Woodville District Jockey Club

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7241, 22 August 1933, Page 10

Woodville District Jockey Club

FINANCES SOUND There was a good attendance at the annual meeting of the Woodvillc District Jockey Club, which was held in the Borough Council chambers on Friday evening. The president, the late Mr S. Bolton, presided. The annual report (previously published) and the balance-sheet were adopted on the motion of the president and Captain M. O. Grainger. The following officers, who retired by effluxion of lime, were re-elected unopposed: —President, Mr S. Bolton; vice-president, Captain M. O. Grainger; treasurer, Mr J. Elder; auditor, Mr W. E. Bendall; stewards, Messrs R. Bly, G. B. DeAth, R. R. Johnston and G. Peebles. A motion of thanks was passed to the Woodville County Council for the use of the rooms for holding meetings during the year. The Borough Council was also thanked for the use of the council chambers for the annual meeting. The president referred to the success the club had achieved in winning second prize in the competition for fat lambs in the North Island, and moved a vote of thanks to Mr R. Blv, chairman of the farm committee. In seconding Mr Elder said .that Mr B'ly was taking a great interest in the lambs and he was deserving of the club’s congratulations. In moving a vote of thanks to the president, Mr R. R. Johnston said ,Mr Bolton had done excellent work, and was deserving of the club’s very best thanks. He was keen and enthusiastic and invariably gave of his best. The motion was carried with applause. The president, in replying, paid a tribute to the efficiency of the stewards. Eulogistic reference was made by Mr Bly to the fine work done by the club caretaker, Mr M. Desmond. The trainers were very well pleased with the way lie had carried out his duties. A motion of thanks was also conveyed to the secretary, Mr W. A. Lyon, on the motion of Messrs Elder and Johnston, for his able work. After expressing his thanks Mr Lyon said that ho had endeavoured to secure an additional rebate of totalisator tax, amounting to £250, from the Government. The request had been refused, and the responsible official concerned had stated that the Woodville Club was one of the soundest clubs outside the metropolitan areas, in the Dominion. It was pointed out to the secretary that the club’s indebtedness to the bank was only £SOO, and to the State Advances £231, while the assets included the racecourse and buildings, which were freehold. While it was unfortunate that the rebate had not been allowed, it was a matter for gratification that the club was in so sound a position, said Mr Lyon. There had been wisdom in the policy of the stewards of the past. They had been freely ' criticised, but while the effects of tlicir work were not apparent then, they were apparent now. The club was financial, whereas many other clubs, which had had as good a chance as Woodville, were "on the rocks.” The stewards had made mistakes, admittedly, but their policy had been a sound one.