WAIPA RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1483, 26 September 1918, Page 9

WAIPA RACING CLUB.

A SUCCESSFUL SEASON. A most satisfactory record of the season’s operations was revealed at the Waipa Racing Club’s annual meeting, held at Te Awamutu the other evening, and when it is considered that the club have spared no effort or expense in bringing their course and appointments as thoroughly up-to-date as possible the success which the report presented to members disclosed is all the more gratifying. Mr. J. H. Elliott (chairman of the committee) presided, and in submitting the third annual report stated that reference had to be made at the outset to the loss which the club had sustained through the death of the late Mr. Bray, who since the establishment of the club in its present status had acted as secretary. It was certain that those whose pleasure or profession brought them into contact with the club would

miss his genial presence and kindly disposition. The committee mourned him not only as an official, but as a very excellent sportsman and friend. The club had also suffered misfortune by the loss of another respected member, Mr. M. S. Laurie, whose death was much regretted. The late Mr. Laurie had been an official of the old Waipa Racing Club, and had acted as timekeeper for the present club until the time of his death. Yet another loss had to be recorded in the person of Private C. R. Eyre, who had died in the service of his country. To the relatives of these the sympathy of the club was extended.

The club’s membership had increased during the year from 263 to 282. Excluding the metropolitan club this was a record for the Auckland province, and evidenced the wisdom of granting a permit to this locality. The second meeting on the club’s course had been held on December 15 last, when, although the fields were not ■so large as the previous year, due no doubt to lack of railway facilities, the racing, nevertheless, proved . keen and enjoyable. The totalisator return amounted to £13,670, an increase of £745 on the previous year. Of this, £686 17s. Id. had gone to the Government in taxation. The stakes amounted to £7OO, with the addition of a handsome cup donated by Messrs. Anderson and Main, to whom the thanks of the club were due.

The Waipa Racing Club, in conjunction with the Ohinemuri, Paeroa, Te Kuiti, Rotorua and Hamilton clubs, some time ago had entered into a partnership for the importation of thoroughbred stallions calculated to improve the stamp of our horses. This had eventuated in the

landing of two high-class thoroughbreds from the Old Country.

Speaking of racing generally, it was worthy of mention that the country racing clubs, particularly those of the Auckland province, were making very rapid headway, and it would seem that this had been recognised by those in authority. The constitution of district committee, which formerly embraced 12 members of metropolitan clubs and five as representing the other clubs in the province, including the suburban, had now been altered, the representation being five members from each section, with the addition of the chairman of the metropolitan body. An association had just been formed of the Auckland country clubs, whose object it was to take more interest in the conduct of their own affairs, and to remove the control which had been arrogated by the suburban clubs. This was not considered in the best interests of bona fide country clubs, and would, it was hoped, before long cease to exist.