WESTLAND RACING CLUB

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1922, Page 3

WESTLAND RACING CLUB

•ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the above Club was held at the Club Rooms Hamilton Street at 8.30 o'clock last evening. Present—(Messrs AY. K. Williams (President) in the chair; AY. A. Thompson. T. AA’. Bruce. F. McGregor, C. J. Sellers, C. J. Nightingale, J. Peake. M. H. Houston, H. Lynch, W. G. Roller, J. ,T. Mclntosh, D. .T. Evans and Dr. Teiehelinann. Apologies for absence were ipade for Messrs A. AY Yarrnll, R. AVliile.v and 11. Butlnnd. The minutes of the previous annual meeting were read and confirmed. ANNUAL REPORT. A’our Executive lias the honour to report in respect to tile past year’s operations of the Club. Two meetings —throe days’ racing in all—were held .as usual, and passed off successfully. The Club was yet again precluded by weather conditions from opening the Christmas meeting on Boxing Day. but not withstanding this untoward circumstance the meeting itself was very pleasantly successful. On the three days’ racing the totnlisator showed an aggregate decline of about £3,000 tho principal falling off being in connection with the one day autumn meeting. The comparative figures for the past four seasons in connection 'with the totnlisator are as 101-

. £ 1918- 21,421. 1919- ....: 27.522 1920- 35,472 1921- 32,543 For tho season the Club made a liberal addition to its stakes, offering £2,900, an increase of £401). The following are the comparative figures relating to stakes for the past four seasons:— £ 1918- 1,800 1919- 2.050 1920- 2,500 1921- 2.900 AVliilo the stakes were increased, a concession was made also, to owners in the reduction of nominations and acceptances, and although the fields were larger, tho sum received sliowe 1 a slight decline. The privileges and gates showed a slight increase, thus testifying to the continued po|,*i-iliiruy of the local mootings. ■

■ In common with general experience; the drain of the 'Government taxation is a serious drawback to the financial success of the Club. For 1920-21 ti e taxation was £1,775. or an average of £591 per day’s racing. For the season 1921-22 the taxation jumped to £2,067, an average of £BB9 per day's racing. This abnormal increase ol over 50 per cent, is far beyond li e means of the sport 4T it is to be maintained at the superior standard to which it has been brought in the. Dominion. There should lie an insistent demand for the reduction of the taxation if Clubs are to lit. enabled to meet their liabilities and out®- eflij ciently for the improvement of the sport generally, and for the comfort * and convenience of patrons. The profit and loss account for tbe previous season showed a profit of £1.77. For the season just closed a loss of £l2l is revealed. The works carried out during the year included the completion of the s'and track which is useful to hciso owners, and at the samo time .-ares the racing turf from rough usage. The course has been well drained at various points, and the plant lias been added to. Tbe grounds and racing tracks are in the usual good order as a result of Caretaker Fowler's well sustained work. Each year sees an improvement in the tracks which is attributed to the good work in subsoil drainage and otherwise close attention to repairs where necessary. AA itliin the last month the totnlisator house | ha.s been moved further hack from the I track, and tho result is a commodious j open space which will avoid the blockage noticeable heretofore. Tbe building will lie improved with increased window accommodation for receiving and paying out. and is to he painted. Gonerail.v the result to be gained, w ill add considerably to the better working of tho totnlisator. and will give the patronising public more room to move aliout. MM ..I. t 1.,, /Mule Vl'l'V

I no work <u nu* uim nm ' v •.» smoothily both at meetings and during the year. The officials were all very attentive to their duties, and nothing occurred to mar the harmony of the gatherings. .Mr Seddon M.i’.. has alga in assisted with ilia work oi ihe beautifying of the grounds, and given inlich valuable advice as to milker ’work. A comii’eiicen .. nt has be oi made to extend the space for the public; towards tile 5.5 furlong post with an additional clearing. The draining is being done by the Caretaker. Vue Licensed Victuallers of the town again assisted with contributions towards the purchase of a silver cup for the principal event at the sunimer meeting. As heretofore- the? ( luo bad splendid help from the honorary committee* of Indies who helped to control the refreshment department on the usual succi'isslul lines. During tile- veer, owing to departure, the servile.- of .Miss Jones have been lost. and the bidv was not allowe el to depart, without a tangible expression "I •thanks and appreciation from the PreSiideiit on behalf cl th" C lub. Looking to the immediate* future., it is hoped to ■maintain the stakes for the nonv sea on n* last war. and to give as much eucoiiragi incut to owners, entrv legs will be lurtber re*viewed. ' The only pressing work about the grounds in sight is painting, and this will be carried m, a* cireumstances permit. With tbe early opening of through rail traffic to CanUtrbuT'v larger support from that quarter nmv bo looked for. and it is hoped the coming wear’s transactions will permit, of a reduction in the funded debt. <m which the payment of interest is a considerable annual charge, the luturo may he anticipated will, we I founded hopes for better times, am . the Club and Us members, it is trusted. will realise in fact a very successful season to further embellish tlm maul record the Club holds. THE BALANCE SURE I . Tho statement of receipts and expenditure, showed receipts for Hie venr were £5.418 Vs Del and the >•**- pondituo (including 9474 18s od carried forward) was £6,1*1 •> ,s 11 d , lu debit balance at the close oi the imnnciivl venr wns 1 fS • I’rolit and Loss account showed the income to he £5.118 7s del. and the charges £5.540 3s fid. leaving a h ante to loss for the year of £ 21 1 (id The* assets stand at £.).130. *"<d the liabilities £4.111 14s J l 'V- -‘''‘’.a ing a surplus balance ol £ >*-” •>” ' on the side: of the assets. 1 1 “ n _ <U ‘ ll debt in debentures stands at WW. In rising to speak to the adoption „f the report and balaiu e sheet t,;o Chairman expressed pleasure at Living Mr W. A. Thompson with them that evening, despite, the unfavourable state of the elements. They were glad indeed to welcome* him among them, and hoped for long to have the pleasuie of his company at their recurring meetings. Before referring to the report the Chairman referred to tbe death ol Mr Hall id ay who had been np their

f? for many years. Also to tho demise of Mr R. Fane an enthusiastic member of the Club. Recently the AVest Coast sporting circles had lost in Air AY. Irving of Reefton a prominent figure at all their meetings. They regretted the absence that evening of Afr Yarrnll, due to the lamented death of his mother at Wellington. In dealing with tho Club’s year, the Chairman said they would realise that the taxation was an oppressive burden, retarding the Club’s progress. The year showed a loss, but they had to bear in mind the stakes had been increased by £4OO, and the falling off in the totalis:.tor turnover meant fully £2o[> in local revenue. They were hoping with every confidence for somerelief from taxation next year. The course and appointments were in good order and the Club had a fine asset in the racecourse. The caretaker had continued his responsible work most satisfactorily. The removal of the totolisntnr house to a new position would afford more elbow j'oom for the patronising public. In connection with the task t f beautifying the grounds they were still further indebted to Mr Seddon M. 8., for liis continued interest in the work. Their thanks were due also to the ladies (including Aliss .Tones) who assisted in the refeshment department. the Licensed A’ietuallers who had donated a silver cup and the Treasurer who had' controlled the finance for the year. Air AA illiams concluded by moving the adoption of the report and bal-

Alr F. Mi Gregor seconded the motion and appreciated the. good work dene during the year. Dr Teichclmaiiii and Air Bruce also spoke supporting the iiioti'iu. Air Thompson eulogised the good racing provided which was a tribute to- the liandicapper’s work. He agreed that the taxation should be reduced or the sport would lie in a fair way to he killed. He thanked the meeting for the personal references made. The motion was agreed to. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr Thompson proposed the re-elec-tion of the former Committee which bad done such line work ill the past to promote the success of racing here. Dr Teiclielmann seconded tlm motion. The following were declared duly elected:—.Messrs AY. 10. AVilliains. AV. G- Keller. C. J. B. Sellers, T. \V. Bruce, H. Butaud. 11. A. Thompson, . -J. Mclntosh. I'. AloGregor, A!. 11. I’ooston, A. AA'. A'arrall and I). J. Evans.

MI'EE’I AI. .AI IOETI.Nti. A special general mooting was then held for the purpose of passing a special resolution under Section 33 of the Gaming Act regulating admissions to race-meetings. j The Chairman moved the motion which it was explained was in conformity with a request from tile N./O. Racing Con fen nee, and was intended to give relief under a suli-ctaii.se of funner regulations affecting persons alleged to he undesirable. Air Sellers seconded the motion, which was carried. | The meeting then concluded. j AMENITIES. i At the conclusion of the- general meeting, tin- Chairman took the oecasion to propose tho health of Air AA’ .A. Thompson, who was rightly regarded as the oldest supporter of the Club, being a mem her since its foundation. Other toasts honoured were the I’risident and the Secretary. a pleasant half-hour being passed. COMMITTEE MEETING. | The Committee met inimediatqly after, when Afr AA’. E. AA’illiams was unanimously t looted Chairman. | The following officers and officials ; of the Club were appointed, all being ' re-elected unopposed: Patrons:— Ho 1 !) ,4. Gririimond. j M.L.C., Hon. 11. L. Michel, AI. 1.. C.. T. E. Y. Sodden. Esq., M .PM Pro-ident —Mr \V. F. Williams; Hon 1 .Judge. Mr F. .McGregor: lion. Depute! .fudge, Mr B. Wliihy; Stewards, j Messrs W. E. Williams (Chairman), j AY. Keller. C. .1. I*. Sellers. T. W. 1 Bruce. 11. Rutland. 11. A. Thompson. .1. .1. Mclntosh. F. McGregor, At. 11. Houston. A. W. A’arrall, and I). J. Evans: Secretary and Treasurer. Air i). .1. Evans; lion surgeons, Drs E. Teiohohiuiiin. .1. Bruce Baird and H. j AI. Buchanan; starter. Air 11. Butland;' Inindicapper. Mr J. Noble f.Reefton) ; Timekeepers, .Messrs AV. J Roller. AI. 11. Houston ami -I. Noble;' Cate Steward, Air AA'. A. Jamieson; •Judicial Coinmitroo. Alos-o-.s AA’illianis. Mclntosh. Keller. Houston and Sellers; Bird Ca-e Steward. Air AA'. Brit- ; (hard: Totnlisator Steward, Mr .1.; n.... 1-.. !

It. was intimated that, the summer lie ‘ting would lie* he*hl on 'I uosday (Boxing Day) and Wednesday, (Dee. 2(5Hi and 27th), and the autumn meeting mi, Easter Wednesday. (April 4th). The stakes for the summer meeting were tixd a.t £2,29!) (including a silver cup for the Westland mile). This is the .anie amount as given away last year. The entry fees we*re reviewed and several reductions made, the average rami. in lieu and acceptance being now under two per edit ol the stakes. 11. was resolved the programme be prin toil and submitted to the* first meeting of the' District Committee for approval. Entry day was fixed for Friday. December Btle., weights on Tuesday. Deceinlar 12th and acceptanees .Wednesday. Dee-ember 20th. In i-uimnitle a quantity of conesoondence was dealt- will).

Mr Evans was appolintml to lTpros .*lll the ('lu’n at a lonferenee ol West Coast clubs a'* Givyuioutli next Friday afternoon to consider matters affecting Club’s interests. It was resolved to urge that the Clubs unite in an effort to have horses brought through Arthur's Pass tunnel in December and January.

It was rex-lved to accede to r reel nest from the Hospital Board and co-ooerate veith the Trotting Club in organising a benefit race meeting for the funds of the Westland Hospital at some convenient date during the season. the Clubs to confer as to the preliminary arrangements. The President and See ret ary acre appointed to confer in regard to mat .tors of finance.