Page:1930 QLD Royal Commission into Racing Report.djvu/56

56 But, even at Kedron, the stewards are subject to dismissal on one week's notice, and are paid by the day. The Chairman receives only £5 5s. per meeting at Kedron and a less sum at other courses.

The stewards are thus in far from an independent position.

Allegations were freely made that some stewards are inefficient, lack racing experience, and fail to act in concert. Representative jockeys, for instance, considered that the stewards at Kedron are not sufficiently strict and that their laxity has contributed to the present condition of unregistered racing.

Whatever the weight of this criticism, the fact remains that, by almost general agreement, the conduct of the racing is not as strict as might reasonably be expected.

The fault lies, not in the rules, but in their non-enforcement. For this the stewards, in whose hands rests in theory at least, the full control, must accept the main share of responsibility.

The failure by the stewards to ensure the fair conduct of the stewards. racing appears to be, partly, at all events, due to their lack of independence.

Stewards should have some tenure of office and a reasonable salary, and be as far as possible removed from outside influence.

The Commission considers that this result would be best attained by their appointment being taken from the individual clubs or proprietaries and vested in an independent Board of Control. G—

The unregistered racing bodies have set up no central authority with powers derived from an agreed set of rules to control their racing activities. In practice, however, in relation to the five associated concerns—Kedron, Coorparoo, Goodna, Strathpine, and Ipswich—the Appeal Board, originally instituted in November, 1922, has been permitted to act as a central controlling body.

Thus it has assumed power to allocate the racing dates, to license jockeys, and recently trainers, and to institute a register of racehorses, in addition to its primary purpose of hearing appeals.

It meets, moreover, as occasion demands, to consider other questions deemed to be of general concern to the associated bodies.

The fact that it has, by tacit consent, discharged these functions evidences the need for some central control.

This Appeal Board is in theory representative of all the associated concerns.

If fact had accorded with theory, there might be no need for legislative interference. In place, however, of being really a representative body, the Board has always been predominantly under the influence of Kedron.

The Board consists of five members, each of whom receives a fee of £1 per meeting.

Its present personnel is as follows:—

The Chairman is Mr. Burke, who is also Chairman of Kedron Amateur Racing Club, and Chairman of Directors of Brisbane Amusements,