H.B. JOCKEY CLUB

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 203, 10 August 1928, Page 5

H.B. JOCKEY CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING LOSS ON YEAR’S WORKINC. CAMPAIGN TO SECURE NEW . MEMBERS. The annual meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club was held this morning in the club’s rooms, Market street, Mr. T. H. Lowry (president) in the chair. The annual reporf (already published in the “Tribune”) was submitted. The president moved its adoption. Mr. George Ebbett, in seconding the motion, expressed regret that the executive were not able to submit a more favourable balance-sheet. There was, however, one crumb of comfort in the fact that this year's loss was less than half that of the previous year. The committee had continued every effort to find new means of effecting economies. They had reduced the expenses in every possible direction. That was shown by the fact that the loss this year was £B9O, as against £lBOO last year. RACING TAXATION. Alluding to the racing clubs’ taxation, Mr. Ebbett said that the Minister of Finance in his recent statement, sought to show that the financial difficulties of clubs did not arise from the Government, but he did not say that, no matter what losses a club may have made on the year’s racing, they were still called upon to pay a heavy totalisator tax. This year the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club's balance-sheet showed a loss of £BOO, but the Government collected a tax of £B,OOO and then, of course, there was an indirect effect of the taxation unfavourable to the club, but for which the Jockey Club would not be placed in the position it found itself to-day. Mr. Ebbett assured the meeting that the committee would continue to exert the most rigid economy, in order to restore the club to its previous financial stability. There were anv amount ot wealthy people in Hawke's Bay who upheld the sport, and it would be a great pity if the club was placed in the position that they would be obliged even to consider abandoning their racecourse. Mr. Ebbett concluded bv sayiug that the committee hoped they would be able to place a more favourable balance-sheet before them next year. (Applause). The report and balance-sheet were adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers and executive were elected unopposed:—President. Mr. T. H. Lowry; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. G. D. Beatson and A. Reid; hon. treasurer, Mr, J. S. McLeod; committee, Messrs. G. D. Beatson, H. R. Campbell, J. H. Colebourne, G. Ebbett, M. Greenwood, J. Landels, J. A. Macfarlane, T. V. Morrin, O. Nelson. H. R. Peacock nnd Sir George Hunter. M.P. (who is n life member); auditors, Messrs. Rainbow and Hobbs.

RECRUITING MEMBERS. The president (Mr. T. H. Lowry) said he did not take a gloomy view of the club’s futuja. During the last few years they had heen handicapped by adverse conditions, such as droughts and wot race days, as well as financial difficulties, such as strikes, all of which were hostile to the club. He suggested that the members of the club should help by taking a practical interest in the club's business and affairs generally. They could assist by securing new members, getting horses nominated or inviting friends to stay with them for race meetings. It would all help towards large attendances at the meetings. The club had gone through its worst stages and prospects ahead were good. As far as he was concerned he looked with confidence to the future. (Applause) Mr. T. S. Roulston suggested that each member should set himself the duty of securing one new member Mr. Ebbett considered the suggestion good, but they wanted to get together and organise a campaign to recruit new members. They should have no difficulty, if a campaign was organised, to get 300 members, which Would go a fair way to relieve the position. i On the motion of Mr. Roulston, it was decided that the matter of organising a personal canvas for new members be referred to the committee. COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS. Mr. Roulston considered that the sum on the balance-sheet of £132 for luncheons was large and that an economy might be effected in that direction.

Mr. Harold Russell, in drawing attention to the undue number of complimentary tickets issued, to the great detriment of the gate receipts, quoted the following figures:— Autumn Meeting, 1928: First day ; Members’ lady 342. second day 339; lady complimentary (no charge, 183 and 231; trainer or jockey, 106 and 95; trainers asst., 126 and 130; owner, 51 and 52; press, 19 and 39; official, 69 and 73; lady official, 60 and 72; comp. 2/- charge. 150 and 210; lady ditto, 156 and 265; totals, 1262 and 1506; number paid, 448 and 583; members, say 250 and 250; total lawn attendance, 1960 and 2339; outside lawn. 1028 and 1685. Mr. Russell pointed out that those figures meant that, on the first day 1,512 people were admitted free and 1,756 on the second day. The fiomres for the winter meeting in 1928 were:—First day, members’ lady. 310, second day 392; lady comp (no charge), 163 and 213; trainer or jockey, 109 and 79; trainer’s assistant, 89 and 52; owner, 57 and 53; press. 21 and 21; official, 53 and 65; lad„ official. 34 and 61; lady comp., 142 and 267; railway, complimentary 2/-. 104 and 152; 22 and 59; totals, 1104 and 1404; number paid to -awn, 292 and 573; members, say 2MI and 250; total lawn attendance, 1646 and 2237; outside lawn (2/-), *O3 and 1410.

He said he did not think the club could stand that issue of complimentary tickets and something must be done to stem the lavishness, so as to secure a just revznue from the gates.

UNANIMITY REQUIRED. Mr. Ebbett said that to meet the position adequately, there would have to be unanimity between the clubs. If other clubs maintained .this generous issue of complimentary tickets, and the Hawke’s Bay Club restricted them too rigidly, then the club would he compared unfortunately with other clubs. A policy of unanimity should be established. The meeting then rose.