WAIRARAPA RACING CLUB.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7244, 27 August 1902, Page 2

WAIRARAPA RACING CLUB.

The following is the twelfth annual report of the Wairarapa Bating Club, for the year ended 31st July, 1902. The year started with an overdraft of £1241, and liabilities £291. The overdraft at the ond of the year was and liabilities £'658, being a £175 for the year. In the stewards expended out of revenue the sum of £269 in permanent improvements. The Stakes were £220 in excess .of the previous year, while tho returns from the totalisator show a decrease of £185, owing possibly to the competition of bookmakers at the meetings. Summarising the financial position of the Club: Last year tho excess of assets over n . liabilities was shown at £2450. This< year, after writing off 10 per cent., for depreciation of property and implements, and 5 per cent., for depreciation of buildings (totalling £231), tho excess is £2555. Considering the circumstances above named, tho past year's operations may be regarded as highly satisfactory. The river bank is causing very little trouble, the expenditure last year being only X' 2 lCs. Tho permanent improvements effected during the year were : New training track £158, loose boxes £73, altering straight £45. The number of members now on tho roll ie 265. The system of paying out on first and second horses met with popular approval from investors, and is recommended to bo eontinned for tho coining season. The bookmaking trouble appeared to tho stewards one which had to bo met, and, if possible, checked. The judgment of the Court of Appeal, in the test case Patterson v. Canterbury Jockey Club, decided that the Club's racing on Public Reserves could not exclude any class. As a consequence clubs racing Reserves are handioapped in thppod government of their affairs. The -Club's Solicitor advised that with a lease in conformity with the recent interpretation given to tho law, and properly drawn regulations by the Trustees, the Club's position could bo maintained; and this opinion was confirmed by counsel in Wellington. With this end in view, a tnow lease has been taken, and regulaions framed by the Trustees, under which conviction was obtained against a bookmaker for betting at the Easter Meeting. Tho question of the right of entry means an appeal to the Privy Council, and is under consideration. The Club applied to the Conferonoe again this year for a permit for a Steeplechase Meeting, but none being available, tho application had to stand over. The Stewards recommend that tho same amount for stakes as last year—£2lsoo—be placed at their disposal, and an extra amount of £1000 for Stceplcchaso Mooting if pormit is available.