MARTON JOCKEY CLUB

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 241, 11 October 1937, Page 4

MARTON JOCKEY CLUB

RECENT SPRING MEETING.

A SUCCESSFUL FIXTURE. ("Chronicle” Correspondent.) The general committee of the Marton Jockey Club met on Thursday evening, Mr. H. McManaway presiding over Messrs. J. R. L. Stanford, R. E. Beckett, J. Bull, F. R. H. Brice, P. W. Briant, H. J. Cameron, S. R. Hammond, A. H. Marshall, E. Openshaw, H. W. Lampp, H. T. Whale, K. R. Scoon, R. W. Marshall, L. Hammond, J. Brice and A. Way (secretary). The chairman referred to the death of the late Mr. Alex. Farmer, who had been a faithful and capable clerk in the employ of the club for about 15 years and had always carried out his duties in an exemplary manner. The late Mr. Farmer attended the race meeting on September 25 and his sudden death on the following day was keenly regretted by the members of the Marton Jockey Club and also by the members of a number of other racing clubs with which he had been associateu. A motion expressing the committee’s sympathy to Mrs. Farmer was carried by the members standing in silence. In presenting a statement of accounts for the recent spring meeting, the chairman congratulated the committee on the successful and financial result, considering the adverse weatner conditions that prevailed. It was most unfortunate that the weather was so unfavourable, as the club had received excellent acceptances and indications pointed to a record meeting. However, they were pleased that the meeting had been a success. The racing had been first-class and very clean, and the meeting had been well conducted and run to time. The track was soft but in good order. The increase in the totalisator of £1386 10s was very satisfactory. He hoped that at the New Year meeting the club would enjoy more suitable weather. The Junction Cricket Club’s application to use the car paddock at the racecourse for the forthcoming cricket season was granted. It was decided to instal the dividend indicatoi' again at the New Year meeting. Messrs. C. Varley (Turakina), F. Orchard *( Palmerston North) aid Howard Gower (Marton) were elected members.

The Course Committee reported.— Last week the Course Committee met Messrs. J. Brice, R. K. Simpson, P. W. Briant and F. McLean (members of the Rangitikei Hunt) at the racecourse and inspected the steeplechase track, which was very wet, practically under water in places. The permanent jumps were also in a bad s*ute. After an inspection it was unanimously decided to pull down the jumps and plough the whole of the enclosure. This will be undertaken at once by the caretaker if the hordes can manage the job. A swamp plough has been loaned by Mr. D. Friedruh and v horse and chains by Mr. R. K l , Simpson.

After the race meeting th»-Wi;ole ol the course was in a bad way, but a gang of men made a good job of restoring the turf, which has been rolled extensively. The course is now in good order. The committee also recommended that the row of pinus insignus on the north side of the loose boxes be cut down at once and the ground ploughed and re-sown. The live fence on the southern side is to be topped considerably in order to allow daylight into the loose boxes. The committee also recommended that the trees in the centre of the car paddock be cut down.

The Course Committee’s recommendations were agreed to. ■ r The next general committee meeting will be held on the racecourse on Wednesday, November 17, at 2.30 p.m., when the removal of the judge's box to a more suitable site will be considered.