GREYMOUTH JOCKEY CLUB

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 September 1928, Page 11

GREYMOUTH JOCKEY CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Greymouth Jockey Club was held yesterday afternoon. Present: Messrs T. E. Coates (Chairman), J. D. Wingham, A. Carroll, ,H. J. Hudd, A. Beban, E. J. Kiely, G. R. Harker, J. Dumble, W. E. Reynolds, H. Moore, J. J. Dore, J. Grogan, W. H. Parfitt, W. R. Kettle, J.Brown, and H. F. Doogan. The annual report and balance sheet were received and adopted. The Chairman, in reviewing the balance sheet, regretted that the Club’s position was still far from good financially. Except .the Government gave some further relief, he did not see how matters were going to improve. The Government should introduce something in the shape of-a graduated tax. He did not see how the smaller clubs, like Greymouth, were going to carry on otherwise. The policy of the Government appeared to be to centralise racing in the larger towns ,ancl to stop racing in the country districts. It was almost inconceivable that the Government would allow such clubs as that at Greymouth to go out of existence. If the Government policy was not changed, it appeared inevitable to him that the smaller clubs would have to go out. So far as the Greymouth racecourse was concerned, he thought the course was “as good as ever.” More stable accommodation was required for visiting horses. The club had secured the services of a caretaker who was a capable carpenter, and who would be able to put the course appointments in order. It seemed hard that the Government organised cheap excursions to races in the centres which took away money out of the town. He estimated that these excursions took at least £2OOO out of Greymouth. The time had- arrived when he was inclined to very seriously consider the question of introducing trots on the Grey Club’s racing programme. It had also been suggested that Trial races should be deleted from the programme, and that a four-furlong race for two-year-olds should be added. The club did not consider the offers made for the booths sufficient, and, therefore, decided, last year, to run the booths itself. It made a profit which was more than the offers received by way of tender for them. The club did not want to run booths, but it was driven to do it, as it wanted* the revenue. He hoped the Licensed Victuallers would rise to the occasion and help the club out of its troubles in the future, in this respect. While he was sorry to strike a pessimistic note, he felt that it was possible, to find some way to keep things going. Mr Wingham thought it would be an advantage to hold a Hunt Club meeting on the third day of the Christmas meeting. The huntsmen did not expect the same prizes as ordinary horse owners. He did not favour mixing trots with gallops, especially on a metropolitan course.

Mi- Beban thought the Government i should have the present position of the Club placed before it. The Club should make a strenuous effort to get relief from the Government by way of reduced taxation. He did not think tlie Government would turn the Club down if matters were placed concisely before it. Mr Parfitt said he had not favoured the introduction of trotting on the programme, but he had seen how other clubs had increased their attendances through having two trotting events on each day’s programme. He was .inclined to support the innovation at Greymouth.

Mr Doogan thought the Governitlent should be asked to make no charge on the first £lO,OOO put through the totalisator, and charge thereafter a graduated tax. With the present regulations in force, the city clubs had all the advantage, owing to their much larger turnovers. As far as trotting was concerned, he was always opposed to mixing trotting up with galloping. He knew the popularity of trotting, and, if necessary, would be prepared to waive his objections, and agree to -trotting events being placed on the Club’s programme. Mr Grogan asked if trotting events could be placed oil the programme of a metropolitan club. The Chairman: Yes, by first getting the requisite consent. Mr Coates paid a tribute to the cooperation of the staff, the secretary (Mr M. J. Fogarty) and Mr Poscliich, who had acted as caretaker of the course, during the period in which the Club had no caretaker. He moved a hearty vote of thanks to the staff, which was seconded by Mr Reynolds, and was carried unanimously. On the motion of Mi- Parfitt, seconded by Air Wingham, Air Coates was unanimously elected President of the Club.

Mr Doogan thought it should be placed on record that Mr Crates had rendered signal service to the Club, and that the Club was deeply indebted to him for his past services to it. Air Beban supported the suggestion, -which was carried with acclamation.

The election of officers resulted as follows: —

President.—Mr T. E. Coates (reelected). Auditor.—-Mr F. H. Kilgour (reelected). Committee. —'Messrs T. E. Coates, A. Beban, J. D. Wingham, H. F. Doogan, W. H. Parfitt, J. AV. Hannan, AV. E. Reynolds, G. R. Harker, A. Smith, H. D. James, Kim Williams, H. J. Bignell and AV. R. Kettle. The withdrawal of Mr A. Carroll rendered an election unnecessary and the committee -was declared duly elected.

Air Parfitt moved, and Air Moore seconded, that it be a recommendation to the incoming committee that two trotting events be placed on each day’s racing programme. —Carried. Air Wingham moved, and Mr Beban seconded, that the incoming committee be asked to consider the advisability of holding .its meetings of an evening as formerly. —Carried. Mr Doogan moved that the Club telegraph the member for Westland (Mr Seddon, M.P.), and request that before the present session of Parliament is concluded, legislation be passed amending the regulations, so that no racing club will be taxed until the “tote” turnover reaches £lO,OOO, and that the tax be graduated thereafter. It seemed stupid, he said, for the Government to refuse such a concession, when it was reaping the advantage by way of revenue. The present system was practically “killing the goose that laid the golden eggs,” as it was crushing the smaller clubs out oT existence. Air Beban seconded the motion, which was carried.