HAMILTON RAGING CLUB

Waikato Times, Volume 91, Issue 14167, 18 September 1919, Page 5

HAMILTON RAGING CLUB

HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL YEAR. _j ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS. SEVERAL MATTERS DISCUSSED. The annual meeting of the Hamilton Racing' Club, held in the K.ng's Theatre Ibis morning, was attended hy some •60 members. The vice-president (Mr F. R. Seddon) occupied the chair. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet (already published and taken as read by the meeting) the chairman referred to the most successful year 'Which the c.ub had just come through. With the close of the war had come the re-in-statement of the extra day’s rac.ng for tlie club, as field in pre-war times. Nearly £ 1000 had been spent on new buildings during the year, which extra accommodation was shown to be .veil warranted. Experience of the past had shown the lack of accommodation, ana the committee had Iho consideration of a scheme under way for bringing about remedial measures in this connection. Mr G. Vercoe seconded the mot'on for adoption. Mr I. Coates said that the report and balance-sheet required little commem, as last season’s meeting was such a highly satisfactory one. Mr C. J. W. Barton, an speaking to the motion, hoped that the incoming committee would keep steadily in .dew the purchase of another course. The club should certainly have a freehold course of its own as the progress of The times amd the prominence of the club in racing matters warranted such a purchase "being effected. The motion for adoption was carried unanimously. Increased Permits. The meeting gave its unanimous support to the following motion forwarded by the Te Kuiti club: “That this meeting considers that the dime has come for an increase in the total number of totalisator permits to be granted to the various racing clubs in the country and requests the Government to bring in legislation for this purpose.” A copy of the motion is to be forwarded to the Minister for Internal Affairs and thertnember for the district. The Course Proposal. Mr Vercoo dealt with the investigations. made into the matter of providing increased facilities at the present course or the purchase of a new property to meet the requirements of the mlub. He moved; “That in the event of the incoming committee failing to •obtain better conditions than at present in connection with the use by the club of the Claudelands Showgrounds, the committee be recommended and authorised to purchase or otherwise acquire suitable land in the'vicinity of ‘Hamilton for the purpose of a racecourse.” The speaker referred to the •negotiation? between the commit-ees .of the nut- and the A. and P. Association over the matter, the latter body mol being able to see its way clear to grant the club the concessions sought. He would say that the Association had treated them quite fairly, and It was his belief that the Association was .quite right in its stand. Still, however, if the club could not secure the requirements to adequately meet the needs of its racing patrons there was no other course but for it to purchase a fresh ground. The matter was not definitely closed and( Pould be re-.-opened again if there was any prospect of the necessary land being available :to : give an up-to-date course where they now were, The matter of a new ground was one entailing the expenditure of a good deal of money. Mr Barton, in seconding the motion, a§ted if the committee had .any* idea of the cost of the proposed alterations to the present course to brifig it up to date, and also what the/ Tennure -would be. , ■ t Mr Vercoe said that he could only give ‘the cost approximately. The purchase and provision of a new ground with the necessary buildings and. racing track would he not less than £20,000, while to continue where they were at present and make the needet alterations would*run irito betweer £IO,OOO and £12.000. The idea was to get a new lease for 21 yea'rs or Glasgow terms. Mr Gillies moved an amendment t( delete -the words “and authorise” frorr the motion, advocating that it was es- . sential for full'details of the new purchase to be placed before each anc ■every member so that they would ht made aware of what the club was eing committed to. It was his .owr •opinion that the time had passed wher they could adequately ‘meet their requirements at Claudelands. Mr Stewart seconded the amendment, but the mover and seconder being quite willing to delete the portior .sought, the amendment was withdraw! ,nnd the motion then put and carried. A further motion hy Messrs Barter and Norman seeking the placing of ai negotiations in connection with alterations to the present,or the purchase o a new course before a special meeting was carried. . Sprints and Distance Events. Mr Masters asked if anything bar ■been support ’of his suggestiu) ■to last annual meeting to have mor< (of the longer distance races put on th programme. The chairman said that nothing hat been done. Mr Gillies pointed out ttiat a pro posal for the new commit'lee to con sider was the institution of a Wai rfcito Derby over li miles. That, ow ing to the condition of nomination .could not take place for three years. Mr Tristram was also against til .sprint races, favouring no event bein, less than a mile. t( Mr Barton pointed out that -.1 'Horses supporting the meeting com Dieted a racing circuit and had qua .sufficient by the lime they got hack t headquarters. Mr Carroll moved as a recommenda tion to the committee that a race f-. hack company, of not less than 1 miles, he placed on the programm Mr Fraser Smith seconded, but ff motion was lost. On the motion of Mr Norman it w. resolved to recommend to Hie con mittee to consider the improvement i Hie training facilities on the course. A further recommendation on tt motion of Messrs E. M. Masters ai j. uiarkin, was for the committee consider the advisability of increasn the Cup distance from 1} to mile \ motion by Mr N. Russell, reoor mending the programme committee lix the minimum weight at 7.0, w Method of Vote. \ motion by Mr H. E. Tristram see in-' alteration to rule .27 so as to m mil voting for any number less.ia jl, L . 'total required to be elected w 111/u/ed rt mem, «•» «•» thereon will he taken by post. Office-bearers. xi,.-srs H T, Gillies and G. W. V cue were nominated for the position ' r,resident and Mr Vercoe was c ede Mr F. R- Seddon was elected uni nosed as vice-president. ■ There were seven nominations to Bix vacancies on the committee and following were elected at the hallo.. Messrs J. Bruce, T C arkm A Mil ■ vv. C. Morgan, T. Platt apd C. 1 o