PRESENTATION TO MR W. F. JAMES

Southland Times, Issue 24576, 27 October 1941, Page 4

PRESENTATION TO MR W. F. JAMES

TOTALIZATOR PROPRIETOR HONOURED Mr W. F. James, who has been totalizator contractor to the southern racing clubs for more than 40 years, was entertained by officials of the Gore Racing Club at the end of Saturday’s meeting, when tributes to his integrity were paid by many speakers. Mr James recently announced his retirement. The president of the club (Mr Milton Green), who was chairman, said that the officials had met to show their appreciation of Mr James’s services over a long period of years. The club complimented him on the fairness and integrity he had shown in his dealings. Mr Green presented Mr James with a clock and barometer mounted on a greenstone base and inscribed. Members then drank a toast to Mr James’s health. A statement that the clubs were very sorry to see Mr James retiring was made by Mr G. W. Whittingham, who said that Mr James had given the best service possible. Mi" James had been a faithful servant to the club and the committee had found him to be the right man for the job. The clubs and the public were greatly indebted to him for his work in the interests of racing. Mi- Frank Young, secretary of the club, also spoke and wished Mr James all happiness in his retirement. In reply Mr James, said that when his decision to retire had been made he had been a sick man and four doctors had advised him to give up business. A decision to obtain the services of a Wellington contractor had been made by the Forbury Park Trotting Club and the Dunedin Jockey Club. He had now written to the other clubs in Otago and Southland offering to carry on for another two years until they could make suitable arrangements for their contracts and he thought they would favour his offer. His idea in carrying on for a while was to protect his staff. He thought that his staff could carry on the contract if the clubs did not go into business after two years. Mr James pointed out that running a totalizator was a big task for one club to handle. He thanked the members for the beautiful memento and expressed the hope that he would be able to attend the Gore meeting for a long time yet. An announcement that the secretary (Mr Young) was about to give up his connection with the club was made by Mr Green, who said he thought they should honour him with a toast. Mr Young had taken a personal interest in the club’s affairs and it had benefited considerably by his services. He hoped that Mr Young’s valuable advice would also be available. Replying, Mr Young said that he had been connected with the club since 1905, being secretary since 1919. The club was one of the most progressive in the South Island and he hoped that it would continue to prosper.