WESTLAND TROTTING CLUB.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1923, Page 1

WESTLAND TROTTING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING. The Annual Alee ting of members was held last- night, the following members being present:—Messrs F. McGregor (President), AY. Keller, 11. A. Thompson, R. Whiley, J. J. Breeze Jnr., C. J. I’. Sellers, J. l’eake, H. Lynch, If. Adamson, D. R. Dowell, AI. Houston, ANNUAL REPORT. Gentlemen.—ln presenting the anti util report and balance sheet for the past season tho Club has again to be congratulated on a very successful season. The Annual Trotting Race .Meeting was held on the West la ud Racecourse oil Thursday, 4th. January 1023, and passed off most successfully. The attendance was a record for the Club, the sum of £2OB having been taken at tho gales. The nominations and acceptances were also a record, and the fields were well contested. The sum of £BU! was given in stakes for eight races, being £OO in excess of those of the previous year. The sum of £B3-1!) passed through the totalisator, an increase of 1:2.3 on the previous year. The amount paid to tho Government by way ot taxation amounted to £(194 19s Btl. which is a very heavy drain on the finances of the Club and likewise on those of the race-going public. It is hoped that in the near future a reduction in taxation will he made by tho Government, which will be greatly appreciated by all Clubs. All* A. C. Aiabec was present at the meeting as Stipendiary Steward, and his report to the Conference on tho conduct of the meeting was most satisfactory. Iho luncheon and tea rooms wore again most successfully conducted by tiltlady helpers on account of the Club, and tho best thanks are duo to them for the splendid results attained. Afr D. ,T. Evans again represented the Cl till at the annual meeting of the Conference at AVellington and our best thanks are also due to him in this connection.

It was decided during the year to effect very substantial improvements to the trotting track, and for the purpose of raising sufficient money to complete the work your committee arranged to borrow £BOO on overdraft from our bankers, on a joint and several guarantee. The work included a widening ol the present track by taking in the sand training track, and by putting a cutting through whilst the remainin'.', work has been done by day labor. Ilm track lias now been re-clayed, anti will be in capital order for the coming meeting, which takes place on Friday, 4th. January, 1924. jn conclusion we must express our thanks to the Westland Racing Club for the use of its course and appointments, to Afr Noble, who lias always assisted in tho capacity of handicapper. to .Messrs Rutland and Thompson as starters, and to all those who assisted generally in the conduct of the meeting and of the Club. I have the honor to be, Yours faithfully. F. AIcGREGOR, President. Tho minutes of the previous annual meeting were read and confirmed. The annual report and balance sheet were read, and on the motion of Mr McGregor seconded by AH Keller, the samo were received and adopted. The following new members were proposed anil duly elected: —Air Parry, A. AY. Dowell, and Dr. Alandl. The President- apologised for th e absence of Air Yarrall.

The following members wore elected on the Committee for the coming season, viz. :—Messrs F■ Ate Gregor, C. J. p. Sellers, A. AV. Yarrall, A\ r . Keller, H. A. Thompson, R. Adamson, «T. J. Mclntosh, H. Rutland, M. Houston, -L J. Breeze. Jnr.. R. AVhiley, D. R Dowell. The meeting then concluded.

A mct’iin«i ot tlu* iu k \v Committ<\> w<is Mil. subsequent to the annual meeting. tlu- lollmviiiu- living present : - Alessis U. AlcGrognr (Chair'. W. Keller. 11. A. Thompson, U. A\ liiley. J- JBreeze Jnr.. C. J. I’. Sellers..R. Adamson. D. IF Dowell and AI. Houston.

The minutes of the previous eommittce meeting were read and coiiiinned. If was resolved that the stakes tin file meeting to he held on llh. .lauuaiv l,e increase'll to £BSO. the big money to be £2OO, add a Silvci Cup to Hie winner. presented by the lore! 'l.ireii.-ed Victuallers. A programme of 8 events was drawn up as follows, viz.: District Handicap. I! miles, saddle. £80; Kniiicri Handicap. 1 mile. harness. £9O; Riiiiu Diedge Handicap. |! miles -addle, fi i trotters only. £:>C: West la ml Exhibition Handicap. 2 miles, harness £->t:o and Silver Cup; Stafford Handicap 1J miles, saddle, of £100; Dominion Handicap. 2 miles, harness. Dotlers only £1 10; Aviation Handicap. I miles, harness. £9O; and Final Handicap. I. mile, saddle, of £9O.

The closing date of nmninations was fixed for Wednesday 12t!i. Deeemher. ilt <) p.m. It was resolved that the admission to all parts of the course he 7s fid for emits. ihnt ladies he admitted free. Jt was also resolved that a lew 30.> windows he opened at the totalisater and this innovation will meet with the popular wishes of a lam-, section of (he Club's patrons. [t was reported that the Intel, im provements are now completed. the tnick luivinn heen eonsideral.ly widened |,v tali im,; in the sand trail,injl traek. t.'idUi the iireater portion of the old traek has heen top-dressed with elny. The course will he in eapitnl order Tor tie., ciimini' meeting and there will now be ample room for the larp-e fields expected at the Exhibition Mcclin-i. As the starting: by yards system is Viow eompul M,rv it wiil be uevo.-sary to have » survey made, and the rails properly marked our at the various starting points.