ASHBURTON RACING CLUB.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 856, 31 January 1883, Page 2

ASHBURTON RACING CLUB.

A general meeting of this club was held at Quill’s Hotel last evening, when the following gentlemen were present : Messrs CrFp (in th-; chair), Friodlander, C. O. Fooks, Quill, Purnell, Carter, Lawson, and Drs Ross and Leahy. THE GRAND NATIONAL. On the motion of Dr Ross, seconded by Mr Friedlander, it was resolved that the thanks of tho club should bo conveyed to Messrs Milton, St. George Hamersley and Boyle, for their having vindicated the rights of the Ashburton Racing Club in connection with the Grand National Steeplechase Meeting. NEW RULE. In accordance with a notice of motion given at a previous meeting, Dr Ross moved that a new rule be substituted for rule 3. In speaking to the motion, Dr Ross said that his reason for bringing up the subject was that bethought that the time had gone by when it was desirable to obtain as many members as possible, simply for the sake of the subscriptions. Formerly there was, no doubt, an excuse for the manner in which people were allowed to join the club, but what was wanted was a good working club, composed of men who took an interest in sporting. A large membership was not the most desirable feature of a racing club, and he thought it would be a decided advantage to be more careful in according the privileges, and make the rule for admission more stringent. The practica, which had obtained up to the present, of touting for subscriptions was indignified, and he was of opinion that the club had now reached a position that rendered such a course unnecessary. The new rule would be an advantage in every way, and if the number of members was lessened, the finances would not suffer, as at least half of those whose names were on the books had not paid their subscriptions. A conversational discussion followed, in the course of which it was suggested that the provision that the name of the candidate should be posted up for a month before the general meeting should be altered to a fortnight. Dr Ross accepted the suggestion > and tho following rule was adopted, in place of rule III“ Any person desirous of becoming a member of the club shall be proposed by two members in writing to the Secretary, and such proposal shall be posted up in the club room on a board kept for that purpose, and the gentleman proposed shall be ballotted for at the first general meeting of the club after such proposal, provided that the notice has at the time been posted at least two weeks. One black ball in five shall exclude.” A MEETING FOR DISTRIC V HORSES. Mr Quill moved that a day’s racing be held on Boxing Day, to be confined to district horses. He considered that a meeting such as he suggested would not only be a financial success, but would also be an incentive to local owners to improve the breed of stock. Mr Purnell doubted if the scheme would work. There were sports at Methven and other places in the neighborhood of Ashburton held at Christmas time, and he thought that they would attract more people. The country districts would not abolish their sports for the sake of benefiting the Club, and he questioned whether the meeting desired by Mr Quill would attract a sufficient number to make it payDr Ross said that he agreed to a certain extent with the motion, but it must be remembered that a one day’s meeting had never been successful. He thought an autumn meeting was preferable. Still, he was of opinion that an experiment of having a day’s racing at Christmas time might be tried, although it would be, perhaps, better not to come to any decision in tho matter at this meeting. Mr Quill expressed himself satisfied with having caused a discussion, and consideration of the motion was then adjourned till the next general meeting. AUTUMN MEETING. Mr Fooks moved, and Dr Ross seconded—“ That a two days’ meeting be held in the autumn, arrangements to be made by the Committee.” This was carried unanimously, and the piembera present then separated.