Sporting.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 379, 13 August 1903, Page 5

Sporting.

ALEXANDRA JOCKEY CLUB. The annual meeting of the Alexandra Jockey Club was held in the Criterion Hotel on Tuesday evening, when there was a large attendance of members, between 30 and 40 being present. The president (Mr J. D. Buchanan) occupied the chair, The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed, on the motion of Mr Grimstone, seconded by Mr Laidlaw. The balance-sheet, showing a credit balance of £95 18s 3d, was read. The president congratulated the Club on the healthy financial position as shown by the balance-sheet. The Club commenced the year with a credit balance of .£73 12s 8d (including £l9 10s, arrears of nominations, which bad been paid during the year), and in ; addition to the profit shown by the balance-sheet there were arrears of nominations, for last race-meeting, to the extent of £l4 10s still owing, all of which were considered good. The Club thus really had a credit balance of £llO odd, so that it would be seen that last year's race-meeting had resulted in a profit of over £36, which was very satisfactory considering the large amount given away in stakes. It was resolved that, before the election of office-bearers was proceeded with, the question as to where the next race-meeting was to be held should be first decided. The chairman explained that, in response to a request from the Club, the Minister of Lands had agreed to declare an area of about 60 acres on the site of the Alexandra race-course, as a recreation reserve, which would be vested in trustees under the Domains Act, and that the Minister had stated that the Commissioner of Crown Lands had been instructed to give effect to the proposal. A telegram was also read from the Commissioner stating that he expected that the reserve would be gazetted shortly, subject to survey. Considerable discussion took place on the question as to whether the races should be held on the Alexandra course or on the old Dunstan course., Several speakers expressed the opinion that, with a trifling expenditure, and the assistance of irrigation, the Alexandra course could be made quite as good, as the Dunstan course, or even better; and, in view of the fact, that; they would shortly. have a title to the ground, it was adviseable - that the work of improving the ground should be commenced as early as possible. Mr Beck moved, and Mr Cameron seconded—That the races be held on the old Dunstan course. As an amendment, Mr Marslin proposed, and Mr Geddes seconded— That the races be held on the Alexcourse. ■ Mr Laidlaw thought that some inquiry should first be made as to the possibility of getting the track in a fit state for racing, and he moved as a further amendment—That consideration of the matter be postponed meantime and that a committee be appointed to inspect the course and report to a future meeting. On being submitted to the meeting, Mr Marslin's motion was carried by an overwhelming majority. A vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring president for his past efforts on behalf of the Club. The election of office-bearers was then proceeded with. On the motion of Mr T. P. Beck, seconded by Mr Bringans, Mr J. D. Buchanan was unanimously re-elected president.

Other office-bearers were elected as follows:—Vice-presidents, Messrs T. P. Beck and S. Cameron ; judge, Mr John Butler; starter, Mr J. Harley ; clerk of course, Mr J. Nieper; clerk of totalisator, Mr J. Smith ; clerk of scales, Mr 0. J. M'lntosh; timekeeper, Mr D. Bringans ; hon. treasurer, Mr W. S. Laidlaw ; hon. auditor, Mr L. B. Grimstone; hon. surgeons, Drs Gregg and Hyde; handicapper, Mr J. Paget; stewards, all members. Mr L Byan was unanimously reelected secretary. It was reaolved, on the motion of Mr G. Bivers, seconded by Mr Sanders, that a protest committee, consisting of six members and the president, be appointed to deal with protests. Nine nominations were received, and on a ballot being taken, the following were declared duly elected :—Messrs D. Bringans, S. Cameron, W. S. Laidlaw, G. Bivers, T. P. Beck, and S. Spain. The protest committee were empowered to appoint patrols for each race. On the motion of Mr Bringans, seconded by Mr Laidlaw, it was resolved that the next race-meeting be held on Friday, 18th December. An amendment that tfie races be held on Saturday, 19th December, was lost. Mr Bivers proposed that the total amount to be given in stakes be .£265 —the same as last year.—Seconded by Mr Bringans. As an amendment, Mr Pitches proposed and Mr Geddes seconded—That the amount of stakes be £275. On being put to the meeting, Mr Bivers' motion was declared carried. Mr Laidlaw moved, and Mr Beck seconded—That the president,. secretary, Messrs Paget, S Cameron, and G Bivers be appointed a programme committee to draft a programme and submit same to an adjourned meeting of the club.—Carried. It was resolved that the following be appointed a Ground Committee : Messrs Marslin, Kieper, Young,

Fraser, Beck, Rivers, Cameron, M'lntosh, and Jas Rivers, jun. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Laidlaw, seconded by Mr J E Thompson, that the printing and advertising be done by the Alexandra Hkkamj on the same terms as formerly. An amendment, moved by Mr Cameron and seconded by Mr Sanders, that tenders be called for the work, was lost. It was resolved that the meeting stand adjourned till Friday, 28th August, The president intimated that at the next meeting, in addition to considering the programme, the question of purchasing a totalisator would come up for'discussion. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the meeting.