WESTLAND RACING CLUB

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1931, Page 4

WESTLAND RACING CLUB

A meeting of the C< mmittee of the :bove Club was held last evening at '.30 o’clock at the Club rooms, Harnilim Street. Present:—-Messrs W. E. tVil’iams Chairman), McGregor, Spiers, !-)ucland. Evans, Yarrnll, Houst>i). Peake, Mclntosh, and Newman. The secretary explained that a hitch had occurred about the holding of the proposed combined meeting at Hicearton on May 23. in conjunction with the Ashburton Club. The eorre-poml-•nce read detailed the proceedings covering the approval of the meeting >y the Christchurch Racecourse Trust's*, and delating information from

\ushhurten as to the programme and irrangenieiits for the meeting. With regard to the formal application to the Hon. Minister cf Internal Affairs and the Haring Conference for permission to hold the combined meetlg as previously announced, both authorities dissented from the proposal as presented.

Both authorities were in agreement hat the Westland Club may race at Riccarton on May 16, and Ashburton ui its own course on May 23.

It was pointed out that May 16th if approved by the Racecouse Trustees was only a fortnight nway, and the Into clashed with the Oamnru Trotting meeting which was always a popu** lav South Island fixture. It was doubtful also if the District Commit-* tee would agree to Westland racing £\ week ahead oif Ashburton,

A telephone protest was received from Ashburton indicating that the Christchurch authorities were in communication with Wellington protesting at the veto for the combined meeting.

The Wellington authorities it appeared wore perturbed at the loss of one totalisator meeting which would result from a combined meeting, but it was pointed out that Amberley and Hororata Clubs had been allowed to combine and would hold a meeting at Riccarton on May 2. The feeling was that in a combined meeting at the metropolitan centre, the turnover of the totalisator would be greater than on two days in home towns, and that actually there would not be the loss of revenue feared. It was resolved the wire the authorities (further to-day and point out the special conditions of the case and ask for reconsideration for the combined meeting.

The secretary reported over £IOO had been received or promised in connection with the subscription list opened on behalf of the Club. The usual authority to sign cheques for the Bank records was approved. j.he meeting then ndourned to await further information regarding the combined meeting.