Popular Racing Club ; Official Farewelied

Franklin Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 33, 24 March 1939, Page 4

Popular Racing Club ; Official Farewelied

MR F. A. HOSKING DEPARTURE FOR AUSTRALIA EULOGISTIC REFERENCES PRESENTATION MADE Mr F. A. Hosking, the popular president of the Franklin Racing Club, who intends settling in Melbourne, was farewelied by the executive and members of the club, at a complimentary dinner in the Pukekohe hotel on Monday evening, when a presentation of a substantial wallet -of notes was made as a slight token of the esteem in which he is held, and in recognition of his services to the club.

The vice-president, Mr Robert Fulton, presided and associated with him at the top table were Mr J. N. Massey, M.P. for Franklin, Mr W. Claud Motion, the club’s first president, a member of the Auckland District Committee and an executive officer of the New Zealand Racing Conference, Mr C. Gomer, the chief stipendiary steward, and prominent officials of racing clubs in the province. Mr Fulton welcomed the visitors and especially Mr Samuel Crawford of Tuakau, who, he said, had been associated with racing in Franklin for between 50 and (10 years, and at different periods as an owner. “The Franklin club, constituted about 13 years ago, has been extremely fortunate in the choice of its presidents,” Mr Fulton went on. “The first president, Mr Claud Motion, had a term bristling with difficulties. A racecourse was made out of a paddock and there was no totalisator for some years. However, the club plugged along, all the while laying the foundation for the path of success. At last a totalisator permit was granted and the club began Co see the light of day. Mr Motion was succeeded by Mr Dynes Fulton, and further progress was made. Following Mr D. Fulton’s death, Mr F. A. Hosking assumed the ; presidency and while obstacles had still to he negotiated, Mr Hosking guided the club along to a successful issue.” Club’s Early Struggles Mr Motion said he, with those assembled, was sorry to have to bid farewell to a man who had done so i much for the club. However, it was 'most gratifying to see the successful result of the last race meeting. The i success attending the club’s efforts in its early stages was not due to him (Mr Motion) but to those throughout the Franklin district who had given loyal support, and to the member? of the committee who had worked so hard to have the club established. Mr Motion mentioned that in the early stages the club financed its operations through a farming account, the stock being obtained as a result -of donations by farmers in'the district. When a totalisator permit was granted so much reliance was not placed on farming. He was pleased to know that the cautious policy laid down at the commencement had been carried on by his successors, Mr D. Fulton and Mr Hosking. Both - had done excellent work and had put the club on a high pedestal. Now that Mr Hosking was departing he hoped a similar policy would be pursued. Mr S. H. Crawford endorsed Mr Motion’s remarks and wished Mr Hosking success in the future. At this stage the secretary, Mr W. J. Short, read apologies for absence from the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry), the secretary of the New Zealand Racing Conference (Mr H. R. Sellars), the Auckland, To Aroha, Waikato, Matamata, Bay of Plenty and Rotorua Racing Clubs, and the Auckland Trotting Club and others prominent in the racing world in the Auckland Province.

Mr Hosking as a Leader

Mr C. Gomer eulogised the work of Mr Hosking, remarking that in ability he was equal to any president he had come in contact with in New Zealand. He had proved himself a zealous officer, a great leader, and had always been of great assistance to him at Franklin meetings. He said he had absolute confidence in him. Mr Gomer wished Mr Hosking every success in Australia.

Mr H. Dent, speaking on behalf of the Ohinemuri Jockey Club, conveyed best wishes to Mr Hosking for a successful career in Australia.

Messrs M. S. Campbell and A. F. Brown referred to the progress the club had made in recent years, and paid a tribute to the efforts put forward by Mr Hosking toward this end. Beth wished him prosperity in Melbourne.

Mr J. N. Massey interestingly traversed the history of the club from the' first race meeting held on a very wet day. “I can well remember many incidents which took place that day,” he said amid laughter. “Yes, I can remember the old cowshed on the property. We did not have a totalisator then but I can well recollect that a little betting took place—betting as to how many shots a car driver would have before his car negotiated the hill leading from the flat area to the main road: how many cars would get out without being pulled out and

The Club’s First Day how many matches it would take to light a cigarette.” From that terribly wet day "the club made progress un-—. der the guidance of Mr Motion, who laid the foundations. .Mr Hynes Fulton, his successor, had not spared himself in the interests of the -club. Assisted by an able and energetic committee Mr Fulton had built the club up and the building up had continued under Mr Hosking’s influence. All who worked under him knew the amount of work he had given.

Mr Massey recalled the efforts made b\ Mr Hosking to obtain the totalisa-' tor permit formerly held by the Bay ot‘ Islands club. In these negotiations Mr Hosking had shown his true ability and value. He had saved the olub a tremendous amount of nioney, and it was largely due to his wisdom that the club was in its present happy and prosperous position. The race meeting held ibis month had been a record, and it must have been very satisfying to Mr Hosking to know that all previous records had been smashed at tlie last meeting over which he held the guiding reins. In asking Mr Hosking to accept a pocket wallet filled with bank notes, lie expressed the hope that when he made his home in Melbourne he would use the contents to purchase something that would remind him of his many pleasant associations 'with the Franklin Racing Club. “We are all sorry you are leaving us, but we join in wishing you every success and happiness in your new sphere of activities,” Mr Massey concluded. A toast to “Our Guest, Mr F. A. Hosking,” was then honoured with enthusiasm.

Mr Hosking’s Reply

“This is the first occasion since I assumed the presidency of the club that there has been a full muster of the members of the executive —26 in all —and I take it as a great personal compliment which I appreciate most of all,” said Mr Hosking in reply. Mr Hosking thanked the speakers for their eulogistic references, and the club for its practical expression of goodwill. .“I will treasure the gift always,” he added. Mr Hosking said he was extremely pleased to see present so many who had shown a practical interest in the welfare of the club, particularly a member of the Racing Conference* Mr Claud Motion, and the chief stipendiary steward, Mr C. Comer. “I can well remember the occasion of my first race meeting as president of your club, when Mr Gomer when introduced to me, said ‘You are a bit of a boy to have charge of a racing club aren’t you?’ Yes, I replied, hut with your, guidance and assistance I hope to learn a little,” said Mr Hosking ami<|-laugh-ter. Mr Hosking added that Mr Gomer had been of great assistance to him and he hoped, the same assistance would be accorded his successor. Mr Hosking personally thanked a number present who had rendered yeoman service to the club, and he also thanked members of the committee and the secretary Mr W. J. Short, who-had been loyal to him, during, his term of office. “The committee has worked as a team and we have made splendid progress. In the last few years we. have expended £IO,OOO on improvements, hut while the appointments are satisfactory they are not all we require by any means. We have only two days’ racing and on this account caution must be the watchword. If you continue to go along the lines of the last few years then the club has nothing to fear. I wish the club arid my successor every success in the future,” Mr Hosking concluded.