WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 299, 16 April 1896, Page 5

WELLINGTON.

Revolution and Revolt sold privately The Wellington and Greymouth Jockey Clubs — The latter club wants the Wellington permit —The latter club cannot give what they have not gotA suggestion for a “Brunner Fund Race Meeting” at Wellington-

The Wairarapa Racing Club Meeting was held on Easter Monday and Tuesday without the totalisator. The weather was threatening on the first day and rained the second day. The attendance on both days was fair. Ten bookmakers paid a license of £5 per day to bet. The racing at the meeting was about the best yet seen in the Wairarapa, the various events being splendidly contested, and Mr John Coyle was congratulated on the successful results of his handicaps. Master Agnes’ stock »cc>unted for six events, Mr Isaac Freeth has disposed of Revolution (Treason—Mischief) to a Wairarapa sport. Mr Freeth has also disposed of Revolt, Mr Campbell, of Wainuiomata (Wellington), being the purchaser . The veteran owner and trainer (Mr Freeth) has had a disastrous season with his team. The deadlock between the Metropolitan Club and the Acting Colonial Secretary is still under discassion. The Greymouth Jockey Club are anxious to hold a meeting m aid of the Brunner disaster, and wired for the sanction of the local Metropolitan Club, with a view of se _£“ rin g totalisator permit withheld from the Wellington Racing Club. This has elicited a letter, over the initials “J.H.P.” which appeared in Tuesday morning’s Tiroes, and has been favourably commented on, and is likely to lead to action being taken forthwith. The Wellington Racing Club stewards meet on Wednesday, when, should they express a disinclination to adopt the suggestion, a strong committee will be formed with the view of carrying out the project. The following is the letter:—“The totalisator and the Brunner Fund To the Editor, Sir, —I notice some correspondence has taken place between the secretaries of the Greymouth and the Wellington racing clubs, the proposal of the Greymouth Racing Club (the stewards of which are anxious to have the sanction of our local racing club before applying for an alleged ‘ left over’ totalisator license) is with the view of arranging a race meeting ostensibly for the benefit of the Brunner Relief Fund. While not wishing to draw comparison between the manner in which horse racing is conducted on the West Coast and this province, I would like to draw attention to the central position of our local racecourse, which is most accessible, and conveniently situated for outside horse owners. I might also point out that if a race meeting is to be arranged for the benefit of the above fund, that Wellington is the best site for the same to be held. I would suggest that the stewards of the Wellington Racing Club at once assent to arrange a race meeting, and I feel sure a totalisator permit will be granted forthwith. Should the Greymouth Club consider they can raise £3OO by the same, means, there is no reason why they should not also be granted a permit and have their programme passed for the same laudable object. Should the stewards of the Wellington Racing Club not feel disposed to move in the manner I have suggested, an impromptu racing club could easily be formed and the Hutt Park racecourse obtained for a two-davs meeting in aid of the Brunner Relief Fund. There are many influential sportsmen in Wellington who, I am sure, would take the matter in hand. The genial Mr Lyon, who acted as hon. sec. for the Hunt Club race meetings, would no doubt consent to act in the same capacity for a Brunner benefit, meeting ; whilst Messrs Evett and Piper, the W.R.C. handicapper and starter respectively, would be satisfied with

bare expenses for their labours, and thus a most successful and profitable meeting could be brought about. Indeed, lam sanguine the meeting would be a record one, as every influential racehorse owner in New Zealand would engage his horses, irrespective of the value of the stakes, and racing men would thus not be deprived of their winter meeting, while harmony might again reign all round, and at the same time the afflicted widows and orphans would reap a considerable benefit.”