WELLINGTON RACING CLUB.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 50, 27 August 1895, Page 4

WELLINGTON RACING CLUB.

«. The annual meeting of the . Wellington Baoing Club was held at the Club Hotel last evening. The President (Mr. H. D. Bell) oconpied the chair, and there was a good attendance of members, i The annual report and balance-sheet were taken as read. The President, in moving their adoption, congratulated the club on the satisfactory state of its nuances. Starting the season with a credit balance of £339, the club had wound up nith t> balance of .£531, out of whioh -£iIS would be set aside as a Trainers' and Jookeys' Provident Fund for relief in oases of accident or distress, leaving a net balance of J8313. He regretted that the ru'os of the o'.ub had not been revised during thn year, so as to allow the President to be eleoted at oaoh annnal meeting, instead of being practically a permanent offioer as at present Pressure of business prevented him takinu as prominent a part iv the club's affairs as ile would wish, and he thought it would bt bettor if the offioe was filled by one who oould devote more time to the position. Mr. Jf. Turnbull seoonded the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, which was oarried.. In answer to several questions put by Mr. Turnbull, the President Bald the Course Committee would endeavour to minimise the ihoonvenienoe oaoaed to visitors in reaching the oouree after alighting frori the train. He recognised the unsatisfactory state of things as at present existing, and would do his-utmost to remedy it. The extra qlerioal assistance had been necessary owing to investments being received by the olub under the new Gaming Aot. With referenoe to the hire of a marquee, he agreed with. Mri" Turnbull that the olnb Bhonld either purchase one or else erect a tea-room, and it was probable that the latter would be erected by the incoming stewards. Officers of the olub often provided lunoheon for distinguished visitors at raoe meetings, and some suoh building was required. Mr. Bell defended the stewards' aotion in making a donation of JB2I to the Seoretary ; who received no consideration for his Bemoes when the Club's finances were at a low ebb, and it was only proper that an offioer who had worked so hard and energetically to plaoe the olub in the prominent position it now held should be recompensed. (Applanae) The matter of reduoing the entrance fee had been thrashed out at the hut annual meeting, and he (the President) was still of opinion that no reduction should take place. He pointed out that when the olub was in finanoial difficulties the old members were left to bear the burden themselves, but as soon as these were overcome outsiders desired to become members. If they desired to do so, then let them pay the entranoe fea. (Applause.) The Seoretary stated, in reply to Mr. Turnbull, that only four new members had been elected hut season and three thepre' oeding season. The election of officers resulted as follows : —President, Mr. H. D. Bell; Vioe-Preßi dents, Messrs. T. G. M'Carthy and E. Pearo< (re-eleoted) ; Judge, Mr. G. H. Scales (re elected); Clerk of Scales, Mr. J. Wilkini (re^leotod): Timekeeper, Mr. N. Grace (re eleoted) ; Treasurer, Mr. F. Franklyn Stewards, Messrs. W. B. Bidwill, C. P Skerrett, G. H. Harbroe, J. Duncan, J Ames (re-elected), and J. Saunders. On the motion of Mr. J. Ames, Dr. Pnrdj was appointed Hon. Surgeon to the olnb. A vote of thanks U> the Chairman termi nated the meeting.