WESTLAND RACING CLUB

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1925, Page 1

WESTLAND RACING CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING. TI'KSDAV. >KPTKM RKH 2fuli, The annual meeting of the above Club called fur last evening was held al the Cluliroom, Hamilton Street, at s.dt! o'clock. Present; -Mr AA'. If. Williams (President ). Hon. 11. L. .Michel (Patron). Dr I .•Icli.'lmann, Messrs I’. Atlanisoti. L. McGregor. A. W. A’arrall. .1, I.Vake, C. .1. Nightingale, If. Rutland, M. 11. Houston, It. Lynn, W. Wilson. S. W. i*’ord. \\ . A. Thompson, .). .1. Mclntosh. A. Snell. .1. ('. Klafford. H. A. Thompson ami D. .!. Kvaus. The minutes of the previous meeting were continued. On the motion ot Mr Kvalts a vote of sympathy "as passed to the President (Mr Williams) in his late bereavement. ANNUAL RDI’OHT. The Kxectllive has the hotter to report in respei I lo I lie past year's uperuI ion- ol the (Tub. The customary two meetings were held during the season.

Christmas (two days) Master (one day). The weather was again unfavorable. tin.l the meetings failed to reiuni profits ei|iuil to the iv(|im'emeii|s for the whole year. A reduction was made in the total of the -take-, which was a wise precaution in t lie light of events. The gross income i..r the year was £l('l less than the previous year, while there was a decrease of L' I (>■ i in | lie tola! expenditure. This was a net recovery of £UVi, but ns the previous year showed a loss ol £;!.-!, Hie recovery reduced the debit, for the year to £2lO. Not since the year ended August. IP2I. h.t-. there been a profit on tbe year's I tin.over. The losses for the pa-l four years have been 11)22. £122; l!)2.'i. £■!.'»•'»; 11)21. £lt7T : IU2-T. £2lO. This is an aggregate 10-- ol £P7i> for tile four year-, carried lorward to lie grow ing debit balance.

three days racing was £2l■ M. an average of £7lll per diem. There i- the promise oi siin ■ rebel to the <. > 1111 1 rv racing clubs, and it t> hop.-d it "ill make its appearance this week before Parliament rises as allnriling some tangible means for the (Tub ■■ liiinn.es to reeover from the present debit. While a reduction of stakes was tteeessary last year, a still further reduction is imperative now to enable the (Titli is carry mil its iTinelions satisfactorily. A reduction in Lite total stakes of upwards of £IOO is suggested a- being necessary at this juncture, with the intention of again increasing the total sink,'.- a- -non a- tile financial position "dl permit, of the lurwnrd .-Sep. This material saving. , ouplc 1 with el Iter economics in the admini'lration. and relief front htirdeltsome taxation promised by the (Jovernmetit should go a long way to help in retrieving the linaneial posit ion. Ihe financial position further lories on the management tile nccessiiy ol s. t n;/ tidditional revenue from admissions, and to ibis end the meeting "ill h" asked to consider making a charge upon ladies tor admission, but giving member, the former concession ~! (ottipltmenlnrv tickets lor the tuemi.cis ot their family or visiting friends. It tsuggested that the charge lor ladle- lie Tim course and appointments are iu excellent older. The buildings have all been painted and present- a "el. cared for appearance. The grounds have been improved lb tar as po'sible n.ml tie' course kepi in good orde.’. It should lie in capital trim for the race meeting on Dosing Day. lie local course is one that compares most favourably with many country dub courses in other parts ol New Zealand where liter,- are larger populations aim more nourishing conditions, and the ,-lub and the community certainly have a v.-ry tine asset, tn the Hokitika ra.ee - atr-o and its v.-ry complet e appoint meats. The condition of the grounds ami tin* state ol the eoutse gelierall V redound to the credit ol the caretaker, who a-: Usual Inis been most .-.ns,-ion! ions in the discharge ~| hiduties and gives flic very best- eonside,ari ion to Hie interests of I lie (Tub. Valuable help was given again by several ladies in connection with tbe conduel of the refreshment rooms, where excellent service "-is given patrons. In view ol the leeway ol late, if inow impend ive flint some arrangement come to with, tbe Wed land Trotting (Too regarding payment lor the te-e of the course, and as a means to assist in meeting Hie interest, charges on the ,-osf of appointments which arc essen- ().,} |V, r tin- stirres-i id conduct, ol the trolling meetings. The accompanying balance sheet, shows the total receipts to h.,\e Dill T’.pt.V:! fils (id. ami the .-xpendil ore (nidi, ding debit of LI22A 7s 7d carried fora wrt I) £<i:W* 2s ml. IHe pesettl dcl.il balance £llll ils IMprofit and loss account slum s credit - of BP.l.Tli 10- (id and debits ol h,.ttt--1 |s Kill, leaving a loss of £21!) Is id for llte year. The assets are sol .»«>. ot £.WiCO, and llte liabilities £nHl.) 11lid, of which C'U.HI-J are delimit m e.iurrenl. 11l condil.-ioti. while the figures ate at. present ralher adverse, it ,s h-'P"<! that front now on the position will be retrieved steadily. There is no call immediateiv for expomltlure oE aty moment, and with this saving and the economies to be effected io ‘-takes am othi'f outgoings, coupled with ineteas,( revenue irom gates and tents. «' ,s hoped the sanguine expectations " II Im. realised sat isfaetorily wiibin t™ n-w hnamu:,l year red upon- A* in former years. all »H.e.al* walked in the best interests oi Club, and the work has gone smooth.b--wlti 1“ the race meetings I 1 , , litablv and to "chanced l cpti ' tbe (Tub. visiting siipelidl.u \ o'lficiat- baring p|. r^O'' phstsiarc and s;. t isfaet toil with 1 ■ I '■

r;UH‘ moolin<_»\ l?»-*coivotl. 1 JK t* slliM'i ;i M(1 *\ Si t' ‘l Ui‘lU (»1 accounts' for lilt- l'«st financial voi "' tlifii mul.' ItecOi ved. I'll,. CMinirmnn niovod tin* :n.-.iptuni o tli,. report im.l balance sheet. I" i iu , so he tendered n welcome AY. A. Thompson j-vsoiiL ;lt numini .noting also i.» H»» mnl oilier members <•! 'he < ’• ‘‘ fen-in- to tile statement of aeoounts Hie Chairman s-.ii <l he vhs s " n '>' 1 ' a " .11,..n iliil not disclose n more satis hut or v result. The adverse weather ,•011.1 it’ions encountered at the mooting cnusod the strinp:om*y. They b:ul boon very unlucky with the weather for the past i..reo seasons hut he hoped for a change to bettor fortune from now mi. Mr Williams then reviewed the balance sheet ill detail and spoke of various proposals in hand to re I neve the p>»ition. , .. i Hon Miehol seconded the motion and in doius SO congratulated the Club and town oil the fine property possessed Tie said with the relief in taxation and other means of helping the finance, the position would improve rapidly. There u.ere several other speakers. Mr W A. Thompson opposed the necessity of making a charge on the ladies. Dr Teichelmann said the proposals' outlined for the improvement of ti a e position would be effective, and xv-ill ’ fine weather the Club would have 1 a good year. Mr Snell and Air Houston also spoke, making suggestions and ursinsr economy. The motion was then carried.

FLECTION OF COAfATTTTF.F. The former Committee was re-elected on the motion of Hon Michel, seconded bv Mr Nightingale Messrs Williams. Sellers. Butland, Thompson. Mclntosh. .McGregor. Houston. Yarall. Neville, Adamson and Evans.

The business of the annual meeting being concluded, the Chairman proposed the toast of the visitors, to which .Messrs Thompson and Wilson replied, extending host wishes for a good season. Alt' McGregor proposed the toast of the Secretary and -Mr Evans replied referring to the improved outlook ahead ol the Club COMMITTEE MEETING. The Committee then sat.. Mr Williams was re-elected t hairman. The following officers and officials were appointed:--Patrons —Holt 11. L. Iliohel, M.L.C., T. lx. Y. Seddou. fistp President. Mr W. ]•;. Williams; Hon. Judge, -Mr UMcGregor: Hon Deputy-Judge. Mr R. W'hiley: Stewards, Messrs \Y. E. "Williams (Cliainnan), U. McGregor (Deputy (Tiairmnn). ('. S. Neville, C. .T. PSellers, 11. Adamson. 11. A. Thompson. If. 15n tla ml, .1. J. Mclntosh, Al. 11. Houston, A. W. Yarrall. and D. J. Kvan-; Secretary and Treasurer. Air I). .1. Kvatis: lion. Surgeons. Drs lx. Teielielmatin. .1. P>. Hail'd, and ( . 1.. .Mamil ; Siafler. Mr 11. Htiiland ; lltinilieapper. Air -I. Nohle il’eelton), litnekeepe'rs, Alessrs J. J. .Mclntosh. Al. If. Houston and -I. Noble; Gate Steward. Mr W. A. Jamieson; Jtidieinl Committee. .Messrs Williams, Mclntosh, Alc(,'regor. Houston and Sellers: Clerk ol Course. Mr l'\ Cane; Hon. Clerk of Scales. Mr A. AY. Yarrall : Hon.'Deputy Clerk of Scales. Air C. ,). P. Seller-; Died Cage Steward. Mr .1. ,f. Ilreexe : Totalisator Steward. .Mr -I. Peake. The stakes for llte Christmas meet ing were fixed at £ 1 T'.-TP and a gold ettp valued at £2O. total CIO7O. Mr Snell kindly donated a gold mutinied riding whip to the winner of the Cup ,m lioxing Day. A.ltui -siotis were agreed to. ladies -f>. gents 7- till. New members elected : Messrs Newman. Cutliberlel and Omstein. The re-in,,ation of AD - !■. Ilrodie. hdi the district, was received. < '.,rres|'ondettee ’.vas received and dealt with, the meeting concluding at 10 p.tti.