Losses At Greymouth

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31153, 1 September 1966, Page 4

Losses At Greymouth

(From Our Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH. Criticising the Government for not paying heed to racing and trotting clubs’ requests for taxation relief, the president of the Greymouth Trotting Club (Dr. B. W. Nixon) told the annual meeting that in three seasons of night trotting it had lost £10,281. The owners had received £30.478 In stakes during that time and the Government had taken £104,322 in taxation. He said these figures showed that for every £ won by owners £3 had gone to the Government. One way to cope with the situation was to reduce stakes, said Dr. Nixon. However, this would mean a loss of support from owners and trainers, smaller crowds, smaller betting and consequently smaUer financial returns. The club could tighten its

classes and stage races for top horses. However, for every £6O increase in stakes, a £lOOO totalisator increase was required, he said. The only way to improve the position was through a remis-’ sion in tax. said Dr. Nixon. The treasurer (Mr J. J. O’Donnell) said that given fine weather for its meeting this year the club could turn last year’s loss of £2837 into a profit. The poor weather last season had greatly affected attendances. Officers elected were President, Dr. Nixon; vice-presidents, Messrs J. Steel, J. Becker: treasurer, Mr O'Donnell: committee, Messrs Bryant, Coppersmith. F. Costello. E. J Gallop. J. S. Hanrahan. E. J Hornsby, A. M. Jamieson. M. J. H. Kennedy, H. R. Monk, E. R. O’Donnell. A. W. Negri; auditor, Mr H. Herring.