GREY JOCKEY CLUB CONSIDERS SEVEN FURLONG TRACK

Grey River Argus, 29 September 1949, Page 3

GREY JOCKEY CLUB CONSIDERS SEVEN FURLONG TRACK

Tlie following officers were elected at the annual meeting of the Greymouth Jockey Club, which was held last evening: President, Mr J. W. Hannan (re-elected); auditor, Mr F. Congreve (re-elected); committee, Messrs G. Blair, T. E. Coates, F. Costello, D. R. Dowell, D. F. Freitas, R. R. Hall, C. L. Kettle, J. P. Low, C. G. McKechnie, H. C. Moore, L. S. Robertson, and A. J. Wilson. There was a ballot for the committee, the names of those elected being above given in alphabetical order. The president, Mr Hannan, presenting his annual report, said that the club had had a successful year. “We were not particularly well favoured with the weather’’, he said. “The first day of the February meeting had to be postponed, owing to heavy rain, and in consequence, the second day had to be abandoned. The June meeting was held in fine, but overcast weather, after a long spell of rain. As a result of these adverse conditions, the profits were not what they otherwise would have been. The nett result was practically the same as last year, and the liquid assets really balanced the total liabilities”. The treasurer, Mr Kettle, pointed out that the totalisator returns did not compare with other metropolitan clubs, being much lower. He advocated extending the course proper to seven furlongs, which no doubt would appeal to owners, thereby attracting a better class of horse. This in turn would have a marked influence on racegoers from other centres, and would tend to benefit the club from a totalisator point of View. He suggested that the club’s membership should be increased. Their appointments were as good as any in the big centres. Most of all keener interest by the public was needed. The president pointed out that a seven furlong track would cost a lot of money, and they would not get any appreciable money through an increase in membership. Mr P. F. Thorpy said that there was plenty of available money, and now was the time to expand the course. He recommended that this be done, and that the amenities for visiting owners, trainers, and jockeys should be improved. Mr J. Brown supported Mr Thorpy, considering the club should start a campaign to encourage more members.

The president: “If you doubled the members, our finances would not be greatly improved”. Mr F. L. Turley moved that an increase of £5O in stakes for each open event be made.

This proposal was forgone in favour of Mr T. E. Coates’ suggestion that there should be a general increase for the principal open and fiat races, at the discretion of the committee, the amendment being carried unanimously. Mr J. R. Shepherd moved that the committee obtain estimates, and that, if considered feasible, debentures be issued to members to meet the cost of extension of the track to seven furlongs. Mr H. Moore, representing the ground committee, said that it was hoped to erect new stables, and to effect repairs to the grandstand. The motion of Mr Shepherd as to debenture was carried unanimously. Mr B. W. Caulton asked whether the committee had considered getting a better approach to the The present one often became a bottleneck before and after the races. If these improvements were done, it would avoid the crush.