Woodville Jockey Club.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXI, Issue 3575, 8 July 1903, Page 2

Woodville Jockey Club.

The adjourned meeting of the Stewards and Trustees of the above j;tab was held in the Jockey Club rooms on Monday evening. There were present—Messrs McCormick (President), Bolton, Leilhead, Goldfinch, Buchanan, Stace, Harris, Peebles, and Monteith. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Two small accounts were passed for payment. The chairman explained that the meeting was convened for the purpose of making arrangements for purchasing Mr Mamsiy’s property. He might say, speaking for himself, that he was not now favorable to raise the money on the plan pre posed at the last meeting but was agreeable to raise it on a flat mortgage. Mr Bolton made an explanation. When he telephoned to the secretary on the eve of the last meeting his willingness to fall in with the idea of raising the money on the whole property, he did not exactly know the position. Since then lie had worked out the scheme, and he did not like the stewards running the risk of purchasing the property in the face of the likelihood of the totalisator and publican’s license being abolished.

Mr Monteith was opposed to purchasing Mr Manisty’s property. He was certain a good enough course could be pegged out on their own property, and it was ridiculous to take the risk of purchasing the adjoining property. The plan he had drawn was shown to several racing men and other experts, and they were of opinion that the course was as good as any in the colony, and a similar course ’to the Auckland one.

The alternative plans were fully discussed, several of those present being favorable to leaving the course as it was rather than peg out a course on the Club’s own property. Mr Monteith, as one of the Trustees, said he would like the matter referred back to the general meeting. If that meeting again decided on purchasing Mr Manisty’s property, he for one would be compelled to resign as a Trustee, and they would have to appoint sonieone else in his place. The Chairman thought it was a pity they could not decide the matter that night, as he considered those present fully represented the Club. He pointed out that the (Stewards hid no power until the Trustees had decided to raise the amount required to purchase the property. He moved as a Trustee, “That the Trustees agree to raise the necessary money.”

As no other Trustee seconded the motion it therefore lapsed. Mr McCormick then said as the Trustees would not carry out the wish of the general meeting he had no alternative but to resign his position as President and Trustee of the Club.

After the resignation had been handed to the secretary, Mr Leithead said he was very sorry that Mr McCormick had decided in the manner he had done, and he hoped he would tear up the resignation he had writ ten out.

Most of the others present regretted the step the President had taken and all hoped he would withdraw his resignation. This Mr McCormick refused to do, and the meeting ended. The Trustees present were Messrs Gothard, McCormick, Bolton, and Monteith, the absent Trustee being Mr Grinlinton.