WAIPA RACING CLUB

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3803, 2 September 1936, Page 5

WAIPA RACING CLUB

TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL MEETING. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. twenty-first annual meeting of the» Waipa Racing Club was held on Monday evening in the Farmers’- Institute Building, and Mr F. Quin was voted to the chair. There was a fair attendance of members, including most of the officers. The- annual report and balance sheet (already published) were adopted. In forwarding apologies for non-at-tendance, Mr Park intimated his desire not to be nominated for re-elec-tion as president, and concluded with commendation of the conduct of the club’s affairs and good wishes for continued success. Mr J. T. Young contrasted the balance sheet with that ot the previous j ear, and explained some of the items. He said the weather had been very favourable for both race meetings, and altogether the club had experienced a very successful year. There was a brighter prospect for the future, and if the weather favoured the club he predicted further successful meetings. Comment was made that the club’s town property had been surveyed and it was proposed to subdivide it into ten residential sections. The area is 45 acres. A member expressed the opinion that the stallion account should have been wiped out years ago, and he criticised the Hamilton committee for failure to clear the matter up. Outstanding subscriptions were reduced from £126 last year to £9O. Jt was explained that some subscriptions had been written off as irrecoverable. To a question, the secretary said the club’s racecourse property comprises 791 acres. The Golf Club’s tenancy of the racecourse was mentioned, and an assurance was given that the committee would always be glad to confer with the golt representatives on matters of mutual interest. The election of officers resulted: I‘atrons, Hon. W. Lee Martin and Mr W. J. Broadfoot, re-elected; president, Mr M. H. Tims; vice-presidents, Messrs F. Quin, A. S. Wallace and C. F. Storey; auditor, Mr G. O. Jourdain, re-elected; committee, Messrs S. C. B. Macky, S. A. Empson, W. F. Woodward, T. G. Martin and A. Bond. Regret was expressed at the decision of Mr Park not to accept office, for he has been a very popular and successful president. Mr Park was thereupon unanimously elected a life member of the club —the second in the history of the club, Mr F. F. Hockly being the other one. In accepting office as president, Mr Tims said he esteemed it a very great honour. He was accepting office for the present year, but made it clear that it was his desire that the principal office should be a rotating one. When Mr Wallace was nominated for the vice-presidency, he suggested that new blood should be introduced. There were several stalwart and enthusiastic members of the club that he would like to see attaining to the senior offices. However, he was induced to accept nomination. The meeting placed on record its deep sense of appreciation of Mr Park’s services as president, and instructed the secretary to write conveying the club’s sincere thanks to him, and wishing him long life and good health. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded all who .had helped to make the race meetings the success they proved. Special mention was made of the staff and the many honorary helpers—both members and non-mem-bers. MEETING OF COMMITTEE. A general meeting of the executive was then held, Mr J. T. Young presiding, he being re-elected chairman of the committee for the year. Mr Young, in taking office, said it was his good fortune to be associated with such good sportsmen, loyal and enthusiastic, and grand workers in the interests of the club. That was 'vhat made for success. Mr W. F. Woodward, the newlyelected committeeman, was accorded a cordial welcome. Correspondence was laid before the meeting giving information as to the type and cost of up-to-date number boards.—Referred to the special subcommitee, Messrs H. Kay, S. A. Emp son, A. Bond and W. F. Woodward. Franklin Club indicated objection to the Waipa Club holding its extra 1 lace meeting on Saturday, May 15th, as Bay of Island Club had been granted special permission to hold its meeting at Pukekohe on Wednesday, May 12th. The fear was expressed that if the weather proved unfavourable on the 12th a postponement until the lath would be necessary, and that would mean a clash with Waipa. The Auckland District Committee notified that Waipa’s application for May 15th had been granted. The following officials for the summer race meeting were appointed: Clerk of Course: Mr R. J. Weal. Judge: Mr A. Tronson. Time-keeper: Mr F. Seccombe. Clerk of Scales: Mr S. C. Macky. Hon. Surgeons: Drs Blundell, Hiskens, Roberton and Rogers. Hon. Veterinarian: Mr V. W. Priest. Treasurer: Mr J. P. O’Sullivan. Secretary: Mr J. G. Wynyard. Handicapper: Mr F. J. McManemin. Judicial Committee: Messrs A. D. Wallace, C. I. Storey, A. H. Storey, i’. Quin and M. McNair, with Mr Quin as chairman. Representative on Country Clubs’ /association: Mr M. H. Tims. Representatives on Country Clubs’ Breeders’ Association: Messrs J. G. Wynyard and J. T. Young. Course Committee: Messrs M. H. Tims, H. Kay, A. H. Storey, M. McNair, T. G. Martin, J. P. O’Sullivan and J. T. Young. Programme Committee: Messrs M. H. Tims, M. McNair, H. Kay and A. H. Storey. A suggestion that some terracing be done on the hill slope behind the totalisator house was referred .to the Course. Committee. Mention was made of the state of the course proper, due to horses in training having to be galloped there because fencing has been erected in the centre, thus dispensing with the jogging tracks and paths. In the resultant discussion it was suggested that -one of the paddock

fences should be shifted a little distance to allow of a larger jogging track. The very wet weather prevailing lately was advanced as a contributing cause ot the track not being as good as formerly. The Course Committee arranged to meet on the course, to consider further improvements, on Saturday morning next. The follow’ing new members were elected: Messrs E. Bedford, A. H. Roberts, F. Glanville, F. W. Moore and R. H. Wallace. The new president expressed the hope that younger men should be encouraged to seek office and become the club’s administrators. He w’ould always offer every possible facility, and noted with pleasure that at present there is a decided interest in the club among young men of the town and district.