NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE CLUB.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3435, 15 April 1879, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE CLUB.

A general meeting of the New . Zealand Grand National Steeplechase Club was held last night at Cookson's Commercial Hotel. Mr M. Studholme occupied the chair, and the following members were present : — Messrs John Grigg, S. A. Bristol, J. Brabazon, A. Wright, W. Neilsoto, T. Acland, G. Thompson, C. H. Dowding, J. Campbell, C. F. Barker, C. Curdale, G. Lee, and F. Egan, Hon. Sec.

The Secretary read correspondence from the Dunedin Jockey Club relative to the disqualifying of the ridpr of Eversley.

It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Grigg secondod by Mr J. Brabazon — " That the action of the Dunedin Jockey Club be upheld."

Mr Acland referred to the action which had been taken by the firm, of which he was a member, with regard to the Club. He would like to have the correspondence laid before the present meeting. The Secretary said that the correspondence had been read read at the meeting held at Timaru and there dealt with. He had not brought the correspondence with him, as he did not think the matter would be alluded to. He had sold the privilege of disposing of the cards because he had believed by so doing he was bcnefitting the Club. Mr Acland complained that as the sale of all the privileges had been entrusted to his firm, the Secretary had made a mistake in selling part of the privileges by disposing of the right to sell cards. The firm did not wish to make a personal matter of the thing, but only to point out that the Secretary should not act in any way that might be prejudicial to the interests of the Club. The discussion then dropped.

A letter from the Hon Matthew Holmes was read, giving the Club liberty to use the course on his ground which they had selected, and to make any charge for admission. As the course was a favourite coursing ground, he hoped the Club would prevent dogs being brought on to it.

A vote of thanks to Mr Holmes for his kindness was unanimously carried, and it was resolved to endeavour as far as possible to kcop dogs off tho course.

The Hon Secretary read a letter from the Dunedin Jockey Club, pointing out that May 2A, the day for the GKN. Jockey Club meeting at Oamaru was tho same as that which the Dunedin Jockey Club had selected, and suggesting that the O.N.J.C. should postpone their meeting.

Tho Secretary (bought it would cause a serious loss were the day altered.

The Chairman thought the Club should express regret at not being able to change the clay.

Mr Grigg thought that as the Grand National was not a local event, it should have precedence.

Mr Wright moved—" That the day fixed bo adhered to, but this meeting regret they cannot alter tho date, as May 24 had been the usual day." Mr Grigg seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to.

The Secretary road a letter from Messrs J. T. Ford, Teschemaker and Neilson, suggesting the alteration of the date of the Oatnaru meeting, and the consideration of the footnote appended to the programme by the Secretary. [The footnote had reference to a possible misapprehension that the highest weight in handicaps was 12st 71b.] Mr Egan said he had appended the note because a gontleinan who had bought a well-known steeplechaser had expressed his belief that no higher penalty than 12st 71b could bo placed on a horse. Were it thought that the horse alluded to would have no higher weight, very fpw owners would have entered their horses.

Several gentlomen expressed their opinion that the Secretary had done well in putting the footnote.

Mr Neilson differed from this opinion, and read the rules bearing on tho question of handicap weights.

Aftor sorno discussion had taken place, Mr C. F. Barker asked if the rules had been revised.

The Hon. Secretary said that tho rulos had been revised by a competent gentleman, but the revised rules had not been dealt with by the Committee.

Mr Neilson said ho was a member of the Committee, but had received no notice of any meeting to revise the rules. In fact, the last meeting of tho Committee he believed, had been illegal.

Mr Barker suggested that the meeting now revise the rules.

Several gentlemen thonght the meeting would have to Bit for a week if they were going to do that.

The Secretary B»id that he had consulted the handicapper, who had told him that he considered there was no Limit to the weight he could put on a horse, but had suggested that the matter should be brough before the general meeting of the Club. Mr Grigg thought the handicapper should hare perfect discretion as to the weights. There was nothing in the rules to prevent the handicapper placing more than 12st 71b on a horse. The Club might limit the weight, but a meeting to discuss that matter should be Bpocially called.

Several motions were proposed, and at longth the following, proposed by Mr A. Cardale, seconded by Mr Dowding, was carriod by six votes to five — " Tliut 12st 71b is not necessarily the highosb weight." The Hon. Secretary read the following list of proposod new members, who were duly elected : — Messrs A. Greenstreet, H. A. Anderson, Walter Nichols, J. T. Matson, Donald Potts, W. J. Lindsay, Pelham Jones, W. Tosswill, F. W. Petre, R. Rhodes, F. J. Ashby, Walter Fletcher, R. M'Owen.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman and Secretary concluded tho business of the meeting,