HANDICAPPER RETIRES

Chronicle (Levin), 16 January 1947, Page 2

HANDICAPPER RETIRES

MR. "BERT" COYLE HONOURED RACING CLUB'S PRESENTATION The officials of the Otaki Maori ' Racing Club met at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Jacob on Tuesday night to entertain Mr. "Bert" Coyle, who, after many years as handicapper to the club, has resigned from his position. There was a full muster and Mr. Honi McMillan, the popular president, occupied the chair, while Mr. Bunny Carkeek acted as director of ceremonies. After honouring the toast of "The King," Mr. McMillan said the officials of the club had met to do honour to Mr. Coyle, who had been the club's handicapper since 1914. He had rendered excellent service, and was highly esteemed. General regret was felt that he had seen fit to resign the position. The club appreciated Mr. Coyle's services, which were of the best, and all wished him a happy time in his retirement. Mr. Coyle had always been ready and willing to give freely of his knowledge of the sport of racing, and to advise when appealed to. He was a man of very few words, but his advice was always taken; he was a silent worker.' Speaking of Mr O. J. D'Ath, who had been secretary of the club prior to the position being taken over by Mr. Nepia Winiata, Mr. McMillan also paid a fine tribute to his work. It was, said the speaker, a pleasure to have Mr. Coyle present, and to be able to honour his services. His retirement was regretted. Mr. Coyle, he added, had always worked. honestly and given satisfaction to horse-owners and trainers. (Applause, followed by "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow") .' Mr. O. J. D'Ath also paid a glowing tribute to the services of Mr. j Coyle, who had followed the late Mr. Pollock as handicapper. This i was in 1914 "and Mr. Coyle had car- j ried 011 in a most capabie manner ! ever since. Mr. D'Ath said he had j pleasure in offering his congratula- | tions on the success that had ! attendecl his efforts. He considered i that had it not been for the fine . handicapping of Mr. Coyle, the club J would not have attained the success that it had. Mr. Coyle had done solid work, and he hoped that his successor, Mr. O'Brien would be equally successful. Mr. Coyle, on rising to reply, was ! greeted with hearty applause. He 1 expressed sincere thanks for the 1 entertainment and the com- j plimentary remarks that had . been passed. These he appreciated; He pointed out that he first commenced his duties as the ciub's handicapper under Mr. D'Ath, then ; secretary of the club. His associa-v tion with the club g'enerally had j

been most happy, and he considered that it had a capabie set of officers. The stewards, he added, had been a great help to him. He referred to the services given by the late Mr. Ben Ling, Mr. Hema te Ao and Mr. Rere Nikitini, and of the difficult times the club had undergone. Mr. Coyle mentioned how delighted overseas footballers were when they attended the club's meeting, and spoke highly of the hospitality of the Maori race. In conclusion he wished the club continued success. Mr. Ruihi Wehipeihana stated that it was with pleasure that he took part in the gathering — it was certainly a pleasure to be associated with such a person as Mr. Coyle, to be able to take part in such proceedings and pay tribute to his excellent services. Mr. Coyle had been a capabie handicapper and a willing assistant whenever his services were desired. Mr. Wehipeihana spoke of the early days of the club when the late Mr. Pollock was handicapper. Since then Mr. Coyle had carried on in a very capabie manner, while under his handicapping the club had made good progress. A handicapper could make or mar a race meeting, and it was gratifying to know of Mr. ! Coyle's success. Personally, he had been connected with the club for the past forty years, and had seen its ups and downs. He also paid a tribute to the fine work of the past i secretary, Mr. D'Ath. Mr. Whare Seymour endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers, and stated that it gave him pleasure to be able to take a part in such a gathering and do honour to a worthy official who had now resigned. For a great number of ; years Mr. Coyle Md carried on his good work and it was with regrct that they learned of his retirement. Mr. Coyle, he added, had been A great help to the club. Mr. Seymour, referring to his early dav.s in the Rangitikei, where he was born and brought up, said this place was really the home of sport'. It was there that good horses and good jockeys were reared. In' making reference to the newly-elected handicapper (Mr. O'Brien), Mr. Seymour stated that he had made an excellent job of his first handicapping for the club, and ne had : no doubt that' he would prove a • success. Mr. J. Puti, speaking on behalf of owners, stated that he had been i well satisfied with the handicapping of Mr. Coyle; in fact he felt that he 'j had always been treated generously. Other owners were of the : same- mind. He stated that it was 1

a pleasure to know Mr. Coyle and to be associated with him, and he wished him success in his retire- 1 | ment. Mr. Hema Whata, jspeaking as a younger owner, stated that he had been satisfied with the handicapping of Mr: Coyle, while as a steward he recognised his worth. It had j been a pleasure to see the old \ identities stand to the club, and he j felt that Mr. Coyle would still take an interest in its activities. . Mr. ; Whata also praised the work of Mr. D'Ath as secretary for many years prior to Mr. Winiata. Mr. Nepia Winiata, after endorsing the remarks of previous speakers, referred to the generosity of T\Av P/ATTln TTr» no i rl f Ko f ttiL on rim ap

J-VA.A • V/D, yxc. 1AC OCtiU UX1010 WAICU UXXllCO were bad Mr. Coyle had been the first to suggest a reduction in his fee, which he considered was a fine gesture. Mr. Winiata also spoke of the good work of Mr. D'Ath, who had so ably carried on prior to his taking over the reins of the sccretaryship. He, himself, had been secretary for a number of years, and had appreciated the help given him by Mr. D'Ath and Mr. Jack Griffith, who, unfortunatcly, was unable to attend the function. Both had given good advice and helped him in many ways. He had found Mr. Coyle a man of his word, and oue who, if he could not do a good turn, Would ce'rtainly not do anyone a bad one. He had always been ready and willing to help, and had it not been for this the club would not be in the position it was today. Mr. , Coyle had had difficult tasks with big fields, but had always performed them efficiently. He had given support to the appointment of Mr. O'Brien, knowing tnat as he was a friend of Mr. Coyle's he would Bl'nVA d PdDCihlh LonrliPQnnov

! Mr. McMillan said that although IMr. Coyle was resigning from. hi' (position, he felt sure he would 1 maintain his interest in the club. 1 It. was ' with pleasure that -he announced that the club had decided to make Mr. Coyle a life Imember. Mr. McMillan also made a presentation to Mr. Coyle of a substantial cheque. Mr. Coyle stated that he greatly appreciated the honour conferred i on him by making him a life memiber, arfd also the presentation. He thanked the stewards of the cLub ;for their hospitality. In Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Coyle considered the iclub had made a wise choice, and felt sure that every satisfaction would be forthcoming. (Applause). Mr. L. Bevan endorsed the remarks of speakers and added praise for Mr. Coyl'e, who he con|sidered had been a very worthy official and whose work the club had appreciated. j Mr. Bunny Carkeek spoke of the i club's progress, and paid tribute to ;the work 'of both Mr. Coyle and Mr. | O'Brien, and also that of Mr. Frank Foley, an ardent supporter of the club. ' j Mr. O'Brien expressed apprecia--tion _ at the remarks passed concerning him, and assured all that he would do his best in his capacity of handicapper to the club. He and Mr. Coyle were very old friends. While speaking of the club generally, he paid a tribute to the hospitality of the Maori race, relating experiences of Maori hospitality in his young days. He assured the club that he would do his best as handicapper. Mr. Foley expressed thanks for the hospitality of the club. , "The Ladies" was a toast proPosed by Mr. J. Martin and responded to by Mr. Bunny Carkeek. Both spoke highly of the ladies, Mrs. Jacob and Mrs. Carkeek being praised for their good woi'K, ! assisted by younger folk. Mr. D. i Rikihana proposed the toast of "The Press" and it was responded' to by Mr. H. Nicolson. The function took the form of a! dinner, served in elaborate style. j The gathering terminated with the Maori farewell song: • During the evening Messrs. ■ Bunny Carkeek, Dan Rikihana andj Haru Raika, a talented combina- j tion, rendered a number of songs, etc., which were heartily ; applauded. j