SPORTING.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14142, 19 July 1916, Page 3 (Supplement)

SPORTING.

NEIio¥?jt>CKEY^CLUS

A?OTAL:iffiETING

J (From :TheColoiiist^ l"June"^.)'a The annual^eeting of the; Nelson Jockey Club was held at Mercer's rooms on Saturday evening. The president (Mr H. Baigerit) occupied "the chair; and there was a good attendance* of members.■'•.-.'' ■'•■■•: :-:\

Three new members were elected Mr L. Hunter, who"is leaving 'with the next draft of Reinforcements wrot» resigning hi s membership .—lt was resolved not to accept the resignation, but.tomfuke Sir Hunter an honorary member until Jiis return from the war . -.in© report and balance-sheet, which had been printed and circulated among members, was taken as read.

.•The annual report pointed out that the balance-sheet showed the club to be in a satisfactory financial position, the assets being valued at £j 555 Os 7d and the liabilities practically nil. But foi- two items of extraordinary expenditure viz £146 15s in alterations and new buildings,'and a donation of £50 |tc the Sick and Wounded Soldiers', ilvund, the transactions would have shown a profit .of £148 9s 7d. ' The value of the club's assets had increased from £1456 9s to £1555 Os 7d. As a result of the totalisator'tax. £383 was contributed to the war funds. The annual race meeting was held in'fine weather, and proved most successful. The attendance of the public on both days was large, and the totalisator showed a! substantial increase over the previous year. The fields in the various events) were slightly better than usual, and the stipendiary' steward had reported favourably on the conduct of the meeting. The ■ committee adopted a newl system with regard to the issue of com-1 phmentary tickets to persons resident in the district, and all complimentary tickets were required to bear the signature of the c'onimitteeman ~' sisuing them, the latter to be held responsible for any ticket issued by. him to*any person resident in the district. The result was most satisfactory, and had, the effect of stopping the personal canvass of cbmmitteemen for tickets by local residents, who it. was pointed out,, if they, desired to enjoy the privileges of the club,. should become members. There was no doubt the new system contributed in a substantial measure to the in. creased gate takings, which amounted to £335 2s 6d as against £148 9s 6d the previous year. In compliance'with the recommendations of the stipendiary steward, a new jockeys' room was buiit alongside the secretary's office, the birdcage was enlarged, and a passage-way erected at the back of the, .secretary's office, which enabled the public to pass from the saddling paddock to the lawn.

Mr G>. Haggitt expressed satisfaction at the action of the committee in limiting the issue of complimentary tickets, and suggested that they might even go further next year. He said the increased gate takings showed that the club had lost a great-deal of money in the past 'by the liberal distribution of complimentary tickets. Several questions in regard to'items on the balance-sheet having been answered, Tke president moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Regarding Mr Haggitt's remarks, he said the result showed that the stopping of the issue of complimentary tickets to local residents was a move in the right direction. It had been a very old custom to give tickets away, and some people predicted that the club would go down if the custom was stopped. However, the result had been that the gate takings had doubled, and the totalisator turnover had also increased.

Mr J. E. .Bartlett seconded the mo-! tion,-which was carried. The secretary (Mr J. Glen) stated that there had been no necessity for an election for the offices of president and vice-president, nor for the committee, the required number of members only having been nominated. He then declared Mr H. Bajgent re-elected president, and Mr J. H. Finney re-elected yjce-president. He also declared the following committee elected: Messrs R. T, Bland, G. Best, J. E. Bartlett, F. G. Edwards, R. Harris, J. Hag.en, F. 0. Hamilton, J. A. Stringer, j. Wadsworth-, and M. P. Webster. Other officers were elected as follows :—Judge, Mr J. E. Bartlett (reelected) ; handieapper for trots, Mr J. Noble (re-elected); starter, ,Mr R. H. Skipwith (re-elected) ; starter for trots, Mr X; Hunter (re-elected) ; clerk of the scales, Mr C. Haggitt (re-elected); j timekeepers Messrs R. Hunter and J. I Hagen (re-elected) ; auditors, Messrs P. I Bond and J. H. Finney.

It was resolved that the appointment of a clerk of the course be made by the committee.

i It was resolved that the committee he the Programme Committee, and that a subcommittee from 'the committee frame the programme and report back to the committee.

Some discussion took place in regard jto the amount to foe allotted in stakes next year. Mr H. Hunter moved, and the president seconded, that the amount be increased to £1800.

Mr Bartlett moved as an amendment, seconded by Mr Finney, that the amount be the same as last year, viz., £1700.

The amendment was'carried, by a substantial majority. . : Reference was made to the excellent services rendered the club by the secretary (Mr J. Glen), and it was unanimously resolved to increase his salary to £75 per annum. On the motion of Mr Hagen, seconded by Mr Stringer,' a hearty; v°te of thanks was accorded the president (Mr H. Baigent) for the manner in which he had .conducted the business of the club during his first year of office. The meeting then concluded.