OPUNAKE RACING CLUB.

Opunake Times, Volume V, Issue 214, 22 September 1896, Page 3

OPUNAKE RACING CLUB.

The annual general meeting of the above club was held on Saturday, September 19th, at Middleton's Hotel. Present: Messrs W. W. Midlleton, F. Calgher, A. Clarke, J. Stewart, D. Markbam, J. McKenzie, W. D. Scott, N. Shove, A. Good, E. Edmunds, J. Lambie, H. Wagstaff, T. Eiiowles, J. M. Hickey, G. W. Rogers, W. Pearce, * and M. J. Brennan (chairman). Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. The Chairman then read the committee's report:— Tour committee have to report that in accordance with the resolution of the general meeting of the clnb held on 21st September, 1895, the course on Mr Pearoe's property at Pihama haa been purchased, and the sum of . £72 7s 4d (being £1 per acre) been paid on account of the purchase money, leaving a balance due of £l4 per acre, on a purchasing clause, exercisable at any time within ten year*.' The club has to pay 5 per cent on the capital value, or 14s per acre, and the course trustees—Messrs Hickey, Scott, and Sogers—have sub-let the grazing to Mr Pearce for a term of three years, from Ist November, 1895, at 10s per acre. Having secured a permanent course, it was deemed advisable that any improvements effected should be of a permanent charaoter, and therefore the .committee proceeded to erect a grand stand, put np permanent fencing, and lay down a track. On these works the sum of £237 Is 2d has been expended. A further reason for this expenditure was that owing to the decrease in totalisator licenses, it was intimated that any club left in would have to make due provision for the convenience of the public and horse owners, or otherwise its license would be cancelled. The meeting on Ist January was held on the new course, and was thoroughly successful from every point of view, particularly in the increase of membership and the increased value of the privileges, thus showing the wisdom of the club in making the change. . The Oeo Racing Clnb handed over its credit balance of £ls 15s 9d as a donation, and the Manaia Racing Club had been approached with a view to amalgamation, but no definite result had been arrived at. Turning to the balance-sheet it will be seen that the club started the year with a balance in hand of £139 15s 4d, and that • there is a sum of £4B lis 6d now due to the bank. When it is considered that £309 8s 6d has been spent in permanent improvements and part purchase money, this must be deemed very satisfactory, and given ordinary luck this coming year, the club will be on a still more solid footing. In 1894 a sub-committee was appointed to ■elect a suitable present as a recognition of the valuable services rendered to the club by the hon. sec, Mr Geo. W. Rogers, but as a loss was made over the meeting of 1895, held at Opua, they deferred taking any action, as they considered after the number of years' gratuitous service he had given, that until the club could see its way to make a - presentation in some way commensurate with the honorary services rendered, it had better be postponed. Now that the club is on a satisfactory footing, the committee appointed have decided on selecting plate to " the value of 20 guineas for presentation to him, and suggests that, a meeting be held on Monday, 28th September, when the president, Mr R. H. Nolan, will be in Opunake, and have the presentation made. Too will be called upon at this meeting to elect officers for the ensuing yeir, also a committee.—M. J. Brennan, Chairman. The report was adopted. MCIIPTS.

Besolved, That the action of the chairman and the hon. secretary in arranging for an overdraft be confinned.

The Chairman said last year it was thought advisable that club rules should be adopted for the proper conduct and guidance of the club's affairs, and taking the Taranaki Jockey Club's rules as a basis he read them the draft of the proposed rules, and moved that they be adopted as the rules of the Opunake Racing Club. Mr J. Lambie seconded the motion, which was carried.

Resolved, That 100 copies of the rules be printed. The election of officers was then proceeded with. President: R. H. Nolan, Esq.; Vice-Presidents : Messrs T. Knowles, H.-E. Good, and H. J. Newman ; Judge : Mr A. W. Budge; Starter: Mr A. T. Wills; Clerk of the Scales: Mr W. D. Scott; Clerk of the Course: Mr J. Lambie.

According to the rules adopted the committee is to consist of eleven members. The following were elected: Messrs H. Wagstaff, J. M. Hickey, J. McKenzie, J. Lambie, M. J. Brennan, W. W. Middleton, W. D. Scott, F.

Calgher, E. Edmunds, A. Clarke, arid Bua Moetahuna. Messrs W. Taylor and W. Woods were elected new members. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings. COMMITTEE MEETING. At the committee meeting, held immediately after the general meeting, Mr Brennan was appointed chairman for ensuing year. Eesolved, That the fee for training horses on the course be 10s per horse per annum. Besolved, That Messrs Wagstaff, Lambie, and Calgher be appointed a course committee.

Besolved, That tenders be called for painting the grand stand, fencing and gates. The committee adjourned till Thursday, Ist October.

September 18,1895. 139 15 4 Members' subs., 93 at 10s .. 46 10 0 Donations— B. H. Nolan.. £1 Is Od T. Knowles .. £1 la Od Mrs Kennedy £5 0s Od 7 2 0 Overdue fees, 1895 .. 18 0 0 Donation—Oeo Bating Club.. 15 15 9 "* Privileges 129 4 0 Nomination! and acceptances 123 0 0 Commission totalisafor 152 14 6 Bookmakers' licenses 2 0 5 0 0 Deposits on contracts.. .. 3 0 0 Bank of New Zealand 48 11 6 £685 18 1 EXPENDITURE. 240 0 0 Permanent improvements to coarse Stand and judge's box 120 2 0 Fencing, number board, &e. . . 83 18 6 Laying down coarse 33 0 8 Government tax 27 9 2 10 10 0 Advertising and printing 20 12 0 Accounts from previous year 5 5 3 Payment on account of purchase of course, £1 an acre 72 7 4 9 0 0 1 2 6 Befund deposits "...-■ 3 0 0 1 2 6 7 4 6 2 5 0 Intesest on exchange.'. 2 0 4 Sundry expenses of meeting.. 44 7 1 2 11 3 £685 18 1 ASSETS AND LIABILITIES . Sept. 19. Dr. To overdraft Bank N.Z. 48 11 6 Unpaid account— J.B.Stewart 13 0 0 2 14 5 C. A. Dransfield 4 3 0 T. A. B. Bailey 1 1 0 F. B. and H. Wagstaff 3 16 1 264 3 9 £337 9 9 Cr. By course—value of improvements and part payment for 309 8 6 5 5 0 Unpaid fees 16 5 0 Members' subs, unpaid 4 0 0 2 11 3 £337 9 9