WAIPAPAKAURI RACE CLUB.

Northland Age, Volume 23, Issue 48, 24 March 1924, Page 5

WAIPAPAKAURI RACE CLUB.

AFTER-RACES MEETING. RECORDS. A meeting of the W aipapakauri Racing Club was held in the Kaitaia Library on the evening of the Thursday, 20th. The President of the Club, Mr T. S. Houston was in the Chair, and there were also present: Messrs Kenny (Secretary),, C. Shine, A. J. Maria, P, W. Treacher, J. M Reid, A. H. Long, P. M. Mills, Vf. Pollock, T. J. Fleming, George and Walter Evans, J. E. Leydon, George Rickard, E. S. Crisp, J. T. Clark, T. Blithe, W. A. N. Campbell, Dr Lurm. Mr Houston said the principal reason for the meeting was to deal with the accounts. They had practically made a fresh start, and it behoved them to keep up to the mark now. Next year the tax would be only 5 per cent, against the ten they now had to pay. The Tax Department had written for 6d short paid on last year’s tax (laughter). Last year there had been an actual deficit of £239/17/3 At this stage a good deal of discussion took place over last year’s accounts and balance sheet. Finally, on the motion of Mr Long, it was resolved to accept the Auditor’s report as tabled. SECRETARY’S REPORT.

Mr Kenny gave a statement covering the whole of the Meeting. From this we make brief extracts.

The Race Books, an innovation, showed a profit of about £l4.

The Club had been very generously treated by Mr P. M. Mills.

Amusement Tax amounted to £l7. The Ball, thanks to Mr and Mrs Mills, showed a profit of £4/16

There had been a large number of gatekeepers, and with three exceptions, these had all given their services free. On last year’s balance sheet was shown an item of £2O due to the Band. In view of the Club’s position the Band had very generously wiped this off. (Applause). This year the Band charged £lO only for its services, and Messrs Brent and Mitchell very kindly conveyed the Band to and from the meeting free. Subscriptions this year amounted to over £l3O

A profit of £lO3 was shown on the meeting. (Applause). Mr Houston said that this was the most pleasing statement they had ever had put before them. There had been a debit balance every year, and now they were able to show a handsome profit like this. Practically the whole credit of it was due to their new Secretary. He believed the tide had turned. They must make every effort to get their permit, and with the present Secretary it would be possible to put up a good fight for it. Our just past meeting, he thought, was a greater success, from the point of attendance than Kawakawa, and yet £B,OOO to £9,000 was put through the totalisator there. The sooner we got the “ tote ” the sooner we could increase our stakes. We wanted Auckland men at our meeting, and the only way we could get them was by getting the totalisator.

Mr Long agreed our necessity was the totalisator, and they should concentrate on the effort to get it. They should get their M.P, to push the matter for ail it was worth.

Mr Campbell thought the position a very satisfactory one, but thought special efforts should be made to enrol new members. A deputation re the totalisator permit, should visit Wellington when Parliament met.

Mr Crisp thought it very creditable that the Club had been able to carry on for 36 years, and this should be made use of when applying for the “ tote ” permit. Mr Houston favoured a petition being signed all over the County. The support this year showed that the public was solidly behind the Club.

Mr Long proposed, seconded by Mr Fleming, that the Secretary proceed with the preparation of a petition to be presented to Parliament in support of our application for a totalisator permit. The motion was carried unanimously, Mr Houston remarking that no man was better qualified than Mr Kenny to carry out the matter. VOTES OF THANKS. A special vote of thanks was accorded to the many who had helped to the successful carrying out of the meeting. Included were Messrs Worth and Turner, result board, etc.; Geard, number box; Joe Clark, judge’s box; gatekeepers, band, etc. Special mention was made of Mr and Mrs Mills. Addressing Mr Houston, Mr Long said; “ It is time, Sir, that we extended to you our appreciation of the valuable services you have rendered for so many years as President of this Club. To you is largely due the credit for the fact that the Club has now reached the turning of the tide. This splendid work is now bearing fruit.” Mr Long moved a vote of thanks to Mr Houston for lais services, which was

seconded by Mr J. E. Leydon, and carried by acclamation. Mr Houston briefly returned thanks. He had often felt disheartened, but had determined to carry on when the Club was in a bad way. He was pleased to see how things were going now, and tnat there was a quickening of interest in the Club.

Messrs Fleming and J. M. Reid proposed a vote of thanks to the Secretaay for his ability and efficiency, to which was largely due the success of the meetingThey, and other speakers, hoped Mr Kenny would be in the same position next year.

In proposing a vote of thanks to the Press (Northland AGE) for the work done for the Club Mr Houston said that their Race Card had evoked very favourable comment. Mr L. Nelson had told him that it was orie of 'the best books he had seen at any small meeting. Their thanks were due to the AGE, said Mr Houston, for suspending their own publication in order to get out the booklet at very short notice. A self-sacrificing action like this deserved their praise. Motion seconded by Mr A. J. Maria and carried.

The Secretary said the Race Card was a very creditable production, had added to the convenience of the Meeting, and had paid its way. Mr Long said the Race Card was a credit to Mr Kenny for his energy in introducing this innovation, as well as to the printing office which produced it. The Secretary said that the horse owners whoattended the meeting specially wished him to thank Mr and Mrs Fleming for the splendid treatment accorded them. Mr Houston was pleased the visitors were so well received. Next year they would perhaps try to organise some function to entertain visitors. * GENERAL.

Mr Joe Clark said there was a general desire for a race for purely County horses. The President thought this a good idea, and suggested that Mr Clark bring it up at the next Annual Meeting. Accounts amounting to £79/8/9, independent of stakes, were passed for payment. A vote of thanks to the Chair concluded the meeting at the early hour of 9.30. AN APPRECIATION. Col. McCarroll, who has been in the district for some time in connection with the revaluation of Returned Soldiers’

lands, sent the following letter to Mr Kenny : Kaitaia, 22/3/24. To the Secretary Waipapakauri Racing Club. Dear Sir, Please accept *iy best thanks for your kindness in sending me tickets to your meeting. Your club is to be congratulated on the excellent running of the meeting, and I hope you will have a “ tote ” permit for your next meeting. Yours .sincerely, J. N. McCarroll FINANCIAL FACTS. The Club opened the meeting with a debit balance of £239/17/3. Receipts, all told, tor this meeting £438/14/6, and expenditure, including stakes, £334/14/9, leaving a profit for the meeting of £lO3/19/9. The Gate takings were £166/14/6, against £l6O/8/- last year. Members’ fees this year £133/7/-, l ast year £4B/6/-. Sale of Race Cards £l7/3/-. The expenditure was reduced to a minimum this year. The secretary’s services were honorary, and out of the many gatekeepers only three were paid for their work.

The takings, including members’ tickets, were actually £92 better than last year.

Mr. and Mrs. Fleming, of the Awanui Hotel, gave their annual banquet after the Waipapakauri races on Saturday and there was a splendid gathering. The Racing Club is fortunately placed in having such a host and hostess to entertain the visitors. Mr. T. H. Kenny, hon. secretary of the Racing Club, and Messrs. Maria and W. H. Evans, the owners of the Cup winner, Far North, were among those present. Among the toasts honouied were those of the Racing' Club, its capable secretary, and the popular host and hostess. In responding to the toast of his health Mr. Kenny aptly thanked the many visitors for their attendance, and remarked that, though he recognised tha t the number of Whangarei visitors was greater than usual he hoped to see stiii more in future. “Northern Advocate”.

Several local sportsmen who went to Waipapakauri are loud in their p rises of the treatment they received and of the way the race meeting was run. With a Cup of £IOO and stakes totalling £245, the Waipapakauri meeting is surely the best non-totalisator gathering in the Dominion. The dub has carried on manfully for 36 years, and its claim to a permit certainly should be recognised. “Northern Advocate”.