THE A.J.C.

Otago Witness, Issue 2425, 5 September 1900, Page 40

THE A.J.C.

Upwards of 100 -members of the Australian Jockey Club attended at the annual meeting last month, and more than ordinary interest was taken in the proceedings, the discussion at times waxing rather warm. The referonce made in the committee's report to the bill introduced in the Legislative Assembly by Mr Gillies was, says "Gal tee More," severely criticised by Messrs Crick and P. J. Hourigan, who also unsparingly condemned the action of the comittee in the Mora appeal case, and denounced the system of holding -inquiries to which the press _or public were not admitted. Mr Adrian baiox defended the proceedings of the committee in the mai-ler-oi reference to the proposed Racing Association Act, as well as in the Mora case, and eventually the committee's report was received and adopted. The motion for the election of auditors brought Mi Russell Jones to his feet, and he contended that the members were entitled lo more detailed information ivith regard to income and expenditure than was shown in the balance sheet. He contrasted the document unfavourably with that just issued by the V.R.C., and f-aid that the members should know the individual salaries paid to the officers of the club instead of being merely supplied with the total amount. Mr S. R. Kennedy's resolutions with the object of remodelling the committee by increasing the membership to 15, and providing for the annual retirement of one-third of the body, and the election of the committee on the "Hare-Spenee" system, were not seriously entertained, and were negatived ; tho motion providing for the appointment of five paid stewards from the members of the committee to control racing each day at Bond wick, as well as the appointment of stipendiary stewards to attend all race meetings hold in the metropolitan avsa, lapse:! for want of a seconder, and his resolution with regard io the hearing ci appeals wan withdrawn. The proposal cf Mr Teece, that the charge of 1& made to members ior admission lo the course should bo discontinued, brought about a lively discussion. Mr Crick opposed the motion, and moved an amendment to abolish the eiiUancc fee all round, holding that if it were obnoxious to the members it was equally ho to t!>e ■oublic. Tie was of opinion that the public should have free access ro the flat as at JTleminglon, and incidentally remarked that in view of the early consummation of federation the A.J.O. should provide a Federal Cup of £17000 or £10,000, an'ilf 'TcfcT imtead of lagging behind the V.R.C The ehaii-man pointed out that llio adoption of iir Teece'b motion would mean a yearly locs to the club of .-G2IOO, while if Mr Crick's amendment were carried the annual cleCcit would bo £551", oncl in. either case it would • mean a diminution • instead of an increase ■ of stakes. That view v, as also supported by Messrs H. C. Dangar and Adrian. Ilrox, and eventually both motion and a-nendment were negatived, the former on a show of hands by 43 to 32. In moving a vote of thanks to the chairman Mr 'Crick voiced the feelings of the meeting in regretting the retirement of the Hon. W. A. Long from the governing body after a very lengthy term of useful and active service, and Mr i-ong in reply hoped that the new blood about to be infused into the committee would use their best endeavoiu'3 to conserve the interests of the national sport.