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INTERNATIONAL HISTORY

Winston Churchill becomes British Prime Minister.

The Battle of Britain begins.

LOCAL HISTORY

Conscription is introduced for the armed services; 60,000 men had already enlisted.

January 5 - First echelon of Canterbury troops for World War II leave Lyttelton.

May 18 - Harewood Airport officially opens.

November 25 - "Holmwood" en route from the Chathams to Lyttelton, sunk by German raiders. "Turakina" and "Rangitane" are sunk in the Tasman Sea.

Credit: Ch-Ch City Libraries

RACING HISTORY PRESIDENTS: NZMTC

ALLAN MATSON - NZMTC President

The colourful stock dealer/auctioneer was a "bridge" administrator, more of an entrepreneur and marketing man of the modern world than that of the era of more serious administrators who preceded him.

Matson was one of the most successful presidents of the Metropolitan Trotting Club in its long history. Though aided by the rush of money to racing at the end of the Second World War when turnovers boomed he was an outstanding all round administrator.

As an energetic president he raised stakes to record levels attracting huge attendances in the 1940's and when his term ended and another fine leader, Charlie Thomas, succeeded him Matson became the Treasurer for 13 years, a classic mixture of good management and forward thinking.

A rotund rollicking figure, Matson had friends, customers and contacts from his stock agency everywhere and his dynamic leadership was the key factor in Addington emerging very much the leader of the pack in the post-war years.

The Trotting Cup in the Matson years became the richest race of any code run in New Zealand. It was two thirds the stake of the richest in Australasia, the Melbourne Cup, a fraction we can only dream about today. The supporting races were similarly rich. You could buy a nice house if you won a nice race on Cup Day. If you won the Cup you could buy a nice farm or two. Think about that and weep.

Matson was always advancing new ideas. He tried hard to get a photo finish system from the United States during the war(importing it was not allowed) and helped drive its establishment immediately afterward. Unhappily the man nearly everyone in Canterbury knew and liked died at only 58 but having already achieved more than most administrators who survived much longer.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed Aug 2016

RACING HISTORY INTERDOMINIONS

PERTH - GRAND MOGUL
Kiwi bred Grand Mogul, racing in Dunedin owner George Barton's name won the final but the title of Grand Champion was awarded to Logan Derby. After the 1936 result, it was poetic justice for the diminutive son of Globe Derby, who won only one of the 1940 heats and galloped for half a lap in the final, finishing fifth.
Master Dixie, a son of Phoenix Dixie, finished second in the 1940 Final to Grand Mogul. Phoenix Dixie was taken to an old veterinary surgeon for a gelding operation. The vet casually asked his breeding then putting his instruments away said "Take him home, son. You can always take them out but you can't put them back."

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Winifred Matson, wife of the NZMTC President & Marlene

1940 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

Marlene, driven by Ron Donald, marked a resurrection for mares, being the first winner in two decades and also the first of three within the next decade.

It was close though with just half a head to spare over Dusky Sound and the Ces Donald trained 7-year-old was in doubt to start the day before, was heavily bandaged and was not sighted again at the meeting.

Donald also quinellaed the Dominion again with Tan John beating Captain Bolt, with his gifted brother Ron doing the driving.

Credit: New Zealand HRWeekly 8Oct03