ASHBURTON RACING CLUB.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1017, 5 December 1883, Page 2

ASHBURTON RACING CLUB.

[ The half-yearly general meeting of meini bers of the A shburton Racing Club wan held last evening in the Club’s room, when there was not a large attendance. Mr C. W, Purnell was voted to the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. A circular received with reference to an annual turf record, which it was proposed to issue from Dunedin, and stating that the subscription for the publication for the Ashburton Club was fixed et L 5, was laid on the table. REPORT The Secretary read the fo’lowing report : Your Committee have very much pleasure in laying before you a statement of accounts for the half-year ending 30th November, from which you will gather that the success which attended the Club during last season has been continued and enhanced. During the half year under review a commodious grand stand has been erected, and other permanent improvements effected at a cost of L 492 is yd. Since the accounts were closed L4B 15s, the balance due to the contractors in respect to stand, has been paid. The Club has now discharged all its liabilities, and its improvements and property are valued at L. 1,140. The expenditure under the different headings during the half year is shown in the accounts now submitted to you. The stand has been so built as to allow of extension, and additions to the saddling paddock and lawn are urgently required. Your Committee have also had under consideration improvements to the running and training tracks, and will be pleased to receive any suggestions from this meeting on these important subjects. The annual Spring races were held on the 15th and 16th November, and notwithstanding a large increase in the value of stakes, resulted in a profit of L3OO to the Club, or LIOO more than realised at any preceding meeting. In other respects the’fixture was highly satisfactory. It has been customary at this half yearly meeting to authorise your Committee to hold the Autumn Race Meeting. The following is .'he balance-sheet : Dr. £ s. d. To Sowing Account 4 8 9 ~ Training Course ... ... 18 17 2 ~ Building,Account 419 5 8 ~ Charges, etc ... 43 10 9 ~ Advertising Account ... ... 22 14 8 ~ Library Account ... ... 719 o ~ Plant Account 31 16 o ~ Wages Account ... ... 48 16 o ~ Stakes ... ... ... ... 546 5 o ~ Balance... ... ... ... 65 13 8 ,£1,208 16 8 Cr £ s. d. By Balance 168 8 11 ~ Subscriptions 98 4 o ~ Training Fees ... ... ... 16 16 o ~ Nominations ... ... ... 165 o o ~ Acceptances ... 104 o o ~ Privileges ... 297 10 9 ~ Totalisator ... ... ... 318 4 6 ~ Rent of Course... 37 10 o ~ Interest on fixed deposit ... 3 2 6 £1,208 16 8 By Balance to credit of Club ... 65 13 8 ' The Chairman said that the report would bo considered satisfactory. The Committee had entered into certain expenses , wth some little trepidation, but the balance-sheet showed that the receipts had been sufficient to pay for the erection of the grand stand and other improvements to the course. He would move the adoption of the report. Mr M. Friedlander seconded. The motion was carried unanimously. AUTUMN MEETING. Dr Leahy moved that an Autumn Meeting be hel 1, the date to be left to a Committee to decide.

Dr Ross seconded this, and it was car- 1 tied unanimously. ' THE TRAINING TRACK. J Dr Ross moved that a considerable sum ' of money should be expended upon the training track. He thought that L2ooshould 1 be spent. The Club had spent a good deal of money upon the grand stand, and if something was not done to the course it would be rendered comparatively useless. ■ Authorities said that tho course should be ploughed, sown and top dressed, and although what was wanted to improve the course would cost a good deal, the money would bo well spent. The training gallop would return LO guineas in fees, and he thought there should be sufficient public spirit in the Club to make the course a place whore the best horses in the colony might be trained. The great obstacle was that there was a great number of stones to be removed, but he thought the whole work cou’d be done for L2OO. Where was this money to come from 1 The Spring Meeting had been successful, and there was little doubt that the Autumn Meeting would be equally so. Ho was of opinion that the Committee should be empowered to spend money upon the training and running courses between the present, time and the Autumn meeting. He would move that the Committee be lecommended to expend a sum not exceeding L2OO on improving the running and training tracks before the next racing season. Mr Quill seconded this, and in doing so said that it was probable horses would be sent from elsewhere to train at Ashburton. Mr Friedlander said that he was sorry to differ from Dr Uoss in this matter, but he thought that LSO would be quite sufficient for the purpose of improving the course. He thought the time had come when what money they had should go to increasing the stakes. He would move that LSO bo substituted for L2OO for improving the course. Che Chairman seconded the amendment pro forma, and on being put to the meeting it was declared lost, and the motion was then carried. A SUGGESTION. Mr Friedlander said that the time had come when a piece of plate, say of the value of LSO, should be presented in addition to the money prize for the Ashbur--1 ton Cup Race. He moved that the Committee be recommended in tlrs direction. Dr 1 eahy seconded this, b t it was de--1 dared lost. COMPLIMENTARY. 1 Votes of thanks were passed to Mr T. Bullock for selling the race privileges, and to the auditor of accounts (Mr Shury), and ( the meeting then adjourned.