SPORTING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17711, 23 August 1919, Page 7

SPORTING.

ASHBTTRTON TROTTING- CLUB. The annual meeting of the Ash-barton Trotting Club -was hold on Tuesday night. Mr H. F. Naooll presided. The committee congratulated members on the club's continued progress. The finances wore in a sound and satisfactory position and the general receipts lor the post year had shown a substantial increase over any previous year. Notwithstanding the additions to tie sts.kes and the heavy taxation of the Government, a fair profit was lir.ode Stakea amounting to £3380 were paidl away for the two days' racing, and tie club paid in taxes £1993. A sum of £50 was also spent on permanent improvements. The membership of the club was satisfactory, and was still maintained up to its best strength. The question of providing a shorter racing track had occupied the attention of the committee, and it would be for the incoming committee to give the matter full consideration, as if carried' out it would entail a heavy expense. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and. balance sheet, congratulated! members upon the satisfactory financial position, the balance sheet showing liquid assets amounting to £9315, as against liabilities of £1&4. During the war period the club had donated the profits accruing from its race meetings, nearly £"2000, to patriotic and charitable funds, and though it had from year to year steadily increased the stakes, the profits from the last June meeting constituted a record for the club. The popularity of trotting in Ajshburton County was'well evidenced by the big fields which competed in all the events, audi they could claim that the entries and acceptances for the laat meeting constituted a record for a one-day club, either trotting or racing, in the dominion. Now that the war was over, and affairs were gradually working back into their accustomed channels, the time was opportune to look for the extra permits to which trotting in New Ze-a-land was so well entitled. It was a great pleasure to all to witness the brilliant sucocss of the first New Zealand Sapling Stakes, run at the last June meeting, and the strong support which the club was receiving for the 1930 and 1921 oontesfs proved how owners welcomed the innovation the club had inaugurated. Mr A. F. Smith was donating a silver cup for next year's winner. The motion was agreed to. The following offioors were elected:—President, Mr H. F. Nicoll; vice-presidents, Miessrs R. S. Forsyth and D. McDonnell; hon treasurer, Mr D. P. Gorrick; stewards—Miessrs W. Anderson, T. Blackley, "W. Bryant, W. B. JJWnshire, J. Hesoltine, J. J. Lewis. S. 'Madden, D. M. Montgomery, D. M'Donnell, E. B Newton. IT.. F. Nicoll, F. Robilliard, and A. F. Smith.

Tho following were ejected to fill three vacancies on the committee:—Messrs J. Farnell, R S. Forsyth, and A. F. Smith. Mr H. F. Nicoll w-as elected a life member of the club.

Oar London correspondent, writing on July 1, etaites that New Zealand won two of the ohief events at the first regatta held on the Thames since lal4. D C. Hadfield, the Now Zealand champion, was in first-class form, and had no difficulty in disposing of his opponents. Rowing at 12st 31b, he defeated L P. Muller, Maidenhead, by four lengths in tile (first heat In the third heat he hed a very easy task against A. S. Cox, A.1.F., and paddled home many lengths ■ ahead. In the final he met Major P. Withington, U.S.A., from whom the New Zealander won by two lengths without distressing himself. The Allied Forces Eights and N.Z.E.F. met the A.1.F., who began with a very fast stroke, and were nearly clear in a minute. Just below Bisham Church New Zealand drew level, and, lasting better than the Australians, they won a grand race by half a length. The crew was—G. H. Wilson (bow), C. A. Healey (stroke), A. H. Trussell (cox), and A. T. White, C. L. Lester, W. G. Coombes, W. Patterson, S. B. R. Ru-tledge, and J. T M'Robsrte. In the Clinker Fours (clubs), A. Johnstone (bow), T. Polton, J. Tench, L. Garton (stroke), and A. Gray (cox), were relegated to third place by the A.I.F. and the A.I.F. Wattle Club. The N Z.E.F. was a-lso defeated by Australia in the second! heat of the Senior Fours. The race was spoilt by Australia fouling New Zealand half-way through. On restarting Australia won by a length and a-quaxter. The New Zealand crew consisted of H. B. Prideaux, L. G. Croll, F. Y. Home, and J. Fry.