Racing Difficulties On West Coast Are Stressed

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 September 1947, Page 10

Racing Difficulties On West Coast Are Stressed

Reference to the difficulties faced by racing clubs on the West Coast was made by Mr C. L. Kettle, who temporarily occupied the position of the chairman at the annual meeting of the Greymouth Jockey Club last evening. He made special mention of the burden of taxation and the increased costs to be met, particularly by owners of horses. . 1 The club made a small loss of less than £lOO last year, said Mr Kettle, stating that the club had been “up against it” for many years. He referred to the heavy taxation that the smaller clubs felt so much and added that when he had given evidence before the Gaming Commission recently he had pointed out that this taxation curbed the progress of the smaller clubs. He had proposed that if the exemption of the first £lO,OOO of the totalisator turnover were, allowed, it would be of great benefit to clubs. It would alow them to progress and would give the sporting public the necessary amenities.

The extension of the track at Omoto from six to seven furlongs,' he considered, was necessary and he claimed that races on the smaller track were just a “scurry” and better-class horses were not brought over to compete' on it. The public did not have any confidence in .the racing on such a track, he added.

Mr Kettle also referred to the dates of the club’s meetings. He said he was against racing in February. Although there had been two excellent days last season, the club had made only a small profit. Most members of the sporting public in February had lost their money during the Christmas circuit and did not have the necessary cash to patronise the meeting. In June there had been a single day’s racing and the club had made a profit of over £5OO. He thought that the February meeting should be cut down to one-day and the June meeting increased to a two-day fixture. On the West Coast heavy expense was involved in conducting meetings, said Mr Kettle, and a heavy cost had to be met by owners. Railway freight charges had recently increased and the costs to be met by horse-owners were becoming prohibitive. He added that the appointments at Omoto were good and could compare with any but those on metropolitan courses, but until the track was extended to seven furlongs, the club could not progress.

The balance sheet showed assets totalling £4895, and a loss on. the year’s work of £76 4s sd. Expenditure for the year amounted to £15,027, the major items being £6448 for taxation and stakes £5958. On the receipts side, totalisator revenue with £11,580 topped the list. Acceptances brought in £1542 and members subscriptions £205. “Gatemoney” amounted to £924, r£(ce cards £l5B and the booth receipts were £468.

CHANGES IN TWO RULES OF JOCKEY CLUB PROPOSED Two rules of the Greymouth Jockey Club are to be reviewed as a result of proposals made at the annual meeting last evening, by Mr F. L. Turley. These rules refer to the admission of members and notifi-, cation of meetings. “Under the present rule, if two members of the committee do not like the colour of your hair you are out,” said Mr Turley, referring to the fact that if two out of the 12 members of the committee voted against the acceptance of a new member whose nomination was before the meeting, he was automatically excluded.

“That is not democratic,” he said, adding that many businessmen in the town could not put then’ names forward with the surety that there were not two men on the committee who would vote against their admission. “At the worst, a majority vote of the committee should be sufficient,” he added. He recommended that the incoming committee call a special general meeting as soon as possible, to amend the rule. This motion was adopted.

Mr Turley complained at the late arrival of notices of meetings. He stated that when a special meeting ' was called to alter the club’s rules recently, he had not received a notice until a day or two beforehand and was unable to arrange to attend. Similarly he had received the notice of the annual meeting on a Friday when he was notified that nominations for the committee had to be made ten days before the meetingon the following Monday. “What chance had anyone outside of the town, of making a nomination?” he asked. At least 14 days’ notice should be given, he said, and recommended that the committee also consider the alteration of the relevant rule in this connection. The president (Mr J. W. Hannan) said that the rules provided for seven days’ notice to be given, while nominations were to be made 10 days before. He agreed that this rule was difficult to follow. , , This matter was also referred to the committee for its attention. FORMER PRESIDENT OF GREYMOUTH J.C. MADE LIFE-MEMBER

Mr T. E. Coates, who has retired from the presidency of the Greymouth Jockey Club after 28 years in office, was at the annual meeting last evening elected a life-member of the club. His nomination, was proposed by his successor, Mr J. W. Hannan, who was the sole nominee for the position of president. The meeting was attended by 54 members. Returning thanks for the honour accorded him, Mr Hannan said he appreciated that he had only attained the position of president because Mr Coates had declined to carry on. He stated that Mr Coates became president in 1919 —28 years ago, succeeding his (Mr Hannan’s) late father. He (Mr Hannan) had been appointed to the committee that year and during the following 28 years had been associated with Mr Coates and knew of his work for the club.

“The club should do more than express its best wishes .to Mr Coates,” said Mr Hannan proposing that he be elected a life-member. Mi’ A. Beban moved that Mr/ Coates be made a life-member of the club. The motion was seconded by Mr A. Kilgour- and carried unanimously. ■ Mr Coates did not attend last evening’s meeting on account of illness. A ballot was requited tq select the

12 members of the club’s committee, 17 nominations having been received. The following were elected:—Messrs H. Moore, C. L. Kettle, T. E. Coates, F. Costelloe, H. Hall, L. S. Robertson, G. Blair, F. Freitas, A. J. Wilson D. R. Dowell, C. G. McKechnie and J. P. Low. The unsuccessful, members were Messrs A. Beban, B. Cummings, G. R. Harker, A. Smith and F. L. Turley.