LATE SPORTING.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20359, 17 July 1934, Page 8

LATE SPORTING.

Timaru Trotting Club’s Policy Discussed. (Special to the “Star.”) TIMARU, July 17. A special meeting of members of the Timaru Trotting Club was held to discuss two resolutions submitted byrequisition signed by ten members. The resolutions submitted were:—(l) “ That it is contrary to the best interests of the club that its liquid assets should be pledged for the erection of a publican’s booth.” (2) “ That the action of the committee in filling vacancies on the committee on the eve of the annual general meeting was unnecessary and interfered with the rights of members to elect such representatives as they might desire.” The chairman. Mr J. Hole, stated that the meeting was out of order, as the committee had done nothing against the laws of the club. The Jockey Club had spent a considerable sum on improvements to the course, and the amount to be spent altogether by the trotting club was small in comparison. As a matter of fact the erection of the booth would not cost the trotting club anything, as it would be paid for by the Government totalisator rebate. The chairman also defended the action of the committee in filling the vacancies before the annual meeting, stating that the rules entitled it to do so. Chairman’s Ruling. Mr 11. F. Morton: Is the meeting out of order ? The chairman: Yes. Mr Morton continued to state his case. He. claimed that the committee had no right to enter into a contract for the erection of the booth when so many other improvements were necessary. He considered its action w-as foolhardy, in view of the club’s finances. If the booth was necessary, then the other clubs should pay their proportion of the cost. “ I say that the interests of the Trotting’ Club come before those of the Jockey Club,” he added. Mr Morton then asked the chairman who had condemned the booth. ’I he chairman: The Health Department. After some discussion regarding procedure the chairman said that the meeting was in order. Mr R. G. Kilgour said he had inspected the building and found it to be quite sound. It seemed to him that the club was overburdened with buildings. He could not see why the club-should be expected to spend £OOO on the booth when there were other buildings on the course which would do for the purpose. Mr D. Grant, president of the Jockey Club, said the booth had been condemned several times bv the health inspector. His club was behind the Trotting Club in the proposal to erect a new booth. Mr. Morton: I was assured this morning that the contract was not signed by the Trotting Club. Was it? The chairman: The contract was not signed, but it was agreed to. I signed the tender. After further discussion the first resolution was put to the meeting and lost on a show of hands by 18 votes to 15. The second resolution was not submitted.