MARTON JOCKEY CLUB

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 205, 31 August 1943, Page 6

MARTON JOCKEY CLUB

NEW YEAR PROGRAMME (0.C.) Marton, Aug. 27. Because of the indisposition of Mr. Jas. Bull, who is at present a patient in the Whare-Ora Private Hospital at Hunterville, Mr. J. R. L. Stanford presided at a meeting of the committee of the Marton Jockey Club on Wednesday evening. Mr. Stanford expressed the wish of the members that Mr. Bull would make a speedy recovery and agr» ! n resume his official duties as president. Letters of appreciation for parcels

forwarded to members serving overseas were read from Messrs. N. L. Shelton. H. Gaisford. J. Henderson, C. Whale and E. Smart, and also from Mrs. E. H. Simpson and Mrs. A. V. Anderson, whose husbands are prisoners of war. Mr. M. B. Bergin was appointed judge and Mr. A. Vincent starter for the club for the ensuing season. The programme committee submitted a revised programme for the New Year meeting. This was approved subject to confirmation by the Ashhurst Racing Club. Stakes have been slightly increased and the New Year Hack (14 miles) on the first day will be for apprentice riders only instead of the Wairoma Hack (7 furlongs) on the second day. The first race will start at 11.30 a.m. on each day. The position of caretaker was refered to the course committee to finalise. The following were balloted for and elected as members: Messrs. P. J. Barry (Hunterville), Selby Hammond (Ohingaiti), R. Haise (Marton), lan Brice (Mangahao) and P. J. Bowler. The chairman reported that as a result of the deputation that waited upon the Commissioner of Taxes in connection with an alteration in the date of the financial year for the club. The Commissioner had agreed to an extension to June<o. The following were nominated as members:—Messrs. T. McChesney, W. Twigg and R. Dukeson. The chairman, on behalf of Mr. R. MacDonald and himself as the Wanganui county clubs’ deTegates to the New Zealand Racing Conference, presented the following abbreviated report dealing with the conference: The walk-up start, as opposed to the standing start, was not altered. The president urged on all clubs the policy of increasing the distance of races as it would improve race riding, and the longer distances would probably reduce the size of the fields. The'president. also advocated the abolition of division races and said that when necessary recourse should be had to balloting. The chairman of tfie stipendiary stewards urged that clubs should close the t.otalisator sharp on time. He drew attention to the amazing increase in betting with bookmakers and considered that a double totalisator, plus the right to forward investments to the clubs holding meetings, would tend largely to decrease illegal betting. With this view delegates cordially agreed. Several alterations, as suggested by Mr. W. Dustin, in the afternoon tea room, sre to be carried out before the September meeting of the Wanganui Jockey Club. The committeemen present were: Messrs. J. Brice, S. R. Hammond, H. T. Whale. R. W. Marshall. V. Nicholls, A. T. Gatreil K. R. Scoon. L. K. Mcßeth, F. R. H. Brice, H. W. Lampp. H. G. Briant. H. T. Whale, A. H. Marshall, and A. Way, secretary.