CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7870, 22 May 1891, Page 6

CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

The annual general meeting of the members of the C.J.C. was held at 4 p.m. yesterday. Present—Messrs Wynn Williams (President), W, G. Rhind, G. F. Martin, Bullick, P. Cunningham, F. Strouts, S. Saunders, P. Donald, J. Connal, B. Lane, J. Anderson, jun., F. J. Kimbell, R. D. Thomas, Pitman, Studholme, G. G. Stead, C. H. Williams, A. Carrick. S. Garforth, R. W. Morten, Hon. E. Parker, Hon. J. T. Peacock, Dr. Levinge. Messrs J. Connal and A. Carrick were appointed as scrutineers of the ballot for new members, and for the Committee, &c, for the ensuing season. The following gentlemen were elected a3 members of the Club, viz. :—Dr. Lomax Smith, Messrs A Otterson, H. R. Parker, F. H. Pvne, G. Gould, W. Spring, Thos. Bassett, E. W. Roper, F. C. Tabart, M. C. Studholme.

The balance sheet, which has already been published, was taken as read. Mr G. G. Stead, Hon. Treasurer, said: —In moving the adoption of the balance sheet and statement of receipts and expenditure, I have pleasure in referring to the satisfactory accounts which are now placed before you. On reference to the figures, it will be seen that during the year the Club has reduced its debit balance from £958 5s 8d to £416 3s 3d. and this despite the fact that the total disbursements have increased from £10,486 19s lid to £11,061 12s lOd. A brief glance at the expenditure will show that the added money for the six days' racing and one day's steeplechasing amounted to £8695 15s, as against £7775 for the previous season, or the satisfactory increase of £920 15s. It will, however, be noticed that the general expenses account has increased from .£2BO Is 9d to -3451 4s Id, the increase being due to such items as the honorarium to the handicapper and travelling expenses, removing the old shilling stand, &c The account for advertising ana printing also has increased from £150 12s 3d to £218 12s lOd, due mainly to the expenses entailed in initiating the New Challenge Stakes of £2000. While on the subject of expenditure, it may be interesting to compare the net amount given in stakes with the total cost of providing them. The gross amount of added money was £8695 15s; deduct 5 per cent, commission and £1100 paid by owners for nomination and entrance fees, and it may be seen that the net sum paid to owners was .£7161. Upon reference to the balance-sheet you will observe that the disbursements for salaries, attendants, advertising and general expenses were £1548 2s 3d, consequently the expenses incurred in providing the stakes were nearly 22 per cent. On the side of the receipts, members' subscriptions show a slight decrease of 4215 15s, but nominations and acceptances have increased from £1012 to £1100, and the race receipts, including entrances to the grounds, from £1914 0s 6d to £2078 8s 6d. The sales of privileges, however, show a falling off from £414 5s 3d to £32112s 6d, from which it is reasonable to assume that the purchasers of these privileges must have done well during the past season. The net proceeds of the totalisator also have increased from £4261 15s 3d to £4818 3s, bringing up the grand total of the receipts to £11,603 15s 3d, as against £10,967 5s 5d for the previous year. On turning to the profit and loss account, it will be seen that the profit on the four ~ meetings held during 1890-1891 was £859 lis Bd. In fact, each meeting has left more or less of a margin in the Club's favor, which may be taken as a fair indication that the Committee has now adapted all the meetings to the requirements of the public. It may be interesting to note here that in. the past season the gross added money averaged slightly over £1242 for the eight days, and as £815 per diem is the best average for any other Club in the colony it is reasonable to assume that it is to our "classic races" we are indebted for enabling us to keep up this high average. Passing on to the alterations completed and in progress, I may mention that during the year the old shilling stand has been removed, as it was considered no longer safe, but the timber will be available for many useful purposes. The Committee have commenced several important alterations, the chief of which, is the new totalisator house, on a plan proposed by our Secretary. The new house is to be built in a Line with the fence running from the present Press stand to the course. It will be put up in two sections under one roof and will be available for the outside public as well as for the'occupiers of the Grand Stand. The principal feature,, however, is that there will be one grand total for both the inside and outside machines, an improvement which should be much appreciated by all race-goers. In order to make room for the new house the present Press stand will be removed to the east of the grand stand, whilst the old totalisator house will be turned into a hat and cloak room, &c. It was also intended to alter the five furlong start, so as to enable the horses to get a straight run of some distance before making their first turn, but unfortunately it was found that it would be necessary to cut down some of the trees to effect the proposed alterations, and as it would be a pityto do this, the five furlong start will nave to remain where it is. During the year the new Challenge Stakes, of 2000 soys, has been initiated, to be first run in the Autumn meeting of 1893. The fact that ninety foals, eighty-eight yearlings, and forty two-year-olds have been nominated, may be taken as undoubted evidence that the new race is appreciated by owners. I may say that one or two other alterations in the programme are contemplated, which will, I trust, be similarly appreciated by owners. It will, I am sure, be gratifying to members to notice the large number of candidates that are proposed for election to-day, and it is to be hoped that this is an earnest of what we may look forward to in the future. In fact, your Committee have been endeavoring in every reasonable way to popularise the Club, and to enable it to maintain its place in the front rank of Metropolitan clubs. After two years' negotiations your Committee have succeeded in arranging with the Railway Commissioners for the reduction of the fares to the racecourse. The arrangement come to was that the Government rates should be reduced by one-third, and the rates on the C.J.C. line by onehalf. This undoubtedly reduces the Club's revenue very considerably, but your Committee deemed that it was in the interest of the public that the cost of getting to the course should be reduced to a minimum, and our experience so far has shown that the step was in the right direction. It will be in your recollection that at our last annual meeting it was decided to alter the date of our Midsummer races, so as not to clash with the Auckland Summer Meeting, and it was hoped that the Auckland Jockey Club would Bee their way to alter the date of their Spring Meeting so as not to clash with ours. So far our Northern friends have not made the desired alteration, but it is to be hoped that they will yet see their way to bring about this much needed change, as it is manifestly to the interest of both Clubs that their Spring Meetings should not interfere with each other. During the year, your Committee have been in communication with other Metropolitan Clubs with a view to calling the attention of the Colonial Secretary to the rapid increase of private clubs. A letter has been prepared, and is now being signed by the Presidents of the Metropolitan Clubs in New Zealand, which when completed will be forwarded to Wellington. The chief object of this letter is to point out that the metropolitan clubs have no desire to see undue restrictions placed on trotting associations, carried on purely for sport, and for the purpose of improving the breed of trotters. At the same time it urges that the granting of facilities for the use of the totalisator to proprietary clubs, formed for the pecuniary advantage of the promoters, will undo the good which has resulted from the restrictions hitherto imposed by the metropolitan clubs. It suggests that a limit should be placed upon the number of such meetings, in each district, so as to check proprietary clubs being formed by promoters whose main object is to prostitute the totalisator revenue for personal gain. It further points out that already there are five proprietary clubs within a radius of six miles of one town, and that if each of these clubis permitted by the relaxation of the totalisator rules to hold four two-days meetings per annum, it would meanvforty days given up to trotting each year within such district, whereas tbe local metropolitan racing club providesonly six days'racing, consideringthat ample for the amusement of the public The letter concludes with stating that so : far from the Metropolitan Clubs wishing to

interfere with the operations of any Trotting Association carried on solely in the interests of sport, they are sincerely anxious to work in harmony with them. I cannot conclude without referring to the loss the Club has suffered through the death of three prominent members during the past year, more especially as they were all warmly interested in its welfare and progress. The late Hon, W T . Reeves in particular was a member of some thirty years' standing, and many of us well recollect him when filling the office of Hon. Treasurer some twenty-five years ago. From then almost up to the •f his death he was one of the Clubs stewards. Mr Gresson also rendered valuable service, both as a Handicapper and Committee-man, whilst Mr Caro never failed to offer practical suggestions at our general meetings. Their places will not easily be filled. I have now to move the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Hon. E. Parker seconded the motion, which was carried. The next business was the proposed alteration of rule 8, which provided for the members having two ladies' tickets of admission to the grand stand. The Chairman moved—"That the words ' with two ladies' be struck out, and the following words added :— ' Such ladies' tickets snail be issued to members and subscribers as the Committee may decide.' " Mr Bullick was strongly in favor of the proposal. Mr Studholme thought it would be desirable to limit the number of tickets. He would move—"That not less than two nor more than four tickets be issued to members only." Mr C. H. Williams seconded this amendment. Mr Stead suggested that the rule should remain as it was now printed, giving the Committee discretionary power to issue extra tickets to members on application. Hon. J. T. Peacock wanted to know what the reason was for wanting to issue two extra tickets. Mr Stead said that the reason was for the popularisation of the Club. Mr Cunningham was of opinion that Mr Stead's suggestion was the right one to adopt. They all knew that for the metropolitan meeting in November they could not issue any extra tickets, but they might do so with advantage at the other meetings. Therefore, he thought the Committee would be the best persons to have the power to issue the extra tickets. Dr. Prins was of opinion that the proposal of Mr Stead would meet the case. After some further discussion, the following resolution was moved by Mr Stead, and seconded by Mr Donald :—" That the Committee have power to issue for any race meetings extra ladies' tickets on application, not exceeding two, to members only." Mr Stead pointed out that members of the Committee travelling about could not shut their eyes to the fact that the Dunedin and Auckland Clubs were liberal in this matter, with the result that the Club 3 became popular. He thought if the C.J.C. adopted this resolution it would be for the benefit of the Club. Mr G. F. Martin said the experiment had been tried here, and had proved successful. He thought, therefore, that the Club should continue the system of giving extra ladies' tickets. Hon. J. T. Peacock moved as an amendment—"That the words 'on application' be struck out." Dr. Levinge seconded the amendment, which was carried. The resolution was then put and carried as follows:—"That the Committee may issue at their discretion two extra ladies' tickets forany race meeting." ' The election of officers for the forthcoming season resulted as follows :—Stewards— Messrs G. H. Clifford, P. Cunningham, L. Harper, F. J. Kimbell, J. D. Lance, G. F. Martin, R. M. Morten, H. H. Prins, T. Teschemaker, L. Walker, H. Wynn-Wil-liams and Hon. E. W. Parker. Committee —Messrs G. H. Clifford, P. Dcnald, S. Garforth, R. M. Morten, H. H. Pitman, H. H. Prins, W. G. Rhind, J. Studholme, P.. D. Thomas, C. Hood Williams, C. B. Winter, H. Wynn-Williams and Hon. E. W. Parker In Rule 17 it was proposed to strike out the words " clerk of the course." On a division the motion was lost, and the words were retained. Mr G. G. Stead was re-elected as Honorary Treasurer, Mr Tabart as Judge, and Mr T. Acland as Clerk of the Scales. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to the Hon. Treasurer, Mr G. G. Stead, and to the Auditor, Mr Carrick. The meeting then adjourned.