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RACING TROUBLES IN IRELAND. I Innovations in Conditions Suggested for the Relief of Over -Burdened Owners. We are still awaiting an official announcement of the number of racing days in Ireland during 1017. and the •Irish Raring Calendar" has not yet contained anything to enlighten us on this paint. There was some Informal on available at the horsehreoders meeting, though this was not official, of course; but it was stated during the course of a speech that there would be shoal eighty days racing during the year, and that at the most only about 99,999 pounds would be available in stake money. These figures compare with 74.9*9 pounds in 1MB. There is a considerable difference here, and it will be even greater than the "paper" difference, for. races being fewer, competition will be considerably nharprr. while then-is also the enhanced cost to be borne for everything in connection with feeding horses, traveling them. etc. Mr. Parkinson brought this matter before the meeting, and he illustrated that owners in Ireland last year lost 199,999 pounds. He had closely gone into the figures so far as he could make them out. and estimated that unless rigid economies ware effected in 1017 the loss would rise to 299,0*9 peanuts. He is in a particularly favorable position for making a clear estimate, as he is an owner on an extensive scale, ami likewise a trainer with a lengthy string of horses, while he is also a breeder. Thus, in his position, he can speak from three points of view, and his remarks made a big impression on the meeting. What he proposeel was that, in order to help owners, a rule should be Introduced limiting the dividend payable to shareholders in any race company to 5 per cent; that owners should have five entry for their horses, and that executives should pay the jockeys their riding fees. He favored the abolition of forfeits for races — those races already closed for which there were forfeits could not be interfered with, ami forfeits sheiuld be dise-haiged as heretofore, but there should be as forfeits attaching to new races Novel Scheme of Racing. Mr. Parkinson saiel that his proposals enameled revolutionary until they were looked into, but when that was done it seemed to him that they were far from being so. ami he was e.nly going to the bottom of things. Thus, he said that in regard te» free* entry for rne-e-s. this was the peisi tion at present — a race company put up a hundred -pound stake, and for that money they received seventy pounds from owner* who entered their horses. This left thirty pounds to be found by the executive: then, he- said, let us race free for that thirty pounds for the time being, eir possibly the- stake could be made fifty pounds. His scheme was discussed at great length, and the upshot was that a committee was formed to formulate proposals and wait upon the stewards of the Turf Club with them. 1 he- committee- consist of E. Kennedy, "apt. Harding, Albert Lowry, H. I. Ussher, P. Rogers. Martin MeDouoga and P. Oil linan. These- gentlemen are holding a meeting on Thursday next, when I understand Mr. Parkin sous scheme and figures will be clearly gone into, and afterwards I oxpe-e-t they will ask to be received as a deputation by the stewards of the Turf Club. — Dublin Letter to London Sportsman.
