THE RAGING COMMISSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3252, 24 June 1911, Page 8

THE RAGING COMMISSION.

RESULT OF THEIR LABORS. DOMINION RACING CURTAILED BY FORTY-THREE DAYS I SPECIAL TO TIMES.I AUCKLAND, June' 22. In tlie original report the Commissioners stated that after careful consideration and a personal inspection of nearly all the racecourses, they had allocated the statutoiT number of days. on which the totalisator may he used. For this purpose they had been obliged td reduce the days of racing by forty-three and the days of trotting by eleven, being- the proportionate reduction required by the Gaming- Act from tlie'number allotted in

1910-11. for meetings at which tlie total'isator was used.

They had fulfilled- the duty imposed upon them with regret, being unanimous in the opinion that some measure of redistribution vould have been preferable, and that with the exceptions which could have been thus remedied, and considering- the consequential diminution of registered clubs caused 'by the restrictions imposed by the Oaming Act, the days of racing are not excessive to supply ‘"he requirements of so scattered a popiilition.

They had recognised as a principle that the larger cities cater not only for the recreation of .heir own residents, but that their greater resources enable them to provide effiumtly for aperiodic influx from neighboring districts. They also regarded ihe les, s accessible c immunities as entitled to special consideration wherever they have shown any active desire for racing by the provision of needful equipments. Having dealt with tlie question of proprietary ownership of racecourses and the question of personal interest in the ownership thereof, the Commissioners recommended that in all such cases there shall he required the acquisition of the freehold or of a right to race in perpetuity at a fixed rental. In order to guard against any possible accrual of personal profit, they recommended that in the event of the dissolution- after the 31st day of December, 1911, of any racing club or trotting club, or of the cessation of any sqch. club to carry on the. business of racing or trotting, the surplus (if any) of assets over liabilities shall be devoted to the funds of the nearest hospital or hospitals. In cases where neighboring clubs amalgamate, any such surplus or surpluses may be considered as part of the assets of the club formed by such amalgamation. As a general rule, they considered that no license should be issued to any racing club unprovided with a racecourse of about one mile in circumference, fenced on the inside of the racing track with a fence of an approved pattern, or to any trotting club unprovided with a trotting track similarly fenced. In every case in which the provision for the fit carrying on of the sport or for the safety of riders or of the public is deficient, or iij which the sanitary arrangements are unsatisfactory-, the Commissioners called attention to the deficiencies, and suggested that if within one or two years, according to the magr nitnde of the needed alterations, such deficiencies are not completely remedied, the license should be permanently withdrawn from the negligent club. In view of the lessened number of race meetings, the Commissioners also suggested that increased attention should be paid by the. Railway Department for supplying facilities to the public—especially within a radius of, say, 20 miles—for attending races. In a subsequent report to the Governor, the Commissioners expressed themselves as follows:

May it please your Excellency.—We respectfully submit to your Excellency the report ,of the Commission appointed under section 6 of the Gaming Amendment Act, 1910, with its schedules adjusted to meet objections raised by the law officers of the Crown to the report as originally presented. We do not, however, concur in the validity of such objections, but it is unnecessary to discuss this point, as the decisions of vour Commission on the matters submitted to it are not affected thereby. In amending the report for the purpose, of avoidin' l " the inconvenience of further delay, we h? ve altered the ‘conditions’ imposed on vlr 6 i u^)s s i m Ple ‘recommendations.’ We lay stress upon the fact that most of these conditions or recommendations are intended to secure the <ati ty and comfort of the spectators rr cf the rmers, and the observance of the decencies of life in the management of a sport conducted under the license of the State for the entertainment, and recreation of the public. The conditions or recommendations are the outcome of an exhaustive inspection of the racecourses of the Dominion, and we strongly and unanimously urge, their enforcement in all important points within a reasonable period. We make one additional recommendation, that where a club desires to alter the number of its totalisator licenses for the utilisation of the allotted days of racing or trotting it should, as a rule, be permitted .to do so.—George Clifford (chairman). Albert E. Cohen, John McVay, R. H. Nolan. J. Rowe.” RACING CLUBS.

CLUBS IN THIS DISTRICT

THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS.

[SPECIAL TO TIMES.I WELLINGTON. June 23. The only change involved in Gisborne and district by the Racing Commission’s report is that Tologa Bay loses one day’s racing yearly. Among the Commissioner's remarks are the following : Wairoa County Racing Club: Wo recommend tlie acquisition of the freehold tenure or a permanent right to race at a fixed rental, and a railing on the inside of the racing track. In regard to this meeting consideration luts been given to its isolation. Tologa Bay Jockey Club: We recommend the acquisition of the freehold tenure, or a permanent right to race at a fixed rental, and a railing on the inside of the racing track. In regard to this meeting consideration has been given to its isolation.

AUCKLAND MEMBER’S VIEWS

“CLUBS HAVE LITTLE TO COMPLAIN OF.”

lSpecial to Times.] AUCKLAND. June 23

Mr John Rowe, the Auckland member of the Racing Commission, interviewed this morning, aid there was little lie could say in elaboration of the Commissioner’s report. Permits for the year’s racing as allocated by the Commission would be issued, and, in addition he expected to see the Commission’s recommendations to the racing and trotting clubs just as completely carried out, as the actual letter of the law would be. During their deliberations the members of the Commission had before them the actual position of all the clubs where there was evidence of little progress or of actual stagnation. The Commission bad no hesitation in taking a deliberate course of action, while full consideration was given to young mid progressive clubs, or expanding districts not at present licensed to hold a meeting. This was evidenced by the granting of permits for the first time to such districts as Te Kuiti and Tauranga. Another matter upon which the members of the Commission were unanimous and felt most strongly, was the absolute necessity for all clubs to at once secure either the freehold or a permanent right to race upon their courses at a fair rental. The Commission was intent on eliminating the proprietary element altogether, and to ensure that racing shall be carried on for the sake of sport alone.

As for the observance of this phase of the Commission’s report all the members place particular emphasis. Mr Rowe was asked did lie not think Hawke’s Bay appeared- to be more than ordinarily well-treated with thirty-two days’ racing in the year, which was all allowed to Auckland with over four times the population of Hawke’s Bay. The reply given by Mr Rowe was that the Commission had fully considered the advisability of adjudicating oil a population basis, and after going exhaustively into the matter, decided that an equitable distribution of the number of racing days could not be arrived at on any but a geographical basis. On the whole he agreed with the iHon. I E. Miteholson that Auckland had been very fairly treated. Speaking as the President of, the Trotting Association he would also say that he thought that the trotting clubs had no reason for complaint. Hitherto half the trotting events had been concentred in. Christchurch, and in future the meetings would be more widely distributed, and the position of young or new clubs strengthened. In- conclusion Mr Rowe said the Commission. owed a great deal to the chairman. Sir Geo. Clifford, who had carried out his duties most assiduously, and left no stone unturned to have the fullest possible information respecting every club in the Dominion placed before the Commission.

The following is the summarised position in regard to the racing clubs Days of Racing. Hitherto. Now Avondale J.C. ... ... . . ... 5 4 Napier Park R.C. ... . . ... fi 5 Waipukurau J.C . ... 1 1 Rangitikei R.C . ... 4 • North Otago J.C . ... 4 4 Pahiatua R.C . ... 2 — Woodville District J.C. 4 4 Foxton R.C 9. 2 Egmont R.C . ... 4 " 4 Canterbury J.C . ... 11 11 Auckland R.C. ... . . ... 13 11 Wellington R.C . ... 10 9 Manawatu R.C. ... . . ... 5 5 Feilding R.C. 4 4 Wanganui J.C . ... 6 6 Ashiirst-Pohangina . ... 1 — Hawke’s Bay J.C. ... 8 ' 7 Dunedin J.C . ... 9 , 9 Wairarapa* R.C . ... 4 4 Takapuna J.C. ... . • ... 7 4 Dannevirke J.C . ... 4 3 Winton J.C 2 2 Gore R.C . ... 4 4 Stratford R.C. ... . 9 2 Patea R.C. . ... ' 1 — Poverty Bay Turf Club 4 ■ 4 Christchurch R.C 3 — .Marlborough R.C . ... 4 4 Horowhenua Hack R.C 2 — Gisborne R.C . ... 4 4 Lower Valley J.C. 9, — Ashburton R.C . ... 4 4 Greymouth J.C . ... 4 4 Taratahi-Carterton R.C 2 1 Otaki Maori R.C . ... 4 4 South Canterbury J.C. ... , 4 4 Taranaki J.C . ... 4 ' 4 Marton J.C. (amalgamated with Rangitikei) ... . 2 4 Southland R.C . ... 4 4 Waverley-Waitotara R.C. ... 1 1 Masterton R.C . ... • 4 3 Waimate R.C . ... 1 1 Riverton R.C . 2 2 . ... 1 1 Hororata R.C. . ... 1 1 Tologa Bay J.C. ... . 2 1 Westland R.C... 4 R' 3 Reefton J.C . . ... . 4 3 Beaumont J.C. ... . 1 Ohoka-Byreton J.C. — . North Canterbury J.C. . . • i T; - — ■ Waikouaiti-Palmerston R.C. 1 i Kumara R.C. ... ...' . . ... 2 i Wairoa County R.C. . . ... 2; 2 Thames J.C '. . ... 3 2 Taieri A mat.ora' Turf Club 2 — Waitara K.C, ... ... . 1 — Waipawa County R.C. 1 WVndham R.C ... 1 1 NoRou J.C . ... 2 2 O'';- c \ 1? f 1 i

Days of Racing. Hitherto. Now. Oliinemuri J.C ... 2 2 Geraldine R.C 2 * 2 Akar oa County R. C. ... ... ’> 1 . 1 South Auckland R.C. ... 2 2 Kurow J.C 1 1 Cromwell J.C. .'. 2 2 Vincent J.C 2 2 Alexandra J.C 1 • Porangahau R.C 1 1 Tapanui R.C. 2 2 Whangarei R.C. 2 2 Westport J.C 2 — Maniototo J.C. " 2 — Lake County J.C. :.. 2 2 Amberley S.C. 1 1 Waihi J.C. ... 1 , — Rotorua J.C ... 2 1 Te Aroha J.C 2 2 Tuapeka County J.C. ... 2 1 Kaikoura R.C i — Te Kmiti R.C. — 1 Bay of Plenty R.C. . ... . 1 'Totals 242 Reduction of 43 days. TROTTING CLUBS. 199 In regard to trotting clubs, the tion is as follows: — Hitherto. posiNow. N.Z. Metropolitan (Chch.)... 11 9 Canterbury Park (Chcli.) 6 4 Forbur.y Park 6 6 New Brighton (Chch.) 6 4 Auckland 8 7 Gore 1 1 Ashburton 3 2 Otahuftu 5 4 Greymouth 5 4 Hutt Valley (Wellington) , 2 1 South Wairarapa (Greytown) 1 1 Wanganui 2 2 Westport 2 2 Nelson I i Wairau (Blenheim) i i Inangahau (Reefton) ... 2 i Oamaru — i Total Y. 62 Reduction of 11 days. 51