ASHBURTON RACING CLUB.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1076, 17 October 1883, Page 2

ASHBURTON RACING CLUB.

A general meeting of members of the Ashburton Racing Club was held at the Club’s room last evening. Present Messrs B. G. Crisp (in the chair), Beecher, Hewson, Purnell, Quill, Fuoks, Journeaux, Hutchison, Clark, H. Friedlander, Brittan, M. Friedlander, Thomas, Drs Leahy and Ross. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, the following new members were elected, viz—Messrs Goodwin, i.raham, J. M‘Lean, H. M r Lean and Tasker. A report was submitted from the Committee appointed to confer with the promoters of a Summer Race Meeting, recommending that the course should be let to the applicants for a one day’s race meeting, at a charge of L 25; the charges to course and stands t be similar to those imposed by the Club, and the lessees to be held liable for all damage occasioned during the proposed meeting. Mr Quill intimated that he had been authorised by the promoters of the Summer meeting to withdraw an offer of Ll 5 which had been made for use of course, and he asked permission to introduce Mr Bell, who, with himself, had been appointed as a deputation to wait upon the Club in connection with the matter. Mr Bell having been admitted, Mr Quill applied for use of the course on Boxing Day for a race meeting. While giving every credit to the existing Club he thought the management had not offered local owners and breeders sufficient encouragement, and to repair this shortcoming snd afford a pleasant day s recreation to the public the meeting was proposed. The promoters trusted to show by results that it could be made a success and having accomplished this they hoped that the established Club would take the matter in hand and make the fixture an annual one. It rested with the meeting to fix a price which would bo charged for use of course. Mr Purnell thought that the applicants should make an offer, Mr Bell stated that the course had been offered at a rental of L 25. Dr Ross corrected Mr Bell. No such offer had been made, but the tenor of the Committee’s report had been communicated to the deputation. Mr Bell wished to state that before accociating himself with the proposal he had been assured that it was in no way antagonistic to the Club. Ge was generally opposed to district races, but he considered that the exceptional zeal of local owners deserved some special encjuragement ; and as he felt that the meeting would not interfere with other racing he had given the movement his support. Be wished to conduct the negotiations in the most friendly spirit. Mr Bell having retired, Mr Q lill proposed, and Mr Brittan seconded That the sum charged to the promoters of the summer meeting for use of the course be L 15.”

As an amendment Dr Leahy proposed, and Dr Ross seconded—“ That the report of the sub-Oommittee in reference (to letting the course for summer meeting be adopted.” Mr Thomas referred to the discussion which had previously taken place in reference to a summer meeting, from which he gathered that the, general feeling was against clashing with the Caledonian sports, which were set down for Boxingday, and he thought that not only in courtesy but in honor they should oppose any attempt to trespass upon the rights of

the Society. _ • Dr Ross explained facta which had influenced the Committee’s report, and he considered the rent asked a very reasonable one. But he was quite with Mr Thoma§ in his regard for the Caledonian Society’s claiip. upon Boxing-day. Mr Brittau said that whpn seconding Mr Quill’s proposal hp supported the amount of charge, only without reference to date of meeting. Mr H. Friedlander would distinctly stipulate that the course should not bo let tor racing on Boxing Day, as the result would be alike disastrous to the Club and

the promoters. The Caledonian Society had a well-established 'claim to the date, and it would be very unbecoming for the Club to countenance any attempt to otherwise appropriate it. Mr Quill gave the history of athletic sports in Ashburton, which, as stated by Mr Friedlander, had long been hold on Boxing Day, but about four years ago the rights and paraphernalia of the Sports Club were seized by a body of gentlemen who shortly after appeared as a full blown Caledonian Society. If he was a member of that Society—towards which he had not the slightest animosity—he would be too independent to place any obstacle in the way of healthy opposition. Mr H. Friedlander had been secretary to the Sports Committee for some years.

A short time after his resignation, about five years ago, Mr Quill pnd anpther gentleman called at hiaoftjcaand informed him that the Sports Committee had been converted into a Caledonian Society and solicited a subscription, which he gave. Mr Thomas suggested that before the motion or amendment was put the meeting should determine if ihe course should orVnould not be let on Boxing Day. Mr Quill wished it to be clearly understood that he was personally opposed to holding the proposed meeting on Boxing Day, he was simply there to advocate the views of his principals. Mr Purnell recollected that when it was proposed that a summer meeting should be held under the auspio.s of the Club, there was a strong feeling that it should not clash, with the Caledonian Society. When Mr' Quill, in Qommitiee, first re- ' ferred to the present application it was i

clearly understood that the meeting should not occur on Boxing Day, and the feeling of the Committee was distinctly favorable to the proposal, but he could not support any movement which would clash with ths Society. The motion and amendment having been withdrawn it was resolved—'‘That it be a recommendation to the Committee that before letting the racecourse on Boxing Day next, to consider that on that day the Caledonian Society holds its meeting and that it should not let the course to clash with the Caledonian sports.” Mr 11, Friedlander thought that the question might now be relegated to the Committee.

Mr Thon.aa considered that it should at once bo disposed of, and having practically insured that vested interests should not be disturbed, he proposed—“ That the report of the sub-committee be adopted, and the Club subscribe LlO to the funis of the proposed meeting.” In seconding the proposal, Dr Ross repeated that jhe considered the lease was •worth L 25, but he was disposed to meet Mr Quill and his enthusiastic friends, and agreed to the concession. The proposition having been carried, the meeting closed.