WINTON JOCKEY CLUB

Southland Times, Issue 22956, 31 July 1936, Page 10

WINTON JOCKEY CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS The president (Mr John Kean) presided over an attendance of 33 members at the annual meeting of the Winton Jockey Club. The chairman referred io the deaths of Mr P. A. de la Perrelle and Mr Martin Kean, two members of the club, who had died during the year. The late Mr Perrelle had done a great deal in the interests of the club in his capacity as a member of Parliament for Awarua, he said. The late Mr Kean had been a member of committee for many years, and had been an enthusiastic worker in the club’s interests. The death had also occurred of Mr W. Macalister, of Invercargill, the father of Messrs J. S. and W. E. Macalister, members of the club. Members stood for a moment in silence. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet (previously published) the chairman stated that an important epoch in the history of the club was fittingly observed during the year, when the Diamond Jubilee fixture was held. The age of the club was somethi..g to be proud of, and members could look back with satisfaction. Finances Improved. “I am happy to say that the financial position has shown an added improvement,” continued the chairman. “The sources of revenue increased in every case. We commenced the year with a credit of £93 19/5 and concluded the year with a credit of £3lB 11/-. There are still several amounts to come in, which will augment this credit. The club h_.s no liabilities and the present state of affairs can at least be regarded with gratification. The increase in the stakes from £1075 in 1933 and £1240 in 1934 to £1675, including trophies, at our last fixture was appreciated by owners, whose patronage primarily contributes to the success of all meetings. The meeting was held in February, a 'departure from previous years, and the benefit of the change of dates has been felt. The committee is pleased to report that in 1937 the club will again race in February.” The motion was seconded by Mr F. Cowie and carried. Office-bearers were elected as follows: President, Mr F. Cowie; vicepresident, Mr J. J. Woods; treasurer, Mr F. Moore; committee, Messrs G. Cleland, T. Hamilton, John Kean, T. McGillivray, D. H. McLean, M. Reilly, Arthur Gerrard and Dr P. Gow; auditors, Messrs T. N. Mitchell and H. J. Mathias. Three new members were proposed. Position of Open Sprints. Mr T. Hamilton sought the opinion of members on the question of continuing open sprint races on the programme of the club’s annual fixture. Invariably these events attracted fields of three and five in number, he said, and from the club’s point of view it was not a very profitable proposition. Mr J. J. Woods pointed out that the open sprint event for the Gore meeting in February had drawn 15 nominations and for a similar race at Winton nine nominations had been received. Mr W. G. Clark said that it would be a problem for the committee to cut out the open races and make the fixture a hack meeting. The club had to consider the support that had been accorded these events for a number of years, and make a decision in its own interests. Consideration would have to be given to the nomination and acceptance fees these races brought in, and what they are likely to bring in. The Wairio Club conducted a successful hack meeting. It would probably be a loss of dignity to the Winton Jockey Club to make its fixture a hack meeting. He considered that the club should continue as a Jockey Club, take particular notice of these events in the future, and act accordingly. The club had a twoday fixture, and he asked why one day’s racing was not held at one time of the year and the other day’s racing later. It was decided as a recommendation to the committee, that the open sprint races be retained on the programme. A recommendation was also made that a champion hack event be included in the card. Mr J. Kean, in referring to the trees at the course, behind the totalisator and grand-stand, said that he would like to see these removed in the near future by the trustees. A further belt of trees had been planted further back some 18 years ago, and as these were now in an advanced stage of development, there was little need for the belt at the rear of the stand. As a recommendation to the incoming committee, he suggested that the trustees be approached to remove the trees. Mr T. Hamilton, one of the trustees, said that this matter had already been given consideration, but as soon as the trees were removed the clubs would have to consider the erection of new stalls. When the clubs got together to consider the erection of new stalls the trustees would remove the trees. An increase in stakes was suggested for the annual fixture of the club and was noted for consideration by the committee. INVERCARGILL TROTTING CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Invercargill Trotting Club was held last night, the president, Mr J. B. Thomson, presiding over a good attendance. The annual report (previously published) and balance-sheet were adopted. Speaking to the annual report Mr Thomson said that the club had had a fairly successful year. Although they had increased the stakes by £2lO they still showed a profit of £5OB. The increased rebate on the totalisator tax had been a great help. Racing as a sport was enjoyed and participated in by a very large number of people, but they were still heavily taxed. He had been ably supported by the committee, which had worked harmoniously together. The honorary officials, too, deserved praise for the manner in which they had carried out their duties. Mr Thomson concluded by paying a tribute to the Press of Southland which, he said, had done so much to popularize the sport. Mr W. Falconer, in seconding the motion to adopt the report, said the club had had a successful year and a good deal of credit was due to the president and the committee. Mr W. Grieve, who represented the Club at the annual conference of the New Zealand Trotting Association, gave a review of the business transacted and of remits affecting the club. Mr Grieve said that during the conference a great deal of unrest had been evident as a result of the Pot Luck-Stirling Lady case. Almost every delegate had been of the opinion that the decision of the appeal judges had shaken faith in the association. They considered that a drastic revision of rules was necessary for unification and co-operation, and doubts had been raised whether legal opinion in such cases was a wise thing for the sport. Those who had witnessed the incidents were the best judges because it became a question of fact and not technicalities. The following were declared reelected for the various offices: President, Mr J. B. Thomson; vice-presidents

Messrs J. Hislop and W. Crawford, committee, Messrs B. Ireland, A. Dix, J. Humphries, J. Hill, E. W. Howorth, W. Falconer and W. Grieve and Dr A. Owen-Johnston.