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C S HOWELL

The father of Charles Selby Howell...an old Peninsula veteran, having been taken by a press gang in Bristol. He served for some 12 years; his last ship, the 'Duke of York'...of which he was paymaster, was at the taking of Martinique from the French in 1794.

Later Mr Howell was 'schoolmaster and parish clerk for over 50 years' at Stroud, Gloucestershire. The school was 'known as the Red Coat School because the boys wore scarlet coats and vests in fulfilment of a benefaction left by some ancient hunting squire for that purpose'.

Charles Selby was born at Stroud on 23 June 1836 and educated at his father's school. He became a saddler and worked at Bristol, Bath, Penzance, Birmingham, Oxford, London and towns in South Wales.

Howell boarded the 'Roman Emperor' as an assisted immigrant bound for Canterbury. Perhaps, like future author Samuel Butler, one of the gentlemen who came on this vessel, he transhipped from the 'Burmah' which was specially fitted out for stock which it was to bring to the Antipodes and then disappeared without trace.

The 'Roman Emperor' arrived in 1860. Howell worked in Christchurch, moved to Sydney, and then came back as foreman to his old employer, John Craib Angus, a man prominent in business and the Presbyterian church. In 1873 Howell went into partnership with William White. After 18 months he set up his own establishment in Tattersall's Buildings at 162 Cashel Street. He carried 'on a profitable and successful business until December 1895 when he sold out to his two eldest sons'. For a time he again took over the reins before becoming interested in the Timaru Flour Milling Company and Zealandia Soap and Candle Works. In old age he decided to take a trip 'home'. Prior to his departure a dinner was tendered him as a mark of respect and goodwill. Like many businessmen, he was active in the Masonic Lodge.

Interested in racing and trotting 'as almost part of his business', Howell was one of the convenors and first chairman of the first Trotting Conference in 1895. A club - originally intended to be a coursing club - was formed at Plumpton Park, Sockburn. This did not flourish and there was established the Plumpton Park Racing and Trotting Club.

Howell was one of the original promoters, being 'gateman, secretary, treasurer, judge and chairman' and helping 'to bring the club to the successful position which it...attained'. In 1903 he could state that the club had 75 acres of freehold property at Sockburn, these being in good order and...equipped with granstand, boxes and all necessary buildings'. Indeed Plumpton Park was the only club in New Zealand which possessed 'a racing and training track with grounds of its own'. In his last years Howell saw his beloved park - now 106 acres in extent - purchased by Henry (later Sir Henry) Wigram for his air school. The park was to become the Wigram Air Force Base.

In his dealings with others in the trotting world Howell showed 'enthusiasm, ability, integrity and geniality'. In 1908 his peers commissioned Sydney Lough Thompson to paint his likeness. As well, the C S Howell Handicap was established to perpetuate 'the name of one of the most honourable and respected men in the early days of trotting'.

On 30 March 1867, at St John's Anglican church, Latimer Square, Christchurch, C S Howell harness maker, married Maggie Hall. Charles died at his daughter's residence in New Brighton, leaving four sons and two daughters. The gravestone recalls Charles Selby Howell who was born on 23 June 1836 and died on 29 April 1921; and his wife Maggie, 64, who died at Opawa on 2 October 1906.

Credit: Ch-Ch Library: Woolston/Heathcote Cemetery Records

C S HOWELL HANDICAP

This race, which is run at the CPTC's New Year meeting, perpetuates the name of one of the most honourable and respected men in the early days of trotting.

Chas. Selby Howell ran a saddlers shop in Tattersall's building in Cashel Street, Christchurch. Later he handed the business to his sons, who in turn sold it to Messrs Trist and Small. Mr Howell was one of the founders of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club in 1891, and acted as its honorary secretary until 1895, when the late Mr A L Rattray was appointed to the position. In 1897 he was appointed president of the Club, a position he occupied until his death in 1921, with the exception of an interval of three years. He was always in the forefront in anything appertaining to the advancement of trotting.

He was born in Stroud, Gloucestershire and was educated at the parrish school, known as Red Coat School (some dozen boys only wearing scarlet coats and vests, a benefaction left by some ancient hunting squire for that purpose) of which his father was schoolmaster and parrish clerk for over 50 years.

It was he who circularised clubs in the Canterbury district stating that as there were now so many clubs springing up in the district, he felt some controlling organisation was necessary, and he was influential in forming the Canterbury Metropolitan Trotting Association, of which he was president for some years and did yeoman service while acting in that capacity. He was one of a committee which framed the constitution and rules of the Association, the name of which was later changed to the South Island Trotting Association. Later he was instrumental in bringing about the amalgamation with the North Island Trotting Association, and thus was initiated the present NZ Trotting Association.

During the time Mr Howell was president of the Canterbury Metropolitan Trotting Association, they were fighting for Government recognition of the sport and a proper allocation of racing days. In 1896 he sent the following circular to all clubs:

"162 Cashel Street, Ch-Ch.
June 15, 1896.

To Secretary,-

The Canterbury Metropolitan Trotting Association having had under consideration the advisability of all the trotting clubs in NZ moving in the matter of securing their proper allowance of trotting meetings for each province, on the basis proposed for the years 1895 and 1896.
The Racing Conference meets in Wellington during the month of July (date not yet fixed), and endeavour to obtain an interview with the Racing Conference, by a delegate from each of the trotting clubs, and at the same time to act on the advice of the Colonial Secretary to see him a few days before the Racing Conference meets.
That, if possible, each trotting club to be represented by a delegate, and each club to pay their delegate's expenses to Wellington. That a united and energetic effort be made to secure the just and common interest of all trotting clubs in NZ, by obtaining their fair share of the totalisator permits, so that the strongest combination of the clubs is required. The interest and influence of all members of the Legislative Council, and House of Representatives, of each Electorate where trotting meetings are held, would have to be solicited for their assistance in this matter to secure our rights.
Any matters, other than the above, in the interest of trotting could be discussed by the delegates at the same time. Your prompt reply in assisting this will be obvious.

I have the honour to be, Dear Sir,
Yours faithfully, CHAS S HOWELL
President, CMTA"

Thus Mr Howell became the convener and also chairman of the first NZ Trotting Conference and acted in that capacity for several years. A set of rules was drawn up and these form the basis of the present rules. Mr A I Rattray was the first secretary of the NZ Trotting Conference, and though he soon relinquished the position, the effect of his good work remains.

In 1908, in recognition of the wonderful work done for his club and trotting generally, the club commissioned Mr Sydney L Thompson to execute his protrait, and this was later presented to him. On his death the family handed it back to the club, and now it hangs in my office. About 1910 Mr Howell decided to take a trip to England, and prior to his leaving, a dinner was tendered him as a mark of respect and goodwill.

Chas Selby Howell undoubtedly deserved the compliment paid him in the naming of this race.

Credit: H E Goggin writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 28Apr48

NZ TROTTING ASSOCIATION

When in August the NZ Trotting Association is finally absorbed by the NZ Trotting Conference, it will have completed 50 years of service to the sport.

The late Mr C S Howell, an early administrator of trotting, worked with the late Mr A I Rattray and others toward the amalgamation of the North Island and South Island Trotting Associations, and thus, in 1899, came into being the NZ Trotting Association. Mr Howell also became chairman of the first NZ Trotting Conference.

Mr Rattray, who was largely responsible for the formation of the NZ Trotting Association, is still regarded by the people who knew him over a long period of years as the "father of trotting". He left behind him a record of service that time will not obliterate. Trotting will always be in the debt of this fine old pioneer, who, incidentally, was the first secretary of the NZ Trotting Conference.

The late Mr Phineas Selig, who was president of the Association from its inception until his retirement in 1925, was responsible for many reforms. Perhaps his outstanding contribution to the light-harness fabric was the fathering of the rule makng it obligatory for all clubs to include two events for trotters on an eight-race programme.

First elected to the board in 1916, the late Mr J H Williams became chairman in 1925 and remained in that position for 14 years, until shortly before his death. He was held in the highest regard by his colleagues and all who came in contact with him and he made a notable contribution to the administrative side of the sport.

The late Mr H W Kitchingham was a member of the board of the NZ Trotting Association for the record period of 35 years and was chairman from 1939 to 1945. He was primarily responsible in 1938 for a revised edition of the Rules of Trotting.

President of the Association from 1945 to 1947, the late Mr R B McCarthy, of Hawera, joined the board in 1943 and retired, through ill health, in 1947. A leading figure in the legal profession in Hawera, he was an outstanding member of the board, and earned respect throughout the Dominion for his impartiality and sound administrative qualities.

Mr J B Thomson, who succeeded Mr McCarthy as president, was a member of the board for 23 years. Mr Thomson has a profound knowledge of horses and the men who drive them. He has a keen sense of proportion and a lively sense of humour, attributes that have endeared him to all sections of trotting over a lengthy period.

Sir John McKenzie, treasurer to the NZ Trotting Association over a lengthy period, is offering himself for election as treasurer to the NZ Trotting Conference. Sir John was also chairman of the Licensing Committee for a number of years, and altogether served 25 years on the board.

Mr H F Nicoll, later to become president of the NZ Trotting Conference, a position he held with ever-mounting distinction for a quarter of a century, was a member of the board for a term.

The late Mr W Hayward, a vice-president for many years, the late Mr H C Harley, the late Mr S W Kelly and Mr J M Samson, were other members of the board of the last two decades who served for long periods.

Mr E A Lee, now a Stipendiary Magistrate, was a member of the Association from 1943 to 1948, and there was genuine regret among trotting people when his services as an administrator were lost. He was obviously marked out for high office in the trotting world.

With trotting in Auckland will always be associated the name of the late Mr C F Mark, who was a member of the board for many years. He was one of the dominating personalities of his day, and Sir John McKenzie remembers Mr Mark as one of the most able men on the board at the time he (Sir John) was first elected to it.

The late Mr R A Armstrong, of Wellington, although he did not take high office on the board, is remembered as a man of gifted oratory and sound judgement. He was recognised as a born organiser and he was actuated by a genuine desire to see trotting prosper.

Apart from Sir John McKenzie and Mr J B Thomson, the member of the board with the longest record of service was Mr W M Ollivier, an indefatigable worker for the sport.



Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 21Jun50

C S HOWELL

"Founder" of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club. If any one man deserves credit for the foundation of the Canterbury Park Club then it must be one Charles Selby Howell. It was Mr Howell who led the enthusiastic band of supporters who rescued the Plumpton Park Club from certain obscurity in 1889, the club having gone into recess after the scandal of the July meeting in 1888.

Mr Howell was listed as the club's treasurer, secretary and chairman in the early days, serving a two-year period as president (1899-1901) and returning to that position for 11 years from 1909-1920.

Born in 1836 in Stroud, Gloucestershire, Mr Howell was educated at the Red Coat Parish School, of which his father was schoolmaster and parish clerk for more than 50 years. Mr Howell was brought up as a saddler, following his trade in Bristol, Bath, Penzance, Birmingham, Oxford, London and several towns in South Wales.

He left England for New Zealand in 1859 and arrived in the 'Roman Emperor' at Lyttelton a year later. Nine months later Mr Howell moved on to Sydney and worked there for three years before returning to Christchurch where he worked as foreman for Mr C Angus until 1864 when he began a partnership with Mr William White.

This partnership lasted for only 18 months when Mr Howell opened a shop in Tattersalls , which he carried on as a successful business until 1895 when he sold out to his two eldest sons. Mr Howell was a staunch supporter of racing and trotting from his early days, influenced to some extent, no doubt, by his business interests as a saddler.

He died on May 1921, aged 85.



Credit: Centennial History Canterbury Park TC