STAND ALTERATIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 29, 3 August 1939, Page 13

STAND ALTERATIONS

HUTT PARK IMPROVEMENTS

A scheme for the joining up of the members' and main stands at Hutt Parle was outlined to members by the president -of the Wellington Trotting Club, Mr. J. E. August, at the annual meeting l&st evening. He said that at. present there was a deadlock between the Hutt Park Committee and the - club with regard to the proposed alterations to the course but h*< hor<;d tb** an amicable arrange: -lent would be . reached, Avhich. would allow 'for the • desired improvements to be carried out. .

The alterations to the stands would be commenced in the hear future, and this would afford additional seating' accommodation for members .until a more substantial building was constructed. Further, the .'judge's box would be shifted and would be situated in the stand in future. Mr. August also pointed out that the club, through the amalgamation with the Wairarapa Club, now possessed six permits in its own right, while it was to be hoped that it would continue to receive the floating Hawke's Bay .permit. He said that it was proposed to hold meetings in September, October, February, and April, the September and February dates coming as. they do in the Centennial period, when twoday meetings would be held. He-point-ed out the great difficulty in attempting to hold meetings during Christmas, and said that the club could not expect to encroach upon dates already held by other clubs for some considerable time.

Several speakers stressed the point of making a carnival week with the Wellington .Racing Club during Cen-

tennial celebrations. However, Mr. August stated that this was not practicable, for meetings were to be held by both the Forbury Park and Canterbury Park Clubs at the end of January.

Mr. G. Rosenbaum raised the question as to whether the incoming committee would consider the establishment of a Sires' Produce Stakes for two-year-old pacers. At present there was a dearth of races for youngsters trained in the North Island, and- the only opportunity of racing juveniles in this end of the Dominion was at Auckland in February. It was decided to bring the suggestion forward to the notice of the programme committee. -

Mr. August stated that the new portable totalisator was expected to arriv* at Christmas, and no time would be lost in installing it at. Hutt Park.

I The meeting decided to place on record appreciation-of the services of Mr. A. L. Johnson, and to recommend that he be made a vice-president. The intention of recommending that Mr. J. F. Thompson be made a vice-president was also mentioned. Mr. .Thompson was for 21 years president'of the Wairarapa Trotting Club.

The recent death of Sir Thomas Wilford had left the club without a patron, and after discussion it was decided to recommend to the committee that the Hon. Mark Fagan be made patron. The following stewards were elected:—

Messrs. J. E. August, H. L. August, A. Anderson, E. P. Armstrong, J. Bentley, F. S. Hewer, S. W. Kelly, J. McDonald, V. C. McPhail, H. E. Nicholls, A. Pope. A. Pirie, H. A. Ryder, John Sharpe, M. C:. Walker.