WESTLAND RAGING CLUB

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1923, Page 4

WESTLAND RAGING CLUB

-—— 1 ■ ANNUAL MEETING. TUESDAY, SEPT. 25th. Tlio annual mooting ol’ the above Club was held at the Club room. Hamilton Street at 8.535 o’clock. There were present: —Messrs AY. E. Williams (President). Yarrall. Nightingale, .McGregor, II .A. Thompson, Bruce, Keller, it. Adamson. W. A. Thompson, Peake, Evans. Jeffries Houston. Stafford, H. i.yncli, AVhiley. Mclntosh, ,Sellers and Dr. Tcieholniniin. Tin minutes of the previous annual meeting wore read and confirmed.

The .secretary read the annual report and balance- sheet. i ANNUAL PE PORT. FOR YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST. Gentlemen. -The executive lms the j honour to report in respect to the past ■.-ear's operations ni the Club. '1 he customary two meetings—three days’ racing in all —were held. Eur the Christmas meeting, although fine weather favoured the Club on Boxing Day, the succeeding day was very wet and militated against the financial success of the meeting. In fact, the summer meeting disclosed a loss of about C2uo. The one-day meeting at Easter passed off more successfully, and there was a small profit oil the days racing. The stakes acre increased £-50 for the year, but the increase in stakes as against three years ago was no less that £OOO. or prior to obtaining the Boxing Day dates. C 1.150. The profit and loss aecoiint for the year shows a deficit of £225. the debit balance being increased

on the current account from £SOO to (gs.fl. The Government taxation drawn from the three days racing tins no less than £2331, and in common with other clubs of the Dominion, this Club carrying i 1 io heavy debt it docs for its improvement scheme, feels the pinch of the excessive taxation very greatly. It is to he regretted very much that the promised relief to struggling country clubs in regard to taxation was not forthcoming. The omission to afford it is said to have been an oversight on the part of the officials, so that in the ordinary course some consideration of the overdue promises in this matter may fie expected next session. Equitably, the legislation should be made retrospective so as to meet the pressing eases which exist among smaller clubs, such as this. The AYestland Trotting Club undertook' considerable improvements to the trotting course during the year, also the addition of an annexe In the main refreshment room. About .C8(K) in all is to bo expended on those work's. 'I he trotting track has been widened by taking in (he -am! training track, and a fresh cut has been made through the “ liiil ’’ to assist in widening the galloping track- near the mile peg. The widening work lias been completed very satisfactorily, and the new portion is now being ton-dressed with bine clay. The result will he very satislaclnry from a trotting point of view. There will he a iirst class track, of good width all round, and with a splendid straight for finishes. The standard of

trolling races here should he improved very greatly. The Racing Club will use the trotting track for the two events at the autumn meeting, while the outside of the track will he available for ordinary training purposes, thus saving the grass track. The latter has boon improved very materially with a good coating ol sand, with such satisfactory results that further top-dres-mg with beach sand alter the Easier meeting should he attended to if at all possible. Tin- enlargement of the refreshment room will give an addition of a new apartment- to x 25. accommodating about 1 s’.l) pennlc extra. The building is vs<>ll forward, and Iho furniture has been ordeied. The former outside Lea rimm is to he converted into an extra bar |n he sold with til" right tor the N" 2 Ro-iili. The new arrangoiiieni will enable the refreshment department to ho eonlrolled under one roof, and the ext ra bar accommodation is certainly required in Iho No. 2 booth—and will he in roc needed now than ever with the extra attendance which will patronise the meetings. The bird cage lias been enlarged somewhat, and a new entrance to the course provided, which will cause

loss congestion aL that p-iint. The approach to tl:c course at the junction with Hampden street lias been greatly improved, affording more room for (lie parking of motor cars. The pny-hoxes are to he increased, and other minor improvements ma.de in the vicinity of The visitation of a whirlwind about three months ago caused the tolalisator house to he unroofed and lesser damage done to fencing, etc. The roof has been restored, hut on a different plan, so that similar damage is not likely to recur. The building will ho otherwise improved. In its new position last season the tolalisator building proved in he placed very satisfactorily, and the new situation should ho of greater advantage still as (he attendne.ee grows. Generally, a number of minor improvements have been carried out hy tlie caretaker, wlm has performed very ' faithful work. The track itself recciv- ! cal special attention, and promises to he in the best of condition. The build-' digs and appointments have been well ;

eared for, the only attention now requir. j ed being painting, which it j is hoped to put in hand during the summer. The conduct of the meetings was good, and till about the gatherings quite praiseworthy. The visiting stipendiary officials lent useful aid and the Club’s officials were all at their posts, and attentive to their du- | ties. The race meetings went off very I smoothily, and to the pleasure and de- | light of patrons who spoke highly of . the general management. j The Christmas meeting tin's year will ! he hold during the period of the Ex- j hibition and will he the first meeting of i the West Coast racing and trotting eir- ! cuit under the improved railway faeili- ! 1 ties to and from the Mast Coast. In ' many respects it should prove a notable | gathering. This Club lias been anticipating the event for some years, and . has been building tip its course and np- ■ poiutments for the new era. It is to ' regretted that the financial position of the Club will not permit a large addition to the stakes. The draft pro- j gramme prepared shows stakes to the ; ,

value of £‘2,425. When it is recalled that in 1919 the Club gave £1,300 for it- summer meeting, it will he seen a very substantial advance has been made of late years. The stakes now proposed are an increase of £225 on those given a year ago. and under the circumstances the Club appears to he rising to the important occasion very well. It is intended to keep entry fees as low as possible, and gnerully to cater for visiting owners as liberally as possible. It only remains to hope that now that i he long-looked-for railway facilities are! available the increased number of j horses expected will arrive, together j with a greater number of c-ross-the-rnnges patrons. The distance from i Christchurch to Hokitika is very little j more than that between Christchurch j and Oamaro. With through railway i connection permitting horses, feed, and ' gear to be-transported without change! of Trains or untoward delays, an in- I crease of entries may be looked for! reasonably, and with a suitable special ; time-table for passengers, a larger influx of sporting people can be expoc-t- ' ed with confidence. There is thus the . promise of a new order of events in the ' history of Coast racing, and it is pleas- ! ing to'know that in course appoint-j

tnents, track conditions, and general accommodation for patrons to the course, the Westland Club is well prepared indeed, and should bo in a position to reap the return advantage it has been anticipating under the improved transport arrangements now an accomplished fact. The Chairman expressed; pleasure at having Mr AY. A. Thompson with tnom again. He understood this was something like ATr Thompson’s /57th. animal mooting of the Club. It was a line record. The Chairman also welcomed Messrs Adamson and Jeffries, both popular owners whom he hoped had a good season before them. Speaking to the reception and adoption of the report and balance sheet, Mr AA*il-

liams said they would note that the report, was in an optimistic tone. AYitli the outlook before them, they Imped their expectations would be realised. The Government taxation was still a load-tone. Although the Club had not made a profit it still bad to go on paying taxes. Relief had been promised, and fie hoped it- would not be delayed unduly now. A recent inspection of the course satisfied him that the Trotting Club was doing good work, and the results in the racing season would lie appreciated. They regretted the damage, to the totalisator house by the stoim, hut repairs were now effected. He felt lie could not over-apprecinte the good work of the Caretaker (Mr 0. Fowler), and hoped the time would collie soon when they could pay him better remuneration. The proposal in the report to increase the stakes for Xmas would he felt he endorsed. Personally he would like to see the Club better supported by the townspeople as members. Of all the local institutions the. Pacing Club had clone the most for the town. In that

connection he appreciated the spontaneous ac t ion of Mr Murdoch in making an acceptable grant to the Club. Air Williams concluded his remarks witn a feeling reference to the late Mr Afulvihill of Kumara, who had boon a regular patron of the Club here. ATr AfcGregor seconded the motion for the adoption of the report and balance sheet. They wore all looking l'oi ward hopefully to Letter times, now that through railway connection was possible. He trusted their hopes would he realised. Air W. Jeffries supported the motion. He agreed they should have more members. realising what the Club did for tlie place. He thought- the time had arrived when increased admission .should be charged, and also a small charge for ladies. The public would not object, I lor the meetings were well found, and well conducted. He felt too that the Club should cater more for members privileges, and a- portion of the stand should be set apart for members exclusively. He was not present as an owner, but as a member, and in the interests of the sport he felt constrained to refer to the .starting. He recognised the starter did his best, and laid done well, hut there was a feeling a change might lie made. Regarding the financial position of the Club, ho expected the next meeting would wipe, out the deficit, and had much pleasure in -supporting the adoption of the report and balance shoot. The motion .was carried. ELECTION OF COAfAHTTKE.

Afr Thompson moved the present Committee ho re-elected. He tributed the good work of the past and hoped the coining year would he a prosperous one. ATr Stafford seconded the motion which was carried. The following is the Committee:— Alesrs AY. E, AYilliains. AY. C. Keller C. J. E. Sellers. T. AY. Bruce. 11. Hutland. H. A. Thonip'-un, J. J. AhTitlo'di. E. AlcOrognr. Af. If. Houston. A. W. A’arrall. I). J. l-haus. Air AYilliam- acknowledged the vole of confidence hi the Committee. Ho said all walked w.-11, mid all were doing tin ir best in tile interests ol UnClub. GENERA!.. There was a short discussion on tinprice of admission, ft was decided in make some provision to control the children, who are not to hr- allowed on the mam stand. Air .(-.'(fries moved that the new Committee consider the following matters til price of admission. (2) members' stand, (o) the starting. Air Stafford ■seroiidcd. Carried. This concluded the business of the animal meeting and occasion was taken to propose the health of several gentlemen present. The Chairman prnoes.-d the health of Air AY. A. Thompson. Air

Jeffries proposed the health of the President. Hr Tiiclulmann proposed the health ni the Secretary. .Mr Houston proposed the health of the visitors. committee .meeting. The Committee met subsequently. .Mr Vt . 10. Williams was elected Chairman, and .Mr F. McGregor, Deputy Ci.eirma n. The following ofilters and officials wore appointed Patrons.—Hon J. Griimnond M. Hon 11. |„ Michel, M.C.C’., T. E. V. fseddon, K;-q. : President, W, E. Williams. Ids j. : linn Judge, .Mr !■’. .McGregor; Hon Deputy Judge. Mr I!. AVhiley; Stewards. Messrs \V. E. Williams (Chairman); W, r . Keller. C. J. Sellers, T. W. Bruce, 1). Butlaml, It. A. Thompson. •). .1. Mclntosh. K. McGregor. M. H. Houston. A. \V. Varral! 1). J. Evans; Secretary and Treasurer. 1).. .1. Evans ; ffo:■ Surgeons, l)rs Teicholmanii, B. Baird, 11. M. Buchanan; Starter. 11. Butlaml; Han-dicapp-or, J. Xol.de; Timekeepers. Messrs Keller. Houston and Noble; Gate Steward, W. A. Jamieson. .Judicial Comittee, Messrs Williams. Mel’n-

tosli. Keller. Houston, and Sellers: Totalisntor Steward. J. Peake; Bird Cage Steward, AV. Pritchard. The Committee was unanimous in appointing Mr Butlaml starter, several speakers eulogising the good work done in that capacity. A discussion ensued in regard to the ju ice of admission. The Committee did not favour making a charge for ladies. The question of increasing the charge for gentlemen will be considered at next committee meeting. The question of members’ stand is to be gone into later, and arrangements to that curl will be made eventually. The stakes for the Exhibition Meeting as drafted was njiprovcd. The total is increased by £225. over that of last Christinas. The Exhibition Cup has a stake of £3OO. with a cup trophy worth Must of the events have been increased slightly. It is intended to run the Cup on the opening day of the meeting. The mile and a-quarter handicap the second clay which will he known as the Jubilee Handicap, will he worth £220. The stakes the first day will amount to £1250. plus the trophy, and the second day £llsO. total £242-). Out of compliment to Mr AV. A. Thompson, “the father of the Club,’’ the first

race the second day will be called the Thompson Handicap. Another event will be named the Tunnel Handicap. The opening event of the meeting will be called the New Era Handicap. Nominations for the race meeting will close on Friday, Dec. 7th.: handicaps on the 11th., and acceptances on the ]oth. Dec.