TROTTING

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 286, 17 August 1926, Page 13

TROTTING

THE WELLINGTON CLUB The annual report of the Wellington Trotting Club, lor the year ending July 31, states that the finances of the club are in a very healthy condition. The year was started with a credit balance of -£1571 Bs. 3d., and concluded with a credit balance of .£1773 Os. 7d. In estimating the success of the year’s operations, says the stewards’ report, it must be borne in mind that the sum of .£285 ss. Bd. was expended in erecting a new totalisator machine and a further suin of £469 14s. Bd. on the completion of the band, and renovations to the grandstand, etc. . . . As in past years the club’s activities have resulted in a substantial contribution to the national exchequer—£6393 13s. id. having been handed over to the Government under the various taxes imposed. While recording this the club must acknowledge the fact that some recognition has been given to the increasing burden by the rebate of 1} per cent, under which the club has benefited in common with those other smaller clubs which have expended moneys in improving the accommodation for the public. The stewards after careful thought, decided to try the experiment of dividing the permits available to the club into three meetings. One of two days was hold in October, and two one day meetings were held in January and March. The result showed the October meeting to have been not so successful as was anticipated and this led the stewards, in applying for dates for the new season, to ask for dates in December for a two day meeting and also for a further meeting of two days in the late summer. In view of the fact that there did not appear to be much prospect of holding a successful Free For All at.the times of the club’s meetings it was’ decided not to include these events in the programmes but the stewards are desirous of catering for the best horses, and, if the prospects for a good contest, are forthcoming races of this nature will not be overlooked. In place of the Free For Alls however, the club instituted the fastest class for square gaited trotters nt that time held in New Zealand, and in this respect may claim the honour of having led the'way in a direction, which it is now pleasing to note is being developed bv other clubs. The erection of the new totalisator machine and the provision of another face has added greatly to the convenience of patrons, while the sloping bank lor tho public has enabled the patrons of the outside enclosure to see every inch of tho contests in comfort. Most appreciative remarks have been passed about the foregoing innovations. As the Hutt Va.ley Hallway deviation nears completion it becomes patent that the club is going to be greatly benefited thereby. Patrons will bo conveyed by train to within a few hundred yards of the course and tho great disabilities of transport will be a thing of the past. The proposed branch line to the so-cal.ed industrial area will practically, drop passengers right oil to the trotting track. It is hoped that this work will be sufficianlly advanced to enable the chib’s patrons to benefit at the next meeting in December. . . At the licensing committee elections the club made an appeal to the sense of justice and the sporting instincts of tho electors of the Hutt, with the result that an unpledged licensing committee was returned. This body, while insisting on certain improvements being carried out, granted an application for a conditional license, with the result that the club’s patrons were enabled to obtain refreshments in comfort as is dono on every other trotting and racing course in Now Zealand. The booth was- splendidly conducted and justified in every way the claims made by tho club. In an endeavour to add some little comfort for the members, tbe stewards inaugurated a light luncheon buffet in conjunction with a members’ bar, and both were greatly appreciated. After the last meeting the stewards decided to engage a special caretaker ami the condition of the fracks and appointments indicate that this was a stop in the right direction. At present, contractors are proceeding with the erection of new lavatory accommodation for both inside and outside patrons. The stewards regret to record the death of their late colleague, Mr. Albert Pero, whose genial personality and ready assistance in the work of the club was very highly appreciated by the members. In conclusion the stewards thank members for their loyal support during the season just concluded and to record their thanks to the staff for the careful manner in which they carried out their duties. The club is rapidly becoming established in pub’ic favour, and if satisfactory financial arrangements can be made "to enable it to carry out its full scheme of improvements it will not be long before it ranks with the leading clubs of the Dominion.