AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 188, 11 August 1930, Page 9

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

THE ANNUAL MEETING.

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

DETERIORATION OF JUMPERS

The annual meeting of the Auckland Racing Club was held in the Chamber of Commerce this afternoon, the president, Sir Edwin Mitchelson, presiding over a large attendance of members.

In moving tlieVadoptioii of the annual report and balance-sheet the president said that he had much pleasure in .congratulating .members-on the success of last season's operations, which resulted in a.surplus of £13,90!) 19/5. As mentioned in the report, after allowing for depreciation, £12,070 11/0,- there remained a balance of £3839 7/11 to be added to capital account, which now stood at. £124,750 15/7. During.the year £59,000 was provided by the club in prize money, while owners contributed £340 iii sweepstakes, No improvements, of any magnitude were undertaken during the year, the work carried out at Ellcrslie being mainly ordinary maintenance and the i'egradmg of the training tracks where necessary. The financial position of the club had in consequence much improved, and if equally good results 'were obtained during the next few years the club might with a certain degree of confidence make a start in carrying out the improvement scheme that was outlined by tho committee a few years ago. The committee; much regretted that the commencement of the addition to the main stand and the erection of the members' new stand had been so long delayed, but the financial stringency prevailing prevented them from proceeding with any large works that involve the club in considerable indebtedness. The committee's prudence in this respect had hcen fully justified under existing conditions, and until moro prosperous times were in sight it was desirable that the existing liabilities should bo cleared before launching any scheme that might very seriously hamper tho club's future operations. The racing at Ellerslie throughout tho year was good, the various events being well contested, and notwithstanding tho inclemency of the weather at two of the meetings the attendances were : quite good. One regrettable feature that he felt he must refer to was. the apparent deterioration in the number as well as class of jumping horses throughout the Dominion. This was particularly noticeable during the winter, the horses not being up to the usual standard, and it should be the care of all racing clubs to see that more encouragement was given to this class, otherwise hurdle racing and steeplechasing would become less and less popular and probably cause a certain loss of interest in the sport. The Auckland District Committee had thought it desirable to take up this matter, and had circularised all clubs in this district with a view to their putting on' a jumping race each day of their meetings to encourage ■ owners to train their horses for this' class of sport, and also give increased opportunity to hurdle horsemen to become more proficient in their calling and be in a position to augment their earnings.