Foxton Racing Club

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6621, 6 August 1931, Page 2

Foxton Racing Club

. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Foxtou Racing Club* was held at Foxton last evening. Tho president (Mr. W. E. Barber) was in tho chair and there was a good attendance of members. The presdent’s annual report stated, inter alia: “In common with other racing clubs throughout New Zealand the club has suffered from the prevailing depression and tho committee regrets that owing to tho difficult period we are passing through a successful year cannot bo recorded. The committee has odeavoured to reduce expenditure to a minimum, and a perusual of previous balance sheets will bo convincing proof of its success in the endeavour. Owing to unexpected increase in Government taxation the club incurred extra expenditure amounting to £403, which, if deducted from the loss, compares very favourably with tho previous year's profit and loss account. The club has been allotted Wednesday and Thursday, January 13th and 14th, 1932, for the next race meeting. The thanks of tho club are due to the Foxton United Sports Association for lodging with the club’s bankers a £IOO bond as guarantee against tho club’s overdraft. It is with deep regret that i havo to record the demiso during the year of the following members: Messrs A. Broolc-Taylor and L. Robinson; also Mr. J. Kcbbcll, the oldest racecourse trustee." Tho balance-sheet showod that tho total expenditure for the year amounted to £3941 0/0, of which the main items woro as follow: Stakes £IBSO, Government taxes £6lO 7/6; improvements and depreciation £471 15/7; salaries and wages £275 3/8, printing, etc.. £144 15/3, attendants’ fees, rates expenses ,otc., £SBB 18/6. Receipts from all sources totalled £3367 10/5, made up as follows: Totalisator £1764 5/6, nominations and acceptances £516 18/5, training fees £ll 10/-, members’ subscriptions £ll7 12/-, privileges £152 gates £417 8/-, correct cards, hire of boxes and rents £2S7 16/6, sale of trees £IOO. The loss for the year was £573 10/1. Tho assets of the club exceed the liabilities by £3218 1/9. In discussing tho annual report and balance sheet the chairman referred to the increased taxation imposed by tho Government. In accordance with the recommendations from the last

annual meeting representations had! been made to tho Minister of Internal’! Affairs with a view to securing some relief, but the effort had proved fruitless.

Mr. D. Christie asked, in view of tho club's financial position whether it was proposed to cut stakes, salaries < etc., by 10 por cont. The chairman detailed tho economy, measures already taken. In comparison with tho previous year stakes had been reduced from £3270 to £IBSO, salaries from £231 to £lsl, and other expenditure accordingly, lie added that the committeo would give further consideration to action in this direction.

The opinion was expressed that tho local club was not as badly off as some other clubs, and an optimistic view was taken in regard to tho future. In answer to a question the chairman said the introduction of the 10/* “tote" had proved successful and had undoubtedly helped the club at the last meeting. After further discussion tho report and balance sheet were adopted. Tho following officers were re-elected unopposed: Patron, Mr. J. 11. Whyte (Toffomaru); president, Mr. W. E. Barber; vice-presidents, Messrs E. Bryant, 1 W. T, Jewell, H. Coley and G. E. ltobinson; stewards, Messrs M. B. Burgin, 8. L. Jackson, W. Kirkland; auditor Mr. A. Eraser. ‘

During ensuing discussion Mr. Kirkland suggested that the club should include trotting events in the programe of the annual meeting. There were quite a number of trotters in the district and he had been assured of at least twenty now members if the proprosal were adopted.

The chairman said that members of the Manawatu Trotting Club had suggested to him that the inclusiou of trotting events would prove most popular. They had promised their support.

Mr, Bergin pointed out that the committee had previously communicated with the secretary of the New Zealand Racing Conference in regard to the matter, The club could do nothing without the sanction of both tho Racing and Trotting Conferences. It was pointed out that the practice of having trotting events in addition to the gallops was common in the South Island. Tho chairman said it was breaking now ground as far as the North Island was concerned, but in view of the financial position of the club ho thought the difficulties could bo overcome. » There were sufficient iroUer” in ihe

distrief. to warrant the inclusion of tho events, said Mr. 1 hrutensen. General appro7-.il of the suggestion was expressed and it was unanimously decided tnat 't do a rt-eommenduGon to tho general committee to n ake every endeavour to arrange for the inclusion of two trotting events in on eight-event programme for each of the two days of the meeting to be held in January next.