THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2268, 30 September 1914, Page 3

THE TURF

WELLINGTON RACING CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

There was a fairly large attendance of members at the annual general meeting of tho Wellington Racing Club last night, fcho president (Mr. J. B. Harcourt) boing in the chair. The annual report and the balancesheet (already published) wero adopted. . In moving the adoption of tho report, the president said: "It gives us great pleasure to again congratulate members upon the conclusion of what has been quite tile most successful year in tho history of the club—in the first place as regards tho interest taken in the racing, and in the second place as regards the financial result. Our revenue shows a substantial inoroase under practically..every heading, and as.tho stakes were! increa-sed by over £5000 the result is particularly gratifying. Tho buildings and property of the club have beou materially added to, and well maintained. There.is at present under construction a now 6, 5, and 4-furlong course; wit ; h only a slight bend. This necessitated the acquisition by lease of some U- acres of ground adjoining our f reeliold. Wβ are, aware that there are many people who consider a long, practically straight course not advantageous, from a public point of view, in so far as it affects the view of tho race. Wo have taken this into serious consideration, but the object of the club is to provide as fair a chance as possible for every horse, and you will adfpi that four and five-furlong races round bends do not provide an equal chance. The new course is now being sown, and it is just possible tliat wo may be able to use it ac the nest January meeting. AVe have also under construction a chain-wide grass gallop for training purposes, and w'lien this is completed the lYentham racecourse will be second to none in the Dominion so far as training faciittios aro concerned. "Wβ have just now under consideration the installation of a new system of recording totalisator investments, and negotiations are in progress with the proprietors of the Julius totalisator, tho results of which you will bo informed later. Tho machino is largely electrical, and is still in the experimental stage; wo must therefore be extremely' careful to prove its absoluto infallibility, lou can imagine for yourselves the result of a break-down of tho totalisator a minute or two before the start of a raco. The chief merit of tho new machine is that investmen te aro recorded simultaneously with the issue'of the ticket. "You will notice from the halanccsheet a substantia, increase' in the at-, tendance or the public, and in this connection we should like to pay tribute t--> the eiforts mado by the Railway Department to handle tho crowds. We quite realise tho difficulties with which the railway people liavo to contend—a single line, and an absolutely out-of-date railway station; 'the patiencu of the Wellington public as regards this building seems to be inexhaustible, and the temerity 'of the Minister for Railways in still further delaying tho construction of a new and up-to-date station' can only be excused by tho present national situation. Tho Trentham neighbourhood is now becoming a popular suburb, and it is only a. matter of time when tho 'duplication-of the railway line to the Upper Hutt will become an absoluto necessity. Meanwhile, we must just make the best use of tie facilities afforded, and exercise an Englishman's privilege of grumbling. "Tho year just closed witnessed the inauguration of the' first 1000 sov. weiglit-foT-age raco in Wellington—the i Trentham Gold Cup. The 'weather was bad, and the. field was , small, ,but the interest in the race could be gauged by the remarkable demonstration of popular enthusiasm which took place at its conclusion, despite the fact ■ that tho winner was an' outsider and. finished several lengths ahead. ■■» ' "It is intended to carry on this year very much on the lines of tho year just closed. We are in a large measure α-orking in the dark as it is difficult to forecast what the effect of the war will be so far as New Zealand is concerned. Cf one thing, however, we are■'positive, and that is that it behoves us.to continue our race, meetings as usual, and to do what we can to afford tho best sport possible for the public, despite the seriousness of the- times. Wβ must, keep things going,' time enough to despair when we have to." Mr."6. Pearson, in referring to the train arrangements on race days, suggested that it should be a-recommenda-tion to the stewards to make an endeavour to arrange for a special train for members'only. Mr. T. O. A. ■ Hislop a-skeJ. if it would not be possible for tho stewards iw.mako special provision on tho course for the sale of tobacco and other smoking material. The present arrangements, whereby one had to go to the booths, was, lie'said,', unsatisfactory. Mr. W. H. Tumbull expressed the hope that the tewards would consider carefully the terms of any contract in conneotiou with the proposed new totalisator. The president replied that the various recommendations would receive the attention of the stewards. Dr. H. A. H. Gilmer gave notice to movo at' a special general meeting: "That tho second guarantors of the club be made life members." The appointment of tho new trustees was deferred until a special . general meeting to be held- in three weeks' time, nominations to bo called for. It was decided: "That tho cordial thanks of ahe club be given to Messrs. J. W. Abbott, Wm. Barton, W. E. Bidwill, J. B. Harcourt, Paul Hunter, E. L Levin, Neil M'Lean, W. H. S. Moorehouse, D. J. Nathan, L. C. Pharazyn, C. B. Pharazyn, C. P. Skerrett, J. Studholuie, and R. T. Turnbull for the service rendered by them in becoming personally liable as juarantors, for tho sum of '£2000 each, in order : to facilitate the purchase and equipment of tho Trentham racecourse." Votes of thanks wero also accorded tho president and the stewards. Tho ballot in connection with tho election of four new stewards resulted in tho return of Messrs. O. S. Watkins, J. W. Abbott, C. W. Tringham, and W. G. Johnston.