WAIPA RACING CLUB

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3841, 2 December 1936, Page 4

WAIPA RACING CLUB

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. ARRANGEMENTS FOR RACE MEETING. Mr J. T. Young presided at a meeting of the Wa.pa Racing Club executive committee on Monday evening, and also present were Messrs J. r. O' Sullivan, H. Kay, A. H. Storey, W. F. Woodward, M. H. Tims, M. McNair, A. S. Wallace C. F. Storey, A. Bond, T. G. Martin, S. C. Macky, S. A. Empson, and the secretary, Mr J. G. Wynyard. The following new members were elected: Messrs E. D. Williams, Te Awamutu; D. Clark, Te Awamutu; G. O. Bayley, Owairaka; F. Thomas, 1c Kawa; J. B. Gibson, Te Awamutu; H. C. Swan, Te Awamutu; E. Hopping, Te Awamutu; Jas. Orr, Te Awamutu; A. P. Harvey, Frontier Road; G. Bishop, Mangapeehi; W. Trenbeth, Hamilton; H. L. Marsh, Te Awamutu; Roy Maher, Te Awautu; J. Findlater, Kihikihi; M. Friedlander, Parawera; C. Osborne, Taumarunui; C. Vallance, Frontier Road; J. McGuinness, Ngahape. The secretary reported that Mr A. Vincant, of Palmerston North, had accepted the position of starter for the coming meeting. It was reported that there were 165 nominations for the meeting, which were only exceeded in the year 1929, when 171 nominations were received. Tho offer of the Haines Catering Co. to conduct the luncheon booth was accepted. Mr E. Montgomery’s contract for the publican’s booth rights was extended for a further three years. Discussion arose over a suggestion to enlarge the present stewards’ stand by about 30 to 40 feet, but it was agreed to defer discussion until after the coming race meeting. Mr G. Paul was appointed accommodation steward. Mr Wynyard reported an offer by Mr E. H. Cucksey to donate a goldmounted riding whip for the rider of the winner of the Hack Cup.—Accepted with thanks. Mr Tims reported a donation by Mr J. B. Hutchinson of £5 5s towards the club’s funds, and added that Mr Roy Maher and other enthusiastic supporters had offered donations bringing the total to £2O. With the approval of the donors, it was agreed to allot these funds for a trophy for the next winter meeting, as the programme for the coming meeting has already been approved. The donors were heartily thanked. A circular from the N.Z. Turf Association, seeking support of its objectives, chief of which was to provide an organisation through which turf investors can make representations to the proper authorities on all matters relevant to racing and betting, was received.

The circular expressed the firm opinion that if off-course betting conducted on sound lines were introduced, the totalisator turnover would be greatly increased, and this would reflect to the direct benefit of all concerned with the sport of racing. An appeal was read from the honorary organiser of the Waikato Fund of the St. John Ambulance Associa-. tion, in its effort to raise £4900 to provide a central ambulance station at Hamilton.—A donation of £5 was made. The Te Awamutu Golf Club, which holds a lease of the racecourse for five years, asked to be allowed to surlender its lease which ordinarily would terminate in 1938 thei Golf Club havmg acquired Mr W. B. Martyn’s property on Kihikihi Road, which it proposes to model as a golf course at once. Members were favourable, especially as the Golf Club had offered to make its equipment available for putmg the course in tiptop order for the coming meeting, and restoring other parts of the grounds to their former condition. n’k? 5 de .c>ded to release the Golf Club from its obligations respecting the lease, and details were left to the Course Committee. The chairman reported having conferred with the Mayor and Borough Councillors on the matter of subdividing the Club’s town property, and the Council was agreeable to an amended subdivision obviating a narrow right-of-way. The draft plan submitted by the Mayor seemed to be a satisfactory one.—This was approved. The special committee appointed to arrange for improvements to the number board reported having procured the necessary additions, which have to be painted, and erected.—Referred to the Course Committee. It was stated that the number board is to be shifted about 30ft nearer the course proper before race day The chairman reported that the improvements to the totalisator and other buildings have been practically completed, and these facilities will be much appreciated on race day. iMr A. H. Storey congratulated Messrs Young and Tims especially upon the success of the work 'done at the course in recent weeks. Those gentlemen had devoted a lot of time and attention to the wo.rk, which wa . s , a , cre< fit to all concerned. Members of the executive are to meet on the course on Wednesday of next week to attend to any little details needed to perfect arrangements lor race day. Thq matter of permitting training gallops on the course proper the reverse way round just prior to the Hamilton and other meetings where “ ft 'hand racing is the order, was left ten Co “ rs ®. Committee to decide th« eondUions Me ’ aCC ° rdine t 0 wea '