CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7865, 21 May 1886, Page 6

CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB.

The annual meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club was held yesterday afternoon in Tattersall’s; present—Mr W. H. WynnWilliams, in the chair, and Messrs Stead, Walker, Gresson, Griffith, Henderson, C. H. Williams, Grigg, Thomson, Watt, Wilson, Ehind, Acland, Kimbell, Trent, Macpheraon, Cunningham, Dr Frankish, Hon J. T. Peacock, and many others. THH LATE MB LANCE. Mr Stead, before the business of the meeting, would like to move the following resolution :—“ The members of the Canterbury Jockey Club desire to record their sense of the great loss which the Club has sustained in the death of Mr H. P. Lance, and to express their sympathy with his relatives under the severe blow which has fallen upon them so suddenly. They further wish to record their recognition of the extremely active and important part which Mr Lance took in all racing matters during his long residence in New Zealand, and of the great value to the Club of his

counsel and experience, which were at all times readily available. They also feel his place will be very harUco'MX, "ancnnat-t-ia memory, endeared to them by so many years of, pleasant intercourse and general companionship, will assuredly not soon be forgotten.” He could not adequately express his feelings at the loss of so intimate a friend. Mr Lance had spared neither his time nor his purse in behalf of the Club, especially in the early days, while to him also was due to a large extent the present grand stand, for which he had practically acted as Clerk of the works. The Chairman felt that there was no need for a seconder. He could speak from an experience dating back to 1860, of the worth of Mr Lance. The resolution was carried unanimously. OFFICERS, The election of the Stewards and Committee now took place, with the following result: Stewards : Messrs J. Brabazon, P. Cunningham, J. D. Prankish, L. Harper, J. D. Lance, Hon E. Parker, H. H. Prins, Hon W. Beeves, M. Studholme, L. Walker, A. C. Wilson, and H. Wynn-Williams; Committee: Messrs T. Acland, P. Campbell, P. W. Delamain, J. D. Prankish, S. Gar forth, J. B. Gresson, P. Kimbell, B. M. Morten, H. H. Prins, G. P. Williams, C. H. Williams. A. C. Wilson, and H. WynnWilliams. The Treasurer, Mr Stead j the Judge, Mr Kimbell j and the Clerk of the Scales, Mr Garforth, were re-elected without competition. treasurer's statement. The Treasurer, Mr G. G. Stead, read the following:— •• In moving the adoption of the balancesheet and statement of receipts and expenditure, it affords me great pleasure to be able to refer to, the very satisfactory accounts which are now placed before you. It is true that, had all outstanding cheques been presented on April 30, our banking account would have shown a debit balance of £769 17s, against a credit balance of £364. 15s 2d at the similar period in the preceding year j but''when we take into consideration the fact that, in addition to the large increase in stakes, we have expended the sum of £1982 18s 2d during thq year on permanent improvements, consisting of the new stand, new gallop, Ac;, we may fairly regard it as a matter for congratulation that our funds have borne the strain so well. In explanation of the reason why cheques to the amount of £1460 16s 3d were outstanding on the date of our balance, I may remind you that the Autumn meeting was held only a few days prior to the close of our financial year, and that several of the cheques issued on April 28 for various, stakes were not presented on April 30. The late date of the meeting also explains, why £233 3s, due by the New Zealand Bail ways, had not been received when the

books were closed. I may point ont that when this sum is received it will reduce the bank overdraft to £536. 14s. Before reviewing the figures, I may say, en passant, that as the outgoing Committee did not i contemplate any further expensive improvements beyond fencing in the course, the authority for which was granted at the general meeting in November, the Club may reasonably hope for the debit balance being liquidated during the coming season. A reference to the accounts will show that we paid away the large sum of £11,152 8s in stakes, or an increase of £1527 12s as compared with the previous year, and when it is seen that the Club has only received the comparatively trilling sum of £699 for nomination fees, it will be apparent that horse-owners have been treated with very great liberality. Going further into details, you will observe that the net amount of added money contributed by the Club was £8550, against £7125 last year, and the net amoiint paid for sweepstakes £2602 Bs, against £2499 16s in the previous season. There are one or two items, however, which exhibit a slight falling off ; for instance, the general subscriptions have declined from £162 15s to £126, or a reduc-1

, tionof £36 16s. ■ Considering, alro, that ■ } we had seven days’ racing in place of six , ' in the preceding year, we might fairly hay* 3 expected a greater increase in the item of 1 ' race receipts ’ than £Bl 13s 6d. With i regard to the expenditure, it is only- to b* expected that the charges should expand * with the volume of work performed; but J 833 > 17b 3d in excess of last year’s disbursements 1 l° r gatekeepers and like expenses, under heading of ’.attendance, at meetings,’ is rather more than is warranted for the extra . day, and I trust that we shall be able £* effect an economy in this department during the ensuing season. The item of 1 ‘general expenses’ also has grown from £124 4s 3d to £2BB 5s lid, the excess being principally caused by an allowance to the handicappers of £35 for travelling expenses, sundry charges for fitting up and papering new offices, a higher office rent, tbie sum of £8 18s 9d for property tax bm the C.J.C. Eailway, and sundry other small items. As I have already Mentioned, £1982 18s 2d has been ex- * pended upon permanent improvements, , which sum, added to the amount paid away for stakes and sundry charges, -brings th* total disbursements up to the large total of £14,758 6s 9d, against £12,266 18s 2d for 1885; while the receipts have been £13,856 17s 7d (inclusive of the balance brought forward), against £12,123 12s 7d, thus, making ah increase of £2491 8s 7d in th* expenditure, and £1733 5s in the receipts. A further analysis of the accounts show* that the net profit for the season, including disbursements for permanent improvements, was £110913s lid, which is made' up by profits on the Spring and Autumn meetings of £1445 18s Id and £316 8s 6d respectively, less a loss of £283 3s oh th* Midsurhiner Meeting, and general expense* (less general receipts) of £369 9s Bd. Before passing from the accounts I cannot refrain from asking' members t* glance at the statement of assets - and liabilities, from which it will be seen that our liabilities— including £424 received for future races—only amount to . £969 14s, while our assets, after writing off this year £482 18a 2d, for depreciation, are valued at £10,500, thus leaving the very handao me balance of £9530 6s Od in the Club’s favour. The stands, lawn, enclosures, training tracks, and plantation* ate all in excellent order, and when th* railing round the racing track is finishedT*s*" 5 *" there will apparently be very little further to do, as the convenience of the public has been studied in almost every direction. At the same time, I have no doubt that in our continued march of improvement, we shall yet find ‘ fresh fields and pastures new,’ in which we can still further promote th* convenience of the public, A brief summary of the work completed, and improvements made during the year, may interest you. The tan-gallop of one mile and nin* and a half chains in circumference, which was in course of construction last year, ha* been finished, and has proved of immens* service to trainers. In fact, it is considered by them to be the very greatest boon that could have been given to them, as it ean be used for training purposes when th* other gallops are quite under water., Th* new stand'that has been referred to, waa. designed by Mr Strouta, and has been built of brick at a cost of £IOBB 15s 6d. It i* known as the half-crown stand, and was erected to replace that destroyed by fire in November 1884, It has been found t* answer its purpose extremely well, aa th* view from it is unequalled by either of th* pther-stands, but it would be improved if it were covered iu, aa the cold, bleak wind* we so often experience in Canterbury search ' through and through its occupants when , 1 the weather is bad. The newly erected windmill pump and tanka, with the supply of water laid on therefrom to various parts of the enclosures, are found to be a great convenience, besides which they were needed, as a precautionary measure against .fire. The new notice and scratching boards, designed and constructed at the instanc* I of our indefatigable Secretary, have been I much appreciated by the public who patro- ' nise the stands outside of the enciflsuwiaa* M acquainted with what: IB going on in the way of scratehings, &e., &c., as the occupants oh the grand stand. In accordance, also, with Vhe resolutions adopted by you at the last aatmal meeting, the outgoing Committee have revised the rules of racing, and made provision in them for the control of country meetings. Several minor works have also engaged the attention of your Committee and Secretary, but the foregoing comprise those of most importance.. It would not, however, be fitting if we concluded this meeting without making reference to the adoption by the Dunedi*. Jockey Club and ourselves of the same set of racing rules, and I think it is a matter for congratulation that the two Club* should so promptly have decided upon a code that is acceptable to both. We can now only hope that our friends in Auckland will see their way to adopt the same code, which would ultimately mean that every race meeting in New Zealand would hr governed by one law, and guided by tb* same regulations. Then there would b* some prospect of future racing in this country being conducted sons peur et sons reproche.” Mr Stead concluded by moving the adoption of ■ the report and balancesheet, and that it be printed and circulated among the members. Mr Gresson seconded this, and it w»« carried without discussion. THANKS, Dr Frankish moved a vote of thanks t* Mr Kimbell, Judge; Mr Garforth, Clerk of the Scales ; Mr Stead, Treasurer; and th* Starter, Mr Campbell. The motion was seconded by Mr C. H. Williams and carried; as was a vote of thanks to the auditor, Mr Garrick, with the addition of a recommendation to th* Committee to take into consideration th* best means of expressing their appreciation of his valuable services. , A hearty vote of thanks was given 'als*. to the handicappers. Dr Frankish moved —“That it be an instruction to the in-coming Committee to place a specific sum, say £SO or £IOO, at the disposal of the Handicapping Committee, to meet the expenses incurred by the handicappers in visiting distant part* of New Zealand.” Mr Kimbell seconded the motion,, which was carried unanimously. The meeting then closed.