GISBORNE RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1485, 10 October 1918, Page 16

GISBORNE RACING CLUB.

EFFECTS OF WAR CONDITIONS. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Gisborne Racing Club, Sir James Carroll (chairman) remarked that the conditions had changed since the war, and calls had been made, and rightly so, on all classes. It would be found that sporting circles had responded to the appeals. They still had to encourage racing in spite of curtailments. The clubs might give more facilities to encourage the men to keep up the game. He thought they could consider giving them extra facilities. “Gentlemen,” he said, “as long as racing is permitted we must keep our standing in the racing world, and to do this we must offer what facilities we can.” Mr. Oman said he regretted to see they had suffered a loss for the year.

They could not run on at a loss, and that meant that they must cut down the year’s stakes. With the price of feed the prospect did not look too promising. Mr. Bright said he thought that, contrary to Mr. Oman’s usual way, he had taken rather a pessimistic view. With a valuable property, they should be prepared to suffer a small annual loss until conditions returned to normal, and he would be loath to see them cut down the stakes. Mr. Oman said he had opened up the subject in order to get the views of members on the question. He would like to keep the stakes going without reduction. Mr. Matthewson said he did not take a pessimistic view, and he would be very much against lowering the stakes. Mr. Lysnar said he thought the club should be congratulated on the bal-ance-sheet presented. He referred to the lack of shipping facilities, especially referring to last meeting, when several Auckland and southern horses were shut out. They would have better fields if they had good shipping facilities. He would oppose reducing the stakes, as it was very expensive to bring a horse here. In fact, he would fight for an increase. He contended that, other than Auckland, they offered better facilities than any other club in the North Island. He thought the tracks here would compare favourably with other tracks. The report was adopted unanimously. The election of officers was then proceeded with. Sir James Carroll was elected patron. (Applause.). Mr. F. J. Lysnar was proposed by Sir James Carroll as president, and the motion was carried with applause. The other officers were all re-elected. Mr. Lysnar said he was pleased to see the old committee re-elected, as it was an evidence of confidence in them. Sir James Carroll endorsed these remarks. Sir James Carroll mentioned that the Wi Pere estate had offered a handsome cup and a substantial sum attached to a stake. He thought it would be very fitting to perpetuate the memory of this well-known Maori. He moved the acceptance of the offer, which was carried with thanks. The meeting closed with a hearty vote of thanks to the secretary, Mr. ■H. E. Dodd, and to the chairman, Sir James Carroll.