WAIRARAPA RACING CLUB.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9699, 2 November 1909, Page 5

WAIRARAPA RACING CLUB.

A DUAL FUNCTION

THE NEW COURSE

COMPLIMENTARY LUNCHEON TO MR W. E. BID WILL.

(Special to Daily Timbs.)

At tne invitation of the stewards of the Wairarapa Raciug Club, representatives of the Press and members of the Racecourse Board assembled at Tauhereuikau Racocoursa yesterday to inspect the improvements effected there siuce the last autumn meeting. The course proper has been practically re-formed, so as to take out tho somewhat awkward bends formerly existing, aud to provide a larger straight, which now measures thirteen chains in length. New training tracks have also been made aud the inside fence of the course entirely renewed; the posts are of reinforced concrete, the rail being fixed on a projection at the top of the posts so as to give a clearance of about eight inches, which reduces to a minimum the possibility of a jockey's leg being injured. There is a good growth of grass ou the new track aud it should be iv perfect condition by New Year. The foregoing works have been carried out from plans made by Mr G. T. Stewart. Minor improvements, giving more room behind the saddling paddock and enlarging the outside enclosure, have also beeu completed.

The roadway through the centre of the course has beeu abolished, aud vehicles and pedestrians will enter by a road at the side of the racecourse.

After viewiug the appointments aud drinking '"'Success to the new course," au adjournment was made to the Empire Hotel, Featherstou, where thirty sat down to luncheon, presided over by Mr H. S. Wardell, President of the Club, and given in honour of Mr W. E. Bidwill, Chairman of Stewards, who has recently returned from Australia.

Iv proposing the health of their guest, Mr Wardell spoke in the warmest terms of Mr Bidwill's qualities, both privately and as a sportsman.

"His remarks were endorsed by Mr J S. Cundy, one of the stewards.

Mr Bulwill in risiug to respond received a splendid ovation. In a few well-chosen words he thanked the speakers for the kind remarks that had been made aud also expressed His appreciation of the honour that had been accorded him by the Stewards. He gave an iuteresthig account of racing as he had found it in Australia.

Other toasts were as follows:—"The Press," proposed by Mr A. J. Toogood ; "Tbe Turf," proposed by Mr J. W. Card, responded to by Mr H. Morisou; "The Wairarapa Racing Club and its Chairman," proposed by Mr W. 0. Buchanan, responded to by Mr W. .E. Bidwill, "Our Pre.ideut," "Parliament," and "Tlie Racecourse Trustees," were also hououred.

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