THE TURF.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 208, 16 June 1936, Page 6

THE TURF.

METHVEN TROTTING CLUB. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The annual meeting of the Methven Trotting Club' was held in the Methven Town Hall on Monday evening, the president (Mr S. G. Holmes) presided over a large attendance. The report congratulated members on the successful year the club had passed through. At the annual race meeting on October 5, nominations totalled 188 as against 191 for the previous year. The totalisator handled £8628 (£B6IO 10s) and the gate takings were £203 12s 6d (£177 2s 6d), an increase of £l7 10s and £26 10s respectively. The club’s anticipation of getting an extra permit last season was not rea Used, but with the proposed issue of extra trotting permits by the Government, an extra day’s racing seemed assured. Prior to the'annual race meeting the old looseboxes were removed to a new site and 3o> new boxes were constructed. The Secretary’s office was removed and an open steward’s stand was constructed on top and the saddling paddock was considerably enlarged. Substantial repairs were effected to the grandstand and during the coming season the work is to be completed. The total cost of the work was £479 19s lOd. In addition the Holmes Avenue and Mount Hutt’ Road frontages were fenced and planted with trees at a cost of £BO Ids 3d.

The financial position of the club, in View of this expenditurerwa‘s satisfactory, and. with an additional permit the bank overdraft would soon be liquidated. With a View to creating a fund for the extinction of the mortgage a life policy for £2OOO was taken out on the life of a member. This will cost approximately £93 165 8d yearly, and in 20 years the club will be in a position to liquidate its liabilities‘

During the year the training track was reconditioned and? was now in good order. The club had been fortunate im- obtaining a fine silver cup of unique deSlgn donated by Mr J. Campbell, to be allotted to the winner of the next Methven Cup. It had also received from Mr F. .1". Brosnan a gold-mounted Whip. The balance-sheet showed the following principal items :—Receipts: Credit balance £2Ol 10s 4d, subscriptions £165 17s, nominations and acceptances £458, totalisator receipts amd rebates £1628 83, gate money £203 12s 6d, debit balance £139 12:; 3d. Expenditure: Stake money (less st'ake tax) £964 ss, taxes £825 14s 4d, salaries and race day officials £llß 0s sd, plant, buildings and improvement £479 195 10d. The statement of assets and liabilities showed a balance of aSSets over liabilities of £2749 4s 4d. The election of officers resulted:-—’ President, Mr S. G. Holmes; Vicepresidents, Mr T. S. Harrison and Mr H. Green; honorary treasurer, Mr H. Green; honorary auditor, Mr Stanley Smith 3 committee, Messrs C. Goodwin, F. S. McDonald, R. D. Millar, L. L. Richards, A. E. Henderson, S. G. Lemon, J. H. McKendry, J . McCloy, G. Kelly, J. Campbell, J. McAnulty, S. M. Jackman, J. ‘Wootton and J. Manger. A suggestion was brought forward that the 1% miles races should he in—creased to one mile and five furlongs, or one mile and, 100 yards to avoid starting too close to the bend. A recommendation that the incoming committee consider this matter was carried.

A vote Cf thanks was accorded the outgoing officials and committeeme-n, the secretary and staff, to the honorary treasurer (Mr H. Green) and the honorary auditor (Mr Stanley Smith).