THE RAGING COMMISSION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12767, 23 June 1911, Page 7

THE RAGING COMMISSION.

THE REPORT

RACING DAYS REDUCED

(Per Press Association.)

Dunedin, June 21

' The Racing Commission report reduced the days of racing by 43, and _ the days of trotting by 11, compared -with last year's allotment at' totalisator meetings. The Commissioners express the opinion that some measure of redistribution would haye been preferable, but the Gaming Act compelled a reduction by 54 days. "Wherever a less accessible committee had shown any active desire for racing by the provision of needful equipment, they had been given special consideration. To prevent any approach to proprietary ownership it is recommended that when courses are on leasehold tenure from companies or individuals the freehold should be acquired, or the right to lease in perpetuity at a fixed rental. Where clubs dissolve after the 31st of December next it is suggested that , any assets over liabilities should go to j the funds of the nearest hospital. The j Commissioners 'May down the general principle that no racecourse should be less than a mile in circumference, or unfeneed, and urge that no rie)v licenses be* granted except Tinder these" conditions. As regards where the sanitary arrangements are unsatisfactory, or no proper provision is made for the safety of riders, it is suggested that unless ! these deficiencies are remedied within two years, the license should be permanently withdrawn from the neglig- j ent club. In view of the licenses of a number of race meetings it is urged | that increased attention on the part or the Railway Department is advisable for supplying facilties for the public within a 20-mile radius for attending the races. The amended report, with a schedule to meet the view of- the Crown law officers, alters the "conditions" imposed upon some clubs to simple recommendations. These conditions or recommendations are the outcome of an exhaustive inspection of the racecourses ] of the Dominion, consequently the Commissioners ''''strorl^ly and unanimously" urge their enforcement in all important points within a reasonable period. Schedule- I.—Following are the days of racing approved for which totalisator licenses should be issued:—Auckland 11, Avondalo 4, Bay of Plenty (a new club) 1, Ohinemuri 2, Rotorua 1, . South Auckland 2, Te Aroha 2, Tak'apuna 4, Te Xuiti. (new club) 1, Thames. j2, Whangarei U, Dannevirke 3, Gisborne 4, Hawke's Bay 7, Napier Park 5, Porangahau 1, Poverty Bay 4, Tolaga Bay 1, Waipukurau 1, Wairoa 2, Woodville 4, Egmont 4, Opunake 1, Stratford 2, Taranaki 4, Fcilding 4, i Foxton 2, Manawatu 5, Marton and Rangitikei (to race at Marton) 4, Wanganui s>, SVavcrley and Waitotara 1, Masterton 3, Taratahi-Carterton..' 1, Otaki Maori 4, Wairarapa 4, Welling-' ,ton 9, Akaroa- 1, Amberle'y 1, Ashburton 4, Canterbury'll, Geralcline 2, "Hororata 1, Marlborough 4, South Canterbury 4, Waimato 1, Grey mouth 4, ■Kumata 1, Nelson 2, Reef ton 3, Westland 3, Tuapeka 1, Beaumont 1, Cromwell 2, Dunedin 9, Gore 4, Kurow 1, Lake County 2, North Otago 4, Riverton 2, Southland 4, Tapanui 2, Vincent 2, Waikouaiti 1, Wairiro 1, Winton 2, . Wyndham. I—total1 —total racing . days 199, and numbor. of totalisator licenses 109.

Schedule ll.—Days of racing reduced"1 as required by tho Act.: Abolished— , Waihi 1 day (should coalesce with Ohinemuri); Waipawa, 1 (should coalesce with Waipukurau); ~Patea, 1 |sholald coalesce w;ith \\>v6rle(y *i),,* Waitara (well served by Taranaki); ' Ashurst-Pohangina, , I_, ', (unnecessary, midway-, between -WoxidvUlQ.^ndH^^t'i I'ei-ston) i^Katigfyikbi;^ ' daypV!|;^u|a^ ! unite with Marton; Horowheriu»,> f?! 7 -days, easily acces&b'fertb. Qtaki, Foxton and«Manawotu; '-'Lower.Valley, 2 days (ill '*' appomtted^ftnd -'■weJJsf. supplied, # at, Tauherenikau); Pahia'tua 2 (easily accessible jto Woodvillej ■ , with , which ■ it should . coalesce);'- Christchurch K.C., 3 (continguity, being two miles from Rit'carton course); Kaikoura, 1 (no interest -shown, and no replies to repeated requests for information); North Canterbury and Ohoka-Eyreton, -I day each (very ill-appointed, and with Amberley Steeplechase Club should form one strong .North' Canterbury club); Westport, 2 (hopelessly ill-ap-pointed, and obviously no interest shown in the sport; tenure very unsatisfactory); Alexandra, 1 (poorly appointed) ; Maniototo, 2 (course in utter disrepair, and for practical purposes the district is sufficiently ■'served by •Vincent J.C.); Taieri Amateur Turf Club, 2 ('Contiguity, being li rn^les froni Wingatui, tho tenure very unsatisfactory). * The clubs whoso racing days are reduced are as under:—Auckland 2days, Takapuna 3, Avondale, Rotorua, Thames, ■Dannevirko, Hawke's Bay, Napier Park, Tolaga JBay, Masterton, Taratahi-Carterton, Wellington, Kumara, Reef ton, Westland, and Tuapeka 1 each; total 47, less 4 days added, 43. Schedule lll.—Days of trotting approved: Auckland T.C. (Otahuhu) 4, Wanganui 2, Hutt Valley 1, South Wairarapa 1, Nelson 1, Wairau Valley 1, ■ Greymouth 4, Inangahua 1, Westport 2, N.Z. Metropolitan 9, Now Brighton 4, Canterbury Park 4, Ashburton 2, Forbury Park 6, Gore 1, Oamaru (now club) I—total,1 —total, 51. The number of totalisator licenses, 29.

Schedule IV. —Days of trotting reduced, as required by the Act: N.Z. Metropolitan, Canterbury Park, and New Brighton 2 each, Auckland, Otahuhu, Hutt Valley, Greymouth, Inangahua, and Ashburton 1 each —total 12, less one day (Oamaru) added, 11.