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VIEWS OF HON J CARROLL

At the conclusion of the second day's trotting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Club's meeting yesterday, the Hon J Carroll was entertained by the stewards of the club.

Mr W Rollitt proposed the health of their guest. He paid a high compliment to the tact and discrimination which had been displayed by Mr Carroll whilst he had occupied the position of Colonial Secretary, especially with reference to trotting matters. He had no hesitation in saying that Mr Carroll's efforts had materially assisted the club to attain to its present healthy position. He trusted that their guest, though he did not occupy the portfolio immediately controlling trotting, would continue to take an abiding interest in all that appertained to the sport.

The Hon J Carroll, replying, said that he was proud to be present, and to be the guest of the stewards of a club in which, he might say, he had always taken a deep interest. As a matter of fact, he could say, with truth, that he had really occupied the position of godfather to it. He had assisted the child to grow, and he was gratified to see that the youngster had prospered and would shortly attain, if it had not already done so, the dignity of manhood. The gentlemen controlling the fortunes of the Metropolitan Club had every reason to be satisfied with the result of their combined efforts. He might say that he believed the annual conferences, held in Wellington, where the representatives of trotting met the Minister in charge, had effected a great deal of good. In fact, the outcome of those conferences had been the building up of the sport, especially in Canterbury, the hub of the New Zealand trotting universe.

It was evident from the very large attendance that trotting was greatly appreciated by the people of Canterbury, an appreciation which it had thoroughly earned, and which had been endorsed by the capital contests witnessed that day. In discussing trotting matters with the conference, he had attempted to so hold the reins of power that purity of trotting - which would probably be best attained by the institution of class trotting - should prevail. He believed that class trotting would place the sport above the suspicion which at present frequently attached to it. It gave owners the privilege of making their own classes.

The North Island was still far behind the South in trotting, but he had tried - and hoped in the near future to accomplish his aim - to effect a considerable improvement. It had been said that he had dealt rather harshly with the North Island clubs, but his sole aim had been to improve and uplift the sport. He believed that if the saddle races were eliminated, and the sport confined to wheel events, it would be much more interesting. The latter form or racing would be infinitely more exciting, and, somehow, appeared to be the very acme of trotting. He had seen races that day which had the effect of taking an onlooker for the nonce out of himself, and there was scarcely one individual on the ground who had not entered into the spirit engendered by the splendid contests.

His colleague, the Hon J G Ward, now held the portfolio controlling racing, and he might say that that gentleman would at all times give them what he himself asked for: fair play. Though not occupying his old position, he was with them in spirit. He concluded by once again congratulating the club on the manner in which it administered the sport, the improvements it had made in its appointments, and its general prosperity. He thought it would be but fitting for him to propose the health of the President of the club, Mr V Harris. He knew that gentleman fairly well, and though he had no desire to unduly eulogise his efforts on behalf of the sport, he could assure them that he was a genuine sportsman, whose on object was to benefit everyone who took an interest in the pastime. Mr Harris could fairly congratulate himself upon the success of the meeting just concluded, for better sport had never been witnessed in the colony. He trusted that the club would continue to cater for the public in the same admirable manner.

Mr Harris, replying, thanked the Minister for his kindly references to himself. He might say that the proposer of the toast had given the club material assistance, and he trusted that though he no longer held the portfolio of Colonial Secretary, he would continue to render the club every assistance which lay in his power. The club was organised with a view to annihilating proprietory clubs, and he thought that their object had been satisfactorily attained. The committee had worked together for eight years, and during the whole of that time there had not been one discordant note.

Regarding the proposed amalgamation of the club with the Canterbury Trotting Club, he could safely assert that their honourable guest had tactfully tried to bring about the desired object, and he believed that when it had been attained, the club, instead of giving only £1200 in stakes at its meeting, would be able to endow its fixture with money to the extent of £4000. As showing the public confidence, he pointed out that over £15,000 had been invested through the totalisator during the two days. The club had had an up-hill battle to fight. The stewards had guaranteed a sum of £1100, but he anticipated that the present meeting would show a profit of from £600 to £700. The stand was only yet half built, and the committee were now considering the advisability of accepting a contract for the completion of the building, and effecting other general improvements. He hoped that the sport would continue to improve and prosper, and he tendered the thanks of the club to their guest, to the Premier, to the Hon J G Ward, and to the Government generally for the assistance they had given to the club. He desired to propose the toast of "The Government of New Zealand."

The Hon J Carroll briefly responded on behalf of the Government, thanking Mr Harris for the appreciative tribute he had paid to the Government, of which he was a member. He trusted that Mr Harris's aspirations would be speedily attained. The sole object of the Government was to dispense justice to all, and he could assure them that the Club's integrity of purpose would command for them the ready co-operation of the Government.

The toast of "The Secretary" was proposed by Mr Payling, who paid a flattering tribute to Mr A I Rattray's efforts on behalf of trotting. The toast of "The Press" was proposed by Mr J Ritchie, and was suitably responded to.

Credit: Star 10 Nov 1900

NZMTC ESTABLISHMENT OF ADDINGTON FACILITIES

The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, the name by which the old Lancaster Park Amateur Club will in future be known, has now made definite arrangements for the laying out of the ground on the Lincoln Road, and has instructed Mr Fred J Barlow A R V I A, to go on with the work, in accordance with the plans submitted by him.

The club has now secured thirty-seven acres of ground. The ornamental entrance-gates will be approached by a chain road from Lincoln Road. Passing through the turnstiles, visitors will approach the grand stand and track by an elliptical carriage drive, planted on each side with ornamental trees.

It has been decided to lay down a five-furlong track, with banked-up corners and easy grades. The straight will be about fifteen chains, whilst the back stretch will be slightly shorter, and every care will be exercised in its construction and drainage. The grand stand will be so placed as to command a capital view of the whole track, and its occupants will be enabled to look almost down the straight, an advantage that will be appreciated by visitors. The structure is estimated to comfortably seat 1700 persons, and will be approached from the lawn by eight stairways, a railed-off stewards' stand occupying its centre. Underneath provision has been made for refreshment and luncheon rooms, communication being obtainable thereto from both inside and outside.

In addition to these, there will be a weighing room 22ft by 10ft, store-room 8ft by 9ft, jockeys' room (provided with numerous lockers) 22ft by 10ft, press-room 14ft by 10ft, secretary's room and stewards' room 22ft by 20ft, stewards' luncheon room, 40ft by 22ft, a kitchen 23ft by 10ft (fitted with large range), with serving slide to both luncheon rooms, a public luncheon room to accommodate 230 persons, lavatories, etc.

The lawn is one chain in width in its narrowest part, thus giving plenty of room for visitors to move about, and the necessary stalls will be erected in the saddling paddock, which will be fenced off from any other part of the ground. The totalisator house will be conveniently constructed to suit inside and outside patrons. The whole ground, which will be tastefully laid out wherever possible with flowers and shrubs, will be enclosed with a high corrogated iron fence, and, when completed, the members of the club hope to possess a track and appointments which will be second to none.

Credit: Star 10 July 1899

PROPOSED TROTTING AMALGAMATION (By Director in "Canterbury Times.")

The question of the amalgamation of the Lancaster Park Amateur Trotting Club and the Canterbury Trotting Club has been very fully discussed during the past few weeks, both at meetings of the respective bodies and at the street corners, wherever trotting men congregate. But the possibilities of a coalition seem as far off as ever. Why this should be so it is not easy to determine, as to the ordinary mind the position seems to point most conclusively to the great advantages to the trotting world such an amalgamation would be likely to produce, and I have not heard one really strong argument against the proposal. As I have previously written, there appears to be no reason why there should be two trottings clubs in Christchurch, any more than there is a necessity for the existence of another flat racing club competing with the Canterbury Jockey Club.

The programmes issued by both clubs bear a strong similarity, and seeing that many prominent men are members of both, there is not even the excuse that there is a healthy rivalry between the two, and I cannot see why they should not amalgamate entirely, and, by joining funds, establish a strong club.

At present, five permits are granted to the two, three to the Canterbury Club and two to Lancaster Park. There is, of course, a justifiable fear that if the clubs amalgamated the same number would not be issued; but, while I have no desire to advocate the curtailment of the total number of days' trotting in the year, I should say that this possibility might be avoided by making one or two of the gatherings extend over three days. There is nothing to prevent a club doing this, and owners and the public would be provided with quite as much sport as would be needed, and with the help of the smaller outside clubs, such as New Brighton and Plumpton, a capital years' trotting could be enjoyed, especially if the former club were granted another permit, as suggested by the Colonial Secretary at the Trotting Conference last year.

There is evidently a strong feeling against amalgamation, much of which, I am afraid, has been formented by the strange and somewhat unreasonable fear that appears to exist that a few persons may possibly be deprived of a little of the authority which they at present enjoy. I feel sure that sooner or later it will be necessary for the two clubs to amalgamate. The Colonial Secretary has expressed himself somewhat strongly on this point, and last year, when addressing the Trotting Conference in Wellington, he said:- "There was one element it was necessary to get rid of to ensure success, and that was the disastrous element generated through local jealousies and prejudices. They would find within a small radius two or three clubs which wished to enjoy totalisator privileges, and which paid no heed to suggestions for amalgamation in the interests of true sport."

No hint could be broader than this, and now that the two clubs have a capital opportunity, would it not be infinitely preferable to willingly follow the advice now, rather than have the position forced upon them by-and-bye. I am not aware that there exists much prejudice or jealousy between the two clubs, although it would seem that something of the kind is considerably adding to the many imaginary difficulties supposed to stand in the way of amalgamation.

But, even supposing it is considered inadvisable to amalgamate, no valid reason has been advanced why the Canterbury Trotting Club should not used the new ground. There is no arguement in the plea that other clubs will grumble if five permits are granted to two clubs using one ground, any more than there would be in saying the Christchurch Racing Club should not be allowed to use the New Brighton Track. It is understood that the authorities have intimated that there will be no difficulty in this direction, and it would appear that many members use the idea merely to frighten owners into the belief that trotting meetings may be curtailed.

The ground recently acquired by the Lancaster Park Club, on Lincoln Road, is eminently suitable for the purpose for which it was obtained. But while admitting this the opponents of amalgamation, searching for any excuse to prevent this most desirable change, have expressed the opinion that the lease has been badly drawn up, and that its clauses are entirely in favour of the lessors. Probably no private individual would be inclined to accept such a lease.

A trotting club, however, though it has every right to guard and protect the interests of the public and owners, is scarcely in the same position. The lease provides that at the end of twenty-one years the lessors shall have the sole right of deciding what compensation shall be paid to the Trotting Club, but whilst this is undoubtedly faulty, the owners could scarcely avoid paying a fair amount, and would not be likely to incur the odium of the sporting public by suggesting an unfair valuation.

At the end of twenty-one years the land will be subject to release, as the ground cannot be sold, and although the annual renting value will probably have considerably increased, the trotting club will be at liberty to again bid for the property, and from their position will, in all likelihood, be able to overshadow any private buyer. If the owners should insist in putting an excessive upset price on the property, the club can go elsewhere. Four pounds an acre for twenty-one years, no matter what may happen when the lease expires, is the main feature of the whole question, and the arguments for and against should be centred on this point.

Any way, it is a pure fallacy to argue as to what may happen twenty-one years hence. Very few of the present members will care much about trotting then, and posterity can fairly be allowed to look after itself. Why, trotting and racing of every description may be a thing of the past, so far as the totalisator is concerned, long before the expiration of the term, and a thousand and one things may occur in the meantime which would render futile the attempt at present-day legislation.

The money now in the possession of the Canterbury Trotting Club does not belong to posterity, and though it is impossible to advance in any direction without materially assisting posterity, there is no valid reason why future trotting enthusiasts should be legislated for now, or why the money contributed by the public should not be spent on the public now. Some two or three years ago people began to wonder what the trotting clubs intended to do with their large credit balances, and we were told that the money was to be expended in a new ground and in other ways to benefit the public and owners.

Several meetings of the two clubs were held, and the advisableness of purchasing or leasing a piece of land was discussed at great length, and several sites were spoken of and visited, but nothing was done. However, the Lancaster Park Trotting Club, recognising, I take it, that the opportunity so long looked for had arrived, determined to secure the requiste ground, and it is now in possession. It matters nothing to the point at issue that the Canterbury Trotting Club was not consulted in the matter. Even if it had been, judging by its present attitude, nothing would probably have been done, simply because every previous attempt had failed. Surely it would be better to join hands and by using the capital of both, establish a trotting ground second to none, rather than allow one club to bear the whole of the expense.

What does the Canterbury Trotting Club intend to do with the money in hand? Of course, it can be given away in stakes, but this would not be fair to the public. Owners are well catered for now, and there is no reason why stakes should be increased in value. At the present time both clubs are issuing programmes with richly-endowed stakes, and considering that many of the events are worth £100 or over, surely owners cannot desire more. They have received their full share of the public money, and will continue to do so, and it is high time something was done for the people who find the money.

Owners are apt to run away with the idea that they provide the bulk of the stakes; but in this they are mistaken; indeed the position is not open to argument. For the next meeting of the Canterbury Trotting Club, no less than £1200 will be given in stakes. Will it be argued that the owners provide this? The Lancaster Park programmes are equally liberal, and in no part of the world or in connection with any branch of sport, are owners so well looked after as they are here. Even some of the best of our racing clubs do not offer such valuable stakes. The public should also be considered.

The Colonial Secretary, speaking at the last Trotting Secretary, urged "improvement in the class of sport, and instanced the good effect the performances of horses like Fritz had upon the public. Stakes should be increased, and as much as possible spent in improving the tracks and parks of the clubs, as it was only by such attention that the public could be induced to support the sport. He did not consider it desirable that clubs should keep large balances in hand."

The Canterbury Trotting Club has succeeded in improving the class of sport, and also persuaded Mr Buckland to bring Fritz here, and no fault whatever can be found with the stakes offered. The club has not been in a position to improve its tracks and parks; but its members should take to heart the Minister's remarks, and they would also do well to remember that the Colonial Secretary does not consider it advisable to keep large balances in hand. The club has no power to beautify the show grounds, but if it were to join the Park club the surroundings of the new club might, in a few years, be fully equal to those at Riccarton. The proposed new stand will be quite as good as the old one, and while there is now scarcely any room in front of the show ground stand, the new plans provide that a fine lawn shall be laid down.

The whole of the proposed new offices are far and away superior, and the stall accommodation will be ample for all requirements. The totalisator arrangements are sure to be much better than the methods at present in vogue, and ladies will be able to get to the grand stand with out being obliged to push their way through a crowd, as they are forced to do now.

But an argument which should appeal more strongly to every member is the fact that it is intended to lay down an up-to-date course and training tracks, a boon long sought after by owners and trainers. The Agricultural and Pastoral Association have done little indeed to foster the sport here and although the Canterbury Club is now in a better position to contribute towards the upkeep of the track than it was in the past, the approval of the Association, it is feasible to assume, would not have been apparent did not the Association feel that it might lose the revenue derived from the Trotting Club. The Association is prepared to allow the club to make improvements and pay for them, and the annual rent demanded, is now much less than it used to be; but why?

Scarcely an effort has been made by the Association to promote the sport, while the Lancaster Park Club has done everything it possibly could with that end in view. Why, it is not so long ago that some difficulty was experienced by the club in obtaining a few loads of covering to put on the track, although the club has paid sufficient rent to place it outside the pale of obligation to the Association. There is no valid argument why the club should pay rent, whilst by the use of their capital the money can be put to better use by permanently improving the new ground.

There is no reason to assume that the Colonial Secretary has changed his ideas since he addressed the Trotting Conference, and it behoves the members of the Canterbury Club to remember what he said. The club has grown from a very small beginning to a powerful institution, and those men who came forward in the early days and guaranteed the stakes, deserve every credit for their sportsmanlike behaviour, and I trust that when the question next comes up for discussion the same spirit will again be apparent, and by joining Lancaster Park, show the Colonial Secretary, the public and owners that they intend to sink all petty jealousies and prejudices, and work hand in hand for one common end.

There can be no question of the wisdom of spending their funds on what will really be their own property, and the enterprise of the Lancaster Park Club is sure to be recognised and commended by the Colonial Secretary. The importance of the subject, and an earnest desire to see the sport progress must be my excuse for dealing with the subject at such length, and I trust that what I have said will be accepted in the spirit in which it is written.



Credit: Star 17 June 1899

The Lancaster Park Amateur Trotting Club having initiated the establishment of a new Trotting track at Addington conferred with the Canterbury Trotting Club as the two Clubs had had an understanding that they should purchase a site where they could pool their resources for the provision of an up-to-date track with amenities. The Canterbury Trotting Club, whose sub-committee had not been successful in their search for a joint property, revealed an astounding reversal of their previous policy when they declined to join the Lancaster Park Amateur Trotting Club in the establishment of the track on the Twigger estate, the main objection being that the land was not freehold. This decision posed a real problem for the Lancaster Park Club as it could not see its way clear to finance, from its own resources, the purchase of the lease and the development of the project.

The two Clubs had enjoyed an amicable relationship up to this time which is understandable as a number were members of both Clubs and the Executive Officers and the Raceday Officials acted for both Clubs. The aims of the Clubs were similar, as they were to provide good sport on an amateur basis and make provision for the future by setting aside funds for development. The Committee and Members of the Canterbury Trotting Club, which was the leading Trotting Club in the country at that time, were generally in favour of the retention of the Club’s identity and, to this end, pursued negotiations with the A & P Association on the further development of its course at the Showgrounds. The President of the Club, Mr T Marr, strongly favoured the status quo, and was negotiating a further seven years lease from the A & P contingent on a number of improvements being carried out.

At the Annual General Meeting of the Canterbury Trotting Club held on 20th June, 1899 compelling reasons were put forward for seeking a joint venture with Lancaster Park but a motion “That the Canterbury Trotting Club cast in its lot with the Lancaster Park Club in taking over the new grounds” was defeated. This decision prompted a sharp reaction from the Lancaster Park Club which called its committee together on 22nd June, 1899 and decided to take the following action:-

A) That plans be prepared for the provision of grandstands and other necessary buildings and improvements on the newly acquired site at Addington.

B) That a 5 furlong track be surveyed, laid out and tenders called for its construction.

C) That the name of the Club be altered to the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club.

The last clause gave the new Club its official date of birth and immediate steps were taken to carry out the development of the new grounds. In some quarters it was felt that the new name selected by the Club was somewhat pretentious but most Trotting fans agreed that a Club which was prepared to stake all its assets in a bid to provide first-class racing conditions and amenities for Trotters and Patrons was entitled to exercise some degree of freedom in the choice of name. The Executive of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club lost no time expediting the establishment of their new grounds which were to be ready for their November Meeting. Tenders were called for the erection of the grandstand and the formation of the 5 furlong track which was to be a chain wide except at the bends where it was to be slightly less.

Considerable difficulty at this time was being experienced in bringing the amalgamation of the two Clubs to fruition. The Colonial Secretary decided to take a more prominent part in the dispute and during an address delivered to a meeting of delegates from all Trotting Clubs assembled in Wellington on 20th July, 1899, the Colonial Secretary hinted that amalgamation of the two leading Christchurch Clubs was one of urgency and if not proceeded with the Clubs would have to make do with fewer permits. This created panic among some of the Canterbury Trotting Club members who hastily requisitioned a Special General Meeting to reconsider the Club’s attitude towards amalgamation. This meeting held on 11th August was characterized by noisy and often bitter debate as the two factions within the Club argued the issue. Finally the Chairman, Mr T Marr, accepted a motion supporting amalgamation but when put to the Meeting was lost by a single vote, he having exercised both his deliberative and casting votes against the proposal.

A number of the members of the Canterbury Trotting Club were also members of the newly formed NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club so at the latter Club’s first Annual General Meeting held on 20th August, 1899 its President, Mr V Harris reported on the steps which had been taken to persuade the Canterbury Trotting Club to join forces in the development of Addington. In face of such non-co-operation and the shortage of time before the inaugural meeting he recommended the letting of contracts for the development of the grounds and track to the extent of £1,350 and the preparation of plans for a grandstand and other essential buildings.

In view of the pressure being applied, the Canterbury Trotting Club decided to send a deputation to Wellington in an attempt to persuade the Colonial Secretary to change his attitude regarding the amalgamation. However, the Honorable James Carroll advised the deputation he would arrange for letters to be sent to both Clubs setting out his views and advising that after the announced meetings of the separate Clubs had been held, that is, after the current year, it would be necessary for the two Clubs to amalgamate. Following the National Elections in early December 1899 the office of Colonial Secretary passed to the hands of the Honorable Joseph Ward who made his views known. After the Canterbury Trotting Club had concluded its advertised meeting on 26th December, 1899 and 1st January, 1900 he arranged for the publication of the official list of permits allocated to the Clubs for the balance of the 1899/1900 season. The outcome of this was that the Canterbury Trotting Club suffered a reduction in permits but in spite of the fact that its permits for the season had now already been used the Club applied for its usual two day meeting to be run on May 24th and 26th, 1900. The New Zealand Trotting Association had on file an application from the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club seeking approval to race on the same dates at its new grounds and giving as its reason that its rival Club’s permits had been exhausted. This latter application indicated that the “Met” proposed to forego the usual Easter dates which it conducted when it raced under its former name of the Lancaster Park Amateur Trotting Club.

The New Zealand Trotting Association having sought further information from the Colonial Secretary was left in no doubt that no further permit would be issued to the Canterbury Trotting Club unless a firm arrangement to amalgamate was published by the two Clubs concerned.

In an endeavour to settle the dispute amicably, the Association decided its President, Mr P Selig, should see the President of each Club with a view to establishing an acceptable basis for amalgamation. The only success he achieved was to extract a promise from each President that a special meeting of members of the respective Clubs would be called as soon as possible. These meetings were to be held on the same date, 25th April, 1900 and while the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club called a special meeting of its members the Canterbury Trotting Club merely summoned its Committee together and the decisions reached by the two Clubs were sent on to be dealt with at a special meeting of the Association two days later. The “Met” advised it was willing to amalgamate in accordance with the wishes of the Colonial Secretary and had appointed a sub-committee to meet a similar sub-committee from the Canterbury Trotting Club for the purpose of drafting amalgamation proposals. On the other hand, the Committee of the Canterbury Trotting Club forwarded a copy of its decision which stated “that as the whole question was of vital importance to the welfare of the Club the Committee did not see its way clear to act on the matter until the Annual General Meeting of the Club in June”. Under these circumstances the Association felt it had no choice but to refuse to sanction the programme submitted by the Canterbury Trotting Club and to approve that submitted by the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club to race on the disputed dates, the 24th and 26th May, 1900.

The opposition to amalgamation by the Canterbury Trotting Club continued and at its Annual Meeting in June a motion supporting amalgamation was defeated by 26 to 6.

It was also agreed to approve the re-negotiation of the lease from the A & P Association for a term of 7 years provided arrangements could be made to extend the track to 5 furlongs. Also approved were plans foe improvements and a programme for a two day meeting to be held in August as well as the appointment of a deputation to wait upon the next meeting of the Trotting Association to ascertain why its submitted programme for May, which fulfilled all requirements, had not been approved.

The deputation was not successful and in view of the opinion of the Colonial Secretary the Association provided a list of proposed dates for the next season showing Canterbury Trotting Club being allocated a single conditional permit, the conditional being that it must race on the Metropolitan Trotting Club’s course. This, however, was not possible during August as the grounds and track would be in a contractor’s hands for alterations and the completion of some building projects so the Trotting Association recommended to the Colonial Secretary that the Canterbury Trotting Club conduct its meeting, which would be the last, on the Showground Course. When this meeting held on 15th and 17th August, 1900 had been concluded, amalgamation appeared to be a probable reality. The two Clubs appointed sub-committees to consider amalgamation and it was agreed that the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club take in the whole of the membership of the Canterbury Trotting Club, and that the names of the present Committee and Stewards would be submitted to arbitration and that each Club would appoint an Arbitrator who in turn were empowered to appoint an umpire.

The Canterbury Trotting Club provided further complications for a successful amalgamation in that they approved the election of the 13 Committeemen as life members of the Canterbury Trotting Club and also appointed one of the Committeemen as Arbitrator. This was not acceptable to the Metropolitan Club and eventually the Canterbury Trotting Club appointed another Arbitrator as they were becoming aware of the attitude of the Press and the public to their continued opposition to amalgamation. They also rescinded their decision to appoint all their Committee as life members, only one, Mr H Mace, being appointed.

The final act of surrender by the Committee of the Canterbury Trotting Club was embodied in a motion authorizing payment of the accumulated funds of the Club to the Arbitrators when requested. Early in December, 1900 the Presidents of both Clubs received letters from the Arbitrators, Messrs P Selig and T H Davey, advising that the following Officers had been selected to act as Committeemen and Stewards of the amalgamated Club, for the balance of the season.

Committee: (ex NZMTC) Messrs E Clarkson, V Harris, C Louisson, G H McHaffie, G Payling and L Wilson

(ex CTC) Messrs W Hayward, T Marr and J S Slade

Stewards: (ex NZMTC) Messrs V Harris, C Louisson, G Payling and G B Ritchie

(ex CTC) Messrs J S Berry, W Hayward, H Mace, T Marr and J S Slade

Also appointed a Steward was Mr E C Jagger who was not associated with either Club

Of the aforenamed Officers of the Canterbury Trotting Club Mr J S Slade was its Vice President, Mr T Marr its Treasurer and Mr H Mace a Committeeman. Mr Mace was also an Officer of the New Brighton Trotting Club.


Credit: NZMTC: Historical Notes compiled by D C Parker