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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 205, 28 June 1894, Page 4

The suggestion thrown out in a previous number relative to the establishing of a Distressed Jockeys Fund has. we are glad to say, found an advocate in Mr Alison. What possible objection there can be to this suggestion we know not. A jockey’s calling is a decidedly hazardous one, and it is only right that some provision should be made for him incases of accident. No man likes to hear of the hat being handed round on his behalf, and as the jockeys would, by payment of riding fees, find the capital for the fund they could receive allowances from it in a perfectly independent manner. Mr Alison has gone one better than us in advocating the starting of a trainers’ fund, and as the moneys in both cases would be kept separate there is no reason why they should not be legislated for in this direction as well as jockeys. The notice of motion next in order is a very proper one, providing as it does for the Metropolitan Clubs annually accounting for the whereabouts of the fund. At present this matter is generally kept in the region of the mysterious. The lonic case forms the basis of the next motion. It will be remembered that at the Taranaki Boxing Day meeting lonic was being given a fast preliminary gallop when he slipped on some tan opposite the saddling paddock gate, and in falling struck his shoulder against a post. An examination proved that the horse’s shoulder was dislocated, and of couise it was impossible to start him. Yet the club refused to refund that was invested on his chance on the machine Ln justice the backers of lonic should certainly have had their money returned to them, and if ever a new rule was wanted it is required in this direction. The present rule stamps a horse a starter after his rider leaves the clerk of the scales, and if the animal dropped dead before his jockey mounted, the stewards would, according to the lonic case, consider him a starter, Mr Alison’s motion, “ That in the event of a horse being accidentally disabled after being weighed out or before*being taken in hand by the starter such horse •