NELSON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13097, 4 May 1911, Page 4

NELSON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

AMfUii M&MNG;

the, annual, meeting of tfye Kelson A; anct P. Association was heM at Me refreshment room at Richmond Park yesterday afternoon. The PresHent (Mr. Noble Win) occupied the chair, and there was a fair attendance of members. The President expressed hie pleasure at the attendance, but said it should be larger considering tile large membership of the Association. Suggestions for this welfare of tilt Association, ho. said, were invited; and criticism also if it was for the Association's, benefit:. He Qongratulatod the tuemoer'& oti the success of the •»:;- nual show, .and was pleased with Ihe marked improvement in the cattle and light .horse classes. It was gratifying to hear from the judge in the latter class that the light horses compared favourably wit/li thosja exhibited at other shows, including Sydney. He paid a tribute to the late Mr. Talbot, who had, taken a keen interest in the Assbciatidri's. affairs. Th§ President also.made fee'.iug reference to the deaths of tho.late Mr. G-aukrodgor and Dr.,; Hamiltpji,. The Association's, financial position] was satisfactory., Three tleli'prilure'.s liad. been paid off, and permanent improvements had been effected, Jncludj::;: a press room, the convenience of which would no doubt be appreciated by the newspaper reporters. Other improvements wore contemplated, and these would come Up for COrtsider&ttpn by the new committee. An inspection of thfe grand stand had been made hy]ah expert (Mr. J; Scott) with the result that the upper stand had been condemned. The committee, in consequence, had decided to dismantle the upper stand, and a proposal would bo placed before the new committee to increase the accommodation .of the other stand. It was also proposed to erect a shed for milkinc cows.' It would also be necessary to fence the race, course, provided tlje Nelson jockey Club recejved a permit t<s hold a raep meeting, In cdnclusifin, iliiv president, thanked the committee for the consideration shown him diu> ing. lii's term, of, office.. ,He ha.d tried to. do his* best for the Association; and he hoped his-ieffortp had been appreciated: (Applattse;) It was his idea that the more tho committee was spread over the district the more interest would be taken in the Association, and he was sure the new commiteo would work as hard in tho interests of the Association as the previous committees had done. A letter was read from Miss Talbot acknowledging the Association's letter iof sympathy in their recent bereavetneili Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. .1, T.unnicliffe,, S, j. • Wratt, .W..25". Franklyri, W. T. Bond, : and C..H. Ching. . lOn Mr. Coleman's motion the report " and balance sheet, which had been ■ printed and circulated,among members, was taken as read. ■ T))e . Committee, in presenting th( 18tli annual report, o.nce more congratulated members upon a satisfactory year's work and upon the continued improvement of the association's financial position. The membership shows a slight increase, standing at 440, compared with 435 at the ' end of last year. Twenty-eight new 1 members were elected; there were 17 ' resignations, 5 deaths, and one mem--1 her left the district. The Secretary introduced 15 new members, Mr. ■ .fames Hunt 1, Mr. F. W. Sch.wass 4, ; Messrs \V. D. Harkness and C. H. " Ching each one. There were on the ' roll thirty-five members who had forfeited their claims to privileges by reason, of being in.arrears, and the t advi.sablen.ess of striking the names off should be considered. The finances of the association still afforded reason 1 for congratulation. As was pointed ) out in the auditors' report a further ■ £150 worth of debentures had beer ■ paid off Richmond Park debt (which now stood at £850 only), and anothei permanent building had been erected 1 on the ground, the net result of the ■ yoar's transactions being a profit of | £85. The result was the more satis--1 factory as there was some falling off ■ in receipts, compared with tho preced- " year, and a larger sum was offered in 1 prizes than the previous year. The association's net assets now total £3,128. The annual show was held 3 on 29th and 30th November, and the entries received constituted a new record. The weather was propitious, > and the show was a success in every • sonso. The association, as usual, 1 also conducted a stallion parade in the spring. During the year the r General Committee met eleven times r and the Finance and Ground Committoe on nine- occasions. A vast amount of detail work had been transc acted, and a number of suggestions for - improvement by providing better accommodation for stock, etc., had been considored, in some cases favourably, ' and no doubt the incoming committee would see some of these carried into effect. The committee were not successful in securing the presence of the Governor of the Dominion at the show, but received a cordial reply to their invitation, and it would appear that if an early invitation and announcement of the date of the next , show was sent to his Excellency there 1 was a reasonable chance that he might accept the same. The association was the poorer by the deaths of such prominent and useful member as the late ' Messrs. George Talbot, J. Gaukrodger and Dr. Hamilton. The retiring President, Mr. Noble Win, though resident a long distance from the meeting ? place, had been assiduous in-his attention to the duties of the office, and the thanks of the association were due to him. The Secretary, Mr. J. Glen, had carried out his duties most satisfac- ! torily, and the Auditors once more recorded their satisfaction at the clear ' and accurate manner in which the i acounts were kept. The committee acknowledged with thanks the donors of special prizes. The report and balance sheet, which 3 had been printed and circulated among members, was taken as read. Mr. Bartlett drew attention to the " small amount received in training fees ' and contended that all should be made to pay or else trainers should bo allowed on the course free. Mr. May referred to tho very satis--5 factory financial position of the Assc--3 ciation. Repairs, he said, were required to the stand, to cost, say £60, and a new milking shed would cost about £50, while the proposed improvements to the stand. would cost about £500. The race course also had to be fenced. In regard to the rent of £50 received from the Jockey Olub, he said it was not all profit, as tho f Association had to keep the course in order. They were most anxious to [ meet the Jockey Club in every way. He thought all owners training on the track should be made to pay for their permits or else be refused admission Ito the course. He suggested that in- . stead of paying off debentures the As- , sociation should erect permanent , buildings for Association purposes, J and he thought the Finance Committee should consider tlie matter. Mr. T. A. Cook suggested that the ' rent of tho Jockey Club should be reduced, provided' the club kept the race , course m order. He did not see why > the Association should spend a large J sum in fencing the course. The Association supplied the ground and the club should do the rest. Mr. Hunt said if Mr. Cook's suggesJ tion was carried out the club would require a long lease. [ Mr. P. Best said the Association I should do the fencing for the Jockey Club. If it cost £150, it would only J be three years' rent, and the Association would have a permanent improvement. In regard to permits, all owners should be compelled to pay a fee for training purposes, and those who would not pay should be kept off the'eourse. Mr. Hagen said it would be unreasonable to charge owners arriving a I few days before the race meeting for , training permits. They should try l and popularise the sport and not drive I horse owners away from Richmond. . He thought the Association should <lo [■ all in its power to encourage the Jockiey Club. . ''On the'station of Messrs W,. D.

Hdf knass and W; edlenian tli6 report find Balance sheet was addpted. ? The secretary announced the. result of the election of officers as follows: President; Mi-. Godfrey Best;; Vice,PresiaettVMij, T- B' Ctfiisriall (unopposed) ; Committee:. Dr. Andrew, Messrs John Best, W. T. Bond t J. E. Bartlett, G. W. Best, F. C. Batchelor, H. Croucher, G. E. Chisnall, W. Coleman, C. H. Ching, R. H. Coleman, Jas Ching, F. W. Fairey, Jas. Hunt, J. Hagen,.W. D. Harkness, T. H. Holland, F. W. Hamilton, P. Higgins, W. R. May. Jae. O'Connor, N. F. Schwass I. Tunnicliffd, J. S. tyfatt, and tho expresidojit, Mi.. N. Win. On the, motion of Messrs W. CoJeman .jindJ..,Hagen; Mr: W: R: May was r'e-deiitco treasurer.

On the motion of Messrs W. It. May and James Ching, Mr. J. Glen was elected secretary amidst applause. Mr. P. Best said Mr. Glen had been secretary of the Association since its inception^ and had proved himself an admirable officer.

It was resolved that the Finance Committee bo elected by the General Committee.

Messrs. J. Blair and J.. Petrie were .re-elected auditors 6ri, tlie. .mdtidri of Messrs "\V..R. May and J, Hunt, Mr:^Co'leiiiari m6v<£l that, a,hearty yOte of thanks ,be accorded the retiring president for his past services, JJe SHI,* urn-. Win iiad carried out his dut^ ies well and he hoped Mr. Best would have an equally successful year of office. Mr. Hagen seconded the motion, whieh i was carried unanimously. Tli& retiring president then vacated the cha.ir, and wished Mr. Godfrey Best, his successor; rl successful term of office. MF. Best returned: 'thanks for his election to tlie position. Mr. Higgins, who was the unsuccessful candidate for the office of president, congratulated Mr. Best on his success, and said he would be only, too pleased at "all times to render him assistance. He thanked those who had voted for him.

Mr. Hisgins suggested that the photographs of }>ast presidents should bo procured and huiig tip in the meetiiig room. Photographs df the laid Mr. Talbot and their present secretary (Mr Glen) shou'd also, be secured... Ho moved that Jt be a recommendation, ijo the general committee to carry ptit his suggestion. Mr,G. W, Best 'seconded the motion, which was carried. ( ' , , On the motion of Messrs J. Ching and P. Best, a very hearty vote' of thanks was accorded the newspaper reporters.

Tlie meeting then terminated