Horowhenua Racing Club.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 June 1915, Page 3

Horowhenua Racing Club.

- • A meeting of tho newly-formed Horowhenua Racing Olub was hold in the iLerin Town Hall last night, Mr Jas.MoLeavey presiding. There was an attendance of some fifty members. The first business taken by the meeting was a motion by.Mr Richter: "That the motion passed at last meeting (that the Park Company receive the Met profits accruing from each meeting) be rescinded, and that a. resolution be come to in these terms: "That a price of £9500 be offered to the Park Company for a lease of tho course to the race club for a term ot nve years, at. a rental of 5 per cent on that money.' " Speaking to his motion Mr Richter eaid he thought everyono iii tho i«om •was of opinion that the price asked by tho company was out ol reason, and that no club could bo conducted success- » fully if it were .bound to part with, all its profits. . Mr John Ryder secontlod the motion. Discussion took place as to whether the mooting would have to be adjourned to permit of tho JL'ark Company considering the new proposition. Mr MoLeavey considered it would be necessary to have a week's notice given of intent to rescind the resolution arrived at at last 'meeting. Mr W. ißroughton contended that as the minutes of that meeting had not been resjd' the rescinding could be done forthwith. Mr Fred Hotter considered the proposal to give the Park Company £5300 for the course was too much; to do so would cripple the cluib. Eventually it was moved by Mr Eichter and seconded by Mr Ryder: "That the minutes of last meeting be not confirmed." This was carried on the voices, and Mr Richter s motion was taken. Tho moyer said it was necessary to have a fair understanding with the company; if thero was a fair purchasing clause and a prospect of an assured finance the county residents would support the club. Mr Sen Ling said that the price quoted by tho Park Company was a ' fair one; it was based on the moneys expended by tho company. Mr Thomas Bevan (as one of the *Parik Company directors) said it would be impossible to accept the reduced sum named in Mr Richter's motion. Mr Reeve suggested that the Park Company be asked how much it would charge the club for the right to have one day's racing on the course. ?■ In answer to a. question, Mr F. G. Roe, secretary to the company, said it had never mado a profit out of racing. Further discussion ensued on the question as to leasing ana Mr McKegg mentioned that Otaki Olub had raced twice on the course under a lease from the company. Mr G. Watson said it would be better not to have the races at all if a mutually satisfactory arrangements were not come to. Mr Water Ryder agreed; it would be better to drop the meeting than to get a hurdle round their necks that coulit not be got rid of. (Voices "Hear, hear!")

JVlr T. Bevan said tho people of Levin would bo putting a hurdle round their neoks if they started a course on their own, but if thoy agreed to hand the profits to the company there would /be no liability to faco if the meetings did not prove to bo a-success; then the liability would remain on the Park Company. If the new dub made a profit, would come oif the purchase price. As to the price asked, Mr Bevan affirmed that a sum of £'5300 had been expended on the course by the company. , Mr Roe remarked that company was * offering 71 acres* of land, with improvements, for tho sum of money mentioned. Ho naked Mr Riehter if there was any other place, with improvements, that could he secured around Serin for anything like tho money asked for. 'Mr MoLeavey said he would support tho man who could show him where a racecourse could be got cheaper than the Park Company's. Bui where could they get itP Mr Roderick McDonald said that tho source of the financial trouble they were facing was tho failure at the Government to give Levin back its two days' racing permits. Mr J. Ryder said it was not advisable for any racing club to take ovel* the Park Company's liabilities, to •which the chairman answered that the cluib was not 'being asked to shoulder the liability. The company merely said to tho cluib: "Tako the course, race for a year, and give his your profits. If you make nono the company , shoulders its liabilities." In answer to Mr Reeve the chairman said the Park Company would put the 1 course in ropair. Mr G. Wateon then moved as an amendment to Mr Richter's motion (to test the feeling of the mooting) "That the terms set out in Mr Bevan's and Mr.McLeavey's explanation be accepted by the club." Ho thought every"one present at the meeting was desirous of having a day's racing, and therefore a trial should bo given to the ■ company's terms, seeing that if there - was. a finaucial deficiency the chub would have nothing to pay for the meeting. Mr McKegg seconded the amend- - iment. The put to the meeting ,and the chairman declared it carried by 16 to 14. Mr W. Ryder challenged this and asserted that the voting was 16 to 14 against. I Mr MoLeavey said lie would make the voting-as 16 to 16. and in that case !he would give his veto tor the amendment. The election of officers of the clnb was then gone on with. The list is as ■follows:— Patron, Mt W. H. Field; president, Mr (Roderick A. McDonald. ■ Nominations" for vice-presTclentships were Messrs J. MoLeavey, B. R. Gardener, Major Tatum, W. McKegg, P. Bartholomew, F. Easton, John Kebbell, .N. Kirkcaldie. Stewards, Messrs H. iWindley. Lindsay McDonald, S. V. ! Carter, Bere Nicholson, VV. McKegg, i McChesney, Prank Nicholson, Harry | Oeorge, J. W. Procter, F. L. Jackson, H. Essex, Winiata Potaka, F. Bettor, Cfrant, B. S. Lancaster, Fleming, Guy Kingdon, W. Broughton, H. O. Barnett, G. Watson, Martin Winiata. As there were but twelve vacancies a ballot was necessary.» The result will ~6e printed in Monday's Chronicle.