The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1928. THE RACING CLUB.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 September 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1928. THE RACING CLUB.

Tiie Westland Racing Cluh is ono ol the important institutions of the towi and district, and its fortunes an naturally a subject for a good deal ol interest publicly. Just at present, as a result of the late disastrous fire, it. fortunes are more in the public mind and readers would have followed tin proceedings at the annual meeting ol t'ho Club with more than usual interest. It was gratifying, at least, to see sc much sympathy was being exprcssec with the Club in its misfortune. Tin loss of the two stands involved was certainly a serious one. Both were well laid out and well appointed, am served -their purpose excellently. Tin Club always had ample cover and accommodation for patrons, while the interior building arrangements and conveniences were such as to enable ran meetings to proceed very smootltily and satisfactorily The report presented to the meeting appeared to review tin ■situation- very clearly. The proposal in regard to .replacing the stand accommodation is certainly the most economical that could he devised in the circumstances. The outside stand can Ire moved with advantage and economy to the premier site, and by the additions proposed, administrative quarters and refreshment room accommodation will he provided. That will meet a! essential requirements for the present, enabling race meetings to he conducted as smoothily as heretofore. Judging by the sympathy expressed with the Cluh. the public will appreciate very readily what is proposed to be done to meet the position, and every allowance will he made for any shortcomings. At the same time it was mentioned or Friday night, that the conveniences as proposed to be restored, would he so far complete as to meet all pressing requirements and patrons would have little cause for complaint, though the accommodation would not lie as extensive as heretofore There was an important matter brought up at the annual meeting in respect to the situatim of the-Christmas race- meeting. A proposal was advocated strongly by Mr Jeffries and others to apply for permission to race at Riccarton at some suitable date as a means to rehabili-

tate the funds of the Club. The idea is naturally an attractive one, and it ' received a good deal of support. Some of the Clubs in other parts of no. Zealand, which have found it necessary to race elsewhere through stress of financial difficulties, have invariably done well. That fact makes tho proposal rather alluring. But there has been over much of this going away from home for racing, and there is some strong opposition to it. Some applications have been refused of late, and in any case there is a good deal of circumvention beforfi -finality can L-. reached. On the whole the meeting did well to refer tho matter to t,.. Committco for further consideration, as the pros and cons are such that the preposition should be investigated carefully. Tho idea of endeavouring to secure an extra- day when next the floating permits are under consideration, is a good one, and as the Cluib lias been an applicant before for one of these favours, no doubt a further application will be made. The fortunes of the Club are such, that they well might lie assisted by outside means to betterment. As the President pointed out, the fire is the third serious and costW visitation the Club has had in the way of subsequent renewals, and this extraordinary expense on top of losses- through bad weather, suggest that the new era Mr Thompson referred to, might well he at hand The racecourse for some years past lias been olio of tile show places of the town. 'Hie facilities it afforded were such as to make it useful for many purposes outside racing for which it was so admirably suited. The recent improvements carried oat further add-

ed to the attractions of the course, and it is most unfortunate that at this juncture so great a loss should he incurred. However, as was remarked tho meeting there was a spirit of optimism displayed which it was pleasing to notice. That spirit and enthusiasm has really carried the Club along and enabled it to reach the 'prominence it has. The position as the President rightly remarked, might have been worse, and tile executive taking that view of the outlook we may bo sure the public will .be encouraged to renew its support to the local meetings ill greater volume tban ever. Perhaps phoenix-like, the fortunes of the Club will rise again to a higher strata, and time will quickly remove any present disabilities affecting tho Club’s immediate welfare.