SPORTING.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13825, 21 July 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

SPORTING.

NELSON JOCKEY CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS

(Fiom "The Colonist," June 28.)

The annual meeting of the Nelson Jockey Club was held at Mercer's rooms on Saturday evening. The president (Mr E. E. Trask^ occupied the chair, and there was a fair attendance of members. Two new members wero elected. The annual report, which had been printed and circulated among members, was as follows: —"In submitting the report for the year ended May 31st, 1915, your committee regret that the, year's transactions show a loss of £283 3s 3d, which may be entirely attributed to the wretched weather experienced for the annual race meeting. Everything augured well for a success ful gathering, the - nominations and acceptances showing a marked increase on the previous year, and public interest appearing greater than usual. Unfortunately, however, rain fell in torrents on the opening day, btit in view of the large number of visitors from outside districts it was not deemed advisable to postpone the races. In consequence of the weather the attendance of the local public wae affected considerably, the gate receipts as compared with last year .showing a, falling off of £72 15s. a while the totalisator turnover was only £13,957, as against £16,373 for the 1914 meeting. For the same reason the proceeds from the sale of cai'ds showed a decrease. The loss on the meeting is all the more regretable as the club had decided to donate all profits to the- war fundß. During the year the committee voted £50 towards the Relief of Local Distress Fund, but decided to hold the money until it was wanted. As this fund has now been closed, and the balance handed to the local Sick and Wounded Soldiers' and their Dependents' Fund, it will be for the club to decide whether their donation shall go to this fund. The stakes last year were increased to £1700, but in view of the war, it will be for the club to consider seriously whether they will be justified in making any further increase. The sum of £31 20s for subscriptions is still outstanding, and members who axe in arrears are urged to forward the amount to tho secretary without delay."

< The president, in moving the adoption of the report and the 'balancesheet, said there was very little for him bo add. He regretted that owing to the wet weather, the annual race meeting had resulted in a loss", as the club had intended to devote the profits to one of the war funds.

Mr H. Baigent seconded the motion, which was carried; -'~

Th secretary announced that Messrs *$aigenfc and J. ,H.'Finney were the [-j -Mrsons^ nominated for the offices on'lv" pv Vtit.*amJ yice-president respecof preside. %h <*y Wfere declared duly tively, and v. quired number for tho elected. The r^ nominated, committee only' hay*. elfected r~ the followinir were d?% C\? r Awards, Messrs J. E. Bari^tt, F. V^ F. W. Fairey.,J. Ha^en F. w % % fen, R. Harris, J A.- Stringer, , Trask, J, Wadsworth, and M. P. Web-. ffSn^S^ S id,nt,on fe is +f d toked amemT)er S for .tHe honour they So?^^cers ■ . wai t£ e p r^w^,|nd^e^aVas

orsj; MessrsvP.''- Bond and j: H. Finney; 4*umciar;<?ommit4:ee, Messrs J. Hagen, j. Wads^orthj"J. A. Stringer, E. E. Trask^a^d1 the;president. ~ ■ '■:..-.

-Messrs J. E. Henrys (hanflicapper) and R. Huntera (treasurer) iretain their respective offices; . V. , , It was decided to abolish the office of i■ assistant clerk of the course, and a vote of thanks was passed to Mr T. Elliott for his past services: / ;Mr O. J. Harley referred to Mr Trask?s. retirement from th<*. presidency cf the club, after many years' service, land moved1 that a vote of appreciation of his past services bo recorded on the minutes.

Mr Baigent seconded the* motion, which was carried amidst applause. Mr Trask, in thanking members for their vote of appreciation, said he had only done what he believed every other member of the committee was doing— his best in the interests of the club.

A notice of motion by Dr. Andrew that £50 be voted for the relief of wounded New Zealanders was next considered, .and it was resolved, on tho motion of Mr C. J. Harley. seconded by Mr J. Wadsworth. that £50 be donated to tho Sick and Wounded' Soldiers' Fund. It was resohed that the eoramit.tee be the Programme Committee. Some discussion took place as to the amount to be offered in stakes. It was moved-by Mr F. G. Edwards that £1700 be given, the same as last year. Mr Hagen proved as an amendment that £1500 be given. - This was seconded by Mr Wadsworth. The motion was carried, the dissentients being tne mover and seconder of the amendment. Mr Finney reported, on behalf or the sub-committee, that, the Ground Committee of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association had consented to the erection of additions to the secretary s. office for a jockeys' room, in «tco™ance with the recommendation or the stipendiary steward.1 . Tht sub-committee was authorised to| obtain plans and estimates, to be sub-1 mitted to the General Committee. The meeting then closed with a vote^ of thanks to the chairman. .