A Starting Machine.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5274, 3 June 1895, Page 1

A Starting Machine.

The desiderata in a starting tnachine'on a racecourse are that in its operation it shall be noiseless, that when nervous horses approach the temporary barrier they will not be frightened, and especially when the word "off" is given that the tape disappears noiselessly. These important essentials are (says the Otago Daily Times) claimed for Mr John Bose's invention, which was tested in the start for the Selling Bace at the Dunedin Jockey Club's May meeting, and on that occasion met with the unqualified approval of the stewards and owners of racehorses, and last, though not leadt, the jockeyß. It may serve a useful purpose to Bay that Mr Bose's patent hae, in these hard times, the strong recommendation of cheapness, and its adoption is within the means of the smallest country club. At the starting point for the different distances a pOBt thirteen feet over ground, with an arm two feet long at five feet from the surface is erected on each Bide of the course. These posts are to be permanent and, with a hook attached to the top of each, are ready for the affixment, from time to time as occasion requires, of Mr Bobb's Btartinjj gear. The first cost of erection is, therefore, less than would be incurred in putting np a gate-post. The attachment of the gear to the posts will occupy about five minutes, and as any schoolboy can press the handle of the gear, reproaches of favouritism in starts should now become a thing of the pact.