“Golden goose” still undernourished

Press, 18 September 1976, Page 17

“Golden goose” still undernourished

A Cabinet Minister had told racing to put its house in order before it could expect to get financial relief from the Government, Mr R.

E. Adair, the president of the North Canterbury Racing Club recalled for members at their annual general meeting on Thursday.

“But I would say our house is in order, yet still the golden goose wants feed very badly,” Mr Adair said.

“All racing clubs of approximately the same size as our own are having a battle, and I believe our voice should be heard strong in the land about the need for taxation relief.” Mr Adair deplored the fact that his club had to have a turnover of about $500,000 to break even on a race meeting.

Mr Adair told members that there were approximately 130 gallopers being trained in the district, and to keep faith with owners and trainers the club would have to put in suitable training tracks on the Rangiora course.

Approaches to the Racing Authority for assistance to that end had been turned down, but the club’s grounds committee would continue to make strenuous efforts towards obtaining them. The course proper would be subjected- to more traffic in future with the introduction of qualifying trials for gallopers, Mr Adair said, and it was important that the club should have alternative tracks for training. Mr Adair said he believed the Broadlands Filly of the Year Series, to be introduced this season, could be something of a triumph, and that his club’s race in that series, the Inglewood Stakes, was a valuable contribution to South Island racing. Officers of the North Canterbury Racing Ciub for 1976-77 are:—Patrons: Messrs J. W. Brosnan, G. H. Loffhagen, and L. J. Stokes; president, Mr R. E. Adair: immediate past president: Mr N. K. Aitken; vice-presidents: Messrs R. J. Gerard, D. M. McKenzie, and R. L. Thompson; hon. treasurer: Mr L. H. Power: stewards: Messrs J.l E. Austin, A. R. Bussell, G.|

D. Cameron, W. A. Diedrichs, M. W. Fletcher, C. A. Macdonald, N. G, Mason, W. R. A. Parsons, G. A. Petrie,

W. J. M. Shand, C. C. Wells, and N. G. Wigley. Messrs R. F. Gorton and L. L. Mangos were unsucessful candidates in the election for stewards. Mr J. A. G. Fulton, a former president and steward, was appointed an honorary steward at the annual meeting. Mr Fulton, now chairman of the Canterbury Jockey Club, was thanked for his services to the North Canterbury club by Mr Adair.