Stratford Racing Club

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 91, 22 August 1923, Page 2

Stratford Racing Club

ANNUAL MEETING. Tho thirty-second annual meeting of the Stratford Racing Club was hold in tho Medina Tea Rooms last evening, when there was an attendance of over sixty members. Apologies for non-attendance were tendered on behalf of H. E. Abraham on doctor’s orders, and Mr D. J. Malone on account of previous engagement. n Mr S. Pitt presided.

The annual report stated: Tho Committee has pleasure in reporting a very successful year. Tho race meeting account shows a profit of £2077 Ids lid, and the farm account a profit of £162 10s 10d, whilst tho net profit for the year amounis to £lOl9 Os lOd. Tho sum of £4121 6s 6d ha s be~n paid to the Government in the various forms of taxation and the sum of £361 12s 9d has been written off for depreciation. At the last race meeting £3300 was given in stakes, and the meeting was very successful. A gratifying feature was the increased attendance which, hi though taxing our accumm dation to the utmost, proved tne wisdom of reducing our admission charges. In pursuance of the improvement scheme, the Committee decided to lay on a complete water supply and drainage system which was canned out bafore the race me. ting. Inis was greatly appreciated by the pul) lie and is a great safeg’ aid in case of fire. The new race track forma tion is being linked up with the track and should be ready for use this coming meeting. The whole of the Club’s proper ty has been kept in g ■<>,_( order under the management of the Club’s caretaker, Mr R. Lloyd, ami tho profit made by the f'-im commute© is very satisfactory. Continued efforts have been made to secure an other permit which all evidence proves wo are justly eut’tl'-d to, and your committee has every hoje tlnu its repeated request will I* success ful, A renewal of placing lights was granted to the Golf Cluo similar to previous years. Your committee wish to thank all stewards and honorary officials for services rendeied during the race meeting. The new Secretary', Mr William Power, proven himself thoroughly competent, and with his staff carried out their duties satisfactorily. Before commencing the business of the meeting, tho President referred sympathetically to the loss sustained by the death of Sir R. H. Nolan, who had for years represented the Club at the Racing Conference. Ho had proved to he an excellent supporter of the sport and had done splendid service. Also the deceased gentleman had done very valuable work during the war. His loss was greatly to be regretted. The President also expressed regret on behalf of the Club at tho loss sustained by Mr E. S. Rutlmrfnrd, a member of the Club, in the death of his wife. Members signified their regret hy standing in silence.

Speaking to the adoption of the report and balance-sheet the President said he had had much pleasure in doing so. First of all ho congratulated the Club on such a good attendance. They would adpht that the Club had had a very trying year, and the operations had lesulted in a much better position than had been anticipated. , The . balance-sheet showed a profit of £2240 and after providing for upkeep (£1200) there was a net profit of over £IOOO. He could safely say that very few clubs could show much better results, in fa t. some showed a loss, and even some metropolitan clubs did n 't show a shilling of profit. The success of tbe year ns far as the Club was con cerned went to prove that racing was n popular pastime in this district and that tbe racing wa ■ conducted in such a way as to meet the p 'pu lar taste. He felt sure that scores of people attended the Stratford races who had never previously patronised a race meeting: in other words, there was not the usual num - ber of racecourse habitues, but more of the settlers of the district who attended for a day’s amusement. As to the last meeting, it had passed off well, and there had been no friction. They would understand that til) building accommodation was quite inadequate for the crowd, and it was only a question of time when it would have to be enlarged. The improvement of the track would be the first work, and then additions to the buildings. The former would take some years before it was finished. Tlie totalisator was old fashioned, and under the circumstances the staff had done excellent work. As to the property as a whole, he could safely say that it had been well look-

ed after, and the Club had experienced a good year. The buildings had been painted, and the grounds fenced and kept in repair and the property was in good order.

In passing, tho President paid a tribute to tlio work of tho caretaker, Mr R. Lloyd, who had the interests of tho Club at heart, doing his work conscientiously and well. Tho improvements effected extended to providing a water supply and drainage, the expenditure on same being well justified, and ho could assure me" be s that the cost had been kept down as low as possible. The improvements would be there for all time. As to tho now portion of the track, tho committee had pleasure in stating that it would b' connected up with tho old track and be in use at tho annual meeting. Speaking of the endeavors of tho committee to secure an extra permit, Mr Pitt said they had not been idle. They had watched every opportunity to further the Club’s interest in this resnoct. The thanks of the Club wore duo to Mr R. Masters, M.P., for what he had dme to assist, having bom most diligent and attentive in bis efforts. The deputation to Wellington had done quite as well as oxp°oted, Tho Minister appeared to be in sympathy with their request and country clubs’ pro petals on tho whole. Ho said that if the recommendations of the Racing Commission were not granted as a whole, ho would recommend the S 1 ration! Club for an extra pc unit. The Racing Rill was now before the House. There wore twelve now permits to lie given, and he believed the Stratford Club had a change, if not of securing two days, at least.’ one more day’s racing in the year. One po mit would be a groat a-sset to the Club, as they would understand, for the reason that the expenses for upkeep would not bo more than’ at present. Any one with an unbiassed mind must admit that in view of other cl bs having to go ou* of existence owing to tho heavy taxation, while their Club had paiid in taxation £t(XX), and showed a clear profit of £IOOO, it was a case of tho survival of the fittest. Tiros' 1 clubs who could not pay the taxation would have to go out, while others, such as Stratford,'which was in a thriving state, ho felt certain, would reoe vo another permit. In concluding, Mr Pi/tt Fkd it gave him great pleasure in moving the adoption of the report and balancesheet lor the year.—(Applause). Mr M. McDonald seconded the motion, which was car. ied unanimously without fu ther discussion.

OFFICEBEARERS. Mr S. Pitt was the only nominee for the position .of President, and was declared elected ainfd applause. For the position of of vice-presi-dent, Messrs Harold E. Abraham and M. McDonald we o nominated, and on a ballot bdng taken, Mr Abraham was elected; the voting being 38 to 20. Mr A. Stewart was the only nominee for the position of members’ re presentat’.ve, and was declared elected amid applause. Mr T. H. Penn was re-elected auditor. GENERAL, Mesisrs B. Maliroy and J. C. Robins were elected members of the Club. On the motion of Mr B. S. Ruther fin’d, the Stratford A, and P. Assoryatmn was voted seven guineas, and tin"’ ►Fliers’ Memo: Lai Fund ten guineas. Mr ritt said it was very pleasing to note the kindly rel. ti ns existing between kindred bodies such as the A. and P. and the Racing Club. The A. and P. Association had alwaysbeen willing to lend the Club any property, and the compliment had been returned. Votes of thanks were passed to Messrs A. Good and J. Grey (representatives of the Club at the Racing Conference), Messrs S. Pitt and D. J. Malone (representatives op . the Taranaki Di;trict Committee), Mr R. Masters, M.P. (for assistance in regard to the Club’s request for an extra permit), and to the Press.