AN ANXIOUS SEASON

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 16, 18 July 1931, Page 21

AN ANXIOUS SEASON

TROTTING CLUB REPORT

The stewards of the Wellington Trotting Club, in their report and balance-sheet, to be presented at the annual1 meeting of members at l'etone at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, sth August, state that the past season had been the irost anxious so far experienced by the club. Solely owing to the

prevailing financial depression, which hud not made itself apparent until after the January Meeting (hallway through the

season.), the club's operations had not

been so successful as in past years. The stewards had during the latter part of

the year taken every possible precaution

to onset the effects of the depression by enforcing (ivory economy. A comparison of this season's income and expenditure figures with last season's clearly showed that a considerable saving had been made in every item over which they had direct control. ' '.'

Notwithstanding the depression, the report continues, it can safely be claimed that the sport provided during the season marked another, distinct advance in the centre. Patrons had had the opportunity of' witnessing the highest-class performers in action, and stirring contests had re-sulted-in the. large majority of events. Special mention had to be made of the successful' result attending the maintenance, of the 4.27 limit for the Gold Cup, the stake for which had been- increased to £1000, which-was by far. the largest stake ever offered by the club.

"During past yearn it hau been emphasised that'the satisfactory results attained were only possible by reason- of the tact that the club had been able to race on four separate Saturdays. Last year, it was only after strenuous efforts had been made that they, were able to retain the Saturday dates. Had they been compelled to hold a tworday fixture the present .financial statement would have ■ shown a loss of most serious dimension. In' view of the fact that the depression was now worse than last-year it became of paramount importance to retain the Saturday dates. During the: period of forming the new tracks it had been necessary to delay the opening of .the racing season from September to. November. Now that the grass racing track was sufficiently matured the stewards intend to revert to .the earlier ■date, and the present racing. season would commence in September, followed by a meeting on -31st October. ■ • • '

IMPROVEMENTS EFFECTED. The comprehensive plan of improvements commenced in 1929 had now been completed by the extension of the new totalisator house for inside xtrons, and by the erection of a grandstand for % outside public. This accommodation had been much appreciated during the season, and the Park now had an appearance in keeping with the importance of the Ixtures; ■ The grass racing track had now become | consolidated, and the splendid growth of [grass now apparent.offered every prospect for enjoyable' racing during the coming season. The cinder*, track was in firstclass order, and was in constant use. A dirt jogging track had been constructed inside the cinder track so that trainers now possessed every facility for getting their charges fit to race. The formation of the dirt jogging track and the i..aintenance of. the other tracks had been in the charge of Mr. J. E. August, and the thanks of the club were due to him for the unremitting attention he had given this duty. |

Once again it had to be recorded that the sport was being seriously hampered by the 'excessive • burden of taxation imposed. The amount paid in taxation for the past season had been in excess of the amount given in stakes. While there appeared no possibility of a reduction in taxation during the present economical conditions, clubs should'make an organised effort to see that the 2Vs per cent, tax imposed last season did not become

permanent, and that, with others, it was removed at the earliest possible moment..

NELSON'S MEETING. Eiirlyin November Jatt the Nelson Trot;ing Club had approached them with re-

i'erenee to: the holding of a special meeting under their auspices at Hutt Park. At that time the Nelson Club's rinaueiai position^ "had -been sa:.preeariousa3 to -force

it to torego its permits, and, indeed, to menace the very - existence of the club, unless such assistance had been forthcoming. In view of the: fact that the'Wel-lington-Club had just completed a most siiccesful November Meeting, and that in consequence thereof there was every indication of a successful financial season, it was decided that it was in the interest of the sport for a helping hand to be offered to Nelson. A proposal had therefore been offered and accepted to race here in December, they to share on a 50 per cent. ■ basis and Nelson to receive a guarantee of £300. At that time this guarantee had appeared small, as there was every indication that the profit from the meeting would be in the vicinity of £1000. However, for reasons outside their control, it became impossible to hold the. meeting in December, and finally it was

decided to hold the meeting on the 7th March, 1931. • Unfortunately, • between November and March the financial depression had become most acute; and instead of the meeting resulting in a profit a loss was the .result. Early in January the stewards were aware that owing to the depression they would be exercised to show a profit on the Nelson Meeting. However, the bargain had been struck, and it was, of course, impossible for them honourably to withdraw. . Th c stewards regretted to have to place on record depletions in the ranks of Wel-

lington sportsmen by the'deaths of Messrs. H. Hyde and T. Quin, both of whom were valued members of-the! club. ..

The various items of . th.c club's operations had been capably handled throughout the season. Not the least of these

was the catering department, the efficiency of which service was mainly due to the painstaking and competent supervision of Mr.-James' M'Donald. The thanks of the stewards- and members were also due to the-'staff for their, close attention to the' discharge of their several duties....