THAMES TROTTING

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 60, Issue 4340, 6 October 1950, Page 12

THAMES TROTTING

CHANGE IN RULES ANNUAL MEETING HELD EXECUTIVE RESTRICTED A subject of controversy wherever sportsmen met for some time before the annual meeting of the Thames Trotting Club, a new rule has been adopted barring members of the club’s executive from holding similar positions in any other trotting •or racing clubs. Moved by Mr A. E. Rabbidge and seconded by Mr J. Golwill, the new rule was adopted by 33 votes to 29 (with two ‘nformal) after two amenidfm'pnts had been heavily defeated. That there was strong division of opinion was apparent from the protracted discussion in which it became evident that a section of the members w“as firmly convinced that the best interests of the club were being served by having some members of its executive also members of the Thames Jockey Club, which was really the only tie-up that seemed an immediate likelihood. Landltml and Tenant Others, and theirs were the arguments that carried the day, felt that, as the two clubs had to do business with each other as landlord and tenant, so to speak, it would 1 be better for both to keep their executives separate. Three trotting club executive members who are also at the present time members, of the Jockey club executive are Messrs E. J. McLoughlin (whose term finished and who was re-elected last night), C. Coakley and J. H. Ensor, who are not due for rotational retirement for another two k years. Marked Reluctance The whole tone of the discussion showed a-marked reluctance amongst members to do anything that might 'lose for the club the goodwill’ and assistance of three valuable officers but the majority evidently felt that new rule was needed, and the meeting was reminded that, should' any or all of the officers concerned decide their duty lay more with the jockey club than with the trotting club, it would not necessarily deprive the latter of their continued support and their services as stewards if they would consent to undertake that duty. Suggested Amendment Conceding there was a lot of merit in Mr Rabbidge’s proposal, Mr C. Coakley suggested l he might amend it to provide for the new rule’s not coming into effect until present officers* terms expired. Mr Roger Hignett then moved an amendment that the rule should not apply to any present executive member until after his “retirement, defeat by election or death.” After it had been pointed out that the “death clause” was hardly necessary, and Mr Hignett had agreed to drop that part of his amendment, it was seconded by Mr E. Montague and defeated 1 40—22. Messrs C. F. Cleverley land Fred. Beaumont considered it reasonable to apply the proposed rule to racing clubs only, leaving the way open for executive members to serve on more than one trotting club, but the amendment they sponsored along those lines was also defeated, 50—13. Harmonious Relations Before the final vote, Messrs J. H. Ensor and E. J. McLoughlin emphasised that relations between the two local clubs had always been harmonious under the existing set-up, and hoped they would continue so whatever was decided. Exact wording of the new rule is: “If any member holding offict. in the club as president, vice-president or member of the committee shall accept or permit himself to be elected or appointed to any similar office in any other trotting club or in any racing club, he shall, ipso facto, cease to hold office in the club and the office of the club held by him shall thereupon become vacant.” OFFICERS EJECTED MR R. J. ROLFE PRESIDENT Officers elected at the Thames Trotting Club’s annual meeting were-— Patron, Mr A. S. Sutherland, M”.P.; president, Mr R. J. Rolfe; vice-presi-dents, Messrs A. E. L. Dodd, E. J. McLoughlin, A. E. Rabbidge and W. B. Teasdale; committee, Messrs J. E. Arbury, E. J. McLoughlin, S. Ensor and J. Verran; stewards, Messrs W. Bax, F. R. Beaumont, A. Currie. C. Elliott, H. Harden, J. McKenzie. C. McPhail, P. O’Brien, D. G. Smith, C. Welsh, G. Hawkins, W. Richmond.