WELLINGTON RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1482, 19 September 1918, Page 14

WELLINGTON RACING CLUB.

ANNUAL REPORT. The report to be presented to the annual meeting of members of the Wellington Racing Club, to be held on Friday, the 27th inst., states that the stewards have pleasure in submitting the balance-sheet for the year ended .July 31, 1918, which, considering all the circumstances, must be deemed satisfactory. Consequent upon the reduction of racing days by the racing clubs in the Dominion, the club held only six days’ racing during the year under review', as against ten days in the preceding year. The attendance of the public, considering the adverse conditions, has been exceptionally satisfactory. No railway facilities have been afforded other than the ordinary train service, and no improvement in this respect is to lie looked for during the continuance of the war. In view of the extra expense incurred by the club's patrons on this account, no charge has been made for admission to the outside enclosure. This action occasioned a considerable loss of revenue. At the request of the military authorities no liquor has been sold on the racecourse grounds during the year. This has resulted in a. decrease of revenue of about £lOOO. Since the commencement of the war the club has made large cash contributions to the various patriotic funds, in addition to which the club's buildings , furniture, catering plant, cte., have been in use by the camp authorities, entailing costly replacements. The club's jockeys and trainers’ accommodation houses have been in continuous use by the medical and nursing staffs of the military eamp, and the grounds are used daily for training purposes. The total Government taxation paid by the club over the war period amounts to £57,935 14s. lid., and the sum of £lO,OOO has been invested in the New Zealand Government War Loan. The stewards feel that an apology is due to the public for the inadequacy of the accommodation provided at Trentham, which with the ever-increasing attendances is now being severely felt. An order had actually been booked for building material prior to the outbreak of the war. This order was cancelled, and the whole building scheme stands in abeyance until peace is again established. It is with regret that the stewards have to record the death during the year of the following members: Hon. Sir Charles Johnston, Colonel A. Hume, Dr. A. Martin, Messrs. A. S. Biss, C. V. Goulter and Joseph Mandel.

The following office-bearers retire in accordance with the rules, all beingeligible for re-election: President, Mr. J. B. Harcourt; vice-president. Mr. W. H. S. Moorhouse; stewards, Messrs. J. W. Abbott, W. G. Johnston, C. W. Tringham and O. S. Watkins.