Wellington Racing Club.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 110, 1 September 1892, Page 6

Wellington Racing Club.

(by WIRE. —FROM OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, August 30. The following is the most important portion of the report which is to be presented at the annual meeting of the Wellington Racing Club to-morrow : — “ The stewards have much pleasure in prese n ting-their-annual report and statement of accounts for the past year, as from the latter it will be seen that during the twelve months just ended the affairs of the Club show continued prosperity. During the year four race meetings have been held, and the stakes increased from £3,541 in 1890-91 to £3,952, or an increase of £41.1 for the season. The Autumn Meeting was principally responsible for the extra added money, at which fixture the stewards introduced a mile race, very appropriately named the Thompson Handicap in honour of Mr. J. S. M. Thompson, the Club’s late vicepresident, now resident in Victoria. The result proved most gratifying from every point of view, and the race itself, in which sixteen of the best horses in the colony competed, was one that any club might well be proud of. The Club has not been altogether for unate during the past season with regard to the weather. The Summer Meeting days were cold and showery, and the Autumn Meeting, owing to the heavy rain, had to be delayed two days, and continuous wet weather for weeks prior to the Steeplechase Meeting made the course very heavy going, and the lawn paddock almost unfit for traffic. This accounts for the falling off in from admission money aud |||||B||Mtttalisator, the latter showing a on the net amount rewtth the previous sea-

son. The year, on the whole, has, however, been fairly successful financially, and the stewards have been able to make a number of further improvements at the course, the principal items under this head being the completion of the tan track, reclaiming, top dressing, and turfing new saddling paddock, and extending the lawn, new fencing round the lawn and saddling paddock, gentlemen’s cloak room, jockeys’ room, loose boxes, stalls and other necessary buildings in the lawn and paddock. The people’s stand and the outside bars and luncheon rooms have undergone a thorough re-arrangement and overhaul. A ladies’ cloak room and other conveniences have also been provided for the general public. Two large new culverts have been put in at the north and south sides of the course under the present racing and training tracks, and of sufficient length to provide for the formation of the new grass gallop. Sufficient area has also been reclaimed at the eastern end of the new saddling paddock for the purpose of forming a members’ carriage enclosure, a work which will no doubt be undertaken when funds are available. On the permanent improvements the sum of £1,651 has been spent during the year. This of course includes the liabilities for some of the items entered into by the previous stewards, and referred to in the last annual report. The stewards regret that the new tan training track which was laid down at great expense has not so far proved the success that was anticipated. They are also disappointed that the grass gallop, promised during the year, has not been completed. Had it not been for the exceptionally wet weather which has prevailed since April last, no doubt this latter work would have been in a very forward state. The new custodian (W. Napier) has, however, every confidence that as soon as the fine weather sets in great improvements will be made. The tan track and the new grass gallop will be pushed on as speedily as possible, in fact he hopes to have both ready for horses engaged for the Spring meetings.” The balance-sheet shows :— including £999 ss. 10d., balance from last year, £7,699 19s. 4d, the principal items being—Entries £1,378, privileges £1,135 Is. 9d, admission per railway dept. £254 125., totalisators £4,230 ss. lid (less Government tax, £612 ss. 2d.), members’ subscriptions £157 Ils. The expenditure totals £7,102 17s 2d., the principal items being—Stakes £3,952 55., handicapping £29 Bs.. advertising, etc., £229 9s. Bd., secretary £275, starter £65, caretaker £lO9 Ils. BcL, rents £123, wages, work on course, etc. £296 14s. 2d., permanent improvements £1,651 7s. lOd.