WELLINGTON RACING CLUB

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 299, 14 September 1937, Page 17

WELLINGTON RACING CLUB

Annual Meeting of

Members

FINANCIAL POSITION SOUND

The annual general meeting of members of the ’Wellington Racing Club was held in the club’s rooms yesterday, the vicepresident, .Mr. 0. VV. Tringham, presiding. The annual report and balance-sheet, showing a profit of f291/15/4 on the year, with the sum of £B5OO credited tb depreciation, was carried. The total indebtedness of the'Mub, said the chairman, bad increased by £O3OO, due to the installation of the new totalisator, the cost of which was £24,000. The machine had proved its worth. Other expensive improvements had been made, and, having regard to all the circumstances, the club wiis in a sound financial position. To-day no race on the club’s programme carried a stake of less than £3OO. For the forthcoming spring meeting the stakes bad been increased by £l2OO. Revenue from the totalisator amounted to £<59,219. compared with £45.152 last season, Trentham’s turnover being second only to that of Auckland. An earnest wish was expressed that the Government would see its way clear to continue the 1 per cent, rebate to clubs which was established by the National Government iu 1933 and continued up to July, 1937, by the present Government. A tribute was paid to the stewards of the club, who had had extra work imposed on them because of the absence overseas of the president and other officials, and also to Miss D. Bray, secretary, and the staff. The St. Lcgor. Mr. J. J. McGrath said that he regretted there was no mention in the report of the elimination of the St. Leger, a very important race with historic associations. Mr. Tringham replied that the race had not been entirely eliminated, but had -been taken off the programme until conditions improved. It was largely a matter of finance and support of the race. Mr. McGrath said be considered the stake far too small. The chairman said the matter would be kept in view. Mr. McGrath: That is what the Government is doing with your one per cent. (Laughter.) Mr. B. L. Hammond criticised the lack of a fuller report of the club’s doings. For a corporation turning over £93.000 a year, a report of a dozen lines, the bulk of which was taken up with obituaries and re-election of officers, fell far short of requirements. Mr. Tringham said he felt sure that if there was any need for members to get fuller information the stewards would be only too glad to supply, it, and the master would be kept in view for next year. President Re-elected.

Mr. E. L. Riddiford was unanimously re-elected president, and Mr. J. VV. Abbott a vice-president. The following stewards were re-elected: Messrs. 11. P. F. Blundell, 11. R. 11. Chalmers. 11. Tl. Green, Hubert L. Nathan, C. M. Turrell. Mr. F. Dyer suggested a seven-race programme for the winter meeting instead of eight. Mr. Tringham replied that while they wore entitled to an eight-race day be thought they should have eight races, but the matter would be considered by the stewards. An early start enabled the programme to be got through without difficulty. Sir Thomas Wilford paid a high tribute to Trentham and the conduct of the meetings, but he criticised the pay-out methods:. They wer e far too slow and totally inadequate for the club. Mr. Tringham eaid the stewards realised the pay-out difficulties and steps had been taken to make the arrangements adequate for future meetings. Mr. W. A. Fordham suggested the installation of a ten-shilling win and place window on the members’ stand. The chairman replied that it had been considered but at present the cost was prohibitive.