CLICK HERE TO GO TO TIME LINE

INTERNATIONAL HISTORY

In 1908 when Ford introduced the Model T, less than 200,000 people in the US owned cars. Five years later 250,000 people owned Model T's alone.

Jack Johnson becomes the first negro heavyweight boxing champion.

LOCAL HISTORY

Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton is farewelled from Lyttleton.

Fire destroys a central-city block.

The Theatre Royal opens.

Work begins on the Summit Road.

Credit: Ch-Ch City Libraries

RACING HISTORY PRESIDENTS: NZMTC

Mr Victor Harris died early this morning, after a short but painful illness. The deceased gentleman had been intimately associated with the turf since the early eighties, and more particularly with trotting. He was for nine years president of the Lancaster Park Trotting Association previous to the amalgamation of that body, in 1899, with the Canterbury Trotting Club. After the establishment of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club Mr. Harris was its president for several years. Mr Harris was initiated into the Canterbury Masonic Lodge some twenty years ago, and has for a great number of years been in business m Christchurch, where he was well respected by a largeo circle of friends. Mr Harris, who was in his forty fourth year, leaves a wife, a grown-up son and a daughter. The funeral will take place to-morrow afternoon.


Credit: Star 17 Dec 1908

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1908 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

The running of this Cup was notable for several reasons, not the least of which was the reintroduction of bookmakers (30 on Cup day) following a change to the Gambling Act which prohibited the publication of dividends until 1950 and the arrival of the TAB.

It also marked the arrival of Harry Nicholl as a hugely successful breeder-owner and later highly influental administrator and his private trainer-driver Andy Pringle, who would combine to be a major force in features for decades.

Nicoll named Durbar Lodge after his first Cup winner. After importing Wrack, he bred and raced another one in Wrackler in 1930. Wrack also sired three-time champion Indianapolis.

Credit: NZ HRWeekly 1Oct03

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1908 NEW ZEALAND CUP HANDICAP

The New Zealand Cup Handicap, as the leading event was again known in 1908, was a 4:48 class and the stake was £500. "Enormous crowds attended on Show Day to see the New Zealand Cup," said one writer, "and by two o'clock the spectators were densely packed..."

At this time the Gaming Bill made the publication of dividends unlawful. "The Referee" had the following report: "Excitment reached a high pitch...Durbar won comfortably from Terra Nova in 4:36. Durbar was owned by Mr H F Nicoll and trained and driven by A Pringle..."



Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 25Oct44