GISBORNE RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1588, 30 September 1920, Page 11

GISBORNE RACING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the members of the Gisborne Racing Club was held last week, and was presided over by Sir Jas. Carroll, patron of the club, •who before proceeding to-the business paid a tribute of respect to the late Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald,; M.P., a tribute fully endorsed by the meeting. The report and balance-sheet were lead and adopted. The office of patron was again conferred upon Sir Jas. Carroll, Mr. H. deLatour pointing out that the office was originally inaugurated for the especial convenience of Sir James, in order that the club would always have the benefit of his participation in the business. Mr. F. J. Lysnar was unanimously elected president, and Mr. D. J. Barry vice-president. Messrs. Wyllie and Pittar were appointed scrutineers for the election of members of the executive. The election resulted in the appointment of the following executive committee: Messrs. B. H. Aislabie, C. J. Bennett, J.' W. Bright,. H. deLautour, G. Mattliewson, T. McConnell, and G. B. Oman. Messrs. W. Petherbridge, H. Jones, J. H. Hall and N. Norgrove were elected new members of the club. The question of granting free tickets for admission to returned soldiers to race meetings was discussed, and it was decided to refer the matter to the incoming committee.

The necessity of the inception of another club in Gisborne to provide a meeting at Christmas time and New Year was referred to by Mr. D. J. Barry. Thousands of pounds were going out to other places for this reason, he said, and something might be done by forming another club. Sir James Carroll said he thought the law would prevent any increase in the number of meetings in the district. However, the members could be urged’ to support the increase of permits, and the delegates at the next conference instructed to do their best to secure an extra meeting for Gisborne. As far as the law was concerned he did not think that unless that was altered Gisborne would secure an extra meeting. Mr. de Lautour said he felt that Gisborne would greatly benefit if this could be arranged. The matter was then dropped.

“As far as I can see,” said a committeeman of the Waipa Racing Club, “the Government is the chief beneficiary of our racing funds.” “Yes,” added another speaker, “the Government has drawn more money from this club than the horse owners have.” About 30 mares have already been booked to the imported American thoroughbred trotting sire Peter Moko, the number including Wood Nymph (dam of Red Heather), and Lucy Hinton, dam of many high-class performers.