RECORD ATTENDANCE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 262, 3 August 1939, Page 13

RECORD ATTENDANCE

j Wellington Trotting Club ANNUAL MEETING HELD The attendance nt the Wellington Trotting Club’s annual meeting, held iu Petone last night, was stated to be the best in the club’s history, the president, Mr. J. E. August, being in the chair. Mr. August said that at the last annual meeting he placed before members a scheme of building improvements ut Hutt Park. However, because of circumstances over which they had no control, the programme had been suspended in the meantime. It was intended to construct a new road to the south of the Waiwetu stream, to close Hutt. Park Road from Randwick Road to the eastern boundary of the park, to construct a new totalizator house behind the stewards’ stand, and to remodel that stand. The stewards contracted to undertake this work provided that a suitable extension of lease was forthcoming to protect the tenure. However, the Minister of Lands would not consent to a sufficient extension of the lease and the whole scheme was now in abeyance. The stewards were still in close touch with the Hutt Park committee about these and other matters, and it was hopeu that progress could be reported in the near future. In the meantime they had received permission to construct a temporary open stand, joining the members stand to the east. That would give additional seating accommodation for members till a more substantial building was constructed. The judges box would be placed on that stand. Racing Permits. “We now possess in our own right, six racing permits a season,” Mr. August said. “In addition I confidently hope to receive the floating permit of the old Hawke’s Bay club. We propose to allocate these permits as follows: —September, two days; October, one day; February, two days and April, two days. It will thus be seen that the club will race two two-day meetings during the centennial period. Unfortunately it is not possible to race at Christmas, as other clubs in both islands race at this time, and we cannot expect to encroach upon dates these cluibs have held for years. “With regard to extra permanent permits which the Gaming Commission promised last year, this is still a matter for the future.. Till the commission sits, it appears impossible for us to obtain satisfaction of our just claims for extra permits. I trust that the Government will honour its promise given to a deputation from the sport to set up this commission without further delay. “While at the moment our financial position is most secure, the stewards intend to continue to construct on the solid financial foundation laid in past years, so as to make this club the most flourishing and progressive club of the Dominion.” Stewards Elected. The following stewards were elected: — Messrs. J. E. August, H. L. August, A. Anderson, E. P. Armstrong J. Bentley, F. S. Hewer, S. W. Kelly. J. McDonald, V. C. .McPhail, H. E. Nicholls, A. Pope, A. Pirie, H. A. Ryder, John Sharpe, M. C. Walker. It was decided to recommend to the incoming committee that Mr. Fagan, M.L.C n be made patron of the club. The meeting decided to place on record appreciation of the services of Mr. A. L. Johnson, and to recommend that he be made a vice-president. The intention of recommending that Mr. J. F. Thompson be made a vice-president was also mentioned. Mr. Thompson was for 21 yeans president of -the Wairarapa Trotting Club.