TAHUNA PARK TROTTING CLUB.

Otago Witness, Volume 02, Issue 2420, 2 August 1900, Page 43

TAHUNA PARK TROTTING CLUB.

The annual meeting of the Tahuna Park Trotting Club was held in the Terminus Hotel on Monday. # The President (Mr S. S. Myers) occupied the chair, and there were some other 25 persons present.

The report of the committee of the Tahuna Park Trotting Club for the year ended July 20 states tha'fc the advertised stakes offered for the past season amounted to £1950, as against £1781 (including trophies value £186) for the season 1898-99. This shows an increase of £169, or inStictua! added money an increase of £355. The tofalisator investments amounted to £15,650, being an increase of £3122 10s on the corresponding meetings of previous year. Much of the success of the year's operations was no doubt due to the increased stakes and the introduction of class trotting with shorter limits than formerly, a better class of horses competing in the chief races, and the public thus takine: a greater interest in the sport. The president, vicepresident, and three members of committee retire annually, and the following offer themselves for election : — President. Mr S. Myers ; vice-president, Hon. H. Gourley; committee (of whom three have to be elected) — Messrs M. Coughlan, H. J. Gourley. J. G. Green, G. Hodges, J. Jeffs, and F. J. Townsend. The annual report and balance sheet having been presented, the Chairman moved their adoption. He said that the club was in a much better position than it was at last meeting. Their credit balance had increased by £50, and their assets were now valued at £273 8s 3d, while their liabilities were nil. The three meetings that they held resulted in a profit of £382 12s Id, from which, of course, salaries, general expenses, and £25 for the contingent fund had to be deducted. One important thing they had done during the year was to reduce the handicap limit of the big trotting races. — (Hear, hear.) They started with a limit of 5.35 and they had reduced it to 5.25. He trusted the incoming committee would endeavour to cut a few more seconds off it, which would result in as good a class of horses racing here as up north. They could only have high-class races when the best horses were not handicapped out of them. He hoped the new committee would try, as they had tried, to sret the A. and P. Society to erect a grand stand for the convenience of the patrons of the club. He liked to see ladies at their meetings, and many would go provided they had shelter from the heat or the rain.

The Hon. Mr Gourley seconded the motion for the adoption of the report, which was carried.

The election of office-bearers was then proceeded with. Mr S. S. Myers was re-elected president, and the Hon. H. Gourley vicepresident. Five nominations were received to fill the vacaucies caused by the retirement of Dr Closs. Messrs F. J. Townscnd, and 0. M. Wilson from the committee. The ballot resulted in Messrs F. J. Townsend, H. J. Gourley, and J. G. Green receiving a majority of votes. The committee for the ensuing yenr thus consists of the following gentlemen in addition tc the president and vicepresident: — Messrs W. Anderson, J. N. Brown, J. M'Ghie, J. 0. Short, C. Allen, J. M'Donald, F. J. Townsend, H. J. Gourley, and J. G. Green. Mr G. Brown was reelected auditor.

The Chairman then moved — " That the stewards of the club shall not be qualified to sit or vote on protests if they are monetarily' interested." In speaking to the motion Mr Myers said he thought the step proposed was one in the right direction. The Canterbury Club had taken it, and it was one which the Trotting Association wished them to take. The association would not iorce them, to take it, because their rules did not give them that power, but when a protest came forward to them, the association were suspicious "of

stewards who were interested, and rightly so.. No doubt there were many to whom the opportunity of making a few shillings would make no difference, but there were times when pounds were involved, and this meant a greati v temptation to some stewards. If the motior^ he proposed were carried they might have_ tG make another rule, that any steward sitting on a committee and monetarily interested would be punished.

Mr J. N. Brown seconded the motion.

11l reply to Mr Short, the Chairman said it very seldom happened that all the officials were interested. It might happen, however, in the case of a favourite, and in that casa they would only refer the matter, with all in< formation, to the Trotting Association. Ttiej could perhaps arrange, however, for a certain number of the officials not to bet on every race. The motion was put and carried. The Chairman further moved — '' That rula 19 be altered to read as fellows: ' The annual meeting shall be held on the last Monday in ' July, or as near therelo as convenient.' "

Mr M'Ghie seconded the motion, which wa* ' carried.

Mr T. Ritchie moved— " That Rule 4- ba altered to read as follows : ' Candidates f ot admission a3 members of the club shall ba ; olected at a general or special meeting or by the committee; one black ball in five to ex- ' elude. The names of candidates proposed, . must be lodged with the secretary at least seven days before the election.' " The moversaid he knew of several persons who would stand for membership provided they could" be sure of getting a fair chance at the election. He had- heard" of several persons being' rejected against whom nothing could be ssddlIt was out of reason for their membership to number only 39. A good deal of ill-feeling existed about these elections of members, and if his motion were carried they would get members who would be a credit to the club.

Mr J. Fleming seconded the motion, whicK was also carried. v

Mr T. Ritchie suggested that the newlyelected committee should endeavour to get the rent reduced, it, in his opinion, bein| excessive. This concluded the business.