RACING CLUB TICKETS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1929, Page 2

RACING CLUB TICKETS

WHOLE THING IS ABUSED. The too liberal issue of complimentary tickets by the country racing clubs was condemned at the annual meeting of the Waikato Racing Club. After congratulating ■ the club on the result of the past season’s operations, Mr, A. E. Manning said he had no doubt one l of the real causes of the impecuniosity of /several country clubs was the too liberal distribution of complimentary tickets. They were thus giving away the only rovenuo that was of much real bene-

to them. Totalisator revenue largely went to the Government. He moved that the club send forward a recommendation to the Provincial Country Clubs’ Association to consider the curtailment of the issue- of complimentary tickets at future meetings.

Mr Manning added that there was little use in one club taking action in this direction without the support, of other elujbs. In seconding the motion Mr .T. H. Elliott said it seemed to him that the Waikato Club would never get out of its present financial position until it did something along the lines suggested by Mr Manning. He thought the club would do well to give a lead to other clubs. He felt sure it wo.uld receive much support. The Auckland Racing Club stood alone at present in tln9 matter of curtailment, which probably was one reason for its prosperity. CHEAPER TICKETS—AND NONE FREE. Mr Elliott added that it generally happened that in the issue of complimentary tickets people who could bestafford to pay. received them., and -those who could least afford it did not. He thought it might be wise to make a hard and fast rule that no complimentary tickets be issued, and that the question of reducing admission charges be, considered. Mr G. Vorcoe (president) asked if the Wa-ikafto Club should not take the lead.

Mr Manning thought it would be rather difficult to act alone in the matter. He pointed to the fact thatsome blubs distributed between 200 and 309 tickets for each meeting. The Waikato : Olulb issued between 1509 and 2900. The whole thing tv as abused, and the unfortunate phase was that the club -that attempted to curtail was assailed as mean. Concerted action undoubtedly was needed. The officers of eM»s would be saved a good deal of time and worry if complimentaries were cut out. One secretary had told him that half his time was taken up in answering telephone requests for complimentaries and in arranging for their distribution. ,

A UNANIMOUS DECISION. Mr Vercoe said he was calling a meeting of the Country Clubs’ Association prior to the coming races at Te Rapa, and the matter would then be discussed. , He was certain that the too liberal issue was not in the interests of the clubs. / lyir H. D. Hooker observed that complimentaries were discontinued hi Taranaki some time ago. Mr E. A. Cox: And the club has got an increased turnover. The motion was unanimously carried, with the addition, “this meeting requests the incoming committee to curtail jihe free issue of privileges for the next race meeting.”