AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1322, 26 August 1915, Page 15

AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB.

, ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Auckland Trotting Club was held on Wednesday, the 25th inst. The annual report for the season ended 31st July, 1915, stated that the committee had to place before the members in the appended balance-sheet and Profit and Loss Account the. result of another very successful year. With some diffidence, owing to the present distressful war, which had then just commenced, the committee increased the .stakes by £lOOO (to £8470), but the action has been quite justified by the results. During the year the club contributed in various ways to the Patriotic Funds and other deserving •causes the sum of £530 16s. This amount would have been very much larger had it not been necessary to meet liabilities previously incurred. ‘The committee hope during the current season to see the club’s contribution so solidly increased as to place ■them in the front rank of the conttributing clubs of New Zealand. Since •last meeting the alterations which •had been decided upon to totalisator Ibuildings and the laying of the water main round the course have been ■completed, also a reorganisation of .the drainage system. These improvements, with other minor matters not •detailed, have cost about £7OO out •of this year’s funds. The excellent results of the water main have been much appreciated by both owners and the public. This season the commit-

tee has paid off the balance of the second mortgage on Alexandra Park (£2500), and in addition £740 of mortgages on the caretaker’s cottage and carriage paddock in Greenlane. This leaves the club with a total mortgage indebtedness of £12,500 on its properties. In the deductions from the Profit and Loss Account there is included £2731 3s. 4d. for depreciation on buildings, course improvements and other items. This course has been found necessary in view of the extensive scheme of improvements which it will be necessary to undertake later on. There has been £lOOO transferred to Capital Account, which leaves a small balance of £2l Bs. 2d. to the credit of the Profit and Loss Account. The following gentle-

men were nominated to fill the vacancies on ths committee as stewards: — Committee: Messrs. L. Cooke, J. Rowe, J. G. Rutherford, J. Morrison, T. Buxton and C. Bailey. Stewards: G. S. Lintott, E. F. Westbury, R. P. Kinloch, A. G‘. Mabee, A. Donald, W. J. O’Dowd, B. Grayson, D. Wallace. As in neither case did the number exceed that required, it was not necessary to have an election. The balance-sheet showed:—Liabilities: Capital Account, £13,500; transferred from Profit and Loss Account, £1000; sundry creditors and accrued interest on mortgages, £l9B 3s. 9d.; National Bank of New Zealand, £372 6s. 9d.; balance from Profit and Loss Account, £2l Bs. 2d.; total, £15,091 18s. Bd. Assets: Alexandra Park (less mortgages), £9500; buildings and additions, £3350; course improvements and additions, £250; carriage paddock and cottage (less mortgage), £1000; Greenlane cottag?, £630; implements, stock, fittings, £150; office furniture, £100; sundry debtors, £65 Ils.; members’ subs., £l2 125.; rent accrued, £22 155.; cash in hand, £ll Os. Bd.; total, £15,091 18s. Sd.

The Profit and Loss Account showed: — Expenditure: Stakes, £8470; Government tax, £3049 7s. 4d.; interest, £679 6s. 3d.; land tax, rates, water, insurance, and gas, £260 Is. 7d.; rent of office, £lOl 6s. Sd.; advertising and printing, £235 Ils. lid.; salaries, £607 65.; wages, gatemen, caretaker and assistants, £535 Is. 7d.; general expenses, £548 Bs. 6d.; donations to Belgian, Sick and Wounded, Hospital Ship and other funds, etc., £530 165.; law charges and interest in suspense, £5B 6s. 6d.; bad debts, £52 Bs. 6d.; written off buildings, course improvements, implements, stock and fittings, £2731 3s. 4d.; transferred to Capital Account and balance-sheet £lO2l Bs. 2d.; total, £lB,BBO 12s. 4d. Receipts: Bal-

ance from Profit and Loss, 1914, £252 7s. Id.; members’ subscriptions and entrance fees, £l3O 45.; nominations and acceptances, £2934 10s.; totalisator (gross), £10,637 Ils.; gates and stand, £2997 25.; privileges, £783; Ghahuhu Trotting Club rent, £300; Auckland Electric Tramways Co., £5O; N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Co., £27 12s. 6d.; Auckland Athletic and Cycle Club, £1 18s.; grazing, £37 10s.; rent of cottage, Greenlane, £4O 55.; cards, £677 7s. 9d.; bad debts recovered, £ll 55.; total, £lB,BBO 12s. 4d.

Auckland-owned norses are included in the New Zealand Trotting Cup list, which is one of the pleasing features in connection with the race. Mr. W. C. Abbott has that useful mare St. Ursula engaged, Mr. J. G. Lecky has Manderlne (another Auckland favourite), Mr. R. T. Reid has Eccentric, and Mr. T. Sheen has Admiral Wood, which horse he purchased during National week from Mr. W. Kerr for lOOOsovs., on the understanding that that young horse would be nominated for the New Zealand Trotting Cup.

Admiral Wood is a son of Wildwood Junior and that prolific and good mare D.1.C., who has bred so many good performers, including Monica (dam of Syrie and Galician, the last-named a winner at the recent meeting of the N.Z. Trottmg Club), Miss Florrie C.» Papanui, Muretania, Sylvia, and 0.1. C. The performances of Admiral Wood are as follows: —At three years old won the Stewards’ Handicap at the Forbury Park, two miles, in 3.41 2-5, the Burwood Handicap at New Brighton, 4.49 2-5, the New Brighton Derby, 3.37 2-5, and last spring the Courtenay Handicap at the N.Z. Metropolitan spring meeting in 4.34 —a four-year-old record —since which time he. has not raced. The price Mr Kerr got for the young horse seems a fair one, but he would probably not have sold him had the. system of handicapping on actual time been in force, as he is a money-getting proposition. The successful trainer of trotting and pacing horses J. Bryce, it is understood, is to aain Admiral Wood. Bryce has another horse that formerly belonged to the New Brighton breeder-trainer-owner in Calm, whom he sold twelve months ago, as he round him difficult to train on account of his legs. Kerr at that time reckoned Calm the fastest horse he had. Bryce experienced some trouble with Calm, but goc a good race out of him at the National meeting. The Breeders’ and Trainers’ Association is a recognised institution in the South Island, and the. meeting which is being arraged for under the auspices thereof for patriotic purposes will no doubt be pushed to a successful issue. In our Clubman columns reference is made to the fact of the Canterbury and Dunedin Jockey Clubs deciding to give the whole of their profits to patriotic funds during the present racing season. Now comes word that the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club has decided to adopt the same course, guaranteeing a minimum of £lOOO. This club has gone in for very extensive stand and other improvements, but none of the racing clubs of the Dominion are, doing any better from a financial point of view, and this step is evidence of the fact. It is a good lead to other clubs that can help in the same direction.

Mr. C. F. Mark has been a sufferer from influenza during the past three weeks, but is mending slowly.

Mr. John Stackpole has recently purchased the Caledonia Hotel, Auckland, at the corner of Karangahape Road and Symond Street. The hotel should command generous patronage through its central situation, being in close proximity to Grafton Road Bridge and the cricket ground. Mr. Stackpole was proprietor of the City Hotel for three years, during which time he built up a big connection. In his new position he offers a hearty welcome to old and new friends, who will find him the right man in the right place.