Methven club needs funds for new stand

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33601, 1 August 1974, Page 8

Methven club needs funds for new stand

The Methven Trotting Club to seeking financial rapport from the New Zealand Racing Authority for the construction of a new stand, as the club considers that it is uneconomic to spend further considerable funds on the old public stand,' according to the report of the retiring president (Mr H. J. Harrison) presented at the club’s annual meeting on Tuesday evening. The report said that repreaentatives of the authority inspected the course in late autumn, following the club’a request. Further information sought by the authority is being supplied “Our problem is the economics of maintaining a modern course with only two permits,” the report said. Mr Harrison said the last year had been one of Interest and progress although a little disappointing financially. There was a loss of E2M3.64 for the year, after charging depreciation of »tn.M. Stakes paid amounted to $29,200 for the two meetings, of which 9*550 was received from the Racing Authority in stakes subsidy. ’Hie .increase in stakes paid by the club was 41700. Oncourse totalisator turnover was *253,259; compared with $2*7.767 last year. Off-course turnover was **57.765. against *350,601. The combined, on and off-course i totalisator turnover increased by more than *105,000. The balance sheet showed an

excess of asset* over liabilities Of $93 400 The ’dub provided an 'additional *lOOO for a division of the maiden: trot, and *2OO towards a non-totalisator maiden pace at the autumn meeting. No revenue from the totalisator was received from these events. A further *lOOO was spent on maintenance necessitated partly ..by Health Departinent requirements. Fine weather, good attendances. and higher totalisator turnovers contributed to the success of the club’s two meetings. Owners and trainers again supported the club generously, and large , fields competed in most races. ' Improvements carried out during the year had included regrading,. topdressing, and -sowing of sections of the race track, particularly the turns into and out of the straight,. Photo filming was undertaken for the first time at both meetings from experimental positions, and the committee would have to decide on the exact location for the filming tower for operation next season.

The club received a requisition from the Health Department and fire authority to make improvements in some of the buildings, including the old public stand. Improvements to" public and members bars were made, but it was considered uneconomic to spend further considerable funds on the old public

stand. Accordingly, the club had applied for financial assistance from the racing authority for a new stand.* Mr D. S. Harrison was elected the club’s president for the coming year. The vice-presidents elect are Messrs T. D. Harrison and J, B. McKendry.