WESTLAND RACING CLUB.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1920, Page 1

WESTLAND RACING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th

The above Club held its annual meeting at the Club Room, Hamilton Street at 8.30 o’clock, Mr W. E. Williams (President) occupied the chair, and there were about fifteen 'members present. Th# meeting being declared open, the Secretary read the annual balance sheet. The receipts for the summer meeting were £3438, and the expenses £2819. At the autumn meeting the receipts were £1506, and the expenses £12,15. In aldditiion there were general receipts to the amount of £IBO, including £75 rent from the West land Trotting .Club A sum of £393 was spent under course account, and £905 on general account, which included £370 debentures redeemed, and £307 interest payments. The total receipts were £5125, and the expenditure (including £443 balance forward) was £5778. The debit balance at balance date was £652. The assets totalled £4615, and the' liabilities, £4lo2—Received and adopted.

ANNUAL REPORT, SEASON 1919-1920: For the past financial year the revenue of the Club was well maintained in all departments, the total receipts from all sources exceeding five thousand pounds, vfliich apart from the figures of the jubilee year, is a record. The expenditure wqs well in proportion to this increase. The stakes increased from £ISOO, the previous year to £2,100 for the year under review, but the increased rfevenue justified the advance. The year opened with a debit balance on the general account of £443, and closed with a debit balance of £652, an apparent drift of £209. But £370 was paid off the debenture account, so that actually there was a net gain on the year’s transactions of £l6l. The reduction of the debenture debt was attempted out of bank overdraft as a commencement towards reducing the charges on the funded debt. Interest payments amount to about £3OO per an num which naturally is a drain on the revenues of only three day’s racing in the year. It would be in the interests of the Club if the debenture debt could be borrowed at a flat rate of 6 per cent. It would save the Club about £IOO per annum.' The net amount of the outstanding debentures now is £3415. The Government taxation claimed considerable revenue as follows Ordinary iota lisa tor tax £709 18s; 2-} per cent, dividend tax £619 10s 6d; 1 per cent, stakes tax £2O 10s; general taxation, £2l 17s; amusement tax (which is not passed on to the public), £2l 0s Gel; a total of £1292 16s. In addition £39 Is 7d was paid for rates and taxes to local bodies.

Tho building programme of the Cl fib having been completed for the present, no extraordinary expenditure was undertaken with the grounds, except the commencement of a training track inside the trotting track. This has been commenced in the vicinity qf the mile post, the intention being to carry ths requisite track to completion during the present season. Now that this Club has the privilege of opening the West Coast summer racing season and with the early completion of the Otira tunnel in view, outside horseowners will make this tlieir centre for working the Coagt meetings. A track for training facilities is therefore an urgent requirement, and it is proposed after the coming summer .meeting to supply the caretaker with additional labour to begin the hill cutting necessary for the complete track. A large amount of tho spoil from the cutting will he required for filling and can be economically used in that way. The new Committee to be elected this evening should arrange the required supplies for carrying°on the work as above as soon as the Christmas meeting is past. During tlve past season two successful race meetings were held. At the summer meeting hurdle racing was reintroduced to the Coast, and although entries were not as numerous as epul be wished for, good sport was provided, and the Club will he justified m continuing the events against this ye?r. The attendance showed a steady in provement, and at Christmas m particular there was a tendency to congestion oil the lawn. In order to relieve this and at the same-time to adopt a course which should be generally popu- ‘ jar with the public, it has been resolved ' for this season to charge one price only for admission, and throw the whole of the grounds into one class. This has been done by removing the dividing fence at the toalisator house between the “inside” and the “outside,” as also portion of the paddock fence wind excluded the “outside” from the paddock quarters, while the additional stand accommodation available trom the “outsidq” (hitherto not liberally patronised) will be greatly appreciated no doubt by the public. The alteration will increase, also, the value of the Club’s privileges on race days. Hitherto the charges for admission have been 2s 6d “outside” and 7s 6d ‘ inside. The new charge will be a flat rate of 5s to all parts of the Course (excepting the Stewards’ Stand, reserved for the officials and members), and this arrange m.ent will no doubt be greatly appreciated bv the patronising public. As heretofore ladies will be admitted free, likewise returned soldiers who are members of their Association, and are wearin"- the silver badge. With these concessions to' the public generally, the Westland Racing Club can claim to be what "is probably t]ie most democratic Racing Club in the Dominion. While the interests and comforts of our pubic patrons arc not being forgotten, those of the horseowners m these days of high costs for everything in connection with the training of horses, must not he overlooked. A reference has been made already to the proposed training track to be put down.

It is desirable further as a means to attract entries, and to assist in making the visit of outsiders more profitable, to increase the stakes as much as possible. Riding fees have gone up, placing an additional tax oh owners, so that the days of small stakes are gone. Also entry fees should be kept down as much as possible, in conformity with this policy, last year the stakes were increased by £6OO. This year it is suggested there should bo a further increase of £4OO ,making £1,009 for the two seasons. The stakes proposed for this season are:— £. Summer Meeting 1,800 Autumn Meeting • 700 Total 2.500

It is suggested that at the Summer Meeting the stakes should not bo less than 100 sovs. in any event. Whether there should bo seven or eight event s each day is for the Committee to determine/and upon that decision will rest the allocation of the available sum. The promise of a successful racing season on the Coast appears to be assured, and the Club can with every confidence offer the augmented stakes and look to liberal patronage "from the owners and public alike. * . The successful running of the meetings in the past year was due to the enthusiastic co-operation of the officials generally. AH the officers, honorary and stipendiary, were at their posts, and nothing occurred to mar the pleasures of the gatherings. As in times past, the ladies assisting the Club with the refreshment department, continued to do very valuable work, and have made the catering on the course one of the popular features of the meeting. The caretaker (Mr Fowler) has had the course and appointments in first class order, throughout the year. Prior to the Christmas meeting the course was in specially good order, the racing ant trotting tracks being at their MrScddon M.P. continues to interest himself very closely in the beautifying o the racecourse grounds. Thiough us liberality and the readiness of friends invited by him to assist, a large number of flowering shrubs have been planted. There is a range of rhododendrons uo" circling more than half way round the course; a fine array of flowering cherries; also bulbs, and other suitable flowering plants to onu|ment the around. The trees, are making good growth generally, the plantations on the hill side now becoming quite effective in appearance. Another season or two and the ornamentation of th grounds will be very striking to the pvc at all seasons of the year. In conclusion the Club’s thanks ate due to all patroiis-owncrs, public, and supporters genernlly-for their valued assistance throughout the year. The Club appears to have bu.lt up a >ep - tation which is spreading abroad, .i d there seems no doubt that theie • prosperous times ahead, in lac o»«»k forcing such that working along the h followed, t.,» Clu , » 0»O have no occasion to look back, fins is a promising .prospect and « sonu ward for the pioneer members of th Club who laid the foundations of our institution more, than half a century age.—Received. In speaking to the report and balance sheet, the Chairman expressed h» pleasure in seeing Mr W. A. Thompson with them again that evening. Mr V\ itHams referred also to the enthusiastic support Mr Scddon had given the Club, and the pains lie had been to to improve the. racecourse grounds from an ornamental point of view. The Chairman specially eulogised the work of me caretaker (Mr Fowler) who had rendered very faithful service of the Club. Referring to tire finances, Mr Williams mentioned that the members of the Committee had combined in the endeavor' to reduce the debenture debt, which was their only burden. They l E.alised the Club had good prospects ahead, and he hoped that this year it would he possible to reduce the debt still further Mr Williams said he was much indebted to all the members of the Committee for tlfe support extended to him personally and he was grateful lor thensupport and co-operation. Hr moved the adoption of the report. Mr F: McGregor seconded the motion and in doing so suggested letters of thanks be sent to the ladies, Mr Seddon and the caretaker. Arising out of the discussion a suggestion was made tint the Trotting Club should contribute an additional weekly amount to the caietaker’s salary, and this, it was understood, could be arranged. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE.

Mr C. Nightingale moved the re-elec-tion of the retiring Committee as follows : —Messrs Wijilianis, McGregor, Mclntosh, Sellers, Keller, Yarrajl Butland, H. A. Thompson, Houston, Fane and Evans. Mr W. A. Thompson seconded the motion, and in doing so thanked the President for the welcome extended to him personally. Regarding the Club’s position he would like to see the debt reduced. He., iecognised the good work the Gomjnit.tee had done, and as a result the Club had prospered. They required fine weather only to pull them through. It appeared from the figures read out that the Government had now made the racing clubs tax collectors. The taxation was a heavy drawback. Yet the Clubs were only trustees''for tho public who found the money in the end. Ho wished the Committee a continuance of tjieir past success.

The motion was carried, and the an nual meeting concluded

. COMMITTEE MEETING. The Committee met immediately following, when the following Club ofifi cers were appointed for the season: ChaiVman,—-Mr W. E : . Wiilliams; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr I). J. Evans; Clerk of Scales, Mr. A. W. Yarrall: Deputy Clerk of Scales, Mr C. J. P. Sellers; judge, Mr F. McGregor; Deputy Judge, Mr R. Whiley; Starter, Mr H. Butland • Handicapper,

Mr j. Noble (Reefton); Clerk of Course, Mr R. Fane; Hon. Surgeon, Dr. Teiohelmaim. Thnekeeperk, Messrs Keller, Houston and Noble; Stewards— The 'Cbmmiitlee; Judicial Committee, Messrs Williams (Chairman), Mclntosh Keller, Houston and Sellers; Course Committee, Messrs ißutland, Thompson, ,Mclntosh, McGregor and Houston; Gate Steward, Mr W- A. Jamieson; Bird-Cage Steward, Mr W. Pritchard. CORRESPONDENCE. From 0. Fowler, caretaker, ackno vledging increase of wages with thanks. - Received.

From President Racing Conference re porting result of action regarding levying income tax on Clubs.—Received, and Sir G. Glifford’s services in the matter, appreciated and to be acknowledged with a letter of thanks.

From Racing Conference, notifying levy for the year £26 9s 7d.—Approved. From Same notifying requirements to be-supplied annually by secretaries. —'Received.

From Same supplying memorandum of principal alterations in rules of racing.—Received, and various matters reviewed by Mr Evans, who had attended the Racing Conference Meeting. From Country Racing Clubs’ Association notifying action regarding extra permits.—Received; Mr Evans reported also in regard to this matter. A quantity of formal correspondence was read and dealt with. Air J. J. Breeze was elected a member of the Club. '

SUMMER MEETING. It was resolved to offer £IBOO for the Christmas race meeting~~on December 27th and 28th., divided into seven events each day. This sum is an ipcrease of £3OO on the previous Christmas programme. Practically all the ■sjtokeH are increased,. Tfie principal event, the Cup (mile) is raised to £240; and the 1J pule handicap to £IBO. The welter weight races arc raised to £l2O each. The hurdle race the first dav will be worth £I6Q and the second day £l4O. In no case is a race worth less than 1$) soys in stakes. It pj expected that a cup will he donated to he awarded to tho winner of the WestlaiKPmile. Tlie programme was considered a very attractive one, and the opinion was exoressed it would find general favour with the owners at a. distance, thus increasing the number of visiting horses. The programme will bo submitted to. the District Committee for approval in due c'ourso.

AMENITIES. At the dose of the Club’s- business some toasts were honored. Mr Williams proposed the health of Mr W. A. Thompson, whom they regarded as the “father”.of the local Club. He had been associated with the Club since its earliest days, and they were all glad to have him with them year by year. He trusted Mr Thompson would long be spared to attend not only their annual meetings, but also their race gatherings on the course where he would have the opportunity of renewing friendship with"other pioneeis*who had helped so loyally to keep the sport going in the district. ,

Mr Thompson acknowledged the compliment paid him, and said the Chairman’s references carried his memory back to tlie earliest fortunes of the Club. He had seen two racecourses washed away by the Hokitika liver, and then the Club resolved to move to the terrace: now occupied. Along with

the late Messrs .Christian and Cullen, he (Mr Thompson) had explored the site for the racecourse, and the route for the racing track. They had )>laze,d a line in the. rough dense bush, which the surveyors afterwards iojlowed in

the main, and from that beginning their present course had grown. He gave him great pleasure to meet tpem -•.11 year by year ,and ho hoped the Club would continue to enjoy the good fortune now smiling upon it. Mr Mclntosh proposed the health of the President, and eulogised Mr )Vdliams’ worth to the .Club. Mr M >l- - acknowledged the' references U> himself, and he regretted his time did not permit Jijpi devoting closer attention to his Club duties,'but he felt lie could rely always on the indulgence of

members. Mr Thompson proposed the health ot the Secretary, and the complmieiit was acknowledged by Air Evans. A reference was made to the unavoidable absence of Dr Teichelmann, and kind wishes were expressed for his early return to good health, and. to his friends in Hokitika. Accepting an invitation to the Highland Inglesi,de tbe meeting c-lgsed at 9.45 p.m. .