OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1429, 13 September 1917, Page 19

OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Otahuhu Trotting Club was held last week, when the annual report, which was read by the chairman, Mr. H. R. Mackenzie, disclosed a most satisfactory position for the year’s operations. The report was listened to by members with intense interest, and showed that the club had made excellent progress despite the adverse conditions caused by the war. The report was as follows: — I have much pleasure in again congratulating the members on having another successful year, both in highclass, clean racing and in finance. The splendid finishes that have taken place at our meetings reflects great credit on our handicapper (Mr. Edwards); and I also congratulate the owners of horses and the drivers for the loyal way they have raced and driven their horses, clearly showing that the horses are on the improve and we have the right class of men connected with them. As you are aware, the National Government have thought it wise to reduce racing one-third during the period of the war, and unfortunately for our club we have suffered to the extent of 50 per cent, reduction, the conference deciding to leave all dubs with a one-day permit untouched. This decision on their part, in my opinion, was very unwise for the benefit of the sport, as the clubs giving the best stakes are the ones that suffer all the reduction, thereby depriving the owners of the best opportunity to meet their expenses, and really not benefiting the one-day clubs, for with the reduced train service thev are going to find it very hard to make both ends meet, even with small stakes.

Strom steps will have to be taken to check those who at the present moment are making such a noise throughout New Zealand, and if they had their way would absolutely stop racing altogether. Before exp.essing their opinions, have they realised who provided the horses to mount the gallant New Zealanders in their march to Bagdad, the horses that are admitted to be the best that landed in Egypt? Do these people deprive themselves of any amusements? I have seen numbers of them playing bowls, golf and such like every Saturday and many week days, but they say that the man that works five and a-half days during the week shall not have his enjoyment. They would probably be the last to admit the general public as members of their clubs, etc.

It is time we organised to protect our sport and let the National Government of New Zealand know that every person in New Zealand is entitled to fair and reasonable entertainment at the ■ sport he finds the most pleasure in. In my opinion, and I pride myself that in my life I meet practically every class that comprises the respectable portion of New Zealand, reasonable pleasure, to keep people from moping and worrying, will do more to win the war than all the talk in New Zealand. No class in New Zealand has given to patriotic purposes like the sporting community, and I could personally name three men alone who have given over £70,000 between them; and it must not be forgotten that racing throughout New Zealand last season practically found seven months’ interest of the war expenditure for the twelve months. The sports have responded nobly to the Empire’s call, and they should be the best judges regarding the continuance of racing. The result of a race interests them more in the trenches than anything else that could be mentioned. I may also state that many of the racing men who are now at the front are still racing their horses in New Zealand. lam proud of this club of which I have the honour to be chairman for the generous manner in which it has responded to the appeal for money for patriotic purposes. Last year we gave in straight-out donations the sum of £717, and this year we have already given £258 35., and in addition have pledged ourselves to give £lO per month to the Auckland Patriotic Fund until the termination of the war. I think I can honestly state that no deserving appeal for charity has ever come before vour committee without being assisted. . In fact, this club, with the exception of the A.R.C., has given more to patriotic purposes than any other club in Auckland.

Regarding the war loan, the committee intend investing £2OOO in the fund. It is practically all our ready money in hand, but I am sure you will all agree with me that it is better to run an overdraft on our assets if necessary so as to give every penny we can raise to do our bit to help win the war.

I am pleased to welcome our secretary (Mr. F. D. Yonge) back after his long illness. I take this opportunity on behalf of the club to thank Mr. C. F. Mark for the able manner he has carried out the secretarial duties of the club during Mr. Yonge’s unfortunate illness. When I mention that Mr. Mark has refused to accept any remuneration for his se wices, you will readily realise the amount of work a sportsman is willing to do to help another when necessary. In conclusion, gentlemen, I am sure you will all join with me in wishing a successful and speedy termination of this great world war in a glorious victory for the Allies. I trust that soon we will have our gallant lads back with us, and let us make up our minds that we are going to do our duty by them, as they deserve, and you can rest assured that your committee will, as in the past, devote every penny they can to patriotic purposes. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. On the motion of the chairman the subscription fee for the ensuing year was fixed at 10s. A motion re undesirables - was carried unanimously. Mr. Sutherland moved a vote of appreciation of those members who had enlisted, which was carried, the chairman explaining that all such members were kept financial during their absence.

Votes of thanks were passed to the retiring committee and stewards and the Press.