WAIMATE HUNT CLUB

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19511, 9 June 1933, Page 9

WAIMATE HUNT CLUB

QUESTION Olf' STEEPLECHASE MEETING. A general meeting of the Waimate Hunt Club, called to re-consider a previous decision which had been reached against the holding of a steeplechase meeting, was held on Wednesday night. Those present were Captain N. A. Rattray (in the chair), J. S. Manchester, D. Macdonald, H. J. C. Harper, A. Medlicott, T. V. Cooney, M. Cooney, D. Larnach, E. C. d’Auvergne, C. C. Douglas, R. Harper, M. Studholme, T. Cooney, H. N. Medlieott, and D. Studholme. Prior to the business being held, the chairman proposed a motion of sympathy with the relatives of the late Mr R. A. Richards. Members carried the motion in silence. The chairman said that after the Committee of the Club had arrived at a decision not to hold a race meeting, several members had expressed the opinion that advantage would be gained if a race meeting were held. The speaker had felt it incumbent on him to call a general meeting. Mr H. J. C. Harper said that he was absolutely against a race meeting being held. The Committee had gone carefully into the matter, and had decided that it was not in the best interests of the Club. In reply, Captain Rattray said that after the Committe had arrived at the decision not to hold a steeplechase meeting, several members and supporters had expressed the opinion that a race meeting would be probably an advantage to the Club. A special general meeting had therefore been called to obtain the views of members. Captain Rattray then read a balance sheet drawn up by the Executive officers, in conjunction with the secretary, giving details of the amounts of receipts required and expenditure budgeted for to make the meeting a success. The Waimate Racing Club had offered to meet the Club on most generous terms in regard to rent and other conditions. Mr Fraser (treasurer) said that in estimating the costs of the meeting, nominations and acceptance fees had been cut down to a minimum to meet the times. The matter hinged apparently on guarantors. The Club had a duty to porferm to non-hunting members to race, and in a sense the Club members should be prepared to put a race meeting on for this section of their supporters. Mr A. Medlicott asked how much the Club considered outside guarantors should be expected to contribute. Captain Rattray replied that the Club’s guarantors considered that they should not be called upon at the present time to take any risk in the holding of a meeting. Mr Fraser moved that providing the amount of £6O was collected, the steeplechase meeting be gone on with. Mr D. Macdonald said that in his opinion the guarantors’ amounts should be first collected. Mr Fraser, after a short discussion, said that he would amend his motion to read that the meeting be held if £6O were collected as a guarantee against loss on the holding of a meeting, the Club to stand any possible loss above that amount. In reply to Mr Harper, Mr Fraser said that the outside guarantors had not stated their intentions in regard to bad weather conditions. After a long discussion it was. moved that, provided the sum of £6O was deposited with the Club secretary by June 17th, the race meeting be gone on with. Mr H. J. C. Harper moved as an amendment that the meeting be not held unless the guarantors guarantee the Club against loss. Mr R. Harper seconded the amendment. Speaking to the amendment, Mr Harper, senr. said that the matter of holding a race meeting in connection with Hunt Clubs appeared to have originated in Christchurch, when it was thought that the Club might benefit, but a loss of £7OO was experienced. After further discussion, the motion to hold a race meeting was carried, the secretary having notified that the date July 20th, with the sanction of the South Canterbury Hunt Club, had been applied for and granted. The matter of carrying on with the meeting was left to the executive oicers, the number of nominations to guide their decision, and all arrangements in the meantime were left to be dealt with at their discretion.