MANAWATU RACING CLUB.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 10163, 31 August 1915, Page 2

MANAWATU RACING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the Manawatu Racing Club wiis held last evening. The president, Mr J. 11. P. Strang, occupied the 'chair, and 44 members were wrcsent. t ANNUAL REPORT AND i BALANCE-SHEET. I The thirty-fifth annual report and balancesheet were submitted for the year ending 30th June, 1915, as follows; The balance to credit of profit and Joss account is £2443 8a lOd, after allowing for depreciation the total sum of *£1153 14s 2d, and giving donations to the Patriotic Funds of £9OO. The 1 totausator turnover increased by £16,061, i with a grand total of £135,796, which it > easily a record tot the club. These results 1 are mo.it satisfactory and gratifying. The 1 expenses for the year amount to £12,944, 1 being £456 less than last year, although the • Stakes were increased by £350. The apI pointments of the course arc well maintain •led. The sum of £275 was spent, thereon, '! mostly in connection with the increased U water supply The mortgage account now ► stands on the balance-sheet £5500, but this [| amount has since, been reduced by yom 'committee paying the sum of £2OOO. This Mcourso was considered advisable in consequence of the present state of affairs and in ' view of tile jmssiblo depreciation in racing J mutter* after the conclusion of this terrible J vval'. Your committee have made the fol- | lowing donations in connection with the J funds being raised to assist the Empire in | the present crisis;— War and Regimental [ Funds, £500: Belgian. £200; Servian, , £100; Hospital Ship. £IOO. The course I has been used this year by tho Trotting Clut i and Hunt Club for their respective meetings I free of cost. Tho sum of £25 was donatec I to t;i c Manawatu A. and P. Association to I vvardi encouragement in breeding horses, li l is the intention of the club to continue this I donation yearly. The Awapuni course, witl I its buildings and appointments, were piacet at the disposal of the authorities for the firsi Expeditionary Force free of cost, with th< undertaking that any damage done was ptn into proper repair, which was duly carvice out. Since that date the grounds have beei again given to the military authorities fre< of cost, the- t'hib assisting as far as possibh in making temporary alterations. A largi

party of ti-oops were stationed on tin grounds, and when removed left the courai and appointments in perfect order. At t!< present time the buildings arc l>cinjx usa ;•.» ;v convalescent homo by the authorities The grounds, lawn.-;, and course arc Wei maintained and in excellent order, which re tiects credit to the caretaker and his siafl About 60 holies are now using the coiirsi for training purposes at Awapuni. You committee desire to thank the honorary ofh eials and permanent staff of the club for tin satisfactory manner in which they have car ricd out their duties during the year. In moving the adoption of the annual re port and balance-sheet, the chairman point ed out that last year it was intended tha certain improvements and alterations wouh be made at Awapuni, but in consequent of the war it was deemed advisable to epen< no money that was not absolutely neoessar; on the grounds and appointments, and till course would, he thought, meet with lb unanimous approval of members, lie wa pleased to .say that the balance-sheet showe<

a successful year, and after allowing for dc preciation, a considerable sum ways loft t< credit. It. had boon deemed advisable to re duce the present mortgage by tho -sum o £2OOO. leaving the balance on mortgage £3500. This left tho club in a strong posi Hon. It wab necessary to make sacrifice in endeavouring to carry on during the com ing year with the present, appointments which, he thought, was the proi>cr course t< [adopt. The totalizator increase (£16,061 hist year, was the highest, yet reached b' t lie Club, but as it was probable that suci a largo, turnover would not take place dining the coining year, it was thought hardl; advisable to increase the stakes. The classic events continued to be well patronised b} owner*. The Christmas and autumn meet ings were*-most successful in every way, am Mr Cooper's proposition of a gold cup fo the autumn meeting proved a great success and he is to be warmly congratulated upoi initiating this race. The course and ap pointments were well maintained, and th improvement* carried out last year gav< great satisfaction to patrons. It is the opin ion of the racing authorities in the Dominioi that notwithstanding the war, racing shouh be continued, which is doubtless quite righ as long as it does not interfere with th< military arrangements, so that this Dominioi may do all she can to help the Mothe Country in bringing the war to a sticccssfii issue. At the present time the stewards stand and grand stands were being used a convalescent homes for the forces. Th committee had come to the conclusion that i was advisable to register the Club under th Unclassified Societies' Act, under which i large number of clubs were now working The formalities were nearly completed, am when finished would enable the club to brinj the land under the Land Transfer Act. Tin rule passed last year for the purpose of ad mitting associate members had been appre ciated, and 12 members had joined unde; these conditions. The election of distric representatives of the Racing Conference took place this year. -The committer nominated Mr J. Goring Johnston, anc Messrs J. 11. Pcrrett and B. Gcodbehen were nominated by other clubs. The tw( latter were elected. Messrs J. H. Pcrrett F. G<x>dbchore. 11. R. Cooper, J. M Johnslon and 11. J. Cameron were electee members of the district committee. Captaii W. G. C. Smith, a member of the club, i; taking part in the fighting at the Dar dandles. Mr C. Louisson, the hon. treasurer seconded the motion, and at the same tim< presented the annual report of the finances of the club. The balance-sheet, said Mi Louisson. showed that- last year was the most successful in the club's existence, the gross credit balance being £4500, notwitb standing the strenuous limes through which they were parsing. Compared with the pre vious year, the stakes were increased bv £350. making a grand total of £B6Bs—a record for the club. Entrance fees had de creased by £368. This was accounted for by nomination and acceptance fees being re duced to bring the Club into line with other clubs, which was a wise procedure. The "privileges" account showed an increase ol £1371, which was mainly due to an increased lotalisator turnover, gate takings, and correct cards, and to maintain that turnover, lotalisator expenses and printing necessarily showed a small increase. The amount writ ten off for depreciation on tho Club's properties during the last few years had beer very large, and represented moro than tlicii value for racing pur|)oses. It was not neces. sary to write anything more off the club's railway, which now paid for itself. Mi Louisson said it would be excusable to touch on the sum of £9OO, £SOO of which was voted last year, given for patriotic purposes, which would meet with the entire approval of every member of th© club, and any further proposition of a similar nature should be endorsed by all members with acclamation. The financial position of the club was such that it could respond, if neces sary. to any appeal made. The Club had a? assets their racecourse, moveable property and appointments, with a credit balance ir cash of £I6OO bearing interest. Against this the club owed £3500, having reduced th< mortgage this year by £2OO. The club did not intend to make any improvements or spend any money not absolutely necessan while the war lasted. During the year the committee purchased a motor lawn mower, at a cost of £225 6s sd. which had proved most satisfactory, and enabled the club tc KCt tho saddling paddock cut and keep the lawns in better order. The motion was then put and carried unI animously.

OFFICE BEARERS. i Tlio election of office-bearers was then proceeded with and resulted as follows: Patron, Mr U Buiek, M.P.; president, Mr J. H. P. Strang; vice-presidents, Messrs H. It. Cooper, and ,1. Goring- Johnston; hon. treasurer, Mr (,'. Louisson; auditors, Messrs Huthcrfnrd -and C'onncll; committee, Messrs J. I!. P. Strang, L. A, Abraham, K. L. Broad, H R. Cooper. H. Gillies, J. Goring Johnston, C. Louisson, S. R. Lancaster, C. A. Loughnan, 11. Gifford Moore, F. 8. Mcßae, It. A. McKenzie, F. J. Nathan, D. Pringle, \V. Randell, and E. Wood. GENERAL. Mr It. A. McKenzie moved, and it was (allied, that it be a recommendation to thecommittee that no complimentary tickets be issued during the coming year, except to members of Expeditionary Forces. Mr L. A. Abraham moved a hearty vote cf thanks to the president for his services during the past year. The way he had identified himself with the soldiers, and the special care and trouble ho had always taken in the interests of the Ciub, were worthy of the deepest thanks of tho members Other members spoke in similar strain, and the motion, cu being put, was carried with applause. , Mr Strang thanked tho members for five honour they had done him by re-electing liirn president and for their vote of thanks, and for their support and assistance during the past year.