Authority’s policy criticised

Press, 11 June 1987, Page 40

Authority’s policy criticised

Criticism of the Racing Authority’s policy regarding the payment of monies from the amenities and stakes subsidies funds to clubs on ungraded courses is made in the report to be presented to the annual meeting of the Kaikoura Trotting Club tomorrow week by the president, Mr Ron Monk.

“In view of the minimal contribution being made to these funds by clubs using on-course only licences and the extent of loans to full status clubs being written off, we think the amenity and stakes subsidy policies of the Authority in regard to the ungraded clubs are too harsh and not in the best interests of the sport,” says the report.

“We have been told that the members of the Authority are unanimous in their support of the policy of the stake subsidy differential, but your committee cannot see why the trotting appointees continue to oppose the representations of our own conference.

“An election of the Authority representatives is being held this year and we will be looking with interest to see what

changes the ballot box brings,” continues the report

In 1985-86 the Kaikoura club had generated $14,089 for the stakes subsidy fund and received $9OOO. In the past year the club had paid $19,666 and received basic subsidies of $lO,BOO. In the last two years the club had generated $27,000 for the amenities fund. The club had applied for a loan of $15,000 to assist with the upgrading of the track. It had not expected a grant of a deferred reimbursement of expenditure, but thought a loan was justified in view of the club’s contributions. However, the club had been advised that as an ungraded club, Kaikoura was not entitled to assistance. The club is involved in the expenditure of $20,000 in improving the track so that the boggy conditions which have prevailed at the last two meetings will not occur again. The club showed a profit of $5572. for the year, against $8147 for the previous 12 months. Stakes rose to $56,600 from $41,400. This figure included sponsorship of $15,100, against $4700.