RACING CLUB FORMED AT ELTHAM.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1522, 26 June 1919, Page 9

RACING CLUB FORMED AT ELTHAM.

The recent meeting held at Eltham, and over which the Mayor (Mr. G'. W. Taylor) presided, for the purpose of forming a racing club in the district, was marked by that enthusiasm which promises well for the new venture, the success of which appears assured once the totalisator permit is secured. The fact of 204 persons already having signified their willingness to become members of the club is without doubt sufficient indication of the unanimous support which the proposal to form a racing club in Eltham has met with, and at the recent meeting the necessary formalities in connection with the formation of the new club were completed, and it will be known as the Eltham Racing Club. An application for the registration of the club has been forwarded to the metropolitan district committee, which will forward its resolution regarding the application- to the president of the Racing Conference, to be dealt with when the latter sits in Wellington next month. In the event of the registration being granted, as there is every reason to expect will be the case, the new club will be entitled to hold a race meeting whether a totalisator permit is available or otherwise. The granting of the latter principally depends upon Cabinet’s decision in regard to the all-important matter of sanctioning the additional permits which are so obviously needed in face of the undoubted expansion of racing in the Dominion, where quite a number of new racing and trotting clubs have been formed and are naturally seeking totalisator licenses. The subject of extra totalisator permits is one of vital importance to every supjporter of racing, and the announcement of Cabinet’s views on the matter is awaited with no little concern. The loyal spirit in which the racing and trotting clubs of the Dominion accepted the reduction of race days when the curtailment was instituted as a war measure must make a strong ’appeal to the sportsmanship of the Cabinet members, particularly when it is generally known that many of the clubs, with heavy financial obligations to fulfil, suffered a severe setback as a result of the loss of permits and the reduction of racing days. The New Year brought about a restoration of the full number of racing dates to those clubs that still had meetings to run during the second half of the 1918-19 season, and in almost every instance advantage was taken by the clubs concerned of reverting to the old order of things. The size of the fields, the wide extent to which the various meetings were patronised, and the financial results of the fixtures afforded undeniable proof of the fact that the restoration of permits was fully justified. The rapid expansion of both racing and trotting throughout the Dominion has never been more clearly demonstrated than during the season now coming to a close, and naturally the demand

for extra permits has become more and more insistent Without additional permits the sport will assuredly suffer a severe handicap in the future, and no opportunity should be lost by those directly concerned with the welfare of the sport in the Dominion of pressing the claims for the extra race days which circumstances conclusively prove are vital to the interests and growth of both racing and trotting. The committee of the newly-formed Eltham Racing Club recently inspected eight separate racecourse sites, and as a result of their investigations have the two most suitable properties under offer. One of these is Mr. John Campbell’s 100 acres situate on the Mangawhero Road, 2% miles from the Eltham Post Office, while the other consists of Mr. J. T. Quin’s farm, situate on the Mountain Road, and also within 2% miles of the P.O. The latter property is regarded as an ideal site, being level and providing plenty of scope for a mile course, with ample space for grandstand, other buildings, lawn, saddling paddock and motor enclosure. Mr. Quin, however, is not

prepared to sell, but is willing to grant a five years’ lease with the option of a renewal of 10 years at the end of the term. Mr. W. Morrison, president of the Stratford Racing Club, who was present at the meeting .pointed out that the chairman of the conference had made the ruling that every racing club must have the freehold of their property. Mr. Morrison contended that the site upon the Mangawhero Road appeared to him likely to prove a most suitable course. Horse-owners would, he believed, treat them generously. He considered the Eltham people fortunate, as they had a site which would probably provide them with a firstclass course. (Applause.) He further advised them to obtain as much land as possible within reason —the mistake made by many clubs was in failing to provide for the future. Mr. Morrison added that the course would lip a much better one than the old Pa tea course, and could be made into a better one than that of the Stratford Club.

With regard to the property on the Mangawhero Road the land is bush swamp, fairly high and dry, and as there seemed some doubt as to whether the soil was sufficiently firm to stand racing the opinion of experts has been secured, and meanwhile the

. ’ -y~ ir»* . selection of a course is held over for decision, at a future meeting.

The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr. C. A. Wilkjnson, M.P.; vice-president, Mr. J. Briscoe; committee, Messrs. M. McGarry, E. Patten, John Campbell, F. Casey, J. L. Campbell, A. R. Cronin, and Harold Gibson; auditor, Mr. C. L. Wilson, pro tern. At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr. W. J. Tristram was appointed secretary of the club, and Mr. G l . W. Taylor hon. treasurer. Mr. Tristram’s offices were appointed the offices of the club.