NELSON TROTTING CLUB.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13843, 15 October 1913, Page 3 (Supplement)

NELSON TROTTING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING.

(From "The Colonist," Sept. 22.) : The annual meeting rof the Nelson Trotting'-Club, was-held at Mercer's room . on Saturday evening. Tho ■> president (M;r. H, Baigent) occupied the chair; and there wa& a good attendance of members. ■ ; ' . •' , The report, which was read and adopted, was as follows:-—"Your committee has again much pleasure in congratulating the Club upon its sound tinancial position, the cash credit balance at the bank being £63 15s 2d, while £300 is on fixed deposit. • Iho Club's assets arb valued at £476 7s id, and the liabilities are nil. The, Club paid one-third of the cost of the improvements at Richmond Park,, including the new totalisator house, amounting to £89' 12s. Tho annual race meeting held on 'February 12th was very successful, the fields being large-and the racing good. The stakes were incaeased from £255 15s to £300, and the results ebow that the action was justified, the amounts received, tot nominations" and acceptances showing a considerable increase over those ol the previous year. The totaUsater investments amounted to -*d**£j, Q a,7 against £2209. an increase of £l^dß. Before the election of officers was proceeded with, some members took exception to the method adopted, .via., .written liominatiohs,:, and election oy ballot, and contended that the practice of electing the officers " at .the meeting should be 'adhered to. " Considerable discussion ensued, somo member© contending that election by ballot papers issued to all" financial members was the only proper way. Whil© admitting this those who opposed the election by ballot contended that the secretary should not hnvo changed the method of election without consulting tho committee. Tho secretary CMv. 'Glen)'- said there were no rules for tho Club, and he followed the procedure in connection with the Jockey Club election He oxpresscd his regret, and said he had done his bast in the interests of the Slub. , , T«r r« T A motion proposed by Mr. <U J. Ruffell, and sooondied by Mr. R. b,. Harris, that the officers be elected at the meeting, and that the nominations in tho hands of. the secretary be ignoiod, was carried on the voices. Messrs. H. Baigont and E. E. Trask who were nominated as president ana vioe-preßident, declined in the circumstances, to be re-nominated, but wore eventually persuaded to accept oflice, and were unanimously re-elected to their respective positions. . The .required number of nominations had been received, but in view of the motion, the president invited tresh nominations, when the following were received and duly declared elected:— Messrs. C. J. Ruffell, G. M. Rout, M. P. Webster, F. G. Edwards, C. Thomas T. W. Moorehbuse and R. E. Harris.' Messrs. C. J. Hariey, R. Hunter, and J. H. Finney (who had previously been nominated); declined to seek re-election. " Otlier officers were elected as tol]owß :—Timekeepers, Messrs.. R. Hunter and J. Glen ; clerk of scales, Mr. C. Hoggitt; clerk of course, Mr. T. Elliott; starter, Mr. 11. Hunter; judge, Mr. J. E. Bartlett 1; handicapper. Mr. James Noble; totalisator proprietor, Mr. H. D. James; lion, treasurer, Mr. E. ' E Trask; auditors, Messrs. P. Bond and J. H. Finney; all'of whom wore re-elected. On the motion of Mr. G. M. Rout, seconded by Mr. F. W. Fairey, it was resolved that the > committee be the programme committee. ■I'liexe was some discussion as to the amount to bo allotted in stakes. Mr. Hunter proposed, and Mr. Edwards seconded, that the amount be £450, an increase of £145. Mr. Trask proposed, as an amendment .and Mr. C. J. Hur]oy seconded, that the amount be £400. The amendment was defeated, and the motion carried oti the voices. ...

. Mr. C. J. Ruffell moved, and Mr. R. E. Harris seconded, that the programme consist of eight races. Mr. Hunter proposed, as an amendment, and Mr. W. McGregor «ocbnd«l/tTiat the programme consist; of _ ■seven races. The amendment was carried.

The date of the next meeting caused some discussion. The secretary stated that the late committee had applied for Wednesday, February 11th, 1913, and this date had been approved by the conference. Messrs. C: J. Ruffell and G. M. Rout spoke- strongly in favour of February Ist, and it was eventually carried on the voices that application b© made to th« . conference to alter tho date to February Ist.

0n the motion of Mr. R. E. Harris, seconded by Mr. J. H. Finney, it was resolved that no complimentary tickets be issued to local residents (ladies escopted).

On Mr. Rout's motion, it was ros«lved that all meeting of the club be called for Wednesday evert ings. Five new members were elected.

On the motion of Mr. J. H. Finney it wae resolved that the committee proceed to draw up rules for the club forthwith, to be submitted to a general meeting as soon aa possible. It ■.wasr.slsp resolved, on Mr Fumey's motion j tba,t it; be a recommendation' tc( the committee'to-pi'dyi de; -for -this election of stewards'as" w«iir a;< committee, ,and that.no. owners -of 'trotters be eligible for ejection as stewards. _ Sereral otlier matters wore discussed and th® meeting closed with a vote of thanks' to tho chairman.