WAVERLEY-WAITOTARA RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1480, 5 September 1918, Page 12

WAVERLEY-WAITOTARA RACING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING. Racegoers who have in past years been present at Waverley racecourse during the progress of the Waverley- Waitotara Racing Club’s enjoyable gatherings will learn with satisfaction that the club has decided to again hold, their annual race meeting on Labour Day. Though at present the club’s operations are confined to one day a year members have every reason to be satisfied with the sound position of the ciuo as disclosed at the annual meeting last week at the Waverley Town Hall, when Mr. F. Wilson (vice-pre-sident) presided over a good attendance of members. The annual report, which was adopted, stated that notwithstanding the restricted train service, the annual race meeting had in every way been a great success. The attendance of the public had been as great as ever, showing the continued popularity of the meeting The turnover of the totalisator had shown a slight decrease on the previous year, and the general receipts had also shown a slight decrease. The financial position of the club was v er V sound, the sum of £l2OO having been invested in war bonds, and this sum would form the nucleus of a fund for building a new grandstand. The decision of the club in farming the course had proved in every way justifiable. The course and appointments were in good order, and well looked after by the- caretaker. The committee regretted that during the year three members, in the persons of Messrs. James Leo, Herbert Brewer and Gerald O’Reilly, had passed away. To their relatives the club had extended its deepest sympathy in the loss and bereavement sustained by them. All were keen and ardent supporters of racing, and their loss would be sorely felt. Mr. Herbert Brewer was a steward of the club at the time of his death, and was always anxious and willing to give his assistance to the affairs in general of the club. Three members, Messrs. S. M. Davies, John Kennedy and George Lupton had been called to the colours, and to them, as also to those already actively engaged, the fervent wish and hope was that they would soon return safe and sound. Mr. John Scoon was due to proceed to camp very shortly, and the best wishes of the club went with him. One member, Mr. H. G. Dickie, had returned, having been , invalided home. The thanks of the club were due to the Course Committee and to the honorary officials for the good work done by them. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr. J. Kennedy; vice-presidents, Messrs. F. Wilson and J. Dalton; judge, Mr. J. L. Stanford; handicapper, Mr. H. Coyle; starter, Mr. T. Cameron; honorary clerh of scales, Mr. G. H. Graham; honorary assistant clerk, Mr. J. Linklater; honorary clerk of course, Mr. J. Lynch; honorary timekeeper, Mr. M. Kennedy; honorary surgeons, Drs. Harvey and Cross; honorary veterinary surgeon, Major Neale; stewards, Messrs. R. Bremer, W. H. Watkins, D. Noake, M. Kennedy, G. H. Graham, C. Dickie, J. Linklater, G. Lupton, T. W. Lonsdale, F. Besley, H. Dickie, H. W. James, A. A. Fantham; secretary, Mr. W. McFarlane; honorary treasurer, Mr. J. E. Palmer; auditor, Mr. J. C. Gray. Messrs. Rayney Jackson and Alfred Symes declined nomination as stewards. It was decided that the stewards be the committee of the club. On the motion of Mr. J. E. Palmer, seconded by Mr. W. H. Watkins, it was decided to donate £35 to the Hunt Club.

The stakes last year amounted to £1205, and on the motion of Mr. J. E. Palmer, seconded by Mr. H. G. Dickie, it was decided to allocate the same amount this year. It was decided that the annual meeting be held on Labour Day, and that the programme should be the same as last year. At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr. G. H. Graham was elected chairman of the General Committee. The following sub-committees were elected: Course Committee, Messrs. J. E. Palmer, C. D. Dickie and W. H. Watkins; Judicial Committee, Messrs. J. E. Palmer, D. Noake, C. D. Dickie, J. Dalton and M. Kennedy.