Annual Meeting

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 179, 1 August 1938, Page 2

Annual Meeting

PAHIATUA RACING CLUB HAS SPLENDID YEAR ALL OFFICERS RE-ELECTED The annual general meeting of the Pahiatua Racing Club was held on Friday night last, Mr. R. J. Smith presiding over a good attendance, considering the weather conditions. Apologies were received from Messrs. D. Kelly, H. B. Whitta, E. H. Lett, and C. H. Hodgins. Members stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Dr. H. T. Dawson. The report read as follows:“As disclosed by the balance-sheet the club *s finances continue to show an improved position. The Tace meeting held on January 28 and 29 last was the most successful one the club has experienced for some years, and, in spite of the increased stakes given, showed a substantial profit. The attendance of the public was also greatly in excess of previous years. With a view to improving the facilities of the public, the stewards decided to raise the slope on tha lawn from the main stand to the picket fence, thus enabling the public standing on the lawn to obtain a full view of the course during each race. This work is now almost completed. The stewards wish to express their thanks to Mr. W. N. Kernick, Pahiatua, and to Mr. J. H. Bennett of Palmerston North, the donors of the Silver Tea Service and Canteen of Cutlery respec* tively, for their generous donations of trophies for the race meeting. It is with very deep regret that the stewards havo to record the death during the year of the late beloved Dr. H. T. Dawson who acted as one of the club *3 honorary surgeons since its inception. The sincere sympathy of members is extended to his family.** Commenting on the report and balance-sheet the chairman said Mr. Kelly had told him he was very pleased with the way the stewards had worked all the year. There was no doubt the club was run very well—in fact, there are very few country clubs that could show such a profit as last year. This !was a decided improvement on the .'position of a few years ago. I The treasurer, Mr. Tinney, congratulated the club on its successful social j and financial results, and sounded a note of warning to consolidate their financial resources in future years. The chairman paid a tribute to Mr. Tinney *s work as treasurer of the club. The election of officers resulted as under: President, Mr. D. Kelly; vicepresidents, Messrs. S. V. Rodney, R. J. Smith and S. T. Tinney; clerk of course, Mr. Ben Draper; clerk of scales, Mr. P. J. Lloyd; time-keeper, Mr. W. H. Gaisford; auditor, Mr. R. C. Austin; hon. surgeons, Drs. H. Paterson and E. B. Watson; stewards, Messrs* C, Con-

nell, E. L. Harvey, C. Hodgins, A. S. Bentley, G. D. H. Smith, H. Whitta, J. Beech, E. H- Lett, lan Taylor, N. Bicknell and G. Scales.

In proposing Mr. Kelly for the position of president, Mr. Smith stated that the latter was on the sick list at present, but would soon be right again. Mr. Kelly was going away for a while but was coming to take up his residence in Pahiatna permanently and he was sure that he would continue to take a keen interest in the affairs of the club. Mr. Tinney paid a tribute to the ball secretaries—--Messrs. lan Taylor and Dave O’Brien—on whose shoulders the bulk of the work had fallen. They were also very grateful tp the ladies who as usual worked so hard in preparing the supper. Mr. Taylor acknowledged the speakers remarks and said the ball woudl show a profit of some £lO.

Tributes were also paid to the assistance rendered by Mrs. W. T. Boyd and Messrs. Mexted and T. G. Harvey. A vote of thanks to the Press and to the chairman concluded, a very successful meeting