RAGING CONFERENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12551, 14 July 1905, Page 8

RAGING CONFERENCE.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 13

Tho conference of New Zealand Racing Clubs opened this morning, Sir Georgo Clifford presiding. In regard to the annual report, the Chairman said that most of the clubs during the year had shown a spirit of healthy rivalry in the provision of good sport, while there had been no deterioration in the class of horses attracted. There had been laxity on the part of some clubs in issuing jockeys' licenses, no less than 162 jockeys who were licensed had less than six mounts, and of thesa 50 did not ride at all, while 43 unlicensed jockeys rode unchallenged. Tho accident fund was stated to have stood the strain of increased demands.* Allegations of aouses on the turf were persistently and recklessly made by anonymous slanderers, and occasionally by ill-informed or prejudiced men in responsible positions. These charges were mainly the outcome of imaginative ignorance, but it was the duty of the conference to correct whatever abuses arise, and render corrupt practices too difficult and dangerous to ba attempted with impunity. In this connection he urged the conference to consider whether ownership of horses by bookmakers was consistent with the maintenance of public confidence in the sport.

At tho Racing Conference, correspondence was received from the Australian Jockey Club and tha Jockey Clubs of South Africa, agreeing to reciproeato with tho New Zealand Conference regarding disqualifications. Tho Conference has proceeded to the consideration of the new draft of rules.

WELLINGTON, July 13. The annual conference of representatives of the New Zealand Jockey Clubs opened.at the Chambe rof-Commerce to-day, Sir George Clifford presiding. It was resolved that rules be numbered consecutively, and not as sent out.

A proposal that unpaid entries and acceptance fees should not be collected though the unpaid' forfeit list was negatived.

Motions to decide the Otago racing district and to establish a metropolitan club at Gisbbrno were lost. ..'...

Considerable discussion took place on r, motion to give country club representatives the same voting power at the conference ias metropolitan club representatives. The motion was negatived. Mr. Mcßa© (Taranaki)" moved a resolution in favour of visiting stewards being appointed by metropolitan clubs to visit and report on race meetings, held in such club s district. The motion met with little support and was lost on the voices.

It was agreed that the maximum number of race meetings held by any club in one season shall be four, instead of fivo an at present.

Motions to increase the stakes which horses eligible to compete in hack events may. win Jbefore being debarred from such events were withdrawn in some,cases and negatived in others. The mlo therefore remains unaltered.

It was unanimously agreed that no horso shall be eligible for entry for any racountil it'ia a yearling^. ■ "".,':"' , The following new rule was adopted, to take the place of rule 36: Two-year-olds shall not run prior to October 1, in any race exceeding four furlongs, nor prior to December 1 in any race exceeding five furlongs, nor pi-ior to March 1 in any race exceeding six furlongs, nor either before or after that date in any" handicap for which a horse over three-year-old is eligible. It was agreed that the minimum top weight of 9 st, in handicaps should not apply to two-year-old events and that the penalty for employing an unlicensed trainer be compulsoray instead of optional.

The following new rule relating to licensed jockeys was carried on the voices: "No jockey's license shalK be granted to any person under the age of 21 years unless he be in the regular employment of a racehorse owner or licensed trainer, or who has not ridden in twenty races in the previous year,,or is in the employment of a licensed trainer. • -