MEETING OF THE NORTH ISLAND TROTTING ASSOCIATION

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 323, 1 October 1896, Page 9

MEETING OF THE NORTH ISLAND TROTTING ASSOCIATION

A meeting of the above assoeiation was held at Palmerston North on Tuesday evening last, and was attended by delegates representing Auckland, Otahuhu, New Plymouth, Normanby, Hawke’s Bay, Johnsonville, and Wellington trotting clubs. The chair was occupied by Mr R. Edwards, president, whose opening remarks expressed the opinion that an insufficient number of totalisator permits had been granted for trotting meetings, and said strong representation should be made to increase the number The members present expressed strong disapprobation of the circular sent to the various trotting clubs, purporting to be a report of the proceedings of the Wellington conference, and a resolution was passed condemning the erroneous nature] of the report. The meeting declined to accede to the request of a large number of horse owners and trainers that Mr A. E. Elbourne should be appointed handicapper for all the affiliated clubs, on the grounds that it is not advisable to appoint one handicapper. The disqualification imposed upon J. Pettie and J. Flanagan by the Johnsonville Trotting Club was endorsed. No action was taken with reference to the request to remove the disqualification imposed upon the horse Vulture at the Otahuhu Meeting. A long discussion ensued with reference to a letter from the Hawke’s Bay Club, in reference tojtrainers and jockeys licenses, and it was unanimously decided that it should be understood that each club would, as far as possible, enforce the rule, but no protest be considered on the ground that no licenses had been issued for the first meetings this season. The delegates present spoke in condemnatory terms of the manner in which, the Johnsonville Trotting Club had been treated by the Wellington Trotting Club, in regard to failing to make good the deficit at the January meeting. The Wellington Club promised to make good any deficit, provided the Johnsonville Club rejected the nominations of the Palmerston North owned horses, and so remain under the jurisdiction of the Wellington Club. It was decided to levy 1 per cent, on the total stakes to be given by the affiliated clubs, to meet the expenses of the association. Mr R. Edwards was re-elected president, Messrs Dennett and Adams were re-elected vicepresidents, and Mr C. C. Miles was re-elected secretary and treasurer. The meeting voted Mr Edwards a bonus of £lO 10s, in recognition of his services at the Conference of delegates at Wellington. The Sporting Review was re-appointed the « Official Calendar,” An amendment to appoint the Weekly Press and, Referee was lost.