TROTTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 127, 4 July 1914, Page 12

TROTTING.

NEW BRIGHTON CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING.

There was a fair attendance of members at the annual meeting of the New Brighton Trotting Club, held last evening, Mr E. Archer presiding. The committee's report stated that members must be pleased at the position the club had attained, and the progress made by it during the season. Several innovations introduced by the committee had met with general approval and support, and considerably enhanced the popularity of the club's meetings. The balance-sheet showed that the receipts for the year, including £374 10/3 brought forward, and £SOO fixed deposit withdrawn, were £9552 2/8, of which the totalisator produced £5491 12/3, nominations £902 6/6, acceptances £671 2/6, gates £982 2/3, cards £417 9/9, and privileges £143. The expenditure amounted to £7296 2/10, the largest sums being:—Stakes £3615, Government tax £1621 12/10, buildings £658 8/7, and ground expenses £379 15/5. There was a balance at the bank of £1256 19/10, and on fixed deposit £IOOO. The profit returned by the two race meetings was £2617 7/9, the figures being:—December meeting: Expenditure, £3126 4/5; receipts, £4601 17/9. May meeting: Expenditure, £2872 4/5; receipts, £4013 18/10. The assets, including the bank balance of £1256 14/10, £IOOO on fixed deposit, land £2123, ' and buildings £4OOO, were set down at £8579 19/10. The one liability was a mortgage of £ISOO.

The chairman drew attention to the increased sum that had been paid away in stakes during the season, and also to the satisfactory condition of the club's financial position as revealed by the balance-sheet. The sport had been of a high standard, and he thought members could be congratulated on the success of the Free-for-All and Derby Stakes, two innovations that had been introduced during the season. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following officers were elected unopposed:—President, Mr E. A. Archer; treasurer, Mr F. T. Pannell; committee, Messrs W. H. JDentbn, B. E. Hall, A. J. Ilarper, W. J. M. Hopkins, A. W. Owles, G. E. King, G; W/ C. Smithson, W. E. Thompson, and J. Westerman; stewards, W. H. Denton, E. E. Hall, A. J. Harper, W. J. M. Hopkins, G. E. King, A. W. Owles, G. W. C. Smithson, W.. E. Thomffeon, W. J. Walker, and J. Westermanj auditor, Mr E. O. Duncan.

In reply to Mr Whiteman, the chairman said he thought there was a good chance of the Free-for-All Eace becoming a permanent feature of the club's programme. The necessity of erecting new railings, widening tLe course at the halfmile post, and providing more accommodation for motor cars, was drawn attention to by Mr W. E. Simes, who thought the club was to be congratulated on the efficiency of its officials from the president downwards.

The chairman said that most of the improvements suggested by Mr Simes were already under consideration.

On the motion of Mr Simes, a recommendation was carried that the annual subscription be increased to a guinea.

The committee was also recommended to take steps to establish a fund to meet the mortgage at present existing on the club's property. On the motion of Mr Whiteman, the committee was recommended to consider the advisability of increasing, the salaries paid to the officials. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the president, Mr E. Archer, for his generous donation of a cup for the Free-for-All Race.