RACING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2803, 20 November 1931, Page 5

RACING.

OHINEMURI JOCKEY CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of members of the Ohineqwri Jockey Club was held in the Coronation Chambers, Paeroa, on Wednesday evening, the president (Mr P. E. Brenan) presiding over an attendance of 20 members. Annual Report. The annual report was as follows; "Your committee submits herewith the annual report and balance sheet for the year ended 31st July, 1931, and regrets that for the first time foi’ some years, the season’s operations resulted in a loss. As shown in the balance sheet, the net totalisator revenue decreased by £1,220, and the gates by £4OO, as compared with the previous year, and these two items more than account for the whole of the difference in the result of the two year’s operations. "The financial depression that has prevailed throughout the country has had a serious effect upon racing revenue, and many clubs, particularly country clubs, are facing a difficult situation. Your committee has always Allowed the practice of giving good <4t n Pn money, last year’s total for two days being £3.525; but for the coming meeting, it will be necessary to make considerable reductions, though it is to be hoped that nothing of a panic nature will be suggested. The present depression is.undoubtedly temporary, and your committee believes an optimistic policy will be r «.lly justified, and will greatly assist to maintain the popuarity of the with owners and trainers. as well as the sporting public. "During the year ybur committee was successful in completing negotiations for the closing and vesting in the club of the road running along the club’s ’ eastern boundary, from Aorangi Road to a point about ten chains east of the Elaeagnus steeplechase jump, and also for the opening of an alternative road on Mr Porritt’s side of gully, and the purchase by the club of the area between the closed road and the new road, the total purchase price for the closed road and this area being £375, which includes £75 towards cost of road formation.

"Election >f Committee. —Messrs T. Bnrrctt, P. E. Brenan, W. Neil and F. Tierney are the retiring members of the committee this year, and as only these four gentlemen have been nominated for the vacancies, I have much pleasure in declaring them re-elected. "Your committee has under consideration the installation of the five shilling totalisator at the club's next meeting, but nothing will be decided until later in the season. "Your committee records with regret the death since our last annual meeting of Messrs M. R. Chamberlain and J. Handley, senr., two old and valued members of the club. Finance. The balance sheet, as at July 31st, 1931, was as follows, the figures in parenthesis being those shown in the •'lance sheet for the previous year:—Liabilities.—Patriotic fund, £23 3s 8d (£73 Ils 8d); sundry creditors, £7 Is (£-13 9s Cd); unpresented cheques, £0 12s fid (£1); reserve for bad debts, £5O (£50); overdraft at bank, £7lO 19s 8d (£614 17s sd); capital account as at Ist August, 1930, £19,176 17s fid, less loss for year £lBB 18s 9d—£18,987 18s 9d (as at Ist August, 1929, £17,985 14s lid, plus profit for year, £1,191 2s 7d—£19,176 17s 6d); total, £19785 15s 7d (£19,959 8s Id). Assets.—Property. £16,947 17s 4d (£17,070 7s Id); property—stewards’ stand, £2,500 (£2,650); sundry debtors, £207 12s 6d (£96 ss); stock account, £lO4 10s (£100); cash in hand, £25 15s 9d (£42 15s 9d); total, £1ff.785 15s 7d (£19,959 8s Id). Revenue Account. — Payments: Stakes, £3,525 (£3,818 5s Bd>; insurance, £62 3s (£64 12s lid); auditors, £6 6s (£0 6s); levies and donations, £ll6 9s 9d (£122 Is 8d); entertainment, £l4O 5s (£146 14s); stamps, ‘fleerrams and phones, £-12 16s 6d (£4O Id); general expenses, £l6l 3s 3d (£ll2 12s); printing and advertising, £B4 16s lOd (£lOl 4s lOd); salaries and wages, £647 19s (£705 10s 6d); interest, £5l 12s 9d (£59 10s); rates and taxes, £2Ol 10$ 3d (£l7B 0s Id); rent, £42 (£42); course improvements, £l6 Ils (£94 17s 3d); jockeys’ fees; l/($ (nil); Government totalisator tax, £3,507 13s (£3,840 3s); Government stakes tax, £173 15s (£lBB 15s); Government amusement tax, £lO4 ,12s 3d £49 19s 2d); depreciation account, « , 'KO (£450); bad debts account, £l9 3s (£l7 13s 6d); reserve for bad debts, £5O (£5O).

Receipts.-—Privileges, £590 9s 10d (£645 10s 6d); totalisalor, gross, £6,073 12s 6d (£7,626 0s 9d); gates, £l,OBB Is (£1,481 6s 9d); nominations and acceptances,- £B2O (£BlB 10s); members’ tickets, £9O 6s (£lOl 17s); stabling account, £56 15s (£5B 10s);

stock account, £72 (£B9 18s 3d); stakes tax, £173 15s (£lBB 15s); refund totalisator tax, -£250 (£250); balance of loss, £lBB 18s 9d (balance of profit, £1,191 2s 7d). The report and balance sheet were adopted, members expressing satisfaction with the administration of the club’s affairs, but criticising the heavy taxation now imposed on the sport. The question of a five shilling totalisator was discussed, the matter finally being left to the committee, as recommended in the report. Votes of sympathy were accorded the relatives of the late Messrs Chamberlain and Handley, senr., and also with the club’s caretaker, Mr E. Shaw, in his recent accident.