WESTLAND RACING CLUB.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1920, Page 4

WESTLAND RACING CLUB.

COMMITTEE .MEETING

Tile Committee of the above Club met last evening at the Club room at 9 o’clock. Present: —Messrs W. E. Wib liams (chair), McGregor, Fane, Rutland, Thompson, Yarrall, Peake, Evans, Sellers, Keller and Houston. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed. • The Treasurer submitted a statement in connection with the recent meeting. This showed the receipts to be €1515, while the expenses were €1245, leaving a surplus for Club management of £270. This was said to be the best return for a one day meeting yet earned by tho Club. The receipts generally showed an increase on previous years. Tho amount payable to the Government in special racing taxation for the day’s meeting was £414. In receiving and approving the statement as satisfactory, and very ploasing, the Chairman spoke appreciatively of the manner in which the tea-rooms hat been conducted by Miss Jones and tile ladies associated with her. It was resolved to accord the ladies a very hearty vote of thanks. The Chairman spoke also of the many expressions of praise from the visitors at the appearance of the course and grounds, and it was resolved to grant the caretaker a permanent increase of 10s a week in wages. Messrs T. Condon, W. Farrar and W. Gooch were elected members of the Club. In discussing arrangements for the future, the stakes for next season were fixed approximately at £2,400, /as against £2,050 for the past meetings, ft was decided to commence the clearing of an inside track for training purposes, the straight and turns to be first attended to. It was resolved also to have the roof of tho stewards’ stand painted.

In regard to the course arrangements, it was resolved for next season to charge a uniform rate of admission, viz., ss, instead of 7s Gd and 2s 6d. For this purpose the fences separating the “inside” from the “outside” will be removed, and tho grounds thrown open to patrons. It, was thought by this means to add to the popularity of the meetings all round, making them completely democratic ■in association. It was resolved also to adhere as heretofore to the practice of admitting ladies free, and to grant the same privilege to the discharged soldiers for next season.

j In connection with the visit of the Prince of Wales, it was resolved on the motion of the Chairman to erect a

sportsmen’s horseshoe arch in Hamilton Street, adjacent to the Club rooms, and Mr Thompson and the Caretaker were deputed to attend to same. The Chairman mentioned the appeal for funds for a war, memorial, and it was agreed to vote £25 to the Westland fund. The meeting then conchided.