WELLINGTON RACING CLUB

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 301, 14 September 1920, Page 6

WELLINGTON RACING CLUB

The annual meeting of members of the Wellington Pacing Club will bo held at the end of the mouth. The stewards report as follow:— "The stewards have pleasure in congratulating members upon the satisfactory financial position disclosed. "It is to be regretted that owing to tho housing difficulty the club has not been able- to improve the facilities afforded to our over-increasing patrons. Plans and specifications have been prepared, and a large quantity of material to build tho proposed new stands is on the ground, and the public may. rest assured that no delay will take place' when the nccessary permit is granted. The stewards regret that they can do no more. In this connection it U as well to remind members and the publio that owing to the imposition of income tax over and above the enormous taxation wo already pay, our building programme will be somewhat restricted. The club durinff the. year gave £31,198 10s. in stakes, and paid in taxes £30,529 10s. 3d., and in future income tax is to be added, 'l'ho stewards feel tliat the sport is being treated very unfairly. For instance, are taxed on the gross gate receipts, then the sumo receipts are eub.icrt to a special amusements tax, and now income tax is demanded on what is left. It is needless to point out that the club does not exist for profit, any funds it accrues are distributed in stakes and in providing tho nccessary accommodation. An income tar under the circumstances K most unjust.

"The four meetings held during the year haTe been excellently patronised, tho crowds largely exceeding anything hitherto experienced, and we can only regret th« paucity of the accommodation, for which, of course, the club is not to blame. The racing haß been of a very high standard, our programme attracting the best horses in the Dominion. The Premier electrio, totalisator was used nt the nutumn and' winter meetings, and appears to have been greatly rppreciated by the public. The tedious delays for adjustments have' been done away with, the day's sport of' eight races being got through in a littlo over 4i hours. It is with deep regret that we have to record the death of tho following members during the past year, vis.: Messrs. O. B. Bullock, Jno. Duncan. Dr. W. K. Fyfte, J. Jf'Lollan. .Tno. M'Williams, D. J. Nathan, and.D. fl'ilkie. The following offlce-bcarcrs retire in accordance with the rules, and are eligible for re-election:— President, Mr. J. B. Harcourt; vicepresident, Jfr. W. 11. S. Jtoorhouse; stewards. Messrs. J. W. Abbott. J. G. Duncan, V. Riddiford, 0. W. Tringham, and 0. S. Watkins."