WAIRARAPA’S YEAR

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 283, 24 August 1940, Page 19

WAIRARAPA’S YEAR

Annual Meeting Held The fiftieth annual meeting of the Wairarapa Racing Club was held at Featherston. on Thursday, Mr. J. W. Card (president), presiding over a fair attendance of members. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, referred to the position as compared with the previous year. The year under review showed a loss, after writing off £llO2/14/-^ for depreciation, and the donation of £l-0 to patriotic funds. It was not possible to attribute the loss on the year's operations to any particular item, though the loss of the one per cent, totalizator tax would amount to at least £7OO, while general taxation had also increased considerably. The main fall in revenue was from the totalizator. At the clubs summer meeting the Centennial, higher slakes were given (including a gold cup) and complimentary tickets were issued freely. Despite this the gates and totalizator receipts were down. At the Faster meeting complimentary tickets were curtailed and the totalizator again showed a drop of approximately the same as the summer meeting. The difference in the totalizator profit was £2200 odd, spread over the two meetings. The position with other clubs was much the same with one or two exceptions. The matter of limiting the issue of complimentary tickets had only been tried for one meeting and therefore was not a fair test. Since the last meeting the military authorities had been given the free use of the racecourse. They were supposed to leave the course by October 1, but it appeared that they would be in occupation longer than that. The stewards had this matter in hand and a report would be made as soon as information was available. The next meeting would be the club's jubilee. The stakes for this meeting would have to be gone into, but the amount would depend on where the meeting was held. The inside and outside staff, and the committees had worked ns happily as ever during the year and he expressed his hearty appreciation. It had been stated in some quarters that racing should stop, but he did not agree with this suggestion. He thought that all forms of sport should be kept going as long as people indicated they desired The motion was seconded by Mr. A. Campbell Pearce, who congratulated the chairman on his explanation of the year s work. The following officials and stewards were re-elected for the ensuing Patron. Mr. Thos. Benton ; president. Mr. ,T. W. Card; vice-presidents, Messrs. A. Campbell Pearce. D. H. S. Riduiford and D. C. Collins: honorary judge, Mr. C. J. Nix; honorary treasurer, Mr. H. Lawson ; honorary timekeeper, Mr. D. L,. Collins; honorary surgeons, Drs. G. 8. Sharp. T. D. M. Stout and J. M. Coutts; honorary vetinerary surgeon, Mr. S. Fletcher; auditors, Messrs. G. W. Sellar and L. 11. Smart; stewards, Messrs. »>. Howard Booth. R. A. Donald, Roy Donald. W. J. Martin, C. J. Nix and J. I*. Thompson. .. , . The sum of £8(100 was allocated tor stakes during the current season. On the motion of the chairman, seconded bv Mr. Thompson, it was resolved that the profits of the club over all operations for the ensuing year be allocated to such patriotic purposes as the stewards may decide. A vote of condolence was passed m silence to the relatives of two members who had died since the last meeting. I'ln- site Mr. John Saunders. Martinboroiigli, one of the oldest members of the elub. and the late Mr. R. G. Vile, Greytown. WELLINGTON'S YEAR In his review of activities during the 19U9-I0 season, which is to be presented before members at the annual meeting of the Wellington Racing dub. the president. Mr. E. L. Riddil'ord. states that the past year had been gratifying to nil, for there was no doubt that the clubs aim to intike llie Cettlennial year an outstanding one had been fully realized. Totalizator inveslments during the year for the II days’ racing h.-ui innottnted to £813.701. an average of £76.700 per race day. and an all-time record, and stake.nioney distributed Intel amounted to £41.100, an increase of £5399 on the previous year. The Centennial Cup race, which ha<l carried a stake of £3OOO ami a "old cup, had been Ihe outstanding event of (he season. The profit and Joss account discloses ■i net surplus of £l3O-1/17/1 alter an allowance of £7lOB/5/11 had been made for depreciation. In July last a reserve of £lO.OOO had been created for the repair and nuiinlenanco of griindstamls. Of this tinmnnf £5112/2/10 liad expended. and n similar anmnnt hnd been added to in.-iinlain the reserve at its original figure. It had I found uei-essary sub-tioi-tially to im-ri-:is:c llw reserve for taxation.’ I.tisf .vein- £lOOO had been sol aside for sneial security tax. but because of re eettl legislation riming i-lttbs were now liable for income and national security tax in midilion to social security tax, and the stewards accordingly, had increased this reserve by £7500. FIXTURES \ii -ii.-t -21—Pitkitriinga Hunt C. \ii"itst 2lt -l-’giuoiit-Wangnnul Hunt C.. at New I'l.vntolltll. \ii"iisl :;i-Ta nt until Hunt C. Ait"im. :il-i)tngo limit C. SeiUi-iuliei- 5. ; Wanganui ,I.C. Sapien 11- Ashburton Comity lt.C s, |,|,. ln |„.r 11. til—Avomlnle ,I.C. Sopteinliei- lb. -JI-tlei-.-tliHm- It. U s l ~.|,a,il„ r 21 -Mm-tmi .LC.