DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2565, 13 May 1903, Page 49

DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUE.

SOCIAL TO MR PETER MILLER. An enjoyable gathering took place at the office of the Dunedin Jockey Club on the 6th ixst., when the members of the committee of the club assembled for the purpose of wishing " God-speed" to Mr Peter Miller, who leaves Dunedia next week on a trip to the Old Country. In the unavoidable absence of the president (the Hon. G. M'Lean), Mr S. Solomon (vice-president; occupied the chair, the guest of the evening being seated on lids right. The Chairman, who apologised for the unavoidable absence of Messrs Bullock and Hazlett, stated that several of their conamitteemfn were absent from Dunedin, but nearly ell who could attend were present. Tiieir guest, Mr Miller, was going o:i a business cr.d pleasure trip to England, ar.d the committee of the Dunedin Jorkey Club were desirous of drinking his health and wisbicg him God-speed before his departure. Mr Miller was elected a member of the club in 1692, ana was appointed judge in 1893, holding that position until ISS9. He resigned his position as a member of the committee in 1903. but was reappointed vi May, ISO 2, aince which time he had continued in office. The value of the services Mr Miller had rendered to the club was well known, and he had shown rr.nisclf to be a real live member, always being in his place when there was any' work to be done. When their guest entered the club 11 years ago, ar.d for some years afterwards, there were many difficulties to be overcome, and, ir.dccd, at one time there was a fair probability o f the club erasing to ex'st at all. Under the circumstances the members of the committee hud had a very arduous t2.sk ii.deed. and it was only by very great pei.sorc.al efforts thai they were able to continue. Mr Miller had been moat energetic in his efforts to keep the cub alive, and had done all that h-_> possibly ccu'd for its welfare. Thp club was now in a much more prosperous cendition, however, and there was i:ot much anxiety or. the minds of the committee. As was we]l krown, the cominitteem? 1 h?d had n lot to put n: with, and if any sm-ill mistake h:-d been made the public had not been .v'.ow tn blame tn n m. Throughout ftll the difficulties Mr Miller had worked like a Trojan : and, now Ih;>t he had decided to take a well-deserved rest, he (Mr Solomon) was sure everyone would join with him in wishing their guest a pleasant trip. Mr Solomon then asked the company to drink Mr Miller's health. The toabl having besn duly honoured. Mr S. S. Myers, after endorsing what the chairman had said, atat?rl that he had sat with Mr M'iiler as a member of the Hospital Board for some 13 or 14 years, and he could assure the cozapauy that the work done by their guest for th? Jockey Club was Email in comparison with his nrduous duties in co;inectioi: with the public bodies on which lie h"ld a seat. There were a good many ;)'e?.sures attached to the Joikey Club, but Mr Miller was connected with other institutions which afforded 1-.0 pleasure except that which was dei'lve'l from the knowledge that he wa3 doing good to his fellcw-jaen. All the institutions with which Mr Miller was connected were p:eas n d that-iie was t;iking a holiday, but at the Ram? time they regretted that he was leaving them even fur v short time. The tnct and ability that Mr Milier had shown in thp discharge of his duties would bs difficult to replace, aud he (Mr Mycrsl hoped that their guest's advice ar.d counsel would again be available when he returned. Mr Miller, i;i thanking the company fur their kindness in asking him to be present, and a'so for the kuid remarks that had bee:' made about him, said he was very pleased to see that his i-x-rvices had been appreciated. He bad always taken p. great interest in the Jockey Club and in racing, and it afforded him great pleasure to atttnd to the work of racing. When he looked rrmnd and thought of borne o? the men they had amongst them, he thought there was no reason to fear that the Dnnedin Jockey Club had a good future before it, ar.d, in his opinion, they would yet take up a position as a first-class metropolitan club, though it would necessarily take time to accomplish this. A good deal of credit for their present position was clue to their president (the Plon. George M'Lean). who took very great interest in the affairs of the club. With men like the Hon. Mr M'Lean at the head and with the ability of their vice-president (Mr Solomon), he thought their future success would be assured. He -wished to be associated with nothing belter than the Dunedin Jockey Club, as be had found as good men in the sporting community as in any other place Mr Miller concluded by thanking the committee very heartily for drinking his health, and trusted thct when his business was concluded he would come back and be amongst them for many years to come.