MASTERTON RACING CLUB

Wairarapa Age, 30 July 1925, Page 5

MASTERTON RACING CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of members of the Masterton Racing Club was held last night, Mr C. F. Vallance presiding over an attendance of 33. Apologies were received from Messrs F. A. Jensen and G. C. Summerell. The report and balance sheet (recently published in “The Age”) were adopted. Speaking to the financial statement, Mr E. G. Eton considered the Club’s position made sorrowful reading. The cause was the heavy burden of taxation. The speaker thought, however, that the' continuous bad weather the club had encountered for its meetings was also one of the causes. An effort should be made to have the taxation removed or lessened on country clubs. The stewards had done their best and would set off on the new year with vigour, and he hoped all members would realise that their assistance was required. Stakes for the Tear. On the motion of Mr J. lorns, seconded by Mr W. Cooper, the stewards were empowered to spend up to £4OOO in stakes for three days racing during the ensuing year. Election of Officers. Patron, Mr J. lorns; president, Mr C. F. Vallance; vice-presidents, Messrs W. Cooper, G. H. Yates; honorary timekeeper, Mr L. S. Nieol; treasurer, Mr C. F. Vallance (all reelected); Stewards Committee, Messrs C. J. Bennett, R. Cooper, A. A. Cameron, F. E. Dorset, E. Eton, S. J. W. Gill, T. Ingley, F. A. Jensen, D. K. Logan, B. McKenzie, O. J. Percy, K. Mcßean Stewart, J. B. Thomson, F. B. Vallance. The unsuccessful candidates in the ballot were Messrs H. Douglas and A. J. Welch (sitting stewards), Laird Meredith and W. D. Watson. Ftyfion. The meeting went into committee to receive a report front Mr J. lorns on the proposals which had been considered concerning the amalgamation of the Masterton and Carterton Racing Clubs. Improving the Finances. Notice having been given, Mr C. J. Bennett moved the following motion: That Rule 11 be deleted, and the following substituted therefor:—“The entrance fee for membership shall be £1 1/, and shall be payable within 14 days after election. The annual subscription for members shall be £2, payable on August 1, or within 14 days after election, provided that honorary members may be admitted on payment of the subscription of £2 without entrance fee, such membership to entitle honorary members to all the privileges except voting and election as stewards or other officers or interest in the Club’s property in the ease of a winding-up.” Speaking to the motion, the mover said the club was not self-supporting and finance was an urgent essential. No doubt some members would resign, but it would then be seen who had the interest of the club at heart. The club had gone back during the last five years at the rate of £5OO per year. ijfr H. G. Yates asked whether the would be any better off if it lost many members. / Mr lorns: It will take a year to try it. You can’t find out for 12 months whether it will be a success or not.

Mr Bennett: Cheapening .the Club has not. done, it and this is the only thing left to try. Mr C. F. Vallante said the position was very .unsatisfactory. Members of the Committee had guaranteed the Club at the bank, taken debentures, find canvassed for donations, but this carried them over only from year to year. If they could not improve their position they should wind the club up. Mr Bennett: It’s a poor job for the district if it can’t run a racing club. Mr S. J. W. Gill considered the club’s position was quite sound according to its statement of assets and liabilities. What was wanted was revenue, and if anyone had anything better to suggest they should como along with it. Mr G. Eaton considered that the division between ordinary members and honorary members did the club no good. Mr R. Cooper said there was only one thing to do when they were up against it and that was to get the money anyway they could. The trouble was that there were only a few live stewards —two or three—who did all tho work aqd secured all the new members. If it had not been for the 200 honorary members last year the club would have been in a bad way. Their £2OO in subscriptions had helped considerably. •' Mr D. K. Logan thought the club had made little from the honorary members, as they were given about £3 10/ worth of privileges for their £l. If their money was collected at the gate, the club woulU find itself far better off. He moved as an amendment that the- entrance fee for membership shall be £2 2/, payable within 14 days after election, except that the entrance fee be reduced to £1 1/ in the case of ordinary or honorary members joining before August 1, 1926. Mr R. McKenzie seconded the amendment, which was carried. Ten Shilling Tote. Mr W. Cooper moved a recommendation to tho committee, which was carried, that a 10/ window be opened in the totalisafor house, at future meetings. fn reply to a question, the secretary stated that the tote proprietors charged } per cent more when the 10/ window was included and they stated that country clubs retaining the 10/ window were losing money by it. Mr S. R. Gawith thought the stewards should give a good trial to anything which .would make the club popular. If it was not a success the

members would not condemn the stewards. Mr lorns: The extra fractions will compensate for the extra i per cent commission charge. Mr Vallance: If it is not a success we can cut it but again. Mr W. Cooper reported having attended a meeting of the Country Clubs’ Association and stated that little could be done owing to the fact that of the 60 country clubs in New Zealand only 30 were members of the Association with 23 votes, whereas tho 11 metropolitan clubs had 24 votes. Stewards’ Meeting. At a subsequent meeting of the Stewards’ Committee Mr C. F. Vallance presided. Letters were received .from the Hon. Al D. McLeod and Mr G. R. Sykes, M’s.P. in reply to a request for a reduction of taxation on country clubs, that they would do their best to further the interest of small clubs.—Received with thanks. It was decided to make a donation of £3 3/ to the Masterton branch of the St. John Ambulance Division towards the new uniform and equipment fund. Two resignations of members leaving the district, were accepted. , Election of Committees. Ground: F. E. Dorset, A. A. Cameron, O. Percy, F. A. Jensen. Programme: C. F. Vallance, R. Cooper, T. Ingley, G. H. Yates, F. A. Jensen, F. B. Vallance, A. A. Cameron, R. McKenzie. Licensing: C. F. Vallance, W. (jooper. Catering: E. G. Eton, J. lorns. Judicial: C. F. Vallance, R. McKenzie, J. lorns, D. K. Logan, T. Ingley, Vallance, S. J. W, Gill. Finance: C. F. Vallance, D. K. Logan, S. J. W. Gill, K. Mcß. Stewart, R. McKenzie. Captain Gage 'Williams, Mr C. O’Connor and Mr ft E. Henrys were re-appointed judge, starter and handicapper respectively. The treasurer reported a debit balance of £1461.