TAKAPUNA JUBILEE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20954, 18 August 1931, Page 7

TAKAPUNA JUBILEE.

fiftieth year of club.

PAST SEASON REVIEWED.

FIVE SHILLINGS TOTALISATOR,

The jubilee of the Takapuna Jockey Club was celebrated at the annual meeting yesterday, when the president, the Hon. E. W Alison, M.L.C.. presided over a very large attendance, which included in addition to members several men who have been closely aasociafed with racing during the 50 year's' history of the club. A cordial welcome to these visitors was given by the president.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet the president said that in view of the serious drop in the totalisator revenue of almost every racing and trotting club in Xew Zealand, amounting in many instances to 40 to 50 per cent., the club was fortunate in having a falling off of only 17-j per cent. The five shillings totalisator had proved to be successful from every standpoint and its introduction was much appreciated by patrons. It undoubtedly met the existing economic conditions and had come to stay. The overburdening Government taxation imposed upon clubs had been substantially increased during the year, in spite of a heavy reduction in totalisator returns The taxation paid by the club for the season, les3 £250 refunded, amounted to £12,952, 'which was £3852 mors than wna paid in stakes for the four days' racing. With very few exceptions clubs were being so impoverished year by year that a number would soon be compelled to close down. Seduction in Stake Money. The result of the excessive taxation would be a seriou3 reduction in totalisator revenue, instead of an increase. For the year 193031 the revenue from the various tases paid, by racing clubs, notwithstanding the increased rates imjjosed by the Government, shewed a very substantial drop. With the approval of tho president of the Racing Conference the club made a substantial reduction in stake-money last season, but notwithstanding this and the fact that, each day's racing wa3 run under favourable weather and other satisfactory conditions, the four days' racing resulted in a loss of over £ISOO. However unwilling they might be the members of tho committee would find it imperative to make another substantial reduction in stakes for the 1931-32 season. An application bad been made to the Racing Conference for a permit for an additional day's racing in October, but it was doubtful whether a permit would be available this year. The president then gave an interesting sketch of the development of the club commencing with- the public meeting in 18S1, at which its formation was decided upon. The first nice meeting was held in December. ISSI, on a five furlongs course forming part of the present racecourse area. At that time the sea *t high tide covered about twothirds of uie area now encompassed by tile present racing track and also covered the largest portion of the saddling paddock and birdcage. Memento for President. People of ta-day could not realise tho difficulties which the club had overcome and the vast improvements which had been made. An area over the greater part of which the sea flowed and ebbed and which was covered with high mangroves, had been converted into a splendid course. The president made special reference to Mr. James Mays, who had served aa a committeeman for 43 years, and ,ur. W. J. Ralph, whose term cf office extended over 36 years. Mr. Ralph seconded the motion for the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, which was carried. Mr. Alison was warmly congratulated on attaining his fiftieth year aa committeeman and president of the club and it was decided that in honour cf the occasion he should be presented with a suitable memento of hia valued services. The three retiring members of the committee. Dr. A. J. Friedlander and Messrs. Lisle Alderton and R. T. Michaels, were reelected unopposed. * Votes of thanks were passed to the committee and officials of the club. NEW ZEALAND CIT STAKE. A DRASTSO REDUCTION. CNLY £IOOO THIS YEAR. rsT TELEGRAPH. —PEES 3 ASSOCIATION. ] CKRISTCHTTRCH, Monday. Hie committee of the Canterbury^ Jockey Zen la nti Cap, I<> be run in November. The stake will be £looo—a cup vamuu at £.>«. with £9BO in ca«ti, the second norsc to receive £2OO and the third horse £io'J from providing for a, maximum weight, of 9.8, which has .been induced for several years, has been deleted. j here be no restriction tins year on tJie weight with which the handieapycr may start the in'Jreasou beyond weight-for-ago by any return ui cap. j,T-f -o«r <■>.. nJalte w* £2OOO including a gold cup valued at £IOO.

NOTES FROM EVERYWHERE. TRACK AND STABLE GOSSIP. The two-year-old Hunting March has gone slightly amiss an*t has been turned out tor •i ion"' spell Hunting March, is a solidJybniit "bay gelding by Hunting_ Song from gtar Attraction, hence u. haii-brotnei to Earangapai. E-ose La ton r, the half-sister \o Easer Rose, injured herself while rolling a Jew weeks ago and in consequence she nas had io : 'e stopped in her work. The troucle is not very serious and she is making a goon recovery, so that it should not be long before she is on the active list again. The apprentice rider C. T. Fuller, who is attached to E. Gilchrist s stable, is to have his first mount in a race on Saturday, wnen jt« will =teer Hampton Park in the Dunedin Handicap. Fuller hm shown a good d»nl of n- 1 nrnl abil'ty when riding work on the track's' and is one of the most promising boys at head quarters. The decisive victory achieved by Amnion r ; , in the first; division of the Flying Handicap at Bosehill on Saturday indicates tnat he has lost none of his brilliancy. It was •j very auspicious opening of his three-year-old career and the performance an aura well for his future. Amnion Ra's chief mission in Australia will be the Australian Derby, and. if he can stay, it is go:n;i to take a re-'lly (rood three-year-old to de£eat liim in that rat#e. The four-year-old Kinging Cheer, who won the Wooiston Handicap at. Riccarion last week has >i record for consistency tnat will take some beatin.'r. Altogether he has. contested 10 race.- and hits only been unplaced j. v ;,. e His Inst five starts have yielded four wins and it shmib not be long Before V adds to his record R'mnng Cheer s+i.l has nearly £2OO to win before losing Ins h»-k status, but should atnckly win bis way info open company. It a coir.cin«nce th»f> the winner-? of t*e~ Grand Nationals at. Riccarion this year o'iould both be out of Martian mares. sn->wfa!l being from Martian Nell and Pnlbmart from Martial Dawn. None of Martian's anus has yet proved a success at tlie stud but his daughters have loft many winners and it, is not surprise? that many of t'b«ir descendants possess staying nbih.y n« Martian was one of the greatest aires pi ,t nTT ,;r,H, tba.t has ever been at the e.nd m New Zealand RIDING ENGAGEMENTS. JOCKEYS FOR SATURDAY. The following riding engagements have been announced for the Pakuranga Hunt meeting at Ellerslie on Saturday:— J. Cammick.—Kouranui. H. Dulieu—Town Beauty. R. Olive.—Land Measure. „ , A. G. Parsons.— Gay Cockade, Tetrarchate, Te Money, Grand Talk. C. T. Puller.—Hampton Park. D. Craddoclc.—St. Lucas J. Burgess.—General Lu, Lenaubm. K. McTavifib.—Standfast,. Valroe, Karangapai. F. McGoverc.—Scaramouche.