DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 17720, 22 July 1921, Page 8

DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING,

About twenty members attended tho annual meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club, held last night,

THE. REPORT,

Tho President (Mr A. 0. Hanlon) said that tho club had sustained a severe loss by the death of Mr Allan Orbell, who was for some years a. member of committee. A letter of condolence, was forwarded to Mrs Orbell, and the committee was represented at the funeral, deferring to the report, the cash balance at the beginning of the financial year was £2,638, and after expending £1,625 in increasing the stakes, £1,150 iu tho purchase of land, and £3,263 in completing tho additions to the tea rooms it now stood at £3,283. This must be regarded as a very satisfactory position, taking everything into consideration. There was £2,500 on deposit. He thought it would bo wise to set this aside towards completing the improvements which wore outlined last year. Tho Finance Amendment Act provided that “all surplus moneys ” should be’ paid into the Public Account within seven days of the close of tho meeting. This meant that the revenue of the club would bo reduced, ns (he totalisator fractions, which in the past, had formed- part of the receipts, would now go into tho Government Account, The iSolieilor-General had given an opinion that "all surplus moneys” included unpaid dividends, so it behoved the public to collect their dividends promptly, otherwise they would be lost. The laud which has been purchased by the club, near to the mile, starling post, would prove a valuable asset, for it would prevent any building or tree planting from shutting out tbo view of the course from tho public stand which it was proposed to erect, and later on the club would be able to subdivide this land and use part of it for training stables, with the view of ultimately having all training operations originate from that side of the property, and Unis enable the rest of the grounds to be kept in better condition. Referring to tbo question of stand accommodation for members and public, Mr Hanlon said the stands were Ear too small, but it was quite impossible for the club iu its present, state of finance to enlarge tho stands to the extent which was becoming necessary uu account of tho popularity of racing at IVingalui. Tt had been suggested that the club would have to limit the membership on account, of the inadequacy of tbo members’ stand. It was originally intended as a .smokers’ stand, but at (lie time the membership was not so large, and as it was the wish of members to obtain ladies’ tickets for it tbo club granted (be concession of issuing two ladies’ tickets to each member. Now the membership was over 500, and if each member attended and took two ladies the stand would not hold (hem all The position, therefore, was that members would have to agree Co take fewer Indies’ tickets, nr ladies would have to be prevented from going into the stand, or else the membership must be limited. It was perfectly plain that tlie club could not go on increasing the membership and giving so vuiny tickets. Tho committee realised that thcro was not tho accommodation for owners and trainers Unit it would: like to have; but as I lie club was not at liberty to build just now i! would have to ask owners and trainers to put up with the accommodation in tho meantime. As soon as (ho committee could improve matters in this respect it would be done. The grounds and racing track were iu very good condition, and a new schooling track bad just been completed. On (be whole members were to bo congratulated on a very successful season ; but for the next year or two racing would probably have lean years to face, ami it would not be wise to launch cut in building at (lie present time. There wero a lot of people who were now not in a position to attend race meetings as often as they would like 10, and it was probable that the totalisator receipts would fall off. It would be wise for the D.J.C. and other clubs to go easy for a -.vliile; but as soon as things brightened and the club could get the cash it would do everything it could for tbo convenience of the public and the comfort of members. Mr Hanlon concluded by moving tbo adoption of tbo report and balance-sheet.

Mr Peter Miller seconded, and remarked that he did not think thcro was anything to be afraid of. The chib was in a good position, and he Imped it would keep it. No oue wanted to go back to the old times when the club bad to beg and bow for every little help that was wanted.

The motion was carried without dissent, OFFICE-BEARERS.

The following office-bearers were declared elected, only the required number of nominations having been received:—President, Mr A. C. Hanlon ; vice-president, Mr L. C. Hazlett ; committee—Messrs T. Elliott, .1. flow, W. Gardiner, juii.. and Dr A. J. Hall.

Mr G. M. Mac Lean, who was re-elected as auditor on the motion of Mr G. I!. Choesenian, seconded by Mr James Smith, called attention to tho new and comprehensive method of stating tho. accounts, and congratulated tho club on its assets. Ho also pointed out that the item of entry fees outstanding was only £55.

Mr E. 11. Lough, the treasurer, remarked that this sum was in relation to the Winter Meeting, which was only just past, when tho books were made up for the- year, and much of it was now paid.

SUGGESTIONS. Mr J. B. Smith suggested- that tho occupants of tho shilling stand should bo given a view of tho parading horses by arranging to- have the parades extended to tins front of that stand. That would bo much better than letting these people on the course and then driving them back like cattle. Mr Smith also said that the, charge of 2s for the tea rooms was too high, and that Is was too much to charge for “a whisky.” The President said that the suggestions would bo considered by tho committee at its first meeting. • Ho agreed that it was not pleasant to see people driven back by the policeman. In the long run the public stand would be to tho north side of the stewards’ stand, and tho people would then have one side of the bird-cage from which to view the horses. Deferring to tho tea rooms, Mr Hanlon said tho committee had tried all over Dunedin to get somebody else to lake over the rooms, but found it impossible. So they had to cither agree to the present charges or let tho people go without refreshments. He agreed that Is was too much for whisky. Mr Chceseman suggested that hot water might bo provided for those who wanted it, and the president promised that this would be seen to. COMPLIMENTARY.

Mr James Smith moved a vote of thanks to -;he president for the worthy way in which he had performed his duties. Tho few trifling complaints on the course might, have developed into something serious but for Mr Hanlon’s tact.—Mr W. F. Sligo seconded tho motion, saying it was quite refreshing to note tho keen interest Mr Hanlon took in tho affairs of the club.— The motion was carried wtih much heartiness, and Mr Hanlon duly acknowledged the compliment. Mr W. J. Coughlan proposed a vole of thanks to tho .staff.—This was seconded by Mr 0. M. MacLcan and carried.—Mr James replied. On the motion of Mr Checscman thanks were .also accorded to the newspapers.