HAWKE’S BAY CLUB

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 200, 27 August 1935, Page 4

HAWKE’S BAY CLUB

MEMBERS > ANNUAL MEETING. POPULARISING THE SPORT. The Hon. 11. A. EusSell presided in Friday at the anual general meeting of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. in speaking to the report and bal-*nce-sheet, which were taken as read, the chairman said it was rather hard to compare with last year, as this season they had eight days’ racing in place of seven, it was very comforting to see that the club finished up with a small profit, although it still owed six mouths interest to debentureholders. They had good reason to hope that as conditions improved the club w r ould be able to show greater -improvement. The buildings were better than ever they were, and the whole of the earthquake damage was practically completed. But taxation was st|il very heavy. While the ciub 3585 from the totalizator, the Government collected £4300. The only consolation was that if the Government did not collect the tax from the racing public it would have to come from elsewhere. The levies to the racing conference were still exceptionally heavy. However, they ought to feel pleased that the property hail been rehabilitated and the manner in which the course had been kept. The tracks had been said to be as good as any in New Zealand, and he thought they were worthy of that reputation. Mr. G. W. B. McCormick suggested that the nomination fee might be reduced, as he thought that more nominations would be received and so make the total amount the same, or even more. Another member suggested that the stakes should be increased, but the chawman pointed out that the club would increase the stakes when finances permitted. The club alwa had that in view. Mr. G. A. Maddison thought that now the club was getting on its feet again, no doubt the question of increasing the stakes would be considered. He thought that the Railway Department might be approached with a view to having the fee for the transport of horses over a long distance reduced. He pointed out that the the public of Hastings did not appreciate or realise the value of the club to the district. The club had never failed to offer its property for any civic occasion or as a hospital. Thea also the town itself gained when a meeting was held as a result of the number of visitors. He thought that the public would do well to realise the value of the club to the district. Mr. T. H. Lowry said that he had a number of suggestions to make. The ciub wanted more members, more money and more horses at its meetings. He thought the results of the year’s working, in view of the strict economy enforced, were really very poor. First he thought that they would have to reduce the gate entrance fee from is lid to Is in order to get more people at the meetings. The loss of 6d vvpuld make little difference, as only about 500 people paid at the gates, whereas a s a result of the increased attendance more people would bet. Then also Mr. Lowrv considered that morn publicity should be given to the club’s meeting. He knew of prominent people of Hastings who did not know when the meetings were being held. He thought that scatter notices could be circulated about the town at a small cost. Nothing would succeed nowadays without publicity. With regard to the number of horses at the meeting, sometimes a race would have a field of 18 or 20, and the next race would have '‘four or five. The public would not invest on the small fields when they had no hope of winning a good dividend. He was of the opinion that some means could be found to regulate the fields so that seven or eight horses would be running in each race. This was done in Canada and the United States, and he saw no reason why it should not be done in New Zealand. He would not like to think that he was going broke without drying something new. He w r ould even suggest that a 5s totalisator be inaugurated. The chairman: I would like to see it. It was suggested by other speakers and the chairman that a 2s 6d totalisator might be considered with a view to popularising racing in Hawke’s Bay. Mr. J. N. Lowry said, in reference to the bookmaking problem, that many men wished to bet every day, so that if they lost one day they would have a chance to make it up the next. They could do this through a bookmaker. They would not wait months for a race-meeting to be held in their district. Another member said that there was a generation growing up, which had never been to a race-meeting and which was not interested in horses, but was in tho habit of betting through bookmakers purely for the possible gain to be thus derived. He thought that the notice of the Government should be drawn to this serious aspect of the problem, with a view to having something done. The election of officers resulted ar folows:—President, Mr. G. D. Beatson, V. Morrin; hon. treasurer, Mr. J. 8. vicc-presidejits, Messrs. F. D. Kelly, T. V. Morrin; hon. treasurer, Air. J. 8. McLeod; committee, Messrs. G. Ebbett, J. J. Gatenby, T. H. Lowry, J. N. Lowry, J. A. Macfarlane, G. A. Moddison, H. R. Peacock, Hon. H. A. Bussell, Messrs. T. 8. Roulston, WT J. Wood. In moving a vote of thanks to the secretary, Mr. H. 8. Moss, the chairman said that the Hawke’s Bay Club had a good name for the efficiency of its meetings and for the courtesy met. This was due in a large measure to the splendid services of Mr. Muss. A vote of thanks was- passed unanimously.— M B. Herald.