CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2985, 31 May 1911, Page 57

CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING. The Canterbury Jockey Club held its annual meeting on Thursday afternoon, Mr A Boyle (president), occupying the chair. There was an attendance of seven members. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, said he was glad to be able to state that he was once more in a position to place before the members of the olub a balance sheet that he was sure would be satisfactory to all. The profit for the year, amounted to £2495 8s 9d, as against £3637 14s 6d last year, but members would see that the Government tax now amounted to £2560 in excess of the previous year, and that bookmakers' licenses brought in less by £1616, the olub having to rely on the totalisatar alone for the summer, and autumn meetings. It was most satis- ' factory to note that the increased revenue from the totalisator, amounting to £2455, more than compensated for the loss sustained by the abolition of the bookmaker. The item of expenditure on improvements, in addition to £640 added to stakes during last year, included more scraping sheds and outside conveniences, a top to the stewards' stand, and a Toom at the northwest end of the main stand . for the use of the Goveirnor. A further improvement, , which the committee hoped would be available for the November meeting, was the new six-furlong course This work had been undertaken only after 6eriou» consideration. It had been long felt that the present sdx-furlong course was. not only a most unsatisfactory one, but a grave source of danger. The- general concensus of opinion from those most interested materially helped the decision" of the committee. From a spectacular point of view it might at 'first. not appeal to all racegoers, out he felt that, on due consideration, the public would recognise its many advantages. The revenue from all sources had been buoyant, witih. the one exception of entrance and acceptance fee?, which were somewhat less, * owing to the policy adopted of allowing owners to run their horses for valuable stakes at the lowest possible expense. It might not be amiss to mention that the 96 races run under the auspices of the club averaged £322 per race. The club's policy of increasing the stakes wherever possible would, in the opinion of the committee, be "unwise during the coming season, owing to the great uncertainty existing at present as to the position under the new Gaming Act. This caution would', he trusted, be unnecessary for amy great length of time. It would be, however, invidious to predict at present what changes the Racing Commission might decide on. Much, however, depended on the commission's policy. For the handsome new gates ■ lately erected members had to thank the trustees of the racecourse reserve. Taken as a whole, the season had been devoiJ of any spoial cause of complaint as regarded the conduct of racing, but there was a feeling that the safety of tiro ownefr had bean more or less in jeopardy owing to the incompetence, if no stronger expression cooild bo used., of those licensed to ride. As to incompetence, there could be no shadow of a doubt, want of education and opportunity being the principal reasons. He had for years advocated ' the giving of races for apprentices only, and on the one ooeasion 011 which his suggestion was adopted by the chub it met with unqualified' success. He had the greatest hope that the conference would this year see its way to legislate in tihis * direction. The common opinion that jockeys were largely bettors and practically had thie control of the decision of races meant, if true, that the most stringent measures were necessary. It was a wellknown fact that ail sportsmen were almost invariably, apathetjo In regard to the protection of their riigihts as individuals, a.nd had nob been sufficiently alive to the importance of organisation and co-operation wbere_ their interests were concerned. Th*t opposition—'the faddist and- narrow-minded section of the community—was ever on the alert to drive another nail into the coffin of legitimate sport, especially racing, a fonm of gambling which every reasonable man recognised as quite as legitimate an outlet for the spirit of speculation as dabbling in stocks and shares. Every embezzlement by young men was almost always quoto'' 1 -". the result of betting on races; wiber»r ■- 'n the major number of cases racing 1~ "vrtnnCT- whatever to <Jo with the ©rirri" """h" i.he purpose, therefore, of Drot&rvti" f -h© interests of snort in! general.

the Sro-fincr League, which be believed had latolv been started, should have the support of ev«ft club in New Zealand, not only .naomtr clubs, but cricket, football, ami all clnh=J upholdinig the legitimate eport of the pe->r>k>. The eve of ia gonomi election would soon be upon them,, and united ■actioi and well-oreTa-msed methods to assist in netnrnins- to Parliament representatives ■who co'ild he relied on to protect and safeguard the just libertfes of the sporting world should be taken in no haK-heairted manner. " Defence, not defiance," was an excellent' motto. The- former became a real necessity in these days of narrow-minded ideas and smug hypocrisy. He would 'ike to state clearly and cmphatioallv tli© position the Canterbury Jockey Club intended to take up in. regard to fbose who were in the habit of betting with the bookmaker as against the totalisator, the lesral method of specula.tion. It was the club's firm intention to proceed against all offending > in. this wav in the same manner as against bookmakers, the

penalty of the law being the same for both backer and. layer. He need hardly remind All sportsmen, that in supporting the machine they were directly .not r>nly assisting the racing clubs of New Zealand to give better stakes, but were speculating through the only medium the laws of their country allowed. He trusted these few 'remarks would draw the attention of these who had been in the habit of betting illegally. The staff of the olub, under the able management of Mr Wanklyn, had carried out its duties efficiently and satisfactorily. Mr Henrys, the handicapper, had been rewarded for his labours by one of the best Season's racing ever witnessed at Riccarton. The ground, course, and working gallops, in spite of the very dry summer and' autumn, had bean admitted by visitors and visiting trainers to bo second to mono in the Dominion, credit of which must reflect on the caretaker and those working under him. Sincere regret has bee,n felt at the death of Mr Kohn, who for many years so ably and voluntarily timed the races for the club. The future of the Canterbury Jockey Club, though at the moment in somefwhat of an unsettled state, looked healthy. The members misrht rest assured that those under whose direction the meetings were carried out would always use their best endeavours to promote the interests of racing and the prosperity of the club. The motion was seconded by the Hon. C. LfOuisson, who said members should bo well .satisfied with the result of the year's working. While foe regretted the small attendance of members, it was, in a way, a compliment to the management of the club.

Mr G. D. Greenwood spoke in support of the resolution, and said the best thanks of owners were duo to the club for the improvements in the saddling paddock, which had greatly conserved the safety 0/ horses. The tedious, delays which characterised starting in former years had to a large extent been curtailed during last season. The standard of perfection reached in Sydney had not -yet been reached here, but the club was moving towards it, and deserved thanks for its efforts. The report and balance sheet were unanimously adowted.

On the motion of the Hon. C. Louisson, seconded by Mr G. D. Greenwood, the committee, stewards, and officials of the club were accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The President, in acknowledging the vote of thanks on behalf of the committee, stewards, and staff, said that as far as the stewards and 'the members of the cqmmittee were concerned, it was a labour of love, and the greatest interest was takem in eindeavourinsr to make the Canterbury Jookev Club the most up-to-date club in the Dominion. This. of. course, would be imnosisible without a thoroughly efficient staff, and both stewards and committee reoosmised the efficiency of the management.

The following: new members were elected : Messrs W.HeHiwell, Ghristchnrch: J. O. Jameson, Chri«tch,nrch: W. Nicholls, Belfast; W. Pickles. Ash burton; J. L. Wilson,- Lyttelton:- W. Wood. ChristehUrch•: C. F. 'M. Wroufhton. Ashburton; and Captain M'Lean, Greeropark.