CLASHING OF DATES.

Thames Star, Volume LXII, Issue 17389, 29 March 1928, Page 4

CLASHING OF DATES.

That two racing functions, such as the meetings of the Thames Trotting Club and the -Bay of Plenty Jockey Club, should have been allowed to clash in the manner that they did, is a subject that should be brought before the notice of those in authority. It is - probable that both meetings

suffered 'bath in revenue and in attendance, and regrets now expressed . are of little avail. It is known that many people went from Thames, Paeroa, Cambridge, Hamilton, and as far as Te Awainutu, to attend the Tauvanga meeting", and, what is more, a good many of these were old attenders at Thames'* popular meeting. No doubt the drift south was helped by natural curiosity to travel over a newly-opened line, and this will not occur again in the majority of cases next year. At the same time, it,would be as well for the local Club, when next year's date is fixed, to protest against it if it clashes with any other race meeting in the South Auckland district. Thames and Tauranga are 73 miles apart, and it is quite conceivable that people living mid-way, willing to attend either race meeting, should not be particular whether they went south or north. The local meeting was most successfully run, and, with the extra that made their way south, the 'Trotting Club would have been much better off.and thus enabled to give more attractive stakes next year. The Government tax, as reported in these columns yesterday, is a, heavy hurdle, and seeing this is so, the Government should recognise the advisability of not allowing dates to clash. It is to be. hoped that a keen eye on next year's dates will be kept by the Thames Trotting Club.