EXTRA PERMIT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 256, 26 September 1935, Page 5

EXTRA PERMIT

MANAWATU TROTTING CLUB

CONFIDENCE IN FUTURE

Pleasure that an extra totalisator permit had been obtained for a meeting to he held on Labour Dav was j expressed at the annual meeting of the Manawatu Trotting Club last evening, j Mr W. Mouldey presided over an ex- j cellent attendance of supporters of the I light harness sport. Gratification at the recent progress made by the club was voiced, also confidence that Palmerston North was destined to become an important trotting centre. “Since my report on behalf of the committee has been circulated among the members,” commented the chairman after the annual report (already published) and balance-sheet had been adopted on his notion, “I have pleasure in stating that an extra totalisator permit has been granted to the club, which will now.have not less than two days’ trotting a year, Tho committee decided to use the extra permit on Labour Day, October 28, as there is nothing else then in the way of sport within a radius of 100 miles of the city of Palmerston North. If we can get sufficient horses, which it is hoped wo will, and reasonably fine weather, it is anticipated that a very successful trotting meeting will be staged. It was cpnsidered by the committee that two meetings a year would assist in creating further interest in trotting in this district.

“The last meeting was a very successful one, and interest in trotting is certainly growing in the district. If the same success can be continued for a

couple of seasons, the club will be able to give much bigger stakes and obtain good class horses for its principal races, while still catering for the middle and naiden class horse. I would like members to try and induce their friends to join the club, and then it will not be ’ong before there arc big trotting meetings in Palmerston North. There is a first-class racing club at this centre, and there is room for a first-class trot-

ting dub. Tho beauty of Awapuni racecourse and its surroundings, with a nile course, makes it an ideal place for good meetings, and our club appreciate the manner in which we have been met by the officials of the Ma-na-vatu Racing Club. “The grand response made by owners in nominating horses for our meetings is very much appreciated, and in i small measure we have tried to les•en their expenses by providing free itabling accommodation for their horses, and owners and trainers state ..hat this help is much appreciated by them. The stakes for the Labour Day meeting aro £575, which is £25 more than for the first day at the last meeting, and £SO more than on the second lay. If the meeting turns out a success, the stakes for the April meeting will be further increased, so that owners will reap the benefit. “All the committee, officials and a number of enthusiasts worked very hard during the past season on behalf of the club, and I again thank those who gave a helping hand to make the success achieved. The training track laid down last season bv the club has been considerably improved recently by drainage and grading, and is serving a very useful purpose for local

trainers. It is anticipated that more will avail themselves of the track in the coming season.” , During the past week, added the chairman, Mr H. F. Nicol (president of the New Zealand Trotting Association) had visited Palmerston North and inspected the appointments at the Awapuni racecourse, with which lie had been very favourably impressed. He bad expressed the opinion that two two-day meetings a year should be held at this centre, and that an application made for permits of that nature would receive very favourable consideration. STARTING BARRIER.

The adoption by the club of a proper starting barrier, such as that at Wanganui, was advocated by Mi - Stevens, who stated that the present method could hardly be regarded as satisfactory. The secretary (Mr A. H. Manson) intimated that the incoming committee intended to give this matter consideration with the object of securing a suitable starting machine. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follow: —Patron, Mr J. A. Nash, M.P. ; president, Mr W. Mouldey ; vice-pres : dents, Messrs H. J. Woodfield and G. Luoni; hon. treasurer, Mr C. P; Nash.

There were nine nominations for four vacancies or. the committee, to which Messrs E. F. Thwaites, A. Blomfield, H. Guy, and F. Pyeroft were elected. Subsequently, Mr E. B. Vine was appointed by the committee to fill another vacancy. Mr C. I>. Fraser was reappointed auditor. Appreciation of the services of the president was expressed by Mr Luoni who emphasised the. progress made bv the club under Mr Mouldey’s guidance since the transfer of its trotting headquarters from Asliliurst to Palmerston North. A motion on these lines was carried with acclamation.

Confidence in the future prospects of the club was expressed by the president in briefly returning thanks. Tributes to the efficiency and popularity of Mr Hanson as secretary were' voiced by several speeakers. I {eg let was expressed at the demise during the year of Messrs C. E. Goosemnn (Hamilton), the club’s handicapper, and G. Atkinson (Aokautere), a very old member of the club. A resolution was passed placing on record appreciation of the services, over a period of 27 years, of Mr E. B. Vine as a steward, he having been a foundation member of the club. New members were elected as fol-

low:—Messrs A* *.J. Berryman, W. H. Boon, V. Goldfinch, AV. A. Petersen, and 1). McKenzie.