WESTLAND R.C.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19112, 22 September 1927, Page 12

WESTLAND R.C.

ANNUAL MEETING. (SPECIAL TO THE PF.ESS.) GREYMOUTH, September 21,

The annual meeting of the Westland Racing Club was held at Hokitika last evenih", when Mr W. E. Williams (president) occupied the chair. There were also present: Messrs W. A. Thompson, R. Lynn, J. p ea ke, C. Neville, F. McGregor, If. Butlaud, T. W. Bruce, It. Whiley, J. J. Mcintosh, J. Stafford A. W. Yarrall, \V. Hall, W. Jamieson, W V Jamieson, M. Houston, C. J. Seller?, J J Breeze, H. T. Parry, I>. J. Evans, and Drs! Teichelmann and Mandl.

The annual report stated that for the financial year just closed a profit of £BS was revealed. For the previous five seasons losses had been incurred, and i; could only be hoped that the tide had now turned, and better fortune was in store. The previous year there had been a marked fallingoff in the totalisator, a drop of over £4IOO from £20.849 to £22,709. The year just closed showed some recovery, the turnover fot the year being £20,707," an increase of £IOSB. During the past ten years £201,504 were put through the totalisator, so that' the annual average had been £20,150. The highest turnover in the period had been £25,472 in 1920-21, and the lowest £16,314 in .1917-1918, when only one Meetinr 'was held.. During the, year the ten-shilling totalisator was opened, and gave much satisfaction to patrons. The rebate on totalisator duty, £250, was received, and the amount spent in useful improvements. The widening of the straight had now been completed, and after the autumn Meeting it was proposed fo move the outside fence back, and take in the new ground which had been turfed and drained. The receipts for the year totalled ,£4G67 15s, the debit balance for the year was £lOls 12s 9d, as against £l7os 18s lOd the previous year, the total expenditure was £4582 8s lid. and the profit and loss account for the year thus showed a credit balance for the period of £BS Gs Id. Tho club's liabilities stood at £4991 12s, and the assets at £5891 4s. The Government taxation for the year was £1940 i!s 8(1, of which dividends and owners provided £llßs 12s, being a charge of £7GO lis 8d against the club's funds.

The report was adopted. The secretary, Mr L>. J. Evans, gave some interesting figures of the club's operations over tho past ten years, and referred generally to the fortunes of tho club. He submitted a' proposal with regard to the Christmas Meeting, that to ensure better fields the number of races be cut down to seven, or an •alternate suggestion that a local race be substituted as an eighth event. This matter was discussed at some length, and .eventually it was decided to adopt the suggestion referring to tho seven-events programme. A further suggestion by Mr Evans to race on Easter Thursday, instead of Easter Wednesday, to enable Canterbury supporters to cross over after the Easter C.J.C. Meeting, and so strengthen the fields, was also discussed, and referred to the committee for further consideration. The following committee was elected:— Messrs' W. E. Williams, C. J. P. Sellers, H. Butland, It. Wliiley, J. J. Mcintosh, P. McGregor, M. Houston, A. W. Yarrall, C. S. Neville, R. Adamson,. and D. J. Evans. A motion was carried approving the proposals of the Gaming Act Amendment, and thanking the Prime Minister for the facilities given for the consideration of the Bill this session. Officers wero elected as follows:—-Patrons, tho Hon Mr Mialiel, M.L.G., Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P.: president. Mr W. E. Williams; lion, judge. Mr R. Whiley; hon. deputyjudge. Mr H. ,T. Parry: stewards, Messrs W. E, Williams (chairman), I. McGregor (deputy-chairman), C. S. Neville, ('■ J. P. Sellers, R. Adamson, R. Whiley, H. J J. Mcintosh, M. 11. Houston, A. W, Yarrall, and D. J. Evans; secretary and treasurer Mr D. J. Evans; hon. surgeons, Drs. h. Teichelman, J. Baird, H. M. Buchanan, and G. L Mandl; starter, Mr R. Hatch; liandicapper, Mr J Noble (Reefton); timekeepers, "Messrs J J Mcintosh, M. 11. Houston, and J.>oble; eate steward, Mr W. A. Jannejon; judicial committee. Messrs Williams, Mclntosh, Mcgregor, Houston, and Whiley, clerk of course Mr F. Fane; hon. clerk of scales, Mr A W Yarrall; hon. deputy-clerk of scales, Mr C* J. P. Sellers; birdcage steward, Mr j Breeze; totalisator steward, Mr J. Tho stakes \vill total £loOO.