FAREWELL TO MR. J. B. HARCOURT

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 135, 2 March 1908, Page 8

FAREWELL TO MR. J. B. HARCOURT

•PLEASANT AFTERNOON'AT TRENTHAM. Members of .the, Wellington 'Racing. .Club •journeyed to Tro/itham Racecourse by.special trajn on Saturday in', order to entortain their president,: Mr. J. J|. Harcourt, arid bid him ■farowell prior, to .his departure on a year's •trip' ; : to:'.tlio'.old World..-v A largo number sat down tb luncheon in the' dining-room at, tho> grandstand,; Mr. R. ,T.- Turnbull .presiding. Those present in,eluded tho liori'. J. A. Millar and the 1 Hon. T. K. Macdonald, M.L.C. '

H.Mr. Harold Johnston proposed the toast of " Our Guest,", .in aspeech which was literally, as well as metaphorically, "racy." Ho expressed the gratitude of tho .members for the way in .which Slr.'.Harcourt had sustained tho social and other responsibilities incidental tb his position as presidont of the Club. The; entertainment had' taken tho' form it had, ..in ■ order -that- Miss Harcourt might bo present, as to her also tho members wcro -"deeply, gratoful, for, tho help sho. had given her father in his social duties. The speaker, concluded by wishing Mr. and Miss Harcourt a pleasant journey and x a safe return. (Applause.) 1 i . ....... . *

Mr. , J. 13. Harcourt; in responding, disclaimed the chief credit for the removal of tho racecourse from Lower . Hutt to Trentham, which had proved so successful a step. Ho spoko feelingly of the. assistance given him.by Miss Harcoiirtintho responsibilities of his position. His constant aim in connectionwith tho y race meetings of tho Club had been. to help 'visitors •to enjoy themselves so that they would conio again. He was now going .Homo after .being here for 33 years, and he hoped to meet all-present on tho racecourse after he came back. He thanked them, heartily for .their kindness. >

. During. the afternoon,, a .series of motor car races were run on jth'o course. - This part of the proceedings was almost an impromptu, but, owing to -the capable direction of Mr. C.< M. Banks, and"his excellent handicapping, it, went off very,, well;-and some exciting races wero .witnessed.. Mr. Laurenson, the Club's timekoepcr, kindly officiated in that capacity. Tho races,.resulted as follow:— - Potato Race.—Mr. T. 1 Young's >12-14 h-p Argylc. .-. .- .- .......

.Harcourt: Clip.—Mr. F. J;. Nathan'e 10-12 h.-p. Onic. . : : :.... .-■ . , -IrontHam Handicap.—Mr.- C. H. ; Izard's 8 li.-p. Do Dion. . Tortoise Race.—Mr. T. Young's 12-14 h-p Argyle. . Elopement Raco;—Mr. R. T. Turnbull's 8 h.-p. Wolscley.