TAHUNA PARK TROTTING CLUB.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13996, 31 August 1907, Page 14

TAHUNA PARK TROTTING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting cf iho Tuliuna. Park Trotting Club was held hist evening in Iho Stock Hxchangc, and was presided over iiv Mr (j. Hodges. The Chairman said before moving tho adoption of tho report {already published) and balance sheet he had to apologise for tho absence .of Mr Gore, the president, and Ml' R. Rutherford, both of whom wore laid up with influenza. Mr Gore had asked him to move tho adoption of tho report and 'balance sheet in tho following terms:—"ln moving tho adoption of the report and balanco sheet I have to congratulate members upon the continued prosperity of the club. As will be seen by the balance sheet, your commit-too started 11k 6eason with £187 6s 4d in hand, and after paying away £550 lhoro in stakes we close with a credit of £413 12s lid, 11ms showing a clear profit oT £226 7s 7d, on the vear's transactions. Tho-amount paid in stakes (£2595). is tho largest yet paid in tho history of the club,, and, in addition,, we put'.higher class events 011 tho programmes, and were well supported by owners, . the result being that eloso finishes and interesting racing were witnessed. As showing that this claes of sport is becoming more popular with tho public, I havo only to mention that notwithstanding the fact that wo increased our membership bv 42.(t0tal 167) iho cash takings at tho gates and' stand increased from £456 2s 6d to £479 lis 6d. We arc pleased to report that the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society granted us permission to widen the track in tho home straight, and we at onbe put this work in hand, and it is now romplctcd, the result being; that lahuna Park track is now one of tho best in the colony, and if tho club continues to put good class events on its programmes tho time is not far distant when records should be registered equal to flio Metropolitan Club in O'hristchurch. Members aro 110 doubt, aware that at the annua conference, of trotting clubs, held at Wellington last month, a motion to make it compulsory to place one race each day on every programme for trotters only was only idst by tho narrow margin of one vote. It has been left optional to clubs to give it a trial this year. There is no doubt that at next conference it will be carried. What I would suggest as a fust trial is to plaoe a, race on the programme for all imhobbled horses* If this is dono it will have the effect of gradually converting tho pacer into a trotter, which I consider a step in tho right' direction, as the trotter is tho bettor utility horse, and should be encouraged. Before closing I have, with great regret, to refer' to the sad accident to our lato steward, Mr C. W. Harvey, whose, sterling qualities were greatly appreciated and highly valued by tho club." Mr Hodges supplemented llie president's written remarks by asking those present to support a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Gore, who had acted as judge; to Mr Hazlett, who had acted as 6tartcr,\uid : who was second to none in that 'position :• and to Messrs Elliott, Jeffs, and Johnston, lion, officers of the club. He also referred to the death of their brother-steward, the late Mr Harvey,, and thought the club should extern! to his friends and relatives its heartfelt eondolenco' and sympathy with them in. their sad bereavement. Mr ITazlett 6econdod the motion for the adoption of tho report and balance sheet, and thought tho club could fairly lay claim to having improved' the standard of trotting hi Dunedin during tho last few years. Trotting had been making great strides of late here, and he thought the olub was likely to_beoomo a very strong club indeed. Mr Ritehio drew attention to tho president having written in favour of having a raco for trotters only, but he did not see how that wr.s. going to work at all. The morion in this direction had been lost by only 0110 vote, and the president had 1 voted against it, though 110 now expressed himself as practically in favour of it. Tho motion was then put and carried. Mr J.'-W. Gore was appointed president, Mr G. Hodges vice-president, and Messrs T. Elliott, L. C. ffazlett. and R. Rutherford wc-ro elected to the committee. Mr K. A. Crawshaw was reappointed auditor. Tho Chairman complimented the secretary, Mt 11. L. James, upon tho efficient manner ho had carried out his duties in tho year past. They had been singularly fortunate iu securing tho services of Mr James. A vote of thanks to the chair closed tho meeting.