SUCCESSFUL RACES

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1935, Page 6

SUCCESSFUL RACES

PROFIT DESPITE THE WEATHER. STRATFORD CLUB’S GOOD YEAR. Though there was rain on the first day of the Stratford Racing Club’s 1935 meeting in January and the weather caused a postponement of the second day from Wednesday, January 2, to Saturday, January 5, the club made a profit of £llB7 18s 2d on its race meeting account. General expenses amounted to £B6B 18s sd, but a profit of £261 Is 5d appeared in the live stock account, so that after allowing for depreciation, £393 12s 6d, the profit and loss account disclosed a credit balance of £lB6 8s Bd. The position was presented to members at the annual meeting of the club last Saturday night, when Mr. D. J. Malone presided. Bad weather rather marred the success of New Year’s Day, the report stated, and a continuing downpour on the morning of the second day compelled the postponement of the fixture, when, aided by good weather and a large attendance, a most successful day’s racing resulted. The totalisator turnover for the meeting amounted to £28,644 which under the adverse circumstances must be considered very satisfactory. The committee was deeply indebted to horse owners and trainers, who at considerable inconvenience loyally supported the club by remaining for the second day, assuring good fields. Alterations to the stewards’ stand, painting of buildings, further tree planting, and a number of minor improvements were receiving attention and would be completed in time for the New Year meeting. The club’s property, tracks and appointments were all in good order, having received careful attention from the caretaker. Thanks were due to the farm committee for its successful operations, the stock account showing a substantial profit for the year. The secretary did his work efficiently and thanks were due to stewards and honorary officials for their work during the year. It was pleasing to be able to record a satisfactory year, the chairman said. Though the profit was not large it was £l5O better than last year’s after writing off £393 in depreciation. In spite of the weather the totalisator turnover was only £371 lower and the gate receipts only £42 lower. These figures were an indication of the sound support of owners and public. Though the club collected weather insurance on the second day the rain on the first day did not commence heavily till after the time prescribed in the policy. It was a good policy to insure because in the event of a fine day the cost would be a comparatively small item. The second day was a remarkable success because the club put through £1236 more than on the second day last year. But for the way the horse owners and public supported the club the weather could have brought about a serious setback.

The committee had planned an extensive programme of improvements that would cost £5OOO, but that amount could not be expended in one year, so the committee expected to expend £BOO this year chiefly on alterations to the stewards’ stand and painting. Other items planned for the future were a new totalisator house, improvement to the seating in tiie people’s stand, removal of the old outside stand, installation of lighting and telephone, erection of main entrance gates, painting and beautifying of the grounds.

He understood a well known northern trainer intended to start training with a team at Stratford almost immediately. That was a welcome move and he hoped Stratford would become an important training centre. Now that. the executive of the conference was authorised to issue permits for extra racing it was to be hoped that Stratford’s request of 14 years’ standing for extra days of racing would be granted. There was no doubt in his mind that the club could capably use extra permits. Mr. A. Coleman analysed aspects of the finances of the club and stressed the strong financial position the club enjoyed. Mr. J. C. Robins- welcomed the news that training was to be undertaken by a northern trainer.

Congratulations to the club on its position and the able analysis of the president were extended by the Mayor, Mr. J. W. McMillan. Caution in expenditure on improvements was advised by Mr. W. H. H. Young. “Certain clubs have been notified that if they do not pay their stakes to owners the permits of those clubs will be cancelled,” said Mr. S. Pitt. “That means,” he added, “that there will be permits available.” Officers elected were: President, Mr. D. J. Malone; vice-president, Mr. H. M. Good; auditor, Mr. T. L. .Penn. As the guarantors appointed five members to the committee as set out in the rules, Messrs. H. Cleland, S. Macalister, S. Pitt, A. H. Nelson and R. R. Tyrer, the meeting elected two committee members, Messrs. P. Skoglund and W. G. Thurston. Messrs. Skoglund and Thurston were the only nominees for the two positions. TOKO WINS AT CRIBBAGE. COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL HELD. Toko cribbage players beat Huiroa by 75 points to 62 in a match at Toko on Wednesday evening. The Coronation Hall, Toko, was crowded on Thursday evening for a complimentary social to Miss Kate Jones and Mr. Roy Paynter, who are shortly to be married. A long table extending across the stage was piled with gift parcels, the opening of which and the reading of the notes enclosed caused much merriment. In asking. Mi® Jones and Mr. Paynter to accept the. gifts from the people of Toko, Mr. George Were mentioned the high esteem in which the guests were held. Everyone was glad that they were going to remain at Toko. Mr. Were referred also to the active part they had both taken in everything that was for the good of the district Mr. Were was master of ceremonies for a dance, the music for which was played by Miss Bunbury, Miss Milne and Mr. Harper. Songs were sung by Miss Bunbury, Mrs. A. Walter, Miss P. Mac Kay, Fawny and Trevor Rowe, Mrs. and Miss Bunbvl’y, Mr.’ Knowles and Miss M. Walter. Mr. Bunbury gave a clever exhibition with the “bones” to a pianoforte accompaniment. Competitions were won as follows:—Musical parcels, Mrs. Paynter, Mrs. Stent; mystery train, Miss Walton, Mr. A. Smith. CARDIFF EUCHRE PARTY. A euchre party organised by the Cardiff hall committee was well patronised, 14 tables being occupied. The prizes were won by Mrs. Hinton and Miss C. Rayner and by Mr. O’Neill and Mr. Jordan. After supper music for dancing was supplied by Messrs. O’Neill and R. Huckstep. ' , Social and Dance Held. The Cardiff hall was well filled on Tuesday evening for a social and dance organised by the Women’s Division. Items were contributed by Mrs. Crabbe (songs), Miss Richardson (songs), Miss Black (recitations), Miss N. Spearman (tap dance), Miss Thelma Cox (dance), Mr. Baden Bellringer (songs) and Mr. A. O’Sullivan (songs). Mrs. P. Marchand and Miss Evelyn Moon were the accompanists.

Before supper Mrs. Brunton, the president, thanked the artists and those who had attended the dance. Music for the dances was played by Vinsen’s Orches-

tra. The masters of ceremony were Messrs. C. Hawkes and W. Brunton. A Monte Carlo dance was won by Miss M. Richards and Mr. R. Herdman. Personal Items. Mrs. B. Cleland has returned to Kaponga. She was the guest of Mrs. J. Wickham. Mrs. Shepherd and her daughter, who were the guests of Mrs. Hollins, have returned to Kaimata. Mr. and Mrs. Veezey have returned to Mokau after staying with Mrs. H. Huckstep. Mr. and Mrs. W. Hancock, Wanganui, are the guests of Mrs. Dymond. Mr. and Mrs. T. Carley and Mrs. C.

Carley have returned from a holiday; at Christchurch. Mr, H. Limmer has returned from a holiday at Auckland., Miss J. Morton is the guest of Mrs.: E. Wisnewski.