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BLAST FROM THE PAST

1893 DECLINE OF PROPRIETARY CLUBS

Matters came to a head in July 1893 when a strong new Club was formed and an application made to the Lancaster Park Ground Company for the use of the Park for four days per year at a rental of £40 per day. The Committee of the old Lancaster Park Trotting Club was very upset at being ousted and obtained a lease of Sydenham Park. To add to the confusion both Clubs applied to race on Friday, 10th November 1893. After much lobbying, approaches to the Colonial Secretary and the presentation of a petition to him the new Club was granted a Totalisator Permit by the Government just prior to the inaugural meeting on Friday, 10th November, 1893. The Club adopted the title of “Lancaster Park Amateur Trotting Club”. A newspaper report dated 28th December, 1893 stated that the old Lancaster Park Trotting Club had ceased to race. This was the beginning of the end of the proprietary Clubs. In August 1894 there was a protest meeting held to block the old Club racing four days a year at Sydenham Park. This protest was upheld and the old Club then approached the Lancaster Park Sports Committee and, it appeared, without success as the Lancaster Park Amateur Trotting Club was credited with racing at the Park.

Credit: NZMTC: Historical Notes compiled by D C Parker