25

H.—22

some would undoubtedly do) it would be impossible to return in time, and consequently cows would be neglected. We have raced for forty years, and have always been above suspicion. This district is situated on the eastern side of the Raglan and Kawhia districts, where they have no racecourse, and distant from thirty to fifty miles. Many of the cross-country horses have first raced on our course, and afterwards won races at Ellerslie and elsewhere. Many wellperformed horses have been bred here. Wo are situate about twelve miles from Ngaruawahia. By the Deputation. —We think we can say that the Whatawhata Racing Club bears a splendid reputation throughout the Waikato for fairness and for the prizes it has given. Our meeting here on New Year's Day is more a good picnic than a race meeting. We have raced continuously from the inception of the club forty years ago up to the present time. Our claim for a permit is principally based on the fact that this is the centre of a large dairying district. We have somewhere about a hundred members, and there are a good many sports amongst them. A, man who likes racing will see racing somewhere even if he has to neglect his cows, and that means a serious loss. Here they can get a good day's sport and attend to their cows both morning and evening. Some of the best horses that have gone to Auckland and some of the highestpriced hunters have been reared in this district. We think the whole of the Hamilton people would be pleased to see us get a permit, because our meeting is on New Year's Day, and that provides an enjoyable outing for those who cannot go to Auckland. We have only had one serious accident hero, and that was caused through bad riding. Alexandra Racing Club. The headquarters of the club are at Pirongia. The club was formed fifty-one years ago, and is registered. The last meeting was held in December, 1913. A list of the present members of the club and a copy of the last balance-sheet have been forwarded. The circumference of the course is 7 furlongs, and can be extended to a mile and, a quarter if at any time we can get the permit. The accommodation is not very extensive, and includes only small buildings, such as weighing'-in room and small stand (open) and judge's box. The course is fenced on the inside for about 200 yards at the straight. The nearest clubs using the totalizator are twenty-two and twenty-six miles distant, Hamilton and Te Kuiti* respectively. The nearest clubs not using the totalizator are Te Awamutu, eight miles distant, and Kihikihi, twelve miles distant. Being such an old club we think that it should have a permit granted, as at present it is in a splendid financial position, having about £130 on hand, which is very good, for a small club, and the membership has increased by three to one on last year. By the Deputation. —Since we sent in the application our membership has increased to fifty-four. Tin's club was inaugurated by Colonel Haultain and the military officers, who started a race meeting when the troops were stationed here over fifty years ago. The meetings were continued after the withdrawal of the troops. At one time the meetings were run. by voluntary contributions, with a free gate. Our Cup has gradually increased from a£sto a £25 stake. A proof of the appreciation of our meetings is the attendance, and that is without a permit or the bookmakers. When we started to charge a gate we took £27, and at our last meeting we took £55, charging Is. entrance. Our membership fee is only 55., and a member is entitled to bring in two ladies. We have always had good nominations from all round the district and from. Cambridge and Auckland. The people look upon it as a picnic meeting, and they come from great distances to it. It is of great advantage to the dairy people, as they can have a good day's sport and get home the same day for their milking. There is not a race meeting between here and the coast. We were the first country club to register. This district is steadily going ahead. The land we are on is a domain, a gift from the Crown, and we have a right to hold one meeting a year for all. time, and a right to shift the course wherever we want it, and to make any improvements we think fit. We have raced continuously for fifty-one years. The club is prepared to spend any money that is required in improvements if we get a permit. We have enough ground here to make the course any distance or shape we like. This place drains a very big back country for stock. Mr. Simpson is a horse-owner, and has been racing up and down the coast for forty years, and he has never had better treatment anywhere than at this little meeting. This little course compares favourably with any country course he has seen. He works his horses here each morning. Several horses have graduated here and gone away, and that would not have occurred if there had not been this little meeting to try them. There are plenty of horses bred in the district, but the stakes are not big enough to encourage them to race, and it is too expensive to take them up to town. Waipa Racing Club. The headquarters of the club are at Te Awamutu. The club was formed fifty years ago, and is registered. The last meeting was held in August, 1914. Practically all prominent residents of this district are members of the amalgamated club—Waipa and Ohaupo number about ninety. Kihikihi Racing Club, with a membership of eighty, has decided to amalgamate with the Waipa Club if a permit is granted, and the prominent members of the Alexandra Club wilt also join us under same conditions. The Waipa Racing Club lost £30 on its last meeting, and although the meetings usually show a deficit we have been able to continue our races by the sportsmanlike and ready help received from our members and supporters generally. The circumference of the course is 8 furlongs. The course is lent by Mr. William Tavlor, " Greenhill." Te Awamutu. Temporary appointments have been made on the day of the races, but if honoured by a favourable consideration of our request I am directed to assure you that many of our members who take a keen intelligent part in racing and horse-breeding are prepared to guarantee that a racecourse and all necessary appointments for an up-to-date and well-conducted meeting shall be

4—TT. 22.