OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1532, 4 September 1919, Page 31

OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB.

ANNUAL, GENERAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of the Otahuhu Trotting Club was held on Friday last, the chairman (Mr. H. R. Mackenzie) i>residing over a large attendance of members. In submitting the annual report for the season ended July 31, 1919, Mr. Mackenzie stated that the committee had much pleasure in again placing before the members a very satisfactory balance sheet and profit and loss account. Profits for the year amounted to £lOO6 ss. 7d., which had mostly been made at the club’s last meeting, owing to the spring meeting having taken place when the influenza epidemic was on. During the latter unfortunate period the club had the misfortune to lose members of their committee, stewards and ordinary members of the club by death. The •sincere sympathy of everj- member of the club is extended to relatives in their bereavement. Another matter for regret was the fact that the late secretary of the club (Mr. F. D. Yonge) had passed away after a long illness, and his presence would be missed by many friends. Mr. R. L. Absolum had been appointed secretary of the club, and was giving every satisfaction to the committee in carrying out his duties. Now the great war was over, ending in a glorious victory for the Allies, the club’s days of racing had been restored, and this season they would have their four days trotting again. In the 1917-1918 season, £2125 had been given in stakes for two days, and in the past year £4500 for three days trotting, a very substantial increase, and the club are now included in the four leading clubs in New Zealand regarding stake money. The programme for the coming season was not yet completed, but members could rely upon the same progressive policy being shown by the committee as in the past, and the stakes again substantially increased. The committee, on behalf of the club, had given during the year donations to various patriotic funds and charity amounting to £125 14s. Taxation paid by the club to the Government amounted to £3613 ss. lid. During July, the committee had completed, on behalf of the club, the purchase of the Fairburn Estate, of 190 acres, at Otahuhu, at a total cost of £24,000. They had every reason to believe that the deal is a wise one, and in the future would provide the club with a trotting ground second to none in New Zealand. The disposal of the surplus land would show a handsome profit on the transaction.

Mr. H. R. Mackenzie, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, said he had to again congratulate the club upon another successful year. It was grand to meet this year again, knowing the great war was over, having resulted in a great and sweeping victory for the Allies. We should be justly proud of the part’ taken by the British nation in the past war, our great Navy, which kept the seas clear, enabling the colonies to send their brilliant soldiers to the help of the Motherland and oppressed nations in their hour of need. To the men of New Zealand who did so many brave and gallant deeds and won so many honours on sea and land, the sports of our Dominion would take their hats off. We were proud of them and also of the fact that we belonged to New Zealand, whom they represented in the great game for the liberty of the world. Let us all make the resolve to help the sick and the wounded in every way possible so that they can enjoy life, and in some small way show our appreciation of the great sacrifice they made for us. Sincere sympathy was extended to relatives of those that had made the supreme sacrifice. Regret was expressed at the death during the epidemic of the late Messrs. H. S. Wilson (committeeman), J. Mclnnes (steward), and F. D. Yonge (secretary).

The members of the club could congratulate themselves on the great strides it had made, and could with confidence look to the future, as it was getting more popular year by year, and as the stakes increased it brought a better class of horse along, which meant success. To commemorate the signing of peace, Mr. A. L. Raven had kindly donated a cup of the value of £5O, to be competed for at the next meeting, so that whoever had the honour of owning the winner of the Peace Memorial Handicap, which would be the big event of the day, would receive this cup in addition to the handsome stake. Mr. Raven was thanked for his generous and much appreciated gift. . Some time ago the question arose of a motor ambulance for racecourses, and a meeting of representatives of the different clubs was being called by the Hon. E. Mitchelson with a view of all the clubs combined buying an ambulance for the purpose. It was not intended to keep the ambulance themselves, but to present it to the Auckland Hospital, with the only provision that the clubs have the use of it on race days by paying for the driver's time and benzine used. There was every indication that this course would be carried out. As was generally known, the club had recently purchased the Fairburn Estate, alongside the Mangere Railway Station, consisting of 190 acres, for £24,000. Personally, the committee were very proud of this purchase, contending that they had secured a property second to none around Auckland for the purpose for which it was required. “Being eight miles from Auckland, some may think it too far out,” remarked Mr. Mackenzie, “but with this view 1 do not agree, and consider in the next ten years, when Auckland will double its population, this will be the ideal site, as it will be clear of the crowded area. The club will require 75 acres of this property for their needs for all time, and have about 115 acres surplus; it has occurred to me that this property should not be sold, but kept for the purpose of fostering racing and trotting. At the present time both racing and trotting are carried out in what will be the heart of Auckland city, and I am sure in the near future that land will become so valuable around Ellerslie and Epsom that the trainers will have no paddocking for their horses, as it will be all built over, and then they will have to go further afield for accommo-

dation, and the property we have would be the ideal one for the purpose. “Some people maintain,” continued Mr. Mackenzie, “that it is not the duty of those conducting racing to be concerned about the horses, but my views differ, as the horse is the first essential for the racing: others will quote you different towns to disprove my argument, but what I want to impress is this, that no town in the Australian colonies has a bigger prospective future than the City of Auckland, and it is our duty as ordinary individuals to see to the future and make provision ahead. To my mind, the Governments of the past have shown very little intelligence in insisting that al! clubs should have their own courses, with a large upkeep yearly, which means less stakes and not the accommodation for the public wants. If I had my way, both the Auckland and Otahuhu Trotting Clubs would now hold their meetings at Ellerslie, but in about 10 to 15 years land will be so dear and taxes so great that it will be too valuable to race there, and the three clubs could erect the most up-to-date buildings and accommodation necessary and shift to Otahuhu, to a property ideal for the purpose, handy for the’ public who enjoy this form of amusement and have the land and tracks for the trainers of horses for all time. The committee is confident that their property is going to supply a long felt want for Otahuhu and Mangere and surrounding districts, and is confident that in the near future we will see football, cricket, bowls and many other healthy sports played on this ground; and when it is so, the members of this club will know they have done a little towards what all people should do who are connected with racing and trotting bodies, namely, foster healthy and straight clean sport. Then we will carry out the great name our boys have made for us and make a better New Zealand.” In conclusion, Mr. Mackenzie mentioned that, the club’s property at Papakura is now for sale, and as a very reasonable price has been put on it, it should soon be disposed of. The motion standing in the name of the chairman to make the members’ subscription a guinea and to make the entrance fee one guinea for new members was carried unanimously. It was resolved that an expression of regret be placed on the minutes at the illness of Mr- Frank Lawry, one of their life members, who was unable to be present. Mr. Mackenzie spoke of Mr. Lawry’s great services rendered to the sport of trotting. Mr. C. F. Mark was referred to by Mr Mackenzie as one of the fathers of the trotting sport in Auckland, and it was unanimously resolved by acclamation to make him a life member.