L.C.J.C.

Lake County Press, Issue 2391, 31 August 1911, Page 4

L.C.J.C.

The annual meeting of the Lake County Jockey Club was held in the Atheneum Hall, Arrowtown, on Saturday afternoon last. There was a large attendance, some 30 members being present. The vice-president, Mr G D. Baird, occupied the chair, before proceeding with the business Mr G. Reid said he wished to refer to the great loss the Club had sustained by the death of their late president, Dr Douglas That gentleman had been connected with the Club for 10 years and had rendered long and valued services in his capacity as president. Ho moved—That the Club place on record its sincere regret at the death of their late president, Dr Douglas, and the long and valued services he had rendered during the 10 years he had acted as president of the Club. The motion was seconded by Mr Dagg and passed in silence. The Chairman said they all regretted that Mr R. J. Cotter, an old and valued member of the Club, was unable to bo present through illness. His knowledge in Club matters was most useful and the speaker regretted Mr Colter was not present that day. He moved - That the Secretary write Mr Cotter wishing him a speedy recovery. The motion was seconded by ■Mr Connor and carried unanimously. The Chairman said in moving the adoption of tho balance-sheet, subject to the audit, that there would be a small debit this year of some .£l2, after meeting their liabilities. Improvements had been made in the way of buildings on the Arrow Course and this, with the additional totalisator tax, had increased the expenditure The previous year the tax amounted to £3l, and last year £OS, while bookmaker fees fell from £l2O to £0!. Ho moved tho adoption of the balancesheet, subject to the audit. Tho motion was seconded by Mr J. J. Mcßride and carried. Tho secretary ivau the following letter from Hugh Pollen, Under-socro-tary, in answer to a, communication to the Minister of Internal- Affairs : have tho honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 21th July asking whether, in view of the report of the Racing Commission, it Is compulsory for the Lake County Jockey Club to hold their meeting no Frank ton. In reply, i am directed by the Minister of Internal Affairs to inform you that as at present advised ho is not prepared to insist on the meeting being bold at ! Frankton, provided that tho Metro- j politan Club approves (bo progrpmme t and that your Club submit reasons for holding the meeting on some other | course/’ [

It was decided that the members present deal with the question where the races should be held (as formerly) instead of the committee. It was decided on the motion of Messrs McKibbin and Warren—That the Club hold a two days’ meeting as usual.

Mr McCarthy proposed—That the races be held on the Franktca course. Seconded by Mr Paterson. Mr McKibbin proposed, as an amendment -That the races be held on the Arrow course. Seconded by Mr Connor.

A long discussion took place on the question where the races should be held this year. It was pointed out by those who supported Frankton that it was a reserve for racing, and the trustees were prepared to expend £IOO of their revenue in making improvements in the way of railing, etc., whereas the Club’s financial position would not permit of the expenditure out of its funds for a similar amount being spent on the Arrow course. It would probably be a mistake to go against the Racing Commission’s finding. Those who supported the Arrow track contended that the improvements made would be wasted if the place of meeting were changed, the bulk of the monetary support came from the Arrow end, and that the Arrow district members were instrumental in saving the Club’s permit some years bock. On a vote being taken there were 15 for Frankton course and 15 for Arrow coarse. The chairman, in giving hi-, casting vote in favor of Frankton, said he did so because the Club could not, in his opinion, undertake the liability which would be incurred in carrying out the recommendations of the Racing Commission. It would, however, be necessary for the Club to undertake tbo payment of rental of Arrow course during the preseut lease, viz. three

years. The motion to race at Frankton was then put and carried. The following office-bearers were elected : President, Mr G. D. Baird ; vice-president, Mr G, H. Romans; judge, Mr Geo. Reid. These gentlemen thanked the members for the honor conferred on them ; clerk of the course, Mr J. Me A.«ley (vice Mr W. Gumming who intends visiting the Old Country and woilld be away at race time); clerk of the scales, Messrs W. S. Reid and E. Monson ; totalisator clerks, Messrs E. O’Neill and J, J. Mcßride; starter, 'Mr R. Craig; treasurer and time-keeper, Mr R. J. Cotter ; secretary, Mr J J. Mcßride (vice Mr G. Logan resigned). The following were elected stewards ; —Messrs P. McCarthy, C. D. Dagg, G. Reid, L J. Lynch, W. D. Warren, J, J. Mcßride, C Davis, W. B. Hawson, W. Holland, R. M. Paterson, G. H. Romans, H. McKibbin, Jos. Jenkins, R. J. Cotter. P. de la Perrelle, H. Buckham, J. McAuley. E. O’Neill, D. O’Fee, Thos. Johnson, T. Connor, A. Lambie, A. Jopp, P. T. Lynch, Thos. Healey, 0. E. Robins, R. Davidson. Chas. Johnston, J. Crowe, A. Goodley, R. Craig, G. Dudley, J. Smart, E. Graham, E. Monson, J. Collins, R. Hunter, A. Miller, John Muir, W. McKibbin, L. Curtis, J. Fitzpatrick, A. Clarke, A Grant, T. McSoriley, and Geo, O’Fee. A general committee of twelve (six Queenstown and six Arrow members) ■were elected, namely Queenstown : Messrs Dagg. Craig, McCarthy, Lynch, Warren and Monson ; Arrow • Messrs Perrelle, Jopp, R J. Cotter, Connor, Paterson and Robins.

The president, vice-president, and Mr Paterson were appointed a judicial committee.

Messrs Baird, Romans and Perrelle were re-elected a programme committee, and a recommendation was made that the stakes be the same as last year, viz. £475. The following gentlemen were appointed collectorsArrowtown and district, Messrs Baird and Paterson; Queenstown, Messrs McCarthy and Dagg; Glenorchy, Mr G. Reid; Macetown, Mr Hamilton; Gibbston, Messrs E. O’Neill and Johnston; Crown Terrace, Mr H. McKibbin; Skippers, Mr P. T. Lynch; Malaghans, Mr T. J. Healy. Mr G. Logan said that seeing the Club’s financial position was not as good as formerly, he would be prepared to do the handicapping free of charge if the Club desired his services.

Mr Jones, of Winton, wrote offering his services as handicapper and he was nominated for the position. On a vote being taken it was decided to accept Mr Logan’s generous offer.

Mr Geo. Reid proposed and Mr J, J. Mcßride seconded—That all meetings, including the next annual meeting, be held in Arrowtown.—Carried.