TROTTING CLUB

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 306, 20 September 1921, Page 7

TROTTING CLUB

STEWARDS’ ANNUAL REPORT. In the course of their annual report, to be presented at the annual meeting of the Wellington’ Trotting Club on Wednesday evening, the stewards state; "In presenting the report for the year ending July 31, 1921, the stewards desire to congratulate members on the evident advancement made in the sport of trotting in Wellington. Despite the fact that the club was unfortunate in having a wet day for its only racing day, which considerably affected the attendance, the growing interest of tho public in the sport was manifested by the increased totalisator turnover, whicn amounted to .£22,435, as against <£21,039 for tho previous year, an increase of J2139G. The sport provided continues year by year to show an improvement in class which is a gratifying endorsement of the club's policy of tightening up tho limits. The club started the year with a cash balance of .£1597 7s. 9d., and concludes the twelve months’ operations with a balance of £lB3O Is. 2d., an increase of £232 13s. sd. This result must be looked upon as very satisfactory, taking into consideration that more than usual was spent -during the year in improvements to the track and grounds, which the club is determined to maintain on the highest possible standard. Th? various items of receipts, with the exception of gates and cards, show an increase compared with the previous year. Totalisator £2859 Bs. Cd., compared with £2701 16s; 6d. Nominations and acceptances £378 10s., against £370. Members’ subscriptions £93 Is., as against £B5 Ils. Owing entirely to the weather conditions the gates and books show a falling off of £S4 3s. 6d. On the expenditure side an increase will bo noted which is attributable to the club’s determination to provide every possible comfort for its patrons, and maintain its policy of raising tho standard of the sport in Wellington, by giving liberal stakes for competition. The club’Sjcontribution to tho revenue of the country for tho season just concluded amounted to £1163 7s. 3d., as against £1052 6s. 4d. for the year 1920.

“Since tho last annual meeting the question of increased racing days for tho Dominion has been the subject of special legislation. Firstly, in the form of Sir George Hunter's Gaming Amendment Bill (No. 2), which provided for twenty extra days for trotting, ton for country racing, and eight for hunt clubs. This Bill was supported by an overwhelming majority of tho members of Parliament and had no chanco of being defeated in tho Hous® of Representatives, when tho Prime Minister intervened and substituted legislation providing for the setting up of the Racing Commission. Members of the Commission attended the lost meeting of the club, and, although it was anticipated that Wellington w<uld be pilt on the sama footing as Piin'ri'.a and granted six days, the club must appreciate the difficulties facing the Commission nnd gratefully accept its recommendation for an increase of three days, making a total of 'tour, ns a recognition of the potentialities of Wellington as a trotting centre and the advancement that has been made locally during recent years in the administration and patronage of tho club. "No members other than the retiring stewards have been nominated for tire fifteen vacancies, therefore ns tho number nominated does not exceed that required by the mire there will be i a ballot necessary. The stewards wish to place on record their appreciation of the untiring zeal of the club's seertiary, Mr. R. W. Short, and on behalf of the members congratulate him )on Xejing re-elected as ono of tho North Island representatives on ths New Zealand Trotting Association.”