RACING CLUB.

Franklin Times, Volume XXII, Issue 90, 3 August 1932, Page 5

RACING CLUB.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

HELD ON MONDAY. i ■. The annual general meeting of the Franklin Racing Club was held in the Masonic hall on Monday evening, the president, Mr Dynes Fulton, presiding over a good attendance of members. The report, as previously published in the Franklin Times, and the balance sheet, were taken as read and adopted on the motion of the president, seconded by Mr A. Jones, without discussion.

Following the reading of a comprehensive report from the auditors, the president reviewed the position of the «lub, along similar lines to his report published in the Franklin Times on July 22. He added that it was pleasing to know that the club was still .able to make progress, in spite of the prevailing circumstances. Since the club's inception wonderful work had .been carried out on the property—an area of swamp land being converted into one of the best racing tracks in the province. Certain appointments were necessary to bring the property .right up to date, but Mr Fulton said ■members should feel thankful that the -executive had pursued the policy adopted at the commencement, that of curtailing expenditure in every possible direction. "What would have been the result to-day had we launched out on an ambitious building programme, costing some thousands of pounds?" asked Mr Fulton. Continuing Mr Fulton said that instead of being heavily in debt, the club was in a somewhat sound financial position, and he felt confident it would be able to weather the depression and come out on top. He mentioned that the members who stood by the club in a joint =and several guarantee to the bank, had t>een released from their obligations. 'There is absolutely no reason to feel alarmed about the future of the Franklin Racing Club," declared Mr Fulton.

Hopes for Second Day Permit.

Proceeding, the speaker expressed regret that the cub was not able as yet to obtain a second day's totalisator per.mit, but he held out high hopes that -eventually it would succeed in this re.spect. Speaking with reference to .the future, Mr Fulton struck an optimistic note. He gave an outline of

.the altered conditions in the Old •Country, the doings at the Lausanne •conference and what was expected to

accrue as a result of the Ottawa conference. He expressed the belief that ~a conference of all nations of the world would follow shortly and that in about two years' time things generally would have vastly, improved. Even -at the present time he felt that conditions were beginning to improve, and considered that when the next race .meeting was held in March the affairs of the country would be much better ;than they were at present. Mr Fulton said that the first step toward recovery in New Zealand would be to raise price levels. British manufacturers realised that if New Zealanders were to buy the wares of Britain they could. not do so unless they received sufficient for their produce. The raising of price levels, he felt, would be one of the objects of the Ottawa conference. "Confidence in one's ability to emerge triumphantly was required, and when such confidence is restored it will assist greatly toward regaining the path that shows the way to prosperity. I am sure we can all look forward to next year with •confidence, and that the next year's race meeting will be much better than last, subject to the weather conditions being satisfactory," remarked Mr Fulton.

In conclusion, Mr Fulton referred to the splendid work of the caretaker, and the perfect harmony which existed between the racing club and the golf club. "It was quite a lucky step when the two clubs came to an agreement as to the use of the club's property by the golf club. The work done by the golf club has greatly enhanced the • appearance of the property." After thanking members for re-electing him to the office of president, Mr Pulton wished the. club a successful year. The following officers were re-elect-ed unopposed: President, Mr Dynes Fulton; vice-president, Mr A. 11. Tapper; committee (12 required), Messrs F. G. Parker, E. J. Morrison, S. J. Clews, J. Reynolds, F. A. Hosking, P. L. Short, W. T. Dazeley, A. Jones, J. Beatty, A. F. Brown, J. Mclntyre and G. Carter. The above and the following complete the executive, Messrs R. W. Bilkey, R. Fulton, T. Hancock, D. Hayes, J. Kennelly, E. H. Keating, T. Keven, F. J, Morrow, E. F. Muir, G. T. P'roude, W. J. Taylor and C. E. Walter.

Course Committee Praised

The president paid a tribute to the work of the course committee, of which Mr E. H. Keating was chairman. Mr Fulton said the course committee was the most important committee the club had. The members of the committee had been untiring in the discharge of their duties. They had done excellent work at the course and had effected many necessary improvements

which had added to the assets and appearance of the property. He moved that the meeting place on record its appreciation of the efforts of the committee.

Mr Keating, in thanking the members for their vote of appreciation, gave credit to Messrs S. J. Clews, 7. Reynolds and R. Fulton for most of the work done. "I merely go and

have a look. As for myself I am really sailing under false colours," said Mr Keating amid loud laughter.

Votes of thanks were accorded the secretary, Mr W. J. Short, for the excellent way in which he had carried out his duties; the auditors, Messrs Wilkinson and Campbell, for their comprehensive report dealing with the finances of the club, the caretaker, Mr R. 11. McGough, for the efforts he advanced 1o keep the property in firstclass condition; Mr A. F. Brown, for

, his work as treasurer, and the FrankI lin Times for its assistance and oonj sideration during the past year. I The president, Mr Fulton, was also I thanked for the keen Interest he dis- | played in the welfare of the club.