GOVERNMENT OF TROTTING

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1930, Page 4

GOVERNMENT OF TROTTING

INCIDENTS AT RECENT MEETINGS.

ASSISTANCE TO START HORSES. ‘

Bj Telegraph.—Press Association.

Dunedin, Last Night.

At a meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Association to-day it was decided to remove the life disqualification on J. Russell {lnvercargill) on account of ill-health.

The action of the Metropolitan Club was endorsed in inquiries into, the driving of Toni Thumb by F. G. llohnes, the placing of Nighborn second in the Summer Handicap, the driver (M. Holmes) not having pulled him back to his gait, and the alleged inconsistent running of Harold Thorpe. In. each case the club took no action. The Ashburton Club reported that after hearing the explanation of: the owner (\V. R. Black) in reference to the charge of inconsistent running concerning the appearance in two races of.. Scuttle it had decided to take no action. The association decided to hold the matter over for a full meeting. The action of the Wanganui Club in dismissing the protest of G. H. Stubbs against 11. J. Woodfield on the ground of inconsistent, running by Baron Bingen and in fining Woodfield £5 for altering gear without giving notice was considered. The association decided to refer the report back to t'he club to ascertain under what rule the', fine was imposed. The club’s action in dismissing the protest was endorsed. The decision of the Wanganui Club to take no action at the. inquiry into the running of Ockley Wood, driven by L. F. Berkett, was endorsed. A report was received from the Hawera Club that C. King had been charged with 'handling Royal Silk in an unsatisfactory manner. In the committee s> opinion King drove .a badly judged race and he was cautioned. The Gore Trotting Club reported a complaint of J. G. Cruiekshank that an unauthorised person had assisted at the start of the Mataura Handicap with the horse Keen Derby, and. that t'he horse had interfered with his mare,' Merce Bingen. The club stated that the assistant had been a stable hand. The association decided that clubs be recommended t'hat any assistant to the starter should be appointed by the stewards prior to the race meeting, and that the assistant should be in no way connected with any stable represented by a competitor.