RACING CLUB

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1939, Page 6

RACING CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING. THURSDA Y, SEPTEMBER 7. The annual ...meeting of the Westland Racing Club was held-at the Chtbroom, Hamilton Street, at 8 o’clock. Jn view of counter meetings, tlie attendance was not large, several apologies for absence being received. Mr 0. J. Mclntosh (President) presided.- „ •After the transaction of the general business,-.-/fie secretary;the annual report ajiAglance, ,sbee.tiv;. • EXE/U'riVE REPORT, i It is pleasing .to .be able to report that the season just passed through has :given some evidence of a turn in the tide of the Club’s fortunes. Two meetings were held as usual, one day at Christmas and two days in February., Both gave satisfactory results, with the totalisator returning substantial figures above the usual turn-over. The Club had other financial assistance in liberal donations from the Licensed Trade, the proceeds from'tlie Art Union, and the Successful race ball. Those three •sources rotiu-hed' £176,” af Very 'dceept:able suni; : aifil ‘Slightly atfefie<is'fhU£l66 by whichHhU 'dolfif? in the general! adcount was reduced from £937 to £771. Every credit 1 imist be"'given' M< r E. T •Stoop ai{d' % tlHjse';As'slstilfg rai'siug the extra/fuhds. ■'<*' -:■•■■■%

The Club’s net receipts for the period .totaled <£4s36,’'and thee.expenditure £4370,, Vhitfi! disclosed ■ tihn of £lO6 Itfifbrredcto!'rthhve.fiil h :.iddjtion the Chib- was able, .to' reduce „th V funded debt by £2OO paid off, and arrears of debenture interest and .other deferred accounts, totalling £l2O. or rt total of £320 reduction in liabilities.The Club’s liabilities are now reduced ’to' £IBSB, of which £IOOO is in debentures. The assets are set down at £2131.

The following taxation was paid to the GovernmentTotalisator, 5 per cent., £959.; dividend, 5 per cent., £839; stakes tax, 1 per cent., £22; amusement tax, £Bl Is 4d; total, £1902. A rebate of 21 per cent, was-’allowed, yielding £479, and the one per cent, rebate was £192, reducing the not payment to tbe, Government to £11231 v /ft is the last- mentioned one per cent, rebate which it is proposed to discontinue. The drop.of .about £2OO in the income .jyili affect' the .stakes and. the generai position 1 , and would’ turn the present oreflifUinto'a. deficit.' ■ Suliable representations have been made, to the Government through the Member, but the meeting may be disposed to make further comment.on the loss, which is serious to. allsmaller clubs. ...

The Club was fortunate in securing, from the Labour Department assistance to the, val.pe v pf £lB2 in the. general overhaul of the grounds, and voty good work was done; to the greatly improved appearance of the course. Further, the. Club was indebted to Mr H. T. Parry, a steward, for designing th} 1 judges W>x in tin- new situation/ ■ acquis?--tion to the success of the conduct of the races, and was very widely approved. Mr Parry had to solve something of n nroblem in preparing the lay-out.which the builders carried out very satisfactorily, // . ■ ,-.• v. ed in stakes for 24 events. The threatened loss of the one per cent, suggests caution, but on the other hand the Centennial period of the country’s history is arriving. It is unfortunate that at this juncture there should he also the serious trouble in Europe, upsetting so uncertainly the / / A v—o However, meantime a draft programme for Boxing Day (one day) and February 24th. and 26th., has. been prepared. This provides. £2270 for 23 events, trotting races ,being excluded from the Christmas meeting. By the time the report is dealt with inferhEtiofial (event's' may indicate hoiy. .far .the. QJub njay. pi-pcped with the anihuaf prbpbs'als/ ”

■ The Club, in addition to the financial, support referred to above, also had much help from several willing worker, ' iii various ways. The ladies were very ' • helpfn) ball jmd bit .‘the .refiTsh•’and others assisted freely in other directions. To all who helped, the .tlianks,of t,he Club are freely extended. The popularity of the meetings with the public and owners was reflected in the success of the race gatherings - which passed off so smoothly. The stewards and officials were all at their posts, and eyery. attention', paid to the duties in hand. It is pleasing to know that those who showed enterprise in conducting the privilegej at the race meetings had an appropriate reward for their work During the year, the Club lost the valued services of Dr Teidielnninn, a member and honorary medical officer for many years. Tho*Doctor took an interest in the Club’s grounds and amenities, and his genial manner and ready advice will he missed by all who know him, for the district lost a very worthy < it,i;zen. Another death during the year was that of Air F. Keating, of Reefton, who was a warm,, supporter of' the Club, and very shortly before his sudden demise was present at the meeting. and presented personally trophies he had kindly donated for trotting events, Yet another loss to the Turf, was the demise of the late 1). H. Roberts, of Greyinoutli, a regular visit, mg owner and patron of the local meetings and liis valued support will be missed. To the relatives of the .foregoing tho sympathy of the Club was communicated.

The loyal support and. ready assistance given to the Club in the past season should infuse greater effort for .continued success, ensuing increased ‘patronage to'the Club. The general condition of the grounds and appointments effieiently maintained . by ; the caretaker, are such that very little

special expenditure is necessary, anti: no large putlay appears necessary. • The. chairman- regretted that?- there was not a larger attendance to hear tile report which indicated an improved position. He was aware, however, that several, members had' engagements at other meetings. lie felt they could thank the secretary again for the care with which the affairs of the Club had been managed, it- was pleasing to see the improved financial position. It was unfortunate that at this juncture when on .the road .to prosperity the .Club’s fortunes should be. menaced by the posi. tion of world affairs.-I- However, they should iape the position, and support the authorities in any way considered | necessary for the benefit of all.. Before moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, Mr Mclntosh referred to> the death of Hr Teiehelmatin and other sports, and those present stood as a mark of respect."

Mr J. J. Breeze in seconding,the motion. and supporting the chairman’s remarks, was pleased that the year had been soSuccessful. He referred also to the economical management of the Club’s affair’s. Others endorsed the remarks and the motion was carried.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The following were apoointed c—kPresident; Mr J. J. Mclntosh.

v i Gcfnerad c Committee: Messrs J. J, Breeze. A, W. • Yarrall, F. McGregor, H. Rutland: •R. Adamson, W. A: ,Jamieson, H. T. Parry, M. H. Houston, ,F. ; Fane, R, AVhiley; M. B. James,: J, J. Mclntosh; Junr.,, and ; L. F. Hogg,

Judicial j,Committee: Messrs J. .J. 31eTntosii, F l . McGregor; R. Whiley, M. H. Houston an,d.M. ,8.. James, , Votes of 'thanks were, passed to .all who had assrsted the. Club, during the past season, Arid helped so' materially to fire greatly improved position of the Club.

Mr E. Stoop, in acknowledging the remarks on behalf of those concerned, stated be had discussed with the chairman of. the .Sports Club the- matter of holding a joint art union to assist the two bodies in tire corning year. This was approved, and Mr Stoop was asked to make the necessary arrangements.

Subsequent to the annual meeting tire Committee, sat to deal with ordinary business.

Correspondence; was read, from the Racing and Trotting Conferences, referring to various matters.of administration and the conduct of race meetings. The matters were referred to the Officials f6r- attention,* ' \ r ■ ft. was decided to procure at set of emergency colours for jockeys..

Tire matter of attention to sanitary matters at the course was advised, and the proposal adopted, ' * The Minister of Internal Affairs wrote stating the representations regarding one per cent, allowed on totalisator clubs would be considered. Mr O’Brien, M.P., on the same subject, said he was conferring with the secretary of the Country Clubs Association respecting an interview with the Minister or Finance when available. I he reply from Mr O’Brien was approved.y. It "was pointed[ put the loss of the rebate would be serious to the smaller clubs, affecting stakes, and any possible credit balance.

It was notified-that the Racing and Trotting Digest had ceased publication, but the Trotting section was to he taken up temporarily by the Trotting Conference. Appreciation was expressed .of the value of the Digest, and regret shown that it had .not had better support.

Regarding the draft programme for the present season, it- was decided to defer consideration till a later date, and to await developments in regard to the European conflict, and the course of action to be followed by, the Government in regard to racing and allied matters. The matter.was referred to the secretary to enquire and report later. * -' j.

At the conclusion of the proceedings on the invitation of tffie president, the meeting toasted “The King and Etnpire.BdU >'