PATRIOTIC FUNDS TO GET £5434

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 280, 23 August 1944, Page 7

PATRIOTIC FUNDS TO GET £5434

Wellington Racing Club’s Good Year

(By

St. Simon.)

The Wellington Racing Club accounts for the 1943-44 season reveal a net surplus of £5434, and In accordance with the club s

wartime policy this sum will be appropriated to patriotic purposes. The stewards report, which will be submitted to members at the annual meeting on September 11, states that public support during the year was well maintained, which was reflected in a record totalizator turnover of £1,118,335 in spite of severe restrictions on transport in the latter part of the season. The club distributed a record amount in stakes of £48,480. This was in keeping with the stewards' policy that with the present curtailment of race days it was the duty of clubs to circulate the maximum possible In prize money. Every effort was made to maintain the racecourse buildings and plant, but lack of materials and labour made It difficult to <lo more than the most urgent repairs. The necessity for a complete overhaul when conditions permitted was apparent. This would entail considerable outlay and to avoid such expense becoming a drain on any one financial year the stewards considered it advisable to tako advantage of the Government provision and accordingly made application to set aside £5OOO .for deferred maintenance. The retiring officers are Mr. E. L. Riddiford (president), Mr. C. W. Trlngbam (vice-president), and Messrs. H. H. Green, W. A. lorns, R. J. Murphy, and .T. T. Spears (stewards). Because of the death of Mr. C. M. Turrell, a steward for the past 10 years, there are five vacancies on tho stewards’ committee.

Solid Taxation. Not including Income tax and national and security taxes, for which a sum of £21,000 has been provided, the Wellington Racing Club paid £107,153 in taxation on its racing operations last season. Totalizator tax amounted to £55,916; dividend tax. £48,924; stakes tax. £483; amusement tax on gate receipts, £luSo; and amusement tax on members’ subscriptions. £243. The club’s revenue from the totalizator amounted ot £134,834, and from gate receipts,. £17,448. Fees from nominations. acceptances and forfeits amounted to £7471. about one-seventh of the sum given in stakes.

Given Away. ~ - , The proposal that L. Knapp should bring Spanish Main to contest the hunt cup steeplechase at Hawera was dropped as W. Hazlett gave the horse away after the Grand National meeting.

Changes of Venue. The Racing Conference has approved of changes of venue for the Foxton and Avondale Racing Clubs. Foxton will hold its spring meeting on September 23 at .Awapuni, and the Avondale Club will race at Ellerslie for the remainder of the season. It is unlikely that Foxton will race at home this season -because of the vast amount of work retiulred to restore the property to its original state, and the Avondale course is still in occupation,

Licences Granted. R. W. Shaw’s period of disqualification has expired and he has -been granted a jockey’s licence. He has taken employment with A; W. QuinUvan at Otaki.

F. J. Hain, who rode with some success for several years mainly In the northern districts, has been granted a trainer’s licence. He is setting up at Te Rapa in the staples formerly occupied by the late J. F. Tutchen. F. Gough, who was head lad to P. Burgess for some years, has branched out as a trainer at Trentham, and is handling the two yearlings purchased at the last sales by Mr. R. Brien. Wellington.

Should Got a Turn. A southern hack who may not be long winning a race is Bill Gundl. His third placing to Flndon and Lance Wing over nine furlongs on the second day of the Grand National meeting was a splendid effort as he was the last horse to leave the barrier In a field of 30.

Answers to Inquiries. “R.G.,” Blenheim; (1) £5/7/- and £2 2/0. (2) £2/4/-. “Old Sport,” Otaki Railway: (1) £1 18/6. (2) £2/18/-. (3) £4/15/- and £l/10/6. (4) £l/10/6. (5) £3/3/6 and £l/13/6. (6) £3/15/6 and £l/13/-. (7) £3/17/- and £1 17/6. (8) £4/17/6 and £2/3/6. “Racing,” Palmerston North: (1) £3 4/-. (2) £2. “Victor,” Hastings: (1) £2/9/-. (2) £3 12/6 and £l/11/6. (3) £l/16/-. (4) £2/9/and £l/6/6. (5) £l/16/6. (6) £4/6/6 and £l/14/6. (7) Trusty Scott was not placed in tlie Lightning Handicap.