WANGANUI RACECOURSE. THE RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2615, 24 September 1909, Page 5

WANGANUI RACECOURSE.

THE RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC.

rp j:r Press Association.l WANGANUI, Sept. 23. A case of considerable interest is being heard in the Supreme Court by Judge Edwards to-day, affecting the rights of the public and the trustees of the racecourse. A number of residents at the back of the course are being summoned for trespass, and the case is to decide whether the public have a right to cross over the course. In the course of evidence, H. C. Field, surveyor, and a very old resident, said that in 1851 there was a track across the course, and to the best of his belief the track bad existed ever since from 1851 to 1870. Witness often went across the reserve, which up till then was not fenced off, as far as witness knew. The track always entered and left the racecourse at the two points now used for entrance and exit. One house had been at the back of the course since 1865 or 1866, and the only exit was through the course. The reserve was originally granted for the purpose of public utility, and was not used as a training track in the early days. Witness laid out the road round the reserve under orders from the late secretary of the Jockey Club, as the tracks were dangerous to horses in training, the dray track soon having ruts formed in it. The case practically hinges on whether the right-of-way "has existed over the course. In the event of the Jockey Club losing the case, it is thought more than probable that an effort will be made to obtain another course.