MEETING OF THE CAMBRIDGE JOCKEY CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1188, 7 February 1880, Page 3

MEETING OF THE CAMBRIDGE JOCKEY CLUB.

A meeting of the Cambridge Jockey Club was held on Thursday evening, Mr Robert Kirkwood in the chair. The minutes of last meeting was read and confirmed. The Secretary, after reading the statement of accounts, which showed a satisfactory balance to the credit of the club, said close 01 £500 was paid away in stakes and permanent improvements on the last meeting. He also congratulated the members on the success of their last meeting, and said it was very creditable to have the finances in such a satisfactory state. The President was so pleased with its unqualified success that he wrote to him, and suggested having a dinner next day He, however, consulted the committee, and thought that another holiday would be rather too much just at the time, and he saw Mr Maclean, and they thought it would be better to have it after their next meeting Mr. Kirkwood said he was was greatly : pleased to find the finances in such a satisfactory state. Gentlemen who were present from all parts of the Waikato and from Auckland had congratulated them on the success of their last day's meeting. One eminent sporting gentleman 'from .Auckland had said that it was the most successful county meeting held in the North Island. He had told him that they had a grand stand and a course for either flat racing or steeplechasing, that would bear favourable comparison with any in the colony. The chairman went on to say that no doubt they had made a mistake in holding their meeting in harvest time, and it so happened that the reason was one from which the farmers could ill- afford a day's holiday. Both this club and the Waikato Turf Club had no doubt altered their dates of meeting to further their own interests. They thought by doing so to get the southern horses, but they had been in too great a hurry to get out their weights. They had them out after the Auckland meeting on Boxing-Day, and it was not till the racing on the Ist and 2nd January that Mr Walters' colts astonished the whole racing population . The owners of the Southern horses, therefore, when they saw our weights, did not think it worth while to come up, as they had been beaten in Auckland by Walters' colts. If they had not been in such a hurry to get out their handicaps they would have had a far more successful days racing. Howev«<-, they were all iatisfied with the days sport. On the motion of Mr A ll will, seconded by Mr Moore, the balance-sheet was unanimously adopted. It was resolved to up posts and wire at the steeplechase jumps to prevent people from jumping their horses and breaking down the fence. Votes of thanks were, unanimously paused to Mr R. H. D. Fergusson, for a donation of £10 10s ; to Mr J. A. Douglas, for interest and assistance ; to Mr A , A. Fantham, for the use of his paddock for the steeplechase and assistance. The Secretary also received a vote of thanks, as it was mainly due to his exertions and gratuitous exertions that the Club had been so successful. , Mr Scott responded to the cordial vote of thanks given him, and said he was amply repaid, and it was a proud moment for him when at the Cup race he had tried to get upon tho grand stand, but could not do so as it was so crowded. Mr Moore proposed that the club hold its next race meetiug on the last day of the Cambridge Cavalry Drill in May, but so as not to clash with the Te Awamuta meeting. Mr Raynes seconded it, which was carried unanimously. It was also resolved to call a general meeting of the members of the club on March 6th (Saturday), to fix the date of the Annual Summer Meeting. The public will be invited that an expression of opinion may ba obtained and a day fixed to suit all parties as fir as possible. Members who are unable to attend will be requested to communicate their opinions to the meeting by letter. This was all the business.