A DIFFICULT YEAR

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 18, 21 July 1932, Page 13

A DIFFICULT YEAR

TROTTING CLUB REPORT

tit The difficulties faced during the past year are disclosed in the report to be presented to the annual meeting of the Wellington Trotting Club on 3rd August next. Every possible economy had' been enforced'by the stewards of the club, and it was with the utmost reluctance that the stakes had been compulsorily reduced. The stakes-will be increased again as soon as the finances of the club permit. The figures for income and expenditure are compared with the previous years figures, and the comparison clearly snows what drastic reductions have been effected in every item over which the stewards have had direct control. However, notwithstanding the large decrease in, revenue, & particularly pleasing feature is the fact that the bank overdraft has beefl reduced from £4484 11s-to £3559 12s lid. It could safely be claimed, the report continues, that the high standard of sport sat in past years had been maintained during the season. In adhering to the limit of 4.27 for the Gold Cup the stewards were of the opinion that clubs should make every effort to cater for the best class horse. The result of the season's operar tions had proved another endorsement of this policy, and clearly demonstrated. the fact that the general public appreciated the club's efforts to produce the best, of the Dominion's competitors at Hutt i'arK. From the maiden clas3 upwards fields had been of good average size, and the nign standard of racing had resulted m stirring contests in the large majority of evente. In the last annual report it was emphasised that the satisfactory results of pre-. vious years had only been-made possible by reason of the fact that the club was able to race on four separate Saturdays. In these times of stress it would be nothing short of a financial calamity should the club be compelled to hold two-day fixtures. Last year a deputation of the stewards waited upon the Dates Committee and was assured by the chairman of that body that during the depression the Dates Committee would not interfere with existing dates. It remained of paramount necessity to the club to retain its Saturday fixtures. As in previous years, the club's operations had again resulted in a substantial contribution to the national Exchequer by way o£ taxation, the sum of £5861 7s 6d having been handed over to the Government. During the season under review, strong representations had been made by combined representatives of racing .and trotting to the Government for financial relief, a-nd it woa with pleasure that tho stewards recorded, that the Government^ had made a concession of 1 per cent, of the totalisator tax to clubs. While this concession will prove of substantial assistance to metropolitan clubs, the small country clubs would not gain much financial relief tlierefrom, and clubs should use every effort in the coming season to obtain further relief for them, as dur* ing the difficult times of the prevailing depression their very existence is menaced unless such additional financial assistance is forthcoming. ■ '■ It was with deep regret that it had become necessary to report that his condition of health had caused the 'resignation of the club's secretary, Mr. R. W. Short. During the. past twenty .five years the club had been fortunate in having the services, of one of the best secretaries in the Dominion. He had wisely conserved the finances of the club and had guided it over many pitfalls to its present flourishing position. On the social side of the sport, too, his cheery presence aud goodfellowship bad gained the esteem and affection of all who had come into contact with him. The stewards sincerely wish that he will speedily be' restored to health and that his advice and friendship will bo available for many years to come. He will bo tendered fin official farewell at the conclusion of the annual meeting. It was with deep regret also tliat the stewards had to record the sad depletion of the club's i-anks of membership by the loss of Messrs. T. G'apstick, W. L. Foster, P. «T. Griffin, C. D. Nielsen, L. Ryder, and V. C. Walton.