Feilding Jockey Club.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 109, 25 August 1892, Page 9

Feilding Jockey Club.

(from our own correspondent.) Feilding, Augt. 20. At the Feilding Jockey Club’s annual meeting ol members the report submitted by the committee referred to the loss to the club of their late vice-president, Mr. Macarthur, who had been an active member of the club since its inception. It congratulated the members on the present sound financial position of the club. The innovation of a two days meeting al Easter had proved most satisfactory, and had resulted in a profit of about 'Fhe result had been mainly due to the liberal stakes offered, viz., and for the two big handicaps, which amount the committee recommended should be increased to £ 200 and £ 150 respectively at the next Easter meeting. The Summer Hack Meeting had not been so successful as hitherto, in consequence of the Palmerston North Club holding their races on the same day, but notwithstanding, a profit of had been made, 'fhe receipts from all sources amounted to 6s 3d as against for the previous season, and stakes were given away amounting to as against The items of revenue for the various meetings compare as follows Easter meeting — totalisator proceeds £33 5, as against for the previous year; privileges realised 14s fid as against 14s; entry fees as against ; and the increase in expenses was hardly appreciable beyond the extra amount of stakes. The very noticeable increase in entry fees, viz., as against proved conclusively the advantages gained by a two-days’ meeting combined with liberal stakes. The Hack Meeting, on the contrary, showed a marked falling off on each item of revenue, viz., £3-) in entry fees, in profits of totalisator, and £3O in privileges. The report after referring to certain improvements made to the course and its surroundings continued : —“ 'Fhe total amount expended on permanent improvements during the year has been lBs 7d, which has been spent entirely out of the profits of the season, in addition to paying off liabilities at the Bank to the amount of leaving still in hand a balance of 19s 76, which, however, has been allocated towards placing a top on the grandstand, a very necessary work, for which a contract has been let. The total amount of permanent improvements made on the course up to date has been Your committee would recommend to their successors in office the advisability of acquiring the freehold of the racecourse, which they are empowered to do at a cost of Under your present lease the owner can run his sheep on the racing track all the year round except on race days, and they cause a very great amount of injury by making hard beaten tracks and bare places. If the freehold were obtained the inner circle could be leased for £3O per annum, which, together with the rent now paid, 1 2s, would pay interest on the purchase money at fi£ percent., and the club would be in a far more independent position. In conclusion, your committee wish to place on record their thanks to all officials connected with the club for the very efficient manner in which their duties have been carried out.” The report and balance-sheet were adopted. An additional sum of £2 1 os was passed for payment to the handicapper, making in all for the two days’ meeting. A letter was received from the Wanganui Jockey Club, suggesting that all the races to take place in the, Wanganui Metropolitan District should be advertised in one programme book. The following were elected officers for the ensuing year:—President, Mr. F. Y. Lethbridge ; vice - president, Mr. W.

Bailey; judge, Mr. Downes; treasurer, Mr Alley ; clerk of the scales, Mr. W. G. Haybittie; handicapper, Mr. J. E. Henry: clerk of the course, Mr. W. Bellvc ; secretary, Mr. E. Goodbehere ; committee, Messrs. Ward, Saunders, W. Bailey, Sandilands, Holden, Sherwill, Jackman, Morey, C. Fitzherbert and W. G. Haybittie ; stewards, Messrs. Jackman, Burnett, Lance, Morey, Gosling, Sandilands, Woolerman, and Walter Bai lev. Mr. Downes was appointed a trustee for the lease of the racecourse, in the place of the late vice-president. Mr. Ward suggested the advisability of the club holding a good winter meeting about the beginning of September or a steeplechase meeting in the summer. 'Fhe secretary said that he was acting as secretary also for the Hunt Club, and when he received information from the secretary of the Metropolitan Club that their programme had been approved of, he expressed doubts as to the club getting a programme passed in future, and advised that the Hunt Club and Jockey Club should amalgamate. It was resolved, “ That the committee fix the date for the next meeting, and that they draw up a code of rules and have them printed.”