SERVICE TO RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21086, 21 January 1932, Page 10

SERVICE TO RACING.

FIFTY YEARS WITH CLUB. SIR E. MITCHELSON RESIGNS. ASSOCIATIONS WITH ELLERSLIE. After being president of the Auckland Racing Club for nearly 30 years, Sir Edwin Mitchelson has signified his desire to relinquish office. He has been associated with tho club for almost 50 years and during that period has been committeeman, steward, vice-president and president in turn, and his knowledge and administrative ability have been a great assistance to the club. Sir Edwin's love of horticulture has played an important part in the beautifying of the club's course at Ellerslie, which is one of the most attractive spots of the city. There is no doubt that the beautiful grounds have done much to popularise the meetings at Ellerslie, where racegoers have been able to enjoy their racing under ideal conditions. Several years ago the club paid a unique tribute to him, when his bust in bronze, executed by the eminent Australian sculptor, Sir Bertram Mackennal, was erected just inside tho lawn enclosure. Ihe bust was unveiled before a representative gathering, when many complimentary references were made to the service Sir Edwin had rendered to tho club. It is a good many years since Sir Edwin Mitchelson has raced horses, but he has always had the best interests of the sport at heart, and it has always been his aim to keep racing on the highest plane. Many years ago ho was very keenly interested in tho breeding and racing of horses and was onn of the original eight shareholders in tho first stud company formed in Auckland. 'lbis was the Glen Orchard Auckland Stud Company, afterwards known as the New Zealand Stud and Pedigree Stock Company. One of the first horses to carry Sir Edwin's colours was Vampire,- in tho early 'eighties. Later he raced on a fairly largo scale in conjunction with Messrs. S. dagger and L. D. Nathan and they set up n stable at Kohimarama. Among tho horses owned by the syndicate were Whakawai, Tranter, Formo, Escutcheon, Fabulous and Corunna, all of which raced with success either in Aus- < ralia or New Zealand. 1 ranter stood the test of a course of training 'nest and among the races he won were the Standish Handicap in Melbourne and the Taranaki Cup in New Plymouth. , Tho vice-president -of the club is Mr. H. 0. Nolan, who has been associated j with it for many years in the capacity of steward, committeeman and vice-presi-dent.