NORTH CANTERBURY RACING CLUB.

North Canterbury Gazette, Volume I, Issue 1, 12 August 1932, Page 5

NORTH CANTERBURY RACING CLUB.

— ; * ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The North Canterbury Racing Club held its annual general meeting last Friday night in the A. & P. Association’s Hall, Rangiora. The severe weather, of the past week unfortunately affected the attendance of members, some of whom, having recorded their votes by post, kept to their firesides; but there were more than sixty present. Owing to the illness cf the President, Mr. H. ,C. D. Van A.sch, the Vice-President, Mr. A. J. Tutton, took the chair, and after apologising for the absence of Mr. Van Asch read a letter from him urging mem hers to assist the club in its difficult times. Apologies were also received from Dr. T. A. Will, Dr. E. S. McPhaiJ, Messrs. G. 11. McLean, W. A. Kelcher, T. G. Macdonald, D. Chapman, T. Brosnan, Chas. Lindsay, and A. Blunden.

A Difficult Year. The chairman, in presenting the report and balance-sheet, said that the club had come through the preceding year with a profit, which was a very creditable state of affairs' in the present times. He congratulated those members present on their attendance in such weather, and urged them to pay outstanding subscriptions to the secretary as soon as possible. Many members, owing to the hard times, had resigned from the club, and he urged those present as long as they could to consider the sport as well as their pockets. He added that the club was sorry to lose the services of Messrs. W. A. Kelcher and G. N. Me- . Lean, who were not seeking re-election to the executive. Both members had been keen sportsmen, and had been of the greatest service to the club. Mr. Ronald Macdonald, in seconding •the chairman’s, .motion that the report and balance sheet be adopted, said that in his travels in other districts he was pleased to notice that the word “ depression ” was not named and he hoped that when times were brighter new members would replace those who had resigned. n Election of Officers. The President, Mr. Van Asch, Messrs. Archer, Rogers and Tutton were elected without opposition. On the postal ballot the scrutineers, Messrs. D. R. Blake, J. A. Ivory, and S. G. Dailey, declared the following stewards elected: Messrs,. J. Brosnan, D. Chapman, B. Croft, P. Gaffaney, W. V. Guy, L. Harper, C. E. Lindsay, R. Macdonald, R. G. McLean, J. McMullan, Dr. E. S. McPhail, W. Parsons. Office of Auditor; Mr. Macdonald moved that the auditor, Mr. I. J. Wilson, be re-engaged at the same fee as for the preceding year. This was seconded by Mr. McMillan and carried.

Toasts. The following toasts were proposed: ‘The King,” “Elected Stewards,” Mr. E. D.. R. Smith, “ The President,” W'. Parsons, who said that Mr. Van Asch had been president of the club for 23 years, and was a sportsman known and widely respected throughout New Zealand. (Mr. Tutton in replying to this toast said that Mr. Van Asch had always been a keen' supporter of the sport and as a material proof of his keenness had recently presented the club with a new cup, which made the third he had given). Racing Taxation. Mr. W. L. Aynsley, who was seconded by Mr. D. Rogers, moved “ That in view of the serious position of Racing Club finance throughout New Zealand this club' unanimously recommends the Government to bring down legislation authorising the telegraphing of money to the course, the publishing of dividends, and the installation of the double fotalisator, and that a copy of this motion be sent to the Minister of Internal Affairs.’ 7 , He said that if this motion were brought into force' Racing Clubs would gain increased revenue which would prevent the loss of New Zealand horses to Australia! in search of better prize money. The chairman also urged that the time had come to ask the Government to make provision for bets away from the course. A Five-shilling Totaiisator. Mr. H. W. Mockett', who was seconded by Mr. J. L. Kinley, moved that the incoming committee be asked to establish a 5/- totaiisator. In support of the motion Mr. Mockett stated that this provision would! be of special advantage to women and people of moderate means. Mr.. Macdonald said that this machine had been tried at Amberley, and had proved an unqualified success. The motion was adopted. On the conclusion of the business, a

social evening was held, the following members assisted with the entertainment: Mr. Macdonald (song), Mr. Gaffaney (song), Messrs. Devlin, Samuels, Blake, Macdonald (quartette), Mr. P. O’Connor (song), Mr. Samuels (song), Mr. Colin How (recitations), Mr. G. Sturgess (song), Mr. E. D. R. Smith (songs), Mr. Archer (song). The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the accompanist, Mr. A. G. Hunnibell, who had filled the gap caused by the non-arrival of a party from Christchurch. Balance Sheet. The following is the financial statement for the year: PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT. Expenditure.

£ s. d. Stakes 880 0 0 Government Taxes 889 3 4 Officials and Gatemen 173 12 10 Insurance, Rates and Interest 146 11 10 Printing, Advertising, Race Books 82 10 C General Expenses 140 18 1 Expenses Labour Day Meeting 28 16 11 Work on Course 9 5 0 Balance Profit 142 4 3 £2493 2 Receipts. £ 8. d. £ s. d. Totalisator Revenue 1424 11 -9 Government Refund 227 17 0 Nominations and Acceptances 316 10 0 Gate Receipts ... 235 8 6 Race Books 77 15 0 Privileges 81 0 0 Pioneer Sports Club 2 10 0 Fines 10 0 Subscriptions, 1929-30 ... 2 0 0 „ 1930-31 ... 28 0 0 1931-32 ... 97 0 0 — 127 0 0 £2493 2 3 BALANCE SHEET. Liabilities. £ 8. d £ s. d. Debentures 1500 0 0 Interest Accrued 17 0 0 Bank of New Zealand 75 1 5 Balance 15th June, 1931 2485 16 8 Subscriptions Written Off 20 0 0 Add Profit I 42 4 3 9Anp n 11 £4200 2 4 Assets. Property £ s. d. 2231 19 3 Improvements 1950 15 1 17 8 0 Fees Outstanding £4200 2 4