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Turfmen Ask Minimum Purse Changes in British Columbia VANCOUVER, B. C, May 21.— A meeting of the British Columbia Protective Association was held in Vancouver recently to discuss purse distribution for the current season. Principal business before the meeting was a recommendation that the minimum purse to be paid at Lansdowne Park should be 50 and the minimum to be paid at Exhibition Park should be ,000. It was pointed out to the members that while the operators of Lansdowne Park did show a small profit in 1950, some 7,000, the horse owners collectively operated at a loss estimated to be in the neighborhood of 5,000. Therefore, it was unanimously agreed upon to insist on higher purses for 1951. In his address, president K. R. Darby-shire cited the fact that there was a substantial amount of bickering between horsemen and management last year, but arrangements were being worked out whereby a grievance committee would be appointed this year to handle all complaints. William Morrissey, Canadian president of the HBPA, from Toronto, pointed out that conditions similar to those existing in British Columbia were in evidence in Ontario for years and were finally settled by the appointment of a racing commission. He said this is the only solution to the whole situation and it should be taken up at once. Last years purses in Vancouver were minimums of 50 at Lansdowne for the first four weeks, 50 for the last week with a 0 bonus. Exhibition Park paid a minimum of 50 for the first four weeks and 50 for the final week. In addition to this the British Columbia government turned over 1 per cent of the mutuel play to the horsemen for distribution. This amounted to 06 per race, making the average minimum purse paid just over ,000. Owners say they will not enter opening day unless their figures are met.
