TARANAKI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 815, 19 October 1905, Page 9

TARANAKI.

New Plymouth, October 17. The nominations for the AA aihi Club’s no-totalisator meeting, to be held on Thursday, November 2, should ensure a successful day’s sport, given fine weather. Among those nominated for the Flying Handicap I notice the names of Reticent (Haere —Secrecy), and therefore halfbrother to Kaharoa; Otaoroa, Oliver Twist, Nigger, and Slavery. In the Cup are the names of Starfish (Daystar Fishlass), Slavey, and Nigger. Starfish and Reticent have also been nominated in the Publican’s Purse Handicap. The other events include a hurdle race and a steeplechase. The course is a few miles from Waitara. Bookmakers will supply the medium of speculation. Air. Harry George, a well-known racing enthusiast, is the secretary of the club. The news of the sudden illness of Air. J. O. Evett, the Auckland Club’s handicapper, was received here with a good deal of regret, as the burly weight-ad-juster made a wide circle of friends during his many years’ connection with the Taranaki Club. The appointment of Air. J. E. Henrys as deputy-handicapper for the Auckland Club means, I suppose, that he will be asked to act in the event of Air. Evett being unable to do the club’s work. In view of Air. Henrys’ other engagement at periods when the Auckland Club hold meetings, it does not appear how the appointment fits in. Surely there are gentlemen in Auckland who are competent enough to adjust the handicaps in the event of Air. Evett being incapacitated. If there are not, then it does not reflect much credit on the Northern city, which holds the premier position in racing in this country. It may be a case of a prophet being no good in his own locality. The decision of the Auckland Club’s committee, on the casting vote of the chairman, not to allow bookmakers to ply their calling at Ellerslie, is creating some interest in this district. It is to be hoped that the club’s committee will agree to the petition that is being circulated, and call a full meeting of members to discuss the question. There are numerous grounds that can be advanced in favour of the bookmakers. At any rate, I think it is bad policy for those interested and engaged in the sport to be in opposition, as the racing pastime has plenty of enemies without the authorities creating a “divided house.” If there are defects in the bookmaking system in Auckland, surely they can be remedied without taking such an extreme step as the total exclusion of all bookmakers from the Ellerslie racecourse. It is to be hoped that the Auckland Club’s committee will reopen the question, and thus allow the bookmakers’ side of the question to be placed before a full meeting of members. That would have the merit, at any rate, of being judicious. One New Zealand Cup candidate, Paritutu, will be taken South bv Jervey George this week, all going well. The Castor gelding has been in w’ork here since the Wanganui meeting. On bis form this season Paritutu’s chance does not look too rosy, but I understand that Mr. George thinks he possesses a show of annexing the big prize. At any rate T wish him good luck in his effort.