WESTLAND RAGING CLUB.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1917, Page 1

WESTLAND RAGING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEKTINC. - . The annual meeting of tin; above Club was hold at tin* .Post* Office Hotel last evening. Mr. \Y. E. Williams (President) presided over a fair attendance of members who included Mr. W. A. Thompson, the vhtoran member ol the Club. Tin; minutes of tin* previous annual meeting were read and confirmed. THE BALANCE SHEET. The statement of revenue* and expenditure showed that the Club opened the vear with a credit balance of £202,, and closed with a debit balance of £lO4. The jubilee meeting brought in receipts to the amount of £4216, and the Autumn Meeting £11.07. The general receipts were £620, £SOO of which was derived from an issue of debentures. On the expenditure side, the .Jubilee Meeting was responsible for an outgoing of £3,746, and the Autumn Meeting for £1127. The sum of £956 was spoilt on the course account during the year to complete the improvement .scheme. The expenditure on the general account was £571 (principal item being interest £305) or a total for the’ year on tlfe Club’s operations of £6,402. The assets of tile (Tub are seti down at £4,690, and the liabilities £4069, the major portion of which, is debenture debt. ANNUAL REPORT.

In presenting tlie annual balance sheet your Committee have the honour to report that the past season was a memorable one in the history of the Club. During the season, in January last, the golden jubilee of the Club was celebrated with very successful results. Itwas announced in the last annual report that the preparations for the event were in progress and your Committee ventured to issue a record programme for the Club, in fact for the Coast, totalling ,£2,100 for the two days’ meeting. The gathering was a success from every point of view, and has, left the Club with a most pleasing record to look back upon with feelings of the greatest satisfaction. As regards the past season, the Club completed the improvements which were in progress a year ago, in good time for the Jubilee meeting. The improvements were further added to prior to the autumn meeting, and the result is a very complete and comfortable course and appointments, resulting in the grounds being one of the most convenient and best found conntry racecourses in the Dominion. Visitors from other parts express surprise at finding the local course so well appointed in every respect. Since the Easter meeting the caretaker lias carried out a system of stone drains for all portions of the racing and trotting tracks likely to hold water, while open drainage has been extended elsewhere) to perfect the system of quicker drainage The total distance of deep drains cut for this purpose is about 30 chains, and excellent work has been done in this respect. During the past three years, over ,£2,000 has been spent on the course in improvements and maintenance, viz, 1915, £495; i9 16 >^ 60 7; i 9 i 7.£956. The substantial work done leaves the Club with a finished article of the highest value in promoting the sport when conditions return to normal.

During the year £l6 16s were contributed to the patriotic funds making the total from the Club for the duration of the war £tSS iis 9d. In addition, various privileges were placed at the free disposal of patriotic bodies, and considerable sums raised, while the course was granted rent free to the Caledonian Society for its patriotic gathering.

The payments to the Government on account of taxation were £1,387 15s id, while the stakes were £2,500, an increase of £I,OOO on the preyi-' Oils season, and easily a record for the Club. Interest on , debentures owing £3,835, is now a substantial annual charge, and until this is materially reduced no further outla5 r for course improvements is intended,.beyond the ordinary maintenance and upkeep. The course and buildings are all in first class order, and there is no need to anticipate a special outlay for some time.

For the coming season there is to be further reduction in t racing, ancl this Club may hold one meeting of two days only. This meeting will be held on January Sth and 9th. As the New Zealand Railways Department are imposing the severest restrictions in regard to race trains, prudence suggests in view of abnormal charges now to be met for interest,' that the stakes for the 1 meeting should be somewhat curtailed, and this suggestion will be put before the incoming committee when immediately drawing up the new programme. The Club has had much loyal support from its friends and supporters during the past season and members are all grateful for it. The outside interest and encouragement given at the time ol the Jubilee meeting was not only most encouraging, but really flattering to the management. The Coast and visiting sportsmen lent splendid aid for which we must ever be grateful. When opportunity offers at the close of the war, and transit facilities return to normal, it may be assumed that this Club will be one of the first to again offer steadily increasing stakes in sympathy with the patronage accorded. A band of ladies as heretofore did a great deal of self-sacrificing work for the Club in taking charge of the refreshment department, and apart from the financial gain, assisted the Club directly by co-operating. at a time when it would have been impossible otherwise to cater adequately for the public.

Tho President moved the reception and adoption of the report, and in doing so took . occasion to welcome the members of the Club present outside the Committee. Air. Williams .stinted that the success of the Jubilee meeting bad enhanced the prestige of the Club Although they had launched out in stakes for that meeting and had increased expenses, the meeting showed a good profit. He spoke of the improvements which had left the local racecourse well-found and equipped in every way. The Club was a popular local institution. It enjoyed the admiration of the citizens even of the non-sporting section. Tho Committee had worked well during the year, and it had been a pleasure to be. associated with his colleagues. Everything went off very creditably during the past sea-

Afr. F. McGregor seconded the motion and spoke of the year’s success as being very gratifying. The motion was carried unanimously. Afr. J. L. Fowler moved the re-olec-

ton of the former Committee viz: Messrs Williams, Rutland, Sellers, Thompson, Mclntosh, Pane, Kellfpr, Haussmann, McGregor, Houston and Evans. Mr. W. A. Thompson seconded expressing approbation at the good record -put up in the past season. The motion was carried, and Mr. Williams 011 ibe.half of the Committee expressed thanks for the honour of re-election unopposed. The Chairman moved a special vote of thanks to the ladies who liad assisted the club so a lily, and for the. personal sacrifices they had made on the ('Tub’s behalf. Mr J. ,T. Mclntosh seconded the motion which was carried. All appreciative vote was passed also to the Caro take, ll (Mr. (). Fowler) for the highly satisfactory manner in which he had fulfilled his duties. His constant care and attention of the racecourse was very highly praised by several gentlemen present. 'file Chairman congratulated the Secretary 011 his good work and the work he had put in to make the Jubilee of the Club a success. ! : T he meeting then closed. COMMITTEE MEETING. The Committee met immediately after, when the following officers were appointed : Chairman Mr. W. E. Williams; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. J). .J. Evans; Clerk of Scales, Air. .1. Jones; Deputy Clerk of Scales, ALiv C. J. P. Sellers; Judge Mr. F; McGregor, Deputy-Judge Air. D. J. Evans; Starter, Air. H. Butland ;, Haifdicapper ; Mi*. Jas Noble (Reefton ; Timekeepers, Messrs Keller, Houston and Haussmann; Clerk of Course, Air. R. Pane; Hon. Surgeon, Dr. Teiehohnann ; Stewards, The Committee ; Course Committee, Alessrs Thompson, Rutland, and Alc./Intosh; Judicial Committee, Messrs Williams, Mclntosh and Haussmann. The stakes for the Midsummer Alerting were fixed at £I.OOO, the same as in 1915, with seven events each day. The following programme was drafted: FIRST’ DAY. Kimicri Handicap .of 50sovs. 54 furlongs. Stafford JTandcap of 60 sovs. 7 furlongs. Borough Handicap Trot, (Saddle) of 60 sovs. 1 mile. Hokitika' Handicap of 100 sovs. I r \ miles. Provincial Handicap, Trot, (harness) j 60 sovs. 1j- miles. High Weight Handicap of 70 sovs. Of furlongs. Plying Handicap of 60 sovs. 5 furlongs. SECOND DAY. Woodstock Handicap of 50 sovs. 5V furlongs. Goldfields Handicap of 60 sovs. 7 furlongs.

County Handicap Trot, (Saddle) of 60 sovs. 1 mile. Westland Handicap of 130 sovs. 1 mile. Century Handicap Trot of 1.0.0 sovs. (harness), 2 miles. Welter Handicap of 30 sovs. 6J- furlongs. Final Handicap of 60 sovs., 5 furlongs. The minimum weights -were fixed at 7st., except the High and Welter, minimum Bst., Nominations wore fixed for Friday, Dec. 14th., and the sale of rights tho following day. Handicaps for trotting events 011 January 4th; galloping events on January sth, and acceptances on January 7th. Some routine business was disposed of and the meeting concluded.