AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1522, 26 June 1919, Page 12

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

PROMISED IMPROVEMENTS. The Hon. E. Mitchelson, president of the Auckland Racing Club, on Monday made the following statement concerning recent criticisms of the lack of accommodation at Ellerslie: No consideration appeared to have been given to the obvious disabilities under which the club had been labouring since August, 1914. In the main the complaints referred to two matters only; one, the accommodation for the public in the outer enclosure, and the other the congestion at and about the totalisator. He did not deny for a moment that there was considerable room for improvement in both these matters, and he offered his assurance that had it not been for war conditions, and the drastic but entirely proper restrictions on expenditure by the war regulations, some of the more important works now called for would have been already completed, and others well under way. “Apart, however, from the Avar regulations, which absolutely preclud-

ed any such undertaking,” continued Mr. Mitchelson, “I contend that no decent-minded committee would, during the anxieties and anguish, and the difficulties of the last four years, have contemplated embarking upon the huge building programme which is now necessary, and must now be faced if the public are to be adequately catered for. In dealing with the requirements of a concern such as the Ellerslie racecourse, it is obviously desirable to avoid patchwork—it is necessary to devise and settle a scheme and work to that scheme, taking each individual job in its proper turn, having regard to all the circumstances.” Mr. Mitchelson said he was able to announce that a definite scheme of improvements and additions, several of which had been under consideration for some years, had now been decided upon. The major items comprised: (1) A new grandstand in the outer enclosure, to be of reinforced concrete, with a holding capacity nearly equal to that of the present stand in the inner enclosure, and with similar roof accommodation; (2) a new totalisator house with selling and paying windows differently placed from those at present in use, and so designed as to prevent, or at least minimise, the congestion, now a fair ground of complaint; (3) a large tea-kiosk to be erected on the land recently acquired; and (4) enlargement of the members’ stand and members’ dining-room. Mr. Mitchelson said his committee had realised for the last four or five years that the public of the outer enclosure were entitled to more and a better class of accommodation, and had it not been for the abnormal conditions to which he had referred, the new stand would long ago have been an accomplished fact. The work, as far as reasonably possible, would be given priority. Plans and specifications had been ordered, and as soon as these were approved tenders would be invited. The site would be that of the present Derby stand, or thereabouts; the present building would be moved eastward. Certain improvements in the present totalisator house would be immediately effected, including additional selling windows, both inside and outside, but the new totalisator house it was not prepared to erect for at least 12 months. The major items specified, with many minor works which it was not necessary to particularise, would in all probability involve an expenditure of not less than £BO,OOO. “With figures like these before us,” said Mr. Mitchelson, “it is necessary to move with caution and deliberation. It must be remembered that on an important racecourse such as ours the normal annual expenditure for maintenance, upkeep, and improvements is very considerable, and must continue to be so if the high standard we have set is to be maintained and we are to keep pace with the increase in attendance at our race meetings. I am far from admitting any material failure or shortcoming on the part of the governing body of the Auckland Racing Club. On the contrary, I claim that good and efficient management during the last 10 years has made the Ellerslie racecourse, in appointments, attractions and comforts, admittedly second to none in Australasia. In the matter of the totalisator, we have at great cost acquired and installed the most up-to-date machine yet invented. In all essentials we believe up to the present time we have satisfied the public, and we are now earnestly endeavouring to provide for them accommodation and facilities for enjoyment of the racing at least equal to those of any racecourse in the Southern Hemisphere.” In conclusion, Mr. Mitchelson said he was personally confident that the public would feel that their interests were not being disregarded as some of the club’s critics alleged, and, • moreover, would realise that, in view of the hugeness of the expenditure involved, and the responsibilities attending it, a reasonable amount of time must elapse before every work now admitted to be desirable could ■ be undertaken.