RACING AND THE WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17290, 4 October 1916, Page 5

RACING AND THE WAR.

A CLUB'S FUNDS. CANDID CRITICISM BY A MEMBER. A discussion on the disposal of profits arose at the annual meeting of the Wellington Racing Club, which has enjoyed considerable prosperity during the war. The president. Mr J, B. Harcourt, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said that since 1914 the amount paid in stakes had increased from £22,094 to £25,900, totalisator receipts from £28,720 to £45.07(3, gate money from £4679 to £5259, and railway receipts from £3687 to £3765. Altogether tho ciub's revenue had increased since 1911 from £46.239 to £b - 3,201. On the other side of the account. Government tax had risen from £7707 to £17,431, and other items showed small increases.

Referring to patriotic donations given by racing clubs in New Zealand, Mr Harcourt said that the. Wellington Racing Club was desirous that these donations should form a common fund for the establishment of a soldiers' and veterans' home. "It is obvious," continued the president, "' that a number of men, without relatives, will return to New Zealand maimed and invalided, and they will be dependent on their pensions for their existence. Such a homo on good land in a central position, say the Hutt Valley, would be an everlasting memorial of what the racing clubs had done, and would provide a permanent homo for disabled soldiers on the lines of institutions in England and elsewhere. So far, however, tho suggestion has not received the support that it deserved, and for the time being the scheme, has fallen through. An effort, however, will again be made to bring the matter before tho clubs, and it is to be hoped with better result." " NOT THE RIGHT THING."

Mr J. J. M'Grath contended that the club was not doing the sporting thing in regard to its funds. It was not necessary for the club, in these times, to show a profit, and yet it had over £4OOO cash in haw:. It had spent £50,000 on the present course in improvements, etc, and the ground had only cost £BOOO. Again, this year's balance-sheet showed that the sum of £10,665 had been written off. Included in this amount was £9979 for freehold property, and £157 for the luncheon aad tea-room plaut. In connection with the latter items he would ask tho stewards to explain their action in writing such a large sum off. The club was now out of debt, and could well afford to make a substantial donation to some patriotic or wounded soldiers' fund. Mr M'Grath went on to compare the amount given by the Wellington Racing Club (£1150) to patriotic funds with that given by clubs which were not anywhere near as wealthy. During the course of this ..comparison hesaid that the Canterbury Jockey Club had given £5658, Auckland Racing Club £5020, Manawatu £4200, Waiigamii £2857, Wairarapa (Tauheremkau) £1655, Egmont (Hawera) £1650, Napier 'Park £1250, and the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club had giveu the whole of its profits, desmto the fact that the club was £20,C00 in debt. Continuing, the speaker said that tho Australian Jockev Club had. donated the magnificent sum of £24,510 to patriotic Kinds, while other Australian clubs had given handsomo sums also. He earnestly the stewards to consider the matter', so that the Wellington Racing Club one of the wealthiest bodies ra New Zealand, could bo classed accordingly. It was a pity that the stakes had "been increased at the present time, said the speaker, because the mcroase

could have been given to the fund for wounded soldiers. With the chairman's permission ho would liko to move tho following resolution: —"That the trustees should take into consideration the desirability of donating a substantial sum of not less than any other club, to the Wounded Soldiers' or any other fund."

Mr D. M. Fintllay said that he agreed with Mr M'Grath that the club should do something in tho matter, but he thought that certain guarantees should bo got rid of first before the club could make a generous contribution to the funds. He was also of opinion that all clubs in New Zealand should contribute to a central fund on similar lines to thoso suggested by the presideufc. That was to erect a permanent home for returned maimed and wounded soldiers in tho Hutt Valley. THE CLUB'S HELP IN THE WAR. Mr C. P. Skerrett said that he felt sure that members of tho club would do the right thing by the Empire in the matter. Relatively speaking, the Wellington club was a new club, and it had just succeeded in paying off its liability in connection with the Trentham course, and its current capital only amounted to £4OOO. The club had heavy taxes to face. It was the first time that it had had to pay income and war tax, the latter amounting to 45 per cent. He said that the stewards would be exercising a wise discretion in holding their hands at present. Regarding the question of the increase in stakes. Mr Skerrett said that those had been made automatic on account of the increased totalizator receipts. He also referred to what the Wellington Racing Club had done in granting the defence authorities the use of the buildings, etc., at Trentham. Had it not been for this offer tho defence people would have been in a peculiar position. Every possible help and assistance had been given by tho club to the defence people.- and this had been acknowledged by the Government. It was quite obvious to thoso present that Mr M'Grath's proposition could not be considered at that meeting. Mr Skerrett also strongly advocated the erection of a permanent home for returned wounded soldiers. Mr M'Grath said that there had evidently been some misconception regarding his statements, and he went on to explain his object in bringing his proposals hefore the meeting. He said that if a club like the Wellington Racing Club, with a capital of £14.700, and no liabilities, could not at onco give an amount to the Patriotic Fund, then it was something that he could not understand. The president explained that the club had given thirteen acres of ground to the Government for defence purposes, and had given thorn the use of 232 acres. He reiterated his former remarks in regard to a.permanent memorial, in conjunction with other clubs, being established. As no one seconded Mr M'Grath s resolution, he asked' the chairman if the stewards would consider the remarks of Mr Skerrett, Mr Findlay and himself. A reply was received in the affirmative, and tho discussion closed.