WESTLAND TROTTING CLUB.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 September 1920, Page 1

WESTLAND TROTTING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of members of the above Club was held last evening, there being present: Messrs F. W. McGregor (chair), E. Richards, A* W. Yarrall, H. A. Thompson, C. J. P. Sellers, W .Keller, M. Houston, J. J. McIntosh, It. Fane, J. J. Breeze, jur. and H. Butland;

Mr Sellers apologised for the unavoidable" absence of Mr R .Whiley. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed.

ANNUAL) REPORT.

Gentlemen.—ln presenting the annual

report and balance sheet ire have to congratulate the Club on a very successful year’s operations. " The annual woe meeting whiph, was to have been held on Tuesday 30th. December 1919 was postponed, until

7th. January on account of wet weather causing a postponement of the Westland Racing dub’s days which necessi-

tated this Club having to take the latter date so as to avoid clashing with the fixtures of other pluhs on the Coast. The meeting was a distinct success and showed a substantial profit; a liberal programme of eight events was supplied the stake money amounting to £6OO, and good fields faced the Starter in each event. The attendance of the public was a record for the Club, t)ie sum of £l6l 12s 6d having-been taken at the gates, as against £lO7 for the previous meeting, whilst the. Club followed its usual practice of admitting ladies free of' charge The totalisator turnover was £726-5 as against £6885 at the previous meeting, an increase of £3BO.

Tlie amount paid to the Government by way of taxation pn totalisator an|j other receipts amounted to the substantial sum of £363.

Ml" Mabee attended the meeting in his official capacity as Stipendiary Steward, his assistance and courtesy being greatly appreciated by your Stewards, and his report of the conduct of the was very favourable. A special attraction at the meeting was the appearance of Mr James Bi-yce the well-known Christchurch trainer with his champion pacer “Cathedral Chimes.” Mr Bryce when here the previous yea,-- that ho would bring the champion over to this meeting to give a 1 mile exhibition and your Committee appreciated very much his kindness in duly fulfilling that promise. The performance was a very attractive one and greatly appreciated hy the public, the horse finishing up the mile in the good time of 2.T2 which no doubt will stand as a track record hero for some considerable time.

During the early part of last season the Club spent a good sum of money in improving the trotting track by top dressing a large portion with clay. This portion is now in splendid order, and it is hoped to topdress the remainder of the track ns soon as funds : f e available again.

The date submitted to the Trotting Conference for our next race-meeting

viz., Wednesday sth. January, 1 920, was opposed by the Reefton Trotting Club, but we are pleased to say our date was confirmed. Mr D. J. EVans

represented the Clu : l> at the ann'ual Conference and the Club’s best- thanks ire due to him for the capable inannei in which lie canned out his duties.

The Club’s thanks are also due to Mr Tringliam who represented this Club at the delegation of Trotting Clubs that waited on the Prime Minister recently in reference to the income tax proposals. In conclusion we would like to express our hearty'thanks to all who assisted in the successful conduct of our race meet-

ing, especially the ladies for their assistance in the conduct of the tea. rooms, Mr Wm. .Jamieson our honorary gate steward and the Westland Racing Club for the use of the Course and appointments.

The annual report and balance sheet being read, were, on the motion of Messrs McGregor and Mclntosh, received and adopted, the Chairman congratulating the Club on the very successful operations of the past year.

Mr Butland moved and Mr Keller seconded that the Secretary be voted a bonus of £25 for services to date.—Car-

The following were elected as a committee for the ensuing year viz.— Messrs F. McGregor, C. J. P. Sellers, J. J. Mclntosh, H. A. Thompson, R. Fane, H. Butland, M. Houston, A. W. Yarrall, R' Wliiloy, D. Hunter, W. Keller and J. J. Breeze jur. The meeting then terminated with the usual eompHmoeit to the Chair. NEW COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the new Committee was held subsequent to the Annual Meeting, there being present Messrs F. McGregor (chair), A. TV. Yarrall, H. Thompson, C. Sellers, W. Keller, M. Houston, J. J. Mclntosh, R. Fane, J. J. Breeze junr., and H. Butland. The minutes of the last committee meeting were read and confirmed. The election of officers was then proceeded with and resulted as follows: President— Mr F. McGregor (reelected). Vico President —Mr C. J. P. Sellers. Judge-Mr F. McGregor. Deputy Judge—Mr D. J. Evans. Clerk of Course—Mr R. Fane. Clerk of Scales —Mr C. J. P. Sellers. Timekeepers—Messrs TV. Iveller, TT . J. Pritchard and J. Noble. Starter —Mr.H. Butland. Check Starter —Mr H. A. Thompson. Hfindicapper.—Mr J. Noble. ' Stewards—The Committee with the addition of Mr TV. J. Pritchard Judicial Committee—Messrs TV. E. Williams, D. J. Evans, R. Whiley, C. J. P. Sellers and J. J. Mclntosh. Course Committee— Messrs F. McGregor, H. Thompson, R. Fane, H. Butland and J. J. Mclntosh. - Secretary and Treasurer—Mr M. H. Houston.

Auditor—Mr G. Haussmann. - In regard to the programme for the race meeting to be" held on Wednesday, sth January next, it ivas resolved that a programme of seven events be drawn up, the stake money to amount to £6OO. The following programme was then drawn up:— 1. —District Handicap (saddle) of £65, miles (open) for district horses only. 2. —Kanieri Handicap of £75 (harness), 1| miles. 3.54 class. 3. —Rimu -Trot of £75 (saddle), for trotters only. 1£ miles. 4 min. class. 4. —Westland Handicap of £l5O, 2 miles (harness). 5 min. class. 5. —Aviation Handicap of £7O, 1 mile (saddle). 2.34 class. 6. —Dominion Handicap of £BS, 2 miles (harness), for trotters only. 5.20 class.

7.—Final Handicap of £BO, 1 mile, (harness). 2.34 class. It was resolved that nil nominations be- fixed at £l.

In accordance with the policy just adopted by the Westland Racing Club, it was resolved that the admission to all parts of the course be fixed at 5s for gents, ladies and returned soldiers free.

Mr Sellers moved and Mr Thompson seconded that the programme be inserted in the booklet to he issued by the West Coast Clubs.—Carried.

It was resolved that the, caretaker of the course he paid the sum of one pound per week from this Club in addition to his present salary from the Westland Racing Club. Mr Mclntosh moved that the Club s solicitor be instructed to apply for registration of the Club under the Act. Seconded by Mr Fane and carried. It was resolved to ask the Racing .Club for a.longer lease of the trotting track. Ml- Durham Dowell was- elected a member of the Club. The meeting then concluded with » 'vote of thanks to the Chair.