WAIMATE PLAINS TROTTING CLUB.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16218, 24 August 1918, Page 7

WAIMATE PLAINS TROTTING CLUB.

annual meeting. The annual meeting of the Waimate lains Trotting Club was held in the testers’ Hall, Hawera. There was a jood attendance, and Mr. C. J. Preston, chairman of committee, presided. annual report. The annual report was as follows: The fourth meeting was field on Saster Monday, April 1, 1918, on the Bgmont Racing Club’s course. ina lathering was in every way a record me, despite the very Unsettled state of the weather prior to the opening ot jho meeting. Tlie totalizator turnover yas £17,084, being over £6OOO in excess of last year’s figures. With more favourable weather conditions these figures, would, no doubt, have been largely increased. Visiting horses were present from all parts of the Dominion, and some exceedingly interesting racing was witnessed. The first race for the classical event instituted by the club, the Taranaki Futurity Stakes, was run at the meeting, and, although the field was a small one, the presence of Mr. J. R. Corrigan’s high-class 3-year-old filly Queen Chimes proved' a great attraction. Notwithstanding an increase in stakes of £l9O over the previous year, the meeting showed a profit of close on £3OO. The thanks of the club are due to the Egmont Racing Club for the use of their course and appointments, and to the paid and' honorary officials, whose efforts, no doubt, made the meeting a success. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, said he had to congratulate the club upon having had a successful year. Notwithstanding an increase in stakes of £l9O, the club has made a profit of between £4OO and £SOO. He ventured to say that if the club continued in the way it had gone, by giving good, clean sport, it would be one of the most successful clubs in the North Island. The membership was now something like 1200, which was very satisfactory. Mr. G. Ford seconded the motion. There was some discussion as to the yard system versus the time system of starting. The subject was dropped without any resolution being passed. The motion for the adoption of the repor - and balance-sheet was carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr. C. J. Pi-eston; vice-president, Mr. N. G. Morrin; hon. treasurer, Mr. N. G. Morrin ; committee, Messrs. D. J- Goodwin, .T. M. Currin, J. Grant, Robt. Hicks, Geo. Ford, T. C. Gormley, W. Slattery, J. F. Butler, C. Arden, E. A. Washer, E. H. Cucksey; stewards. Jas. Grant, Robt. Hicks, Geo. Ford, T. C. Gormley, W. Slattery, A. C. Johnstone, M. Jones. W. J. Bradford, A. W. Webster, C. Arden, E. A. Washer auditor, Mr. H. A. Lennon. GENERAL. Mr. J, Butler suggested that the Futurity Stakes which were not a success, should be deleted and a class race substituted. After discussion it was decided that it be a recommendation to the committee to retain the Futurity Stakes. On the motion of Mr. Morrin, seconded by Mr. Slattery, it was decided to increase the salary of the secretary (Mr. G. H. Holder) to £IOO per annum. The mover and seconder spoke eulogistically of the manner in which the secretary carried out his duties. ' The starting question was re-opened, and it was decided to adhere to the “time” system. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Racing Club for the use of their course. A vote of sympathy was passed to Mr. J. Quin in his illness.