TROTTING CONFERENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 83, 9 April 1934, Page 5

TROTTING CONFERENCE

— WEST COAST COUNCIL DELEGATES FROM FOUR CLUBS. MEETING AT HAWEBA. Important decisions so far as the light-harness sport on the West Coast of the North Island is concerned were made at a conference recently held at Hawera and attended by delegates from the Hawera, Wanganui, Taranaki and Manawatu Clubs. Mr. B. McCarthy (Hawera) was appointed chairman. There were also present the following delegates:—Messrs. M. Barraclough and 11. E. Robinson (Hawera), Hr. Adams, Messrs. P. Carmichael and C. fc>. Swan (Wanganui), Messrs. H. J. Woodfield and A. H. Manson (Manawatu), Messrs. W. C. Weston, G. Sykes and 1). le C. Morgan. The following dates were submitted by the Wanganui delegates for the 1935 season: Wellington, MarcD 23; Manawatu, March 30 or April 3; Wanganui, April 6 and 13; Hawera, April 20 and 22; Taranaki, April 27. It was decided that it bo a recommendation to the conference that tho clubs concerned adopt the dates as suggested by Wanganui, and it be a recommendation that an endeavour be made for Wellington to race on March 23, 1935, and so complete the circuit. After considerable discussion regarding the best means of reducing railway costs, it was decided, on the motion of Dr. Adams, that the conference appoint a deputation to wait on the chairman of the Railway Board, with the object of having traffic rates on horses amended to similar rates to those that apply to A. and P. Societies for the transport of stock, and further to discuss with him facilities to carry three or more horses in H trucks as required, and such other matters in regard to transport that may arise out of the discussion.

It was agreed that any club on the circuit finding that it cannot use its permit, it should first offer same to the other clubs on the circuit to be used as agreed upon. Dr. Adams informed tho meeting that he had been asked by his club to move the following resolution: “That this conference representative of tho Manawatu, Hawera, Wanganui and Taranaki Trotting Clubs is of the opinion that the formation of a West Coast Trotting Circuit Council is recommended, and that the first council should be elected to-day.” In moving the resolution. Dr. Adams thought that such a unit would be of mutual benefit and service to the four clubs, bringing about: (1) Closer cooperation in all trotting matters; (2) devising ways and means of popularising trotting along this coast; (3) aiming at the improvement of our respective meetings, and the ultimate attain rnent of a standard nearer that of the Larger centres; (4) arranging an Easter circuit similar to that of this year or other such circuit as may be deemed advisable; (5) discussing other factors that must essentially arise from time to time for the mutual benefit of all concerned; (fi) deciding on the venue for subsequent conferences. This was carried, and Mr. B. McCarthy was elected chairman of the council.

The meeting adjourned to receive a visit from the owners and trainers attending tho Hawera meeting. About twenty-live owners and trainers attended and Mr. McCarthy extended a hearty welcome to’ them, pointing out that they had been asked to attend to submit suggestions in furtherance of the sport and tho reduction of costs in connection with tho conveyance of horses. Mr. McCarthy stated that clubs were looking to tho furtherance of this sport, and not for profit, and for this reason appreciated any helpful suggestions that could be made by the owners and trainers.

Mr. McCarthy stated that the matter of transport costs had already been dealt with by the conference, and that the matter was being taken up with the chairman of the Railway Board. Mr. A. J. Corrigan, on behalf of the owners and trainers, thanked Mr. McCarthy, and in doing so, dealt with the matter of arranging a programme suitable for a horse to start in two races each day, and dealt with the handicapping system, suggesting that if the races are of two different distances, the times should be adjusted according to the present handicapping system. Mr. Corrigan also thought that, especially at one-day meetings, two trotters’ races should be for one class of horse. Further, that programmes on the circuit should be so arranged that. ii. is possible for, say, a maiden to start at the first meeting and renominate at a subsequent meeting in a suitable class. The matter of horses travelling on tho mail train was brought up by Air. Lippingwcll, and he pointed out that a horse travelling on a mail train would have to pay double rates, if no other horses were travelling, and he considered that horses should have the right to travel without this penalty. The owners and trainers were in favour of tho drawing for places taking place prior to the meeting, and being published in the official programme; and also were unanimous that clubs should revert to tho old system of betting on the totalisator.