CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB.

Press, Volume XL, Issue 5830, 21 May 1884, Page 2

CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB.

The general meeting of the Canterbury JcSdkey Club was held at their rooms on -"Eaeisday, May 13th. Mr WynnWilliams, was in the chair. There was a Rdbd attendance of members.

The Hon. Ttessurer, Mr G. G. Stead, read his repoit/ and balance sheet of the proceedings fqr the past year as follows :— In presenting the balance sheet anditatementof receipts arid expenditure'for the past season, 1 have pleasure' in drawing your attention to the satisfactory financial position the Club has now attained. Upon eference to ..the balance sheet it will be eeen that there is now a credit balance of £8 03 9d against a debit balance of £3188 12s 5d due at the last annual meeting—an improvement in the Club's position during the year amounting to £2196 13s 2d, which is the more satisfactory as it has not been gained by reducing the stakes. On comparing the receipts and expenditure with the two previous years, it will be found that £7710 3s has been paid away in stakes during the past season, again-.t £6676 83 and £4974 14s respectively for the preceding years, a ratio of increase which cannot but be satisfactory both to the club and to the public. The receipts from members' subscriptions have increased £31 103. but the subscriptions from the general public have fallen off £77 9s. Nominations and acceptances show an increase of £339 10a, and the revenue from the totalisators £805 6s 2d. On the other hand, the receipts from the railway have decreased £276 103, and from the booths £233 133, while the general expenses, attendance, and keeping the training gallops in order have increased £188 193 Id. A reference to the profit and loss account will ehowthat a profit of £1538 13s 5d was made on the Spring Meeting, and £306 13s 5d on the Autumn Meeting, against a small loss of £73 9s 10d on the New Tear's Day Meeting. Being now out of debt, with a steadily increasing revenue, the Club will no doubt see its way to make a considerable addition to the stakes during the ensuing season, a policy which will certainly be thoroughly appreciated by owners, and will also make our meetings still more attractive to the general public. The wisdom of holding a New Year's Day Meeting still continues to be criticised. It is true that the two meetings already held have Ehown a slight loss, but the loss on the last was so trifling that we may fairly expect as they grow in favor they will more than pay their way, so that we are warranted in looking upon them as permanent fixtures for the future. In fact, it has been suggested by several owners that we should have a two days' meeting instead of one. The incoming Committee will doubtless find an increased expenditure necessary upon the training gallops, and they may also find it advisable to erect an additional number of scraping sheds, in order to meet the growing requirements of trainers, as the number of horses at work show a very large annual increase, which necessitates the providing further accommodation. A plan of the course has been prepared during the past season, which will enable the Committee, with your permission, to lay down a plantation to partially surround the running ground. This would be an ornament to the course, as well as an improvement that should be appreciated by the public. A background of this nature is much wanted in order to throw the horses into bolder relief when running on the far side of the course. The balance due for the erection of the grand stand having now been cleared off, I may be pardoned for referring to the several works that have been carried out and paid for in full by the Club during the past eight years. I will be within the recollection of members that the new wooden stand and horse boxes were built in 1876, at an outlay of £1194 15s 6d; also that the branch railway was projected in the same year, and constructed in 1878 at a cost of £300111s sd; while the new Grand Stand was erected in 1881 at a csat of £5975 7s Bd. The new shilling stand was completed in 18S3, costing £36119310 d; while several new training gallops 'have been laid down during the same period. All these works, as I have said, have now been fully paid for, and as the financial arrangements in connection with them were carried through by the aid of a number of members, who made themselves personally responsible for the money advanced, you will doubtless agree, now that their liability has ceased, that they are entitled to a cordial vote of thanks. I may also remind you that during tho construction of these works Mr Henry Lance devoted a considerable amount of time and attention to them; and. apart from what was due to him as one of the guarantors, he has fairly earned the special thanks of the Club for the active and valuable assistance he then rendered. Mr Stead the moved the adoption of the above, which was carried unanimously. The T-Beasttrkr further stated that the guarantee—the last of a series which had been current in the last eight years—for a sum of £3000 had been paid off, and he had much pleasure in handing in the cancelled document. [Cheera.] Mr C. H. Williams moved, Mr J. B. Gbesson seconded, and it was unanimously carried—" That a vote of thanks be accorded to the guarantors of the fund out of which had been defrayed the cost of the improvements to the grand stand, alterations to the course, construction of railway, &c. A similar compliment was paid to Mr H. P. Lance for his services to the Club, and to the Treasurer and Auditor. On the motion of Mr C. H. Williams, Messrs J. Brabazon, C. H. Williams, P. Campbell, F. Cotton, and J. B. Gresson were appointed a Handicapping Committee. It was resolved that the Handicapping Committee shall be considered, from this date, as officers of the Club. Mr Michael Studholme was appointed Judge; Mr G.- G. Stead, Treasurer ; Mr J. Dundas, Clerk of the Course; Mr S. Garforth, Clerk of the Scales, and Mr P. Campbell, Starter. Mr Stead earnestly desired to be excused from further office. He had been Treasurer for eleven years, and nosy that the Club was free from debt he really thought some other member might be induced to relieve him. General regret was expressed at Mr Stead's announcement, and after some discussion he said he would consent to hold office for another year on condition that the Club recognised the services of Mr Cook, who, with the exception of the financing, which had been little trouble, had done all the clerical work attaching to the office. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Cook, with the understanding that the Committee consider the awarding some more substantial token of the CluVs appreciation of his services. The following were appointed Committee and Stewards for the following year:—J. D. Frankish, L. Harper, C. Hawdon,H. H. Prins, W. Reeves, H. A. Scott, L. Walker, H. Wynn-Williams, A. C. Wilson, J. C. Wason, J. Brabazon, and H. D. Lance. Stewards—J. Brabazon, P. Campbell, J. D. Frankish, S. Garforth, J. B. Gresson, F. Kimbell, R. M. Morten, H. H. Prins, W. Reeves, G. G. Stead, H. Wynn-Williams, C. H. Williams and A. C. Wilson. The following new members were elected:—E. Ellworthy, A. C. Preston, M. J. Godby, J. Struthers Williams, M. H. Davis, E. H. Quickc, A. Bhodes and C. S. Wainman. The question of alteration in the lease from the Trustees of the Eacecourse to the Clnb was relegated to the Committee with power to act. A vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman and the meeting terminated.