DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 1341, 11 August 1877, Page 17

DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB.

The annual meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club was held in the Empire Hotel on the 6th. There was a largo attendance of members. Mr John Stephenson, President of the Club, was in the chair.

MINUTES,

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

REPORT AND BALANCE SHEET.

. The following report and balance-sheet were read by the Secretary :—

Your Committee report that three race meetings under the auspices of the Club have been held during their term of office. The receipts from all sources during the year, as per annexed balance-sheet, have been L 6992 3s 4d ; and the expenditure LB2OB 3s 4d ; the balance of assets over liabilities is L 178 2183 6d.

New Stand, &c— The chief item of expenditure, independent of racing stakes, has been ia connection with the new Grand Stand and other . permanent improvements connected therewith. Your Coiamittee were fortunate in inducing Mr R. C. Bagot, the Secretary of the Victorian Racing Club, to visit Dunedin. He kindly brought wfth him the plans, &c, and laid out the grounds, under which the various improvements have been carried out ; and they have to express to that gentleman their thankn for the manner in which he entered into their views. The stand and appliances are now the best and most complete in New Zealand.

Benevolent Institute. — Through the action of your Committee and the Stewards of the races, the Benevolent Institute has been benefited to the extent of L 240 during the year. Memberships.— ln the interests of the Club, your Committee have considersd it necessary to alter the system hitherto adopted, and to iS3ue members' tickets at five guineas each, the holders thereof being entitled to free admission, with two ladies, to the grand stand, lawn, and saddling-paddock, with the privilege of entrance with private carriage and horses to the Course and Grand Staud Carriage Reset ye. The list of members attached thereto is sufficient evidence that this has been a judicious step. Sydney. James, Secretary. BALAKCE BHEET.

Receipts.— To balance last audit, L 251 Is 8d; Colonial Bank deposit, account, L 1000: Colonial Bank interest, L 37 10a— L1037 103. Spring Meeting : To nominations, entries, and qualifications, L 391 18s; privileges of racecourse, L548— L939 183. Annual Meeting: To nominatioas, entries, qualifications, L 1224 6s 6d; privileges of racecourse, L 2043 3s9d; subscriptions, L 214 5s 4d ; memberships, L 696 3s ; training fees, &c., L4l I 83;8 3; change for collectors, L70— L4289 16s 7d. May Meeting : To nominations, entries, &c, L 153 12s ; privileges of racßcourse, L 228 0s Id ; change for collectors, L25— L404 123 Id ; nominatioas, &c, for Ledger, 1879, L 69 ss ; Colonial Bank, L 1216 6s-LB2OB 9s4d.

Expenditure.— Spring Meeting: By stakes, L 564 Is; expenses, L 44 18s— L608 19s. Annual Meeting: By stakes, L 2356 Is ; general expenses, L 389 7s 7d ; expenses in connection with privileges, L 175 Is 6d ; refund of deposits, &c, L 29 6s ; chango for collectors, L70— L3019 16s Id. May Meeting: By stakes, L 360 lOs ; expenses, L 36 lls ; expenses in connection with privileges, L 35;3 5; change for collectors, L25— L457 Is; Benevolent Institure, L 120; Secretary, L 200; Handicapper, L 75; Building account, L 372713* 3d— Lß2oß 93 4d.

Liabilities.— Building account, L143 16s Id ; do. disputed, Lll7 14a 5d ; rent, L 60 0; Derby, 1878, L9O ; Leger, 1879, L 69 ss ; Colonial Bank overdraft, L 1216 65— L2237 Is 6d. Balance, L1782 18s 6d. Total, L 4020. Assets. — Grand Stand, weighing rooms, booths, and various racing appliances, L 4020. Total, L 4020.

Francis Meenan, Treasurer. Sidney James, Secretary,

We have examined the above abstract of receipts and expenditure, and have compared it with the Treasurer's books, the Bank passbook, and the vouchers for payments, and certify it to be correct.— John M'Neil, S. G, Smith, Auditors. Dunedin, July 23rd, 1877. Mr H. S. Fish proposed, the adoption of the report, and in doing so said that he had much pleasure in testifying to the great improvements which had been made during the past season for the comfort of those attending the races. If the Club had reason to Complain in the pr-st of want of support, he was sure that such would not be the case in the future. It spoke well for Dunedin that the Jockey Club had spent £3000 during the season in stakes. As an outsider he expressed his entire approbation of the efforts which the Club had put forth for the purpose of encouraging racing. Referring to what it had done to put dowa dishonest practices, ho said that this could only be done by electing a Committee who would endeavour to suppress all unfairness in connection with racing matter?.

Mr R, Wilson seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, without farther discussion. COMPLIMENTARY. Mr R. Wilson proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring President and Vice President. He had much pleasure is proposing this motion, and hoped that the same men, or most of them, would be re-elected. — (Appiause.) Mr H. Scott seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

The President had very little to observe about the last Committee, as Mr Fi»h had forestalled him in regard to what he had intended to say.

Dr Murphy proposed a vote of thanks to the Treasurer. — Carried.

Mr S. G. Smith, as one of the Auditors, had much pleasure in proposing a hearty vote of thanks to the Secretary, Mr Jamea, and bore testimony to the excellent manner in which Mr James had fulfilled his duties.

Mr H. S. Fish seconded the motion. — Agreed to.

Mr James suitably acknowledged the compliment which had been paid to him. On the motion of Mr T. P. Wilson, seconded by Mr Vezey, a vote of thanks was accorded to the Auditors.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The meeting then proceeded with the election of office-bearers, the President having vacated the chair u which, in accordance with the wishes of the meeting, wag then occupied by Mr Robert Wilson. The following was the result :— President, Mr Jobn Stephenson ; Vice-Prsaidont, Mr H, Driver ; Committee — Messrs Marshall, Dowse, Taggart, Meenan, Gourley, Cutten, Dodson, H. J. Maclean, M'Neil, iteaney, and Hazlettj Auditors, Messrs S, G. Smith and H. S. Fish.