HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12950, 15 May 1935, Page 5

HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL.

PAHIATUA RACE MEETING.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT. A meeting of stewards of the Pahiatua Racing Club, to receive the balance-sheet on the April meeting, was held last evening in the- office of Messrs Smith, MeSherry and Rawson. There were present Messrs D. Kelly (president), E. L. Harvey, S. T. Tinney, S. V. Rodney, F. Britlaaid, N. Bicknell, P. J. Lloyd, C. Johnski. C. Hodgins. lan Taylor, A. Bentley and A. Judd. The secretary said that the last meeting was held on Tuesday and Wednesday, 9th and 10th of April, but next year Easter Monday fell on April 13th. The Club had accordingly asked for Tuesday and Wednesday, April Ist and 2nd, as provisional dates for the Pahiatua meeting for 1936. The meeting would thus fall between the Manawatu and Feilding meetings. The president said that these dates were considered the most suitable- of those offering for next year. The meeting unanimously endorsed the provisional dates. MEETING PRAISED, lu his official report to the Conference (a copy of which he forwarded to the Clubj the Stipendiary Steward, Mr B. I. Sandiiands, had the following praise to offer in connection with the conduct of the April meeting at Pahiatua,:“General remarks: This meeting proved most successful and the club will show a handsome profit. The weather was fine both days until just before the close of the meeting when slight showers- occurred. The attendance was greater than last year and the gates increased by over £6O. The nominations and acceptances were a little better and the tote turnover was £12,0-58 against £8896 last year. The track was in first class condition and, as recommended by Mr Gower last year, the various bends have been eased to a considerable extent and this work was carried out by- the members of the committe themselves. The meeting was conducted in *.n able and efficient manner and run strictly to time. The fields were of satisfactory size and though not high class were very even and good racing resulted. During the running of the Pongaroa High Weight, Flamingo, ridden by W. McDowell, whilst making the bend into the straight, ran up close to the horses in front and clipping the heels of one of them fell and McDowell was thrown heavily. He suffered a broken left rib and som-e injury to one of hig elbows-. “Medway (J. Sheehan) was seriously interfered with in the Nursery Handicap on the second day by Finnesko (W. J. Broughton). The evidence showed that Finnesko left the fence on the beud (admitted by Broughton) and Sheehan pushed Medway into the opening Before Medway got right- up Finnesko came hack onto the fence and Medway was pushed on to the inside rails and was almost down. Sheehan was thrown oil to his mounts neck but managed to get back into the saddle. Th-e finding of the Judicial Committe© was -That by an error of judgment the rider of Medway contributed to the interference which otherwise would not- have happened and no action be taken against -either rider’.” The secretary said that Mr -J. E Heniys, the handieapper, also congratulated the Club. He said he attended a great number of meetings and could say, without flattery, that the Pahiatua. meeting was run better, or quite as veil, as any meeting he had been to. during the year. Everything was kept up to. time and that did not often happen He congratulated the stewards and officials on their conduct of the meeting. INCREASED ItECEPITS. The secretary presented a. balancesheet on the recent meeting which showed a highly gratifying profit. The receipts on the principal items as compared with the previous year were as under:— 1934. 1935. £ £ Subscriptions 87 108 N omination and acceptance fees 263 264 Gates 230 292 Tote receipts 600 876 Books 68 87 Govt, refund ~ 222 301 Mr Kelly said it was very satisfactory statement indeed and he congratulated the stewards on the way they had worked to make the meeting such a success. Every steward had worked really hard. The fact of bringing horses of the class of Cuddle down from Hawke’s Bay had helped very considerably for they attracted a big crowd to see them run. The results must have been very gratifying to the stewards vho had worked Sunday after Sunday to- put the course in order. He heartily congratulated the stewards upon the results of their efforts.

Mr S. V Rodney said he did not think for one moment that the Club members realised how much the stewards did In addition it cost them a lot of money. PAINTING THE STAND.

Mr S. T. Tinney thought the Club should consider painting the main grandstand this year. Mr Kelly: “Yes, it’s pretty rough.”

Mr P- J- Lloyd: “What is the insurance on that stand?’’ (Laughter.)

Mr Lloyd; “Oh, there is no ulterior motive”

The secretary explained that the insurance on the new stewards’ stand was £llOO. (“We had better leave that,” he added amidst laughter.) The insurance on the ..ladies’ restroom was £IOO. £2O on the Ambulance, and £BOO on the main stand. Mr lan. Taylor: “Down it comes.” (Daughter.) Mr Dlovd : “leave it over in the meantime.” (Renewed laughter). Mr G. Hodgins thought that Mr Tinney’s suggestion to- paint the old stand was a good one. Mr A. Bentley: “Leave it till well on in the year.”

STAKES TO BEI KEPT UP. Mr Taylor advocated raising the stake money for next year, if possible. The low stakes was the only complaint about the last* meeting. Mr Hodgins favoured a ieasonable increase in stakes.

The opinion was expressed that the local club’s stakes compared very favourably with Woodville and other clubs aif a similar size. These matters were deferred till a later meeting when the financial position of the Club will be more definitely known. A letter- of appreciation is also to be sent to Mr Darley for his valuable services, this on the motion of the president, seconded by Mr S. T. Tinney. AN EFFICIENT OFFICER. The sum of five guineas was voted towards the expenses of the clerk of scales, Mr E. D.. Darley, of Auckland, who in previous years had seldom received anything “At his particular job he is the most efficient one of the lot oif us,” remarked Mr Tinney and with this view the meeting was heartily in agreement. Three new members vere elected, Messrs Jack Bree, A. Grady and H. Mack ley. The position of the secretary’s salary was revised.