PROFIT ON YEAR

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23086, 31 July 1940, Page 11

PROFIT ON YEAR

TIMARU TROTTING CLUB’S ANNUAL MEETING ELECTIONEERING FOR ' OFFICERS CRITICISED [From Our Own Reporter.] TIMARU, July 30. "I consider that the profit of almost : £240 was fairly satisfactory for the year’s operations,’’ said the retiring president, Mr E. Macdonald, at the an- ■ nual meeting of the Timaru Trotting Club to-night, when moving the adoption of the annual report and bal-ance-sheet. The totalisator turnover amounted to £38,583 10s, he said, and during the year the club had, in conjunction with the South Canterbury Jockey Club and the South Canterbury Hunt, erected an indicator totalisator to be conducted under the management of each club. He did not agree with the proposal that there should be interference with racing during the .war, because of the great disadvantage under which owners, breeders, and others would be placed. The motion was seconded by Mr X. Seaton and carried. The secretary (Mr H. H. Fraser) announced that the ballot for president resulted in the retiring president and Mr A. J. Parris each polling 59 votes, and, in accordance with rule 19 B. the election had been decided by lot, Mr Macdonald being elected. Mr J, Gilmore was elected vice-president. The following were re-elected to the committee: Messrs A. B. Annand, W. Connelly, J. C. South, M. H. Richards, Mr A. C Martin was re-elected auditor. Mr L. G. Cameron said that he disagreed with the practice of issuing circulars regarding elections for club officials and considered that in a sporting body like the club, the elections should be decided on personality. There should be no electioneering. Mr Macdonald said that he was fully in accord with Mr Cameron’s remarks, being very much against electioneering. He had been told that it would look as though he was not interested in the result if be did not issue a circular, but he had chosen otherwise. If he stood again, which ho doubted, he would not issue a circular. Mr Gilmore drew attention to the probability of 40 or 50 horses starting in the Nursery Stakes. Such a field would be much too largo, unless two divisions wore allowed, although the 'conference had decided against divisions. The question was referred to the incoming committee to deal with. After discussion regarding proposals to assist the war effort, it was decided that the club conduct ns many matinee meetings as possible for patriotic purposes and give every assistance to other clubs in that direction, and also endeavour to obtain any loose permits available. TROTTING NOTES Taxation During the 1930-40 season th« Wellington Trotting Club paid i.1f.43b 5s Id in taxation to the Government. Class Sprinters The International Handicap, of a mile and a quarter, 2min 45sec class, to be decided on the opening day of the Now Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting, attracted a nomination of 12 horses, and if all go to : the post it should provide a great race. Several are engaged earlier m the day, but the field is not likely to be re- ; duced much on this account. The field includes most of the horses entitled to start in a Free-for-All, and while Plutus, the back-marker, set to give ’ away 36 yards, appears a Pit out ot , his class judging by His latest form, , the rest of the field is separated by only 24 yards. On the limit Blue Mountain, unless started earlier in the ; day, will be making his first appearance for two years, and ho may be reserved for this race instead of the two miles. Southern Chief has not always begun correctly at Addington, and he may be more reliable in a two miles journey; .but U. Scott gave a taste of I his quality in the Inter-Dominion Championships, and only an injured ; hoof prevented him from carrying on with his good work. Of his brilliance there is not a question, and it is only a matter of a reproduction of his best form to place him on (he winning list. War Buoy will be the second string 1 to Blue Mountain in the L. A. Maidens 1 bracket, but both are possibly past 1 their best anti will find younger horses too good for them. A distinct possi- '< bility is Windsor Lass, a good, consistent marc with a great _ turn of ; speed. The consistent Blair Athol, Lightning Lady, a fast-improving mare, and Pot Luck, who filled a place ■ 12 times this season, represent a particularly fast trio on 12 .yards, while Great Jewel and Mavsceres are already being spoken of ns prospective winners of the New Zealand Cup. Fine Art. who will share the back mark of 36 yards with Plutus, lias been given a judicious soell from racing and he may be all the better for the let up. In his best form he is a great pacer, and 36 yards may not be too-big a handicap for him. The early favourites arc Great Jewel, Pot Luck, and Windsor Lass. A Successful Club The annual meeting of members of the Wellington Trotting Club will be held to-morrow, and the president’s report shows the 1939-40 season to have been one of the most successful on record. The report says:—“ The financial advancement made since the year 1937 has been truly remarkable. At the commencement of the 1938 season the club’s bank overdraft amounted to £lllß 8s 2d, At the moment we have a credit of cash; amounting to £6668 15s sd, and in ad-: dition. during the last three years we have expended on improvements at the park the sum of £2389 8s 9d, Our cash surplus over this period has therefore amounted to the most satisfactory total of £10,176 12s 4d, The season under review has been beset with financial and other difficulties occasioned by the war, and also by such matters as the loss of 1 per cent. Government rebate of totalisator tax. The rebate would have returned the club this season an extra sum of £1760. which, added to the profit of £2751 Is 5d recorded, would have exceeded the previous record profit by no less than £ll3l. The amalgamation with the Wairarapa Trotting Club has materially assisted in the results ■of the season’s operations. In addition to the substantial increase ' in membership subscriptions, there is an enthusiastic band of trotting sportsmen in the Wairarapa who are popularising the sport in that centre and who constitute a large body of keen sportsmen at all our meetings.’*