CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13744, 27 May 1910, Page 8

CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB.

ANNUAL .MEETING. The annual meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club was held yesterday afternoon, when there were present: — Messrs A. Boyle (chairman). H. J. Beswiek. J. D. Hall, H. Quane, F. S. Neave. C. W. Reid, N. G. V. Hanmcr, C. G. Dalgety, J. F. Rolleston, and G. 1;. Greenwood. The Chairman, in formally moving the adoption of the report and balancesheet (a precis of which has already been published), said that, although not able to place before the members a be lance-sheet quite equal to that of last year, he had the honour of being able to show that the club was in a very ficurisliing condition. Compared with last year, nil sources of revenue, wTth tbe exception of the totalisator and bookmakers, had held their own. Hookmakers showed a small decrease, and the totalisator, owing to £5000 less having been invested and the fact that the increased accommodation had eories*roudingly increased the working charges, was about less than last season. On the expenditure side there was not a great deal of difference. St;ike.s had been increased by £2100, and taxation was more, as, for instance, at the Plaster Meeting last quarter, tne stamp duty paid amounted to £174 lis od, while this year it totalled £692 8s 3. There would, of course, we a much larger increase in taxation in the future, as they had only experienced the effect of'the amendments to the Gaming and Stamp Duties Act at that one meeting. Assuming the revenue remained the same, it was anticipated the t-ix would be mire than iv 1909. The new stand and improvements account included the building of the new members' stand over the stand in the shilling enclosure, the totalisator house, the"caretaker's cottage, and the people's open stand in the shilling enclosure. Ihe new stand, he thought, was admitted to be a great boon io both members and the public. The extra charge of 2s 6d at the Grand .\ational and Spring Meetings had been imposed purely to prevent overcrowding, and not tor the purpose of obtaining increased revenue. The whoio of the buildings, railings, etc., had been painted at a cost of £550, and the water supply had been connected with the main entrance and gardens adjoini"" r, at.v it had also been found necessa.y to connect the new buildings with the fresh water supply. The rates, taxes, anel insurance account was more than double, but the committee had considered it advisable to insure the buildings to their full insurable.valuo. Over £300 had been spent on work tho committee considered advisable, and for this purpose labour had been obtained Irom the ranks of-tlie unemployed, which to a certain extent must have alleviated their, difficulties during last winter. Notwithstnding the large expenditure during the year, the actual cash balance was under £1000 less than in 1909. Tlie committeo had shifted the draught horse stables t.i tho other side of the club's privato railway siding, thus doing away with what more or less'was an eyesore, the space that was so occupied being now grassed and planted. Tho improvements now m hand were the erection of some more scraping sheds, which the committee considered were badly needed. A slight alteration had been made in the five furlong course, which alteration, he hoped, would prevent the crowding towards the point where this course joins tho course proper. The Course Committeo had also under consideration the possibility of making a | new six furlong course, the home turn jon the old course having been the cause of more than one serious accident in short raco'v. Members would no demfat have noticed that no charge for entering the course was mado for cabs or carriages at the last' meeting, the committee ruling that as no charge was made for motor-cars, it was unfair that other vehicles'should be taxed. The grounds of the. club had been used. on a good many/occasions by societies, schools, etc., for tho purpose of holding gatherings and'picnics, and although not exactly an ideal spot; it had adequately answered the requirements, vvhilo no damage to the club's property had been sustained. The committee considered that if the revenue remained satisfactory there would be no necessity at pre.oiit for reducing t.tnkcs, hut it must be home in mind that the increased taxation would not leave a great margin for further increases in stakes or for further improvements. In fact, it would be necessary to proceed with very great caution. The licensed bookmakers had, he was glad to say, fulfilled their obligations during the seae.r.n in a satisfactory manuer. and it was most gratifying for the club to find itself in tho position in which, by tlu recent appeal aguirst un-.egister_>i bookmakers, the law had placed it. Mr Wanklyn had, as usual, carried out. his' duties with every credit, and it was unnecessary to tell members that unless the conduct" and business of the club was overlooked by an efficient officer and staff ;|. would not long remain in its present satisfactory condition. During tha season tha fields -it ouch meeting had been exceptionally good, the result of Mr Henrys's handicapping. It was needless to edd that as handicipper Mr Henrys had the committee's entire confidence. Mr Haitgill had also carried .tit the responsible duties of judge most efficiently and conscientiously. The caretakeri Mitchell, during the past year, had also done his work to .he committee's entire ratisfaction. The members would, he felt sure, have retired the many alterations for the better that.had taken place under Mitchell'*-j supervision, in.-l creditably carried out j ivy the club's employees. It was with j sincere regret that the Empire had lost j by tlu- death ol liis Majesty King Ed- ! ward VII. a gracious Sovereign, beloved by all his subjects, one of the best supporters of the Turf, and a breeder of highest-class sto-.-k. . His, many famous Turf victories were invariably roceivod with truo'British enthusiasm. They had also to deplore *.he great loss the club had sustained by the death of Mr R. M. Morten, who became a member in tho early sixties, and also by the death of Mr T. A. Bnllicfe. Both gentlemen always took a very groat interest in racing, and had also served their part in the management of the club. Mr Wardrop resigned from the committee on his .leaving for Australia and his place has been filled by Mr. Richard Allen The motion was seconded by Mr Dalgety and carried unanimously.

Tlie . following officers were reelected :— Stewards:—"Messrs A. Boyle, C. G. Dalgety, G. Gould, J. Grigg. H. A. Knight. B. L. Lane, J. B. Reid. R. Heaton Rhodes, D. Rutherford. G. B. Starky, E. C. Studkohne, T. Tcschcmo kcr. Committee—Messrs A. Boyle (chairman), L. D. Acland. Richard Allen, J. F. Buchanan, C. G. Dalgctv, G. Gould,.J. D. Hall, B. L. I.nne, It. M. Macdonald. C. P. Murray-Avnslev, H. Quane, C. W. Reid, C. Hood* Williams, F. H. Pyne (hon treasurer). The following new member., were elected:—Messrs T. Biacklev (Rakaia), 11. Cotterill (Christclmr_h). H. M. Dampier-Crossky (Hawarden), 1). V. Deunehy (Christchurch), W. Fox f.Omihi), A. Hill (Christchurch), S. K. Hunt (Christchurch), S. C. Jaggar (Christchurch.. E. G. Kerr (Tirnnru), J. F. Stiidholme (Ruanui), and J. S. Thomson (Winchester). On the motion of Mr Rolleston a Learty vote ot thanks was accordrd the president and committee for their services in the past year, Mr Holiest.n remarking that he did not think the public realised the large amount or

time that had to be devoted to tho '. work of the club by those gentlemen. '- In reply to a question raised by oiw - member present, the Chairman * ' tliat the practice of imposing penalties automatically on horses in subsequent events after they had won weight-for-age events was to be considcnxTby tho '' commit tee.