MARTON RACECOURSE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 237, 3 September 1927, Page 8

MARTON RACECOURSE

MODERN APPOINTMENTS. OFFICIALLY OPENED YESTERDAY The completion of a programme of extensive alterations to the Marton Jockey Club’s racecourse, which entailed an outlay of some £50,000, was marked by the return to its own property yesterday, when the spring meeting was opened under most auspicious circumstances. In the interim the club had used the Feilding course. The indifferent weather conditions or tne early morning gave way to brilliant sunshine, which continued throughout the course of the day, thereby materially assisting towards the enjoyment of the large concourse of racing entliuisasts. The opportunity was not allowed to pass by without paying tribute to those who had assisted towards the scheme of improvements which have wrought such a big transformation, the club now possessing modern appointments in every respect, the large inside stand and stewards’ stand, both of which are of brick, being unique in that they are placed on angles which furnish patrons with exceptionally fine views of the racing track itself. CLUB’S EARLY HISTORY. During the course of an official luncheon, Mr W. S. Glenn, member for Rangitikei, proposed the health of the Marton Club, he taking the opportunity to detail at length the nature of the improvements which had been effected and to relate the history of the club which had away back in 1882 raced at Upper Tutaenui, when it had celebrated its birthday by conducting a most successful fixture, the principal event carrying with it a purse of 10 sovs. Later, the club had linked up with the Rangitikei Club and, they had raced at York Farm till 1901, the two units then branching out on their own, and, from the small scale on which Marton originally conducted its activities, ~ the club had developed to the proua position which it held that day. In respect to its totalisator returns, the club had grown in popularity until the sum of £IOO,OOO had been put through in 1921. Many of those sportsmen who had been associated with the club over a long period of years were still actively interested, and he was particularly pleased to note the presence of Messrs John Stevens and Donald Fraser and Sir James Wilson, who still retained their old love for the sport. During the past few years the club had adopted a policy of progress and the improvements which had been carried out during the past two years had entailed an outlay of approximately £50,000, but which had been expended in a very capable manner. Geographically, Marton was most favourably situated and in that respect held a distinct advantage over any other portion of the Dominion; although, he added, one friend in Mr J. M. Johnston might not agree with him in that respect. To Mr Johnston the club was deeply grateful for the tremendous help he had rendered in the planning and laying out of the new stands. The course alterations had been carried out under the direction of Mr A. Hill, of Ellerslie, and the club’s own caretaker. In its secretary, Mr A. Way, the club was distinctly fortunate, for it possessed an officer whose zeal and energy invariably spelt success. There were many others to whom thanks were due, “but,” concluded the speaker, “they are such an enthusiastic lot that it would bo unfair to discriminate.” “A RED LETTER DAY.”

In replying to the toast, which had been most enthusiastically honoured, the president, Mr It. 15. Beckett, mentioned at the outset that, as time was limited, he did not propose speaking at any length, save to extend thanks to Mr J. M. Johnston for the excellent service he had rendered the club; to the Feilding Jockey Club for the use of their course during the progress of the improvement scheme, and for which the sister body had not asked one shilling; to the course committee for the splendid work they had performed in connection with the laying down of the new tracks, and to all those who had in any way assisted in the general scheme. The speaker concluded by expressing his gratification at the attendance of so many old friends, many of whom had come from long distances to be present that day—a red letter one in the history of the club. Prior to the company dispersing Mr Glenn, at the request of Mr S. Spriggins, totalisator proprietor, presented Mr Beckett with a copy of the race book which had been in use at the time when the Marton Club had last raced on York Farm.