Retiring Otaki Racing Club Secretary Honoured

Chronicle (Levin), 22 July 1949, Page 2

Retiring Otaki Racing Club Secretary Honoured

Secretary' ..oi ithe, Otaki Maori -Racing r Cluh • for a period of 23 yeafs0 lylr. Nepia Winiata recently tendered his, resignation., A functibn'. in J his, .hpnpur w&s r held in pt'akijon Wednesday. night. VMr. H.1McMiilan„ president of the club, was in the chair : and . welcomed all present, at the same time expressing regret that quite a number wh.o had been assoeiated with Mr. Winiata during his long term of offlce were unable to be present. Among the many tributes received Were messages of felieitation from Messrs T. Pfarata (judge), O. J. D'Ath (past secretary), J. M. Grifflths- (assistant secretary), E. M. Ryder and R. G. Romans (president and secretary respectively of the Levin Racing Cluh), A. V. O'Brien and H. Coyle (handicappers), W. Seymour and H. W. Hakaraia (stewards) , all of ,whom stated that it had been a pleasure to have. befen associated with Mr. Winiata • and congratulated the club 'on having had the benefit-of ms ', sound'; administration, and Wishihg him health and happiness hn his retirement from office.

'".The function was opened with prayers and' ti sumptuous spread, the. Wor'k of/'Mrs. H. Jacob', was set ; before thoSe present. Following ; the loyaf toast, Mr. McMillan said he had been pleased to have had the' willing help of Mr. Winiata, who had watched the activities of the cluh very closeiy.' He had alwa'ys carried out his duties very thoroughly and had been the mouthpiece of the club, ironing out many problems most successfully. Many individuals covering a wide area 'had paid tribute to the progressive policy and sound system of control insisted on by Mr. Winiata. He was pleased to know the position was to remain in the Winiata family, and that Nepia's valuable help would be available if needed. Mr. J. Puti said that although he had been a, paid servant of the - "club, Mr. Winiata had been held in the-- hi'ghest esteeim by -stewards, members and visitors alike, 'and the many improv'ertients. effected were ' dute' to his soluld knowledge and viSion. Ev'en' when 'Jthe^'affairs ,of the'-club'* wefe at- a low ebb, ahd retrench'nient on occasions had been • necessaty, Nepia had still dorie a grand job, and had set an example others wourd be proud to follow.

'^'MtV/ L. BevaiY endorsed the retnarks of the previous speakers, adding that his experience ' "with the running of the affairs of the club was not of long duration, but that one could not but f eel the influenee of • Mr. Winiata's gniding hand.. He wished the retiring secretary health -and happiness. .•Mr. T. 'Gardner- stated that at all times the secretary appeared to have everything :to - do with the problems of racing. at his fingertips. He had been a wonderfui servant to the club. Mr. M. Roiri said that one' had to work with Mr. Winiata to appreciate his real value to the club. He offered thanks for advice at all times freely given. Mr; R. Carkeek said that when he joined the cluh he did not know "a trotter from a steeplechaser," but Nepia soon took him in tow. The club was losing a faithful servant, losing "the main switch on the keyboard." His work had been aduous, but his organisation had at all times been excellent. Mr. J. Martin remarked that Mr. Winiata had every reason to be proud of his wonderfui record of 23 years- of. service. He related ftum1 orous incidents of by-gone days, when ambitious Maori owners held sway and listed their colours as . "White shirtrr-brown hat," -not j.ackets and caps as we knew them poday. . , . •• Mr.. K. Ransfield said that the iffairs of the club had always come first with Mr. Winiata hence his success. He thanked him for 'always being willing to give a helping hand.

Messrs P. Seymour, W. Roach and B. R. Bell expresseddheir pleasure at having had the benefit of Mr. Winiata's help and guidance. Mr. A. Knox stated that Mr. Winiata had steered the canoe with a strong arm and a steady hand. Rough seas had been encountered and the canoe had received buffetings, but Nepia, the true helmsman, had always steered the canoe into cairn waters. His was a unique record in the service of the club and he wished him a long life and. a happy one. A wide variety of musical and vdcal items of a high standard foll'owed, after which Mr. McMillan, on behalf ■ of stewards and members, asked Mr.. Winiata to accept a canteen of cutlery and an electric cpiming clock. Mr. McMillan said the club could not allow its guest to take leave of his office wtihout giving -him some appropriate token of appreciation. Tha speaker outlined ther varying degrees of: "progress enjoyed by the club during Mr. Winiata's term of office, and stated that a large share of the success achieved was due to the untiring energy and devotion to duty of Mr. Winiata. He thanked him for his long association with the club, and concluded by 'wishing Mr. and Mrs. Winiata a long and happy retiremenit. Cheers and musical honours followed these remarks. Mr. H. Jacob recalled that while at school Mr. Winiata had been a

section commander in the cadet corps, and had represented the schooi at the Christchurch exhibition in 1906. "He has always set others an example, and has always played the game to win," added Mr. Jacob. Renewed applause greeted - Mr. Winiata when he rose to reply. He said it was ,difficult to find words to express -'his thanks and appreciation of the many tributes paid, but he would. like toi ' especially thank his many office be'arers throughout the years for their yaluable help. Recalling his early associatidh with the club, he said that he had" taken over wheii things were on the decline, aiid had learnt the hard way. He related many • incidents conneCted With his work, and concluded by Offering comment and advice to present day. members of the club's committee. ' Sound administrative ideas had won but in the past, and he counselled members to carry on along those lines. He would be pleased to help if called on. Congratulations were offered the incoming secretary, Mr. T. Winiata, by several speakers after which the toasts of "The Press" and "The jLadies" were sponsored by Messrs A. Knox and R. Carkeek respectively.