TROTTING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 256, 26 September 1940, Page 4

TROTTING.

MANAWATU CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the Manawatu Trotting Club was held last evening in the Manawatu Racing Clyb’s rooms, the, president (Mr W. Mouldey) presiding over a good attendance. The following wore declared elected for the various offices for the ensuing year, no election being necessary as the number of nominations did not exceed the number of, vacancies Patron, Mr J. Hodgens, M.P.; president, Mr Mouldey; vice-presi-dents, Colonel J. Jl., Whyte, Messrs 11. J. Woodficld, B. J. Jacobs. J. Batche ar and A. MacDonald; bon. treasurer, Mr C. P. Nash; auditor. Mr T. K. Fraser; committee, Messrs W. R. Douglas, It. Emmett, S. W. JL Evans, and F. Smith. Mr Evans was welcomed as a new member of the committee.

The report (as already published) and balance-sheet were adopted on the motion of the chairman, who said that lie had not much to add to the published report. ’The club bad experienced a bad year, because of its holding a meeting outside the circuit; it did not have the support of other trottings meetings in the district at the same time. .There did not seem, to be enough support for trotting in this part of the North Island for a club to hold a meeting on its own. The club should most certainly come in on a circuit, ilc would like to see more support for trotting events at the Manawatu Spring Show, as_ these would help to stimulate interest in the sport. Bad weather at the club’s meeting bad also created a tendency for less money to be put through the totalisator. Mr A. Sutton referred to the work of the club’s officers in the past, and v said it was obvious that the loss for the year was due to circumstances ever which the officers had no control. Ho asked how the loss of the totalisator rebate mentioned in the report, bad affected the club. The secretary (Mr A. 11. Manson) said that this made a difference of about £l4O at the last meeting. Mr Sutton continued by congratulating the club’s officers. Ho thought that there was every reason, if the committee could arrange dates to fit in with other meetings, for the club to look, forward to a successful year. Asko'fl about the prospect of having a meeting in Wellington, Mr Manson said there was nothing definite about this yet. It was likely that the Wanganui Racing Club, because of its course being used for a military camp, would want to race at Aivapuni at the same time as the trotting club’s meeting. Both clubs had the same dates. Mr Manson later added that it was a very bad policy for a club to go away from its own course. , Mr A. W. Yortt said that if the club was to produce a more satisfactory turnover it woulcl have to reduce expenditure or get into financial difficulty. On the basis of the last totalisator turnover of £14,323 10s the club would have to put through £21,000 on the next occasion, with the same conditions as for the last meeting, to be even with its expenses. He also referred to the expenses for the totalisator working and for salaries and wages, and to the need for increasing the membership. Mr Evans mentioned that the stipendiary steward had said at the last meeting that he coil'd make no suggestions about bow the club could improve its meeting. The steward thought that it was carried through as well as any meeting could be. Mr Manson said that the trotting was as good as was to bo seen in any part of New Zealand. Mr Yortt said ihat he felt that the club should keep its stakes at the present level. It had been proved from the last depression that clubs which had the courage to maintain or increase their stakes were now reaping the benefit. Members had to do something to push the Trotting Club ahead. There was talk of increased permits, but that was just beating the ah'. They had to produce results with the permits thvo already possossed, and he considered that the club was not producing the results it should have done. He moved- a recommendation that the club use_ every, endeavour to see that the stakes this year arc maintained at the level of last year’s. 1 By that be did not mean that the stakes [ for each race should be the same as last ] year. . ! The recommendation was carried. |

In reply to Mr W. Dustin, Mr Manson said that (he club sent out many complimentary tickets.

A discussion took place on means cf inereasi j the membership, and members agreed to do their utmost ill this respect. It was decided to send a letlhr to Mr IT. E. Mouldey regretting that, through illness, he was unable to contest a seat on the committee this year, and express-

ing appreciation of his services. Votes of thanks were passed to the Man a-; watu Racing Ouib, for its assistance during the year, and "to oflicc'rs’ of" tiio .Trotting, Club for their services. On the motion, of Mr J. Batchelar,’ thanks; were, expressed to the president for his outstanding work.