was tried as an experiment, but he had lierird, too, that it was intended to try it for the show. He hoped that would not happen, because it was hard enough to make the show pay in any case. The committee, which was comprised of their farmer friends, was a live body and ran the show very well compared with those in other places. He thought the townspeople should therefore support them. Mr. Nolan pointed out that under the. rules if racing were discontinued for any reason the club’s property had to be vested for the benefit of sport generally. Therefore, if racing ceased in New Plymouth the course property would be vested in the towm for local sporting purposes. The stewards regarded the club’s property as for the benefit of the town first and then the club. He pointed out that the local races were a good advertisement for the towm and attracted many visitors, and the course was regarded as one of the prettiest in New Zealand. The committee had a scheme for its development that would take a few years to complete owing to the fact that it would cost money. They sometimes heard of clubs going back and not doing well, and he was sure the cause ! was that the committees concerned were not working in with the town generally, or, perhaps, with the local employers’ associations. Probably they had lost the sympathy of the business people. As surely as that sort' of thing happened, so surely could a club not prosper. The Taranaki Jockey Club did not want to feel it was not pulling with the town.

Mr. Nolan pointed out that the Cup race was the only occasion on which the races were not held on a holiday or half-holiday. It was a valuable race and he asked the shopkeepers to give the club consideration. He believed the retailers, especially the drapers, could help the club, all the profits from which were spent on the grounds, during the past few years, principally on earthwork. If there were any questions the association would like to discuss with the Jockey Club he was sure the committee would be only too pleased to arrange a conference. The club regarded the course property as part of Pukekura Park. Then it was a sportsf round, it being not unusual for 16 foetal! teams to play there. It was the football ground for the Boys’ High School until their own ground was completed. Though there were some who did not' agree with racing, there were many who did and, after all, it was a fine thing to witness a good horse race. Mr. J. A. R. McGregor said he had every sympathy with what Mr. Nolan had said. There might be some who were opposed to racing, but, after all, it was an institution of the town. He suggested the sections of retailers opposing a holiday for the Cup should think a little of the benefit to the whole community.

The chairman (Mr. J. W. Darby) said the matter would be considered hy the committee. Personally, he agreed with what had been eaid.