Takapuna Jockey Club.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 220, 11 October 1894, Page 6

Takapuna Jockey Club.

At the annual meeting of the Takapuna Jockey Club, the Chairman (Mr E. W. Alison) said : — Members of the club would be gratified to know that the season of 1893-94 had proved so successful from every standpoint. The popularity of the club continued, and each of the four days’ racing was marked by fine weather, good attendance of the public, and exceptionally good contests, the credit for which was due in a great measure to the handicapper, Mr W. Knight, who was deserving of a special meed of praise in producing so many exceptionally close finishes. The club was again in a sound financial position, notwithstanding the losses of the seasons 1891-92 and 189293, and would commence the present racing season under favourable circumstances. So soon as there was a sufficient sum in hand to warrant the building of a new grandstand this work would be set about, as owing to the large attendance of the public the present stand does not afford that convenience and comfort which the requirements of the public demand. The cost of a suitable stand and conveniences would not be less than /■l5OO, and the committee expect that if the ensuing season is as successful financially as that of the past one, the club will be fully justified in undertaking this necessary and important work. The club only held two meetings last season as against three the previous one. Under existing rules it would be prudent for the incoming committee to again only hold two meetings, viz., the Summer and Winter. I will now refer to the Racing Conference; Members are aware that suburban and country clubs are now represented at these conferences, and that I have been elected delegate for the Auckland district. These racing conferences seem to be managed in a most extraordinary and unbusinesslike manner —and to be controlled by a section who dominate as they choose. A meeting of the Conference was to have been held in July, and questions vitally affecting suburban and country clubs were then to be discussed, chief among which was the question of added money, but so far the only meeting held had been a special one to consider the Gaming Act, held after it had practically passed I received no official intimation of this meeting, but seeing a paragraph in the political news that a meeting was to be held, I called upon Mr Percival to ascertain whether the meeting was to be a general or special one. He replied it was a special meeting to consider the Gaming Act, and that no other business would be transacted. The business, however, was not so restricted, as resolutions were carried re the formation of a New Zealand Jockey Club. Now, why was not a general Conference convened before the racing season commenced, and why should a delegate be kept in ignorance at to when meetings are to be held ? There has been no general Conference since July, 1893, and none since the country delegates were elected, so that the country delegates have so far been ignored, and are not likely to benefit this season at any rate by any new rule which may be passed by the Conference. The question of the establishing of a New Zealand Jockey Club will be discussed at the Conference which is expected to be held in Christchurch early in November. I am not prepared at present to say whether I shdll support or oppose such a club, but before supporting the establishment of what would really be an Appeal Court I should have

to be quite satisfied that its constitution, would ensure justice to all, and that the country and suburban clubs were fairly represented on such a court. The manner in which business at the Racing Conferences has been contrived does not tend to create a bias in favour of the institution of a N.Z. Jockey Club. The new Gaming Act regulates the number of meetings to be held in future at which totalisator permits are to be granted, and the Government were wise in not allowing these permits to be issued by a N.Z. Jockey Club. Now that the number of meetings has been regulated by law there is no occasion why the present unreasonable and unjust restrictions in respect to added money should continue. The majority of clubs cannot afford to pay the amount in stakes as at present provided. They cannot continue to race at a loss, nor should they be compelled to do so. At the next Conference the delegates are to report as to the meetings which are to be discontinued. In the Auckland Province there will be ten less than in 1892-93, but so far no decision has been made as to which clubs will have to reduce or cease to exist. When the race meetings are reduced to the number required by the new Act there will be no cause for complaint that there is an excess of racing. I shall not trespass further upon your time, and will now conclude by saying that the officers of the club have performed their duties ably and well, and the Club are indebted to the secretary, Mr Wynyard, for his unwearied endeavours to popularise and advance the welfare of the Club.