RIVERTON RACING CLUB.

Western Star, 27 April 1920, Page 3

RIVERTON RACING CLUB.

At the committee meeting of the above, held on Saturday, Mr A. C.Mills (Vice-President) presiding, the Treasurer placed before the members an estimate of the receipts and expenditure for the race meeting, which showed a profit of about £2850. He also furnished a statement of the Club’s financial position to date. This revealed the fact that the Committee, after paying off overdraft, interest on purchase money of Davis's property, and the retention of 25 acres of same at a cost of £722, and other items, the visible cash balance whs £1362. Added to this are the Club’s investments of £1450 in war bonds and on deposit, making in all £2812. The Club now possesses a freehold: property of 193 acres with a valuable right-of-way from the Otautau road to the racecourse property. Mr Trail said tl£t members must feel gratified at the splendid result of tkfflir meeting, both from a racing point of view as well as from a financial one. He thought the time had come when, in keeping .with other Club sin Southland aiid Otago, they should raise the required money, aud commence a scheme of improvements that would meet the wants of to such an important meeting as theirs assuredly was. He would therefore move; “That the scheme of improvements be undertaken by the Committee at once.”

Mr Stevens, in seconding the motion, said the Committee and members should personally give every assistance to raise the money. It would no doubt cost £15,000 to complete the scheme, which was n big hurdle, but they should not hesitate to negotiate it. He would like to see a sub-committee set up to go right into the matter, and give that accommodation to the public that it warrants. Mir Provan said he considered the Committee should get a plan prepared and adopt it, building those portions absolutely necessary, such as the first portion of the grandstand. Dr Gordon said there was not a member of the Committee who was not in favour of a scheme of improvements. It was a great pity that certain works had not been gone cn with six or eight years ago when mooted. They would have to pay through the nose for anything required now. He supposed it would cost over 50 per cent more. A member: More like 100 per cent. He could not see why they should not be the judges of the disposition of the buildings. When they looked) around at the several racecourses in Southland they would sea a danger that the public encountered by tbe custom of bringing the horses through the crowd at a critical moment —when making their investments on the totaiisator. It was no doubt proposed to bring the outside public down tho course, and that would necessitate shifting the tote-house. He would therefore suggest that an arch-way bo built in the building, where the horses could pas® under to the saddling paddock. The dividing fence between the public could be the race ‘whereby the horses would traverse. It would be a grand innovation, and obviate any danger attendant to horses going through the crowd. He would bo pleased to support the scheme of improvements, and would commend to the Committee the suggestion thrown out with regard to the : tote-house. j Mr P. Fahey said he could only support the remarks of the previous speakers, and, to put the matter in order, he would move: “ That a sum of £7OOO be spent on a scheme of improvements. This was seconded by Mr Prevail, and carried. —Votes of Thanks.— Hearty votes of thanks were accorded the Judge, Mr* A. Macaulay; Timekeeper, Mr M. O’Brien, Mr W. McGill, and Mr Jos. Robertson, whose services added materially to the success of the meeting. Dr. Gordon moved that the Committee be called together at the earliest possible date, that the architect be asked to be present, and that a full discussion be entered into, and a working plan drawn up; that Mr W. F. James be asked to suggest any further improvements on his plan of the grounds.—This was seconded by Mr Fahey, and carried. —Donations. — St. John’s Ambulance Brigade was voted £5 5s towards its funds, and a letter of appreciation of the services rendered by the members present at the meeting. The Tuatapere Pipe Band was voted £3 3s towards its funds, a letter of appreciation for the music supplied to be forwarded. The Committee desired to congratulate the Riverton District Brass Band for its high state of efficiency. It was decided, to support the N.Z. Racing Conference’s proposal re fire insurance, and at the same time recommend that, the Conference inaugurate a co-operative scheme to carry the fire risks on all racing property in New Zealand. Eight new 'members were proposed. It was decided to pass for payment and forward to the secretary of tbe Otago District Committee the sum of £132 2s, being the Club’s portion of a levy, pro rata, on the profits of the 1917-18 meeting of clubs to support those clubs which lost their permits during the war. It was decided that the Committee meeting on the' first Saturday in the month. Accounts in connection with the race meeting amounting to £247 were passed for payment. —Extra Permit.— Dr. Gordon said the timie had conn;; when the Committee should put into action a strong appeal for on extra tota lisa tor permit. They should enlist the support of every man in Southland, and solicit the co-opera-tion of the larger clubs, so as to strengthen the hands of their representatives on the Conference and in Parliament. Every means should bo used to that end. Mr Mills said all recognised that the Club should have an extra permit if one were available. After several members had spoken it was resolved: “That a sub-com-mittee consisting of Dr Gordon, Messrs P. Fahey and T. Trail, be appointed to go into the matter.