NEW BRIGHTON CLUB

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27091, 14 July 1953, Page 4

NEW BRIGHTON CLUB

STAKES TO BE KEPT AT PRESENT LEVEL

The committee would attempt to keep stakes at the level they were during the present season, said the president (Mr A. G. Jamieson) at the annual meeting of the New Brighton Trotting Club last evening. There had been a drop in attendance at the club’s meetings, which was probably due to a slight economic recession rather than the activities of any agency. The greatest innovation during the year had been the installation of the electric totalisator, said Mr Jamieson. He felt sure that this would result in better public patronage. The installation of the totalisator had cost the club about £5OO, and the total cost had been about £7OOO. The club had levelled out about six acres in the centre of the course, and it had been sown down in grass. It was intended to reticulate the course with a good water supply, said Mr Jamieson, and to do this the club might be forced to spend about £2500. It would be cheaper to do that than put soil on to stop the sand from blowing away. It was hoped to extend the auxiliary stand and join it up with the stewards’ stand. That would reduce fire hazard. The committee had investigated the possibility of making a six-furlong track at New Brighton. The present track, one mile in circumference, was not perfect in shape. Plans had been made to alter the track, but it would be impossible to construct a six-furlong track without altering buildings and stands. The club had bought some land adjoining the course and it would probably be possible to cut out the bad bend going out of the back straight. Mr Jamieson paid tribute to the work of Mr J. R. D. Johns, who had retired from the committee and stewards this year. Mr Johns was one of three life members of the club. He had been more than 40 years in the club, and had been in every office during that time.

The following officers were elected:— president, Mr A. G. Jamieson: vice-presi-dent, Mr S. J. Moore; treasurer, Mr R. de G. Robilliard; committee, Messrs W. E. Desijiond, T. G. Fox, O. Hutchinson, T. E. Johnston, B. J. McKenna, W. J. Thomas, W. Thomson, A. E. Laing, A. McDonald; stewards, Messrs W. E. Desmond, T. G. Fox, O. Hutchinson, T. E. Johnson, A. E. Laing, A. McDonald, B. J. McKenna, E. Osborne, W. E. Shaw, A. H. Spratt, H, J. Thomas. W. Thomson, F. W. White, H. E. Cook, W. Stark. H. I. HERBERT TO TRAIN AT LEESTON H. I. Herbert, who has been training in the Waimate district for several years, will shift his team to Leeston, where he has purchased a property. Herbert’s team will include the 1951 New Zealand Trotting Stakes winner, Fairy Dell, her sister. Cosy Dell, Dragoman, and a number of young horses. Fairy Dell has been a disappointment since she won the New Zealand Trotting Stakes. However, like many of the progeny of her sire. Quite Sure, she should improve with age. She has speed, but is not reliable. Cosy Dell has had very little racing, but she has shown a fair measure of ability.

Dragoman, which has won more than £lO,OOO in stakes for Herbert, has been troubled by recurring soreness, but ha has done well in recent weeks. He is jogging quietly at present, and It will not take much fast work to bring him to his peak.

Answer to Correspondent “Interested," Christchurch.—(l) No. (2) Yes. (3) November 6, 1899. Qualifying Trials at Addington The first race at the Canterbury Owners’ and Breeders’ Association’s qualifying test trials at Addington today commences at 2 p.m. A collection will be taken in aid of the St. John Ambulance. Advt.