Racing Conference.

Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 44, 20 August 1884, Page 2

Racing Conference.

A conference of delegates from the Wellington Eacing Club and the Wellington Jockey Club was held at the office of Mr. Iff, H. Goldsmith to-day, at noon, to discuss the proposed amalgamation of the two clubs. 'ITie following genfemen represented each club: — Wellingtonl Racing Club—Colonel Pearce (President), Mr. J. S. M. Thompson (Vice-Preßident), Mr. J. M'Dowell, Mr. Andrew Young. Mr. H. M. Lyon, and Mr. H. S. Fitzherbert. M.H.R. Wellington Jockey Club—Mr. W. H. Levin (President), Dr. Newman, M.H.B. (Vice-President), Mr. C. W. Cutten, Mr. Jefferd, and Mr. E. H. Goldsmith (Secretary). Mr. W. H. Levin, who wsa voted to the chair, stated tho object of the meeting, and expressed- the desire of the club be represented to enter into the matter in a give and take spirit. Mr. Pearce Bald of coarse any suggestions made could only be entertained subject to approval by the general body of members. Mr. Levin acquiesced, and the discussion was then entered upon in a conversational way. • The representatives of the Racing Club were particularly pressing in their enquiries as to the relationshio of the Island Bay Company •- and the Wellington Jookey Club, and, in answer to questions on this 'head, Mr. Levin, Dr. Newman, and Mr. Cntten, gave a good deal of information, the gist of which was that the Island Bay Company had formed the course and intended to complete it, including tho erection of a grand stand; and that tho Jockey Club hod boon formed to race on the Island Bay course, the company finding the stakes and accepting all re«

"'" ' ' sponsibilities. Mr. Andiew fonnpf was of ' ' opiinion that the first thing 1 which must be/mado cwar beforo any attempt at aronlgoWlioti took place wa*, what definite tfcrniß tho Iwlniul liny Coirioony would iralro with ihc bow Club. Ah 1 . Fiti>!ip,'li('Tt olicitud from Dr. Newiaan tha chci'led «idt"incai. that tho removal of the racing to Island Bay must bo a condition of tho amalgamation. Dr. Newman and Mr. Cutten said the position of tho Island Bay Company wai somewhat similar to tho Sandown Park Company at Homo, whioh had been a gieat success. They admitted that any profit made on a meeting would bolong to tho Island Bay Company, but stated that the directors would make a retuia to the olub by increasing the stakes. Mr. Young vni Mr. Fitzherbeit asked several questions as to tho amount expended on the Island Bay conrso. The answer pivon was about .£SOOO. The course complete wonld cost over -fiflOOO. Mr. Cutton, aftor at first declining to answer the question, Raid he thought :f: f the amalgamated club preferred to take over tho course for racing purposes on a rental the rent would bo about JU2OO per annum. The discussion grow rather waica at one time, and it ap1. prared as if the eor'erenoe was about to break up without any definite resolution bong proposed. Ultimately, however, Mr. Jefferd proposed that the IslamBay Company should bo asked what sum por annum, in tho event of an amalgamation, they would be prepared to place at the disposal of the stewards for pnn'.ding stakes for racing. Mr. Andrew Young seconded this, end it was carried. Dr. Newman said, as a .aemberof the Island Bay Company, he word undeiLake that the directors should have an early meeting and discuss tho question emboc'-'ed in the resolution, and also tho other one of a rental. A vote of thanks to tho ohairmau closed the proceedings.