WESTLAND RACING CLUB

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1931, Page 5

WESTLAND RACING CLUB

CHRISTMAS MEETING. The Westland Racing Club will open the West Coast racing circuit on Boxing Day, Tnis will be the first of six meetings to follow in succession between December 20 and January ptb, whereat £7,555 are to be distributed in stakes at the racing and trotting meetings. The Westland Club is to renew racing on its own comae, when the disastrous fire in April last, caused the Club to hold its Autumn Meeting on the Greymouth course. Since the fire, a new stand and appointments have been built, and these commodious buildings will be opened and used for the first time at the forthcoming meeting.

For the Boxing Day meeting on the Hokitika racecourse, the Club has received a splendid acceptance. The entries were excellent, speaking well for the support of the owners to the Club, and now they have completed their part by supplying a very full card for the opening day’s races. This is very gratifying and bids fair to endow the meeting with marked success, and there is sure to be a large attendance of the public to give the Club a good send off with its new appointments. The Westland Racing Club since the unwelcome fire visitation has had nothing but kindness ‘and practical support* in its misfortunes. The public generally and the business people in particular, have rallied very loyally to the support of the Club. Assistance from outside has been' marked also, and now with a strong string of entries arid good fields, there should be a happy consummation to the efforts of tiro Club to rehabilitate itself, The new stand which was completed yesterday (excepting for painting) wag designed and built by Mr D, Stevenson. The Club made a good choice in ife builder and there is praise all round for the well proportioned building now provided. It was passed this week by the fire insurance inspectors as a first class risk, which suggests its stability and finish. The building is mainly of concrete, including concrete floors, and is quite a substantial building. It is a few feet' shorter than the former wooden stand, but is the same width. Being of different design the stand actually has more accommodation than the old stand for the public.. Likewise, access is easier, and more direct, so that pati’ons will find greater comfort all round. Portion of the stand is divided off for members and visiting owners, also with an easy approach from the bird-cage. The building occupies the same site as the previous structure, but on tlii.s occasion there is a passage between the stand and the refreshment room, which will be found a convenience for moving about. Below the stand are the publicans’ booths and the official quarters. There are two bars which may be entered from the rear as before, or direct from ' the lawn by a low dive. The bars are ! in cool surroundings suitable to the purpose. The official rooms provided are the Secretary’s office, with the j Steward’s Committee room leading off. ! In close juxtaposition is the weighing room, and off that again is the jockeys’ room, the arrangements being generally as before. The official quarters are compactly arranged and suitable for direct control of the meeting, Outside a new judge’s box has been erected to replace the one destroyed by fire. A new ambulance room has been built adjoining the soft drinks bar. The bird cage is as before, and in it will he. displayed the black-j boards supplying the requisite in- | formation on the events in progress. The totalisator bouse which escaped the ravages of the fire, is as before, ] and will lie open for business as usual, and is smartened up for the occasion by a new coat of paint. The whole of the buildings will be found in very satisfactory order and very convenient for the business of racing. The Caretaker (Mr O. Fowler) has devoted himself as usual to tTie production of good racing track. The course carries a splendid sward, and with the closely mown grass in its shades of green, presents quite an attractive appearance. It is in capital racing trim, and will he appreciated by the horse-owners and trainers.

The general arrangements for tre meeting are now practically completed. There are excellent train services north and south on both days, and the usual convenient motor ser-

vices will run in the country districts. The Municipal Band will be present both days and render special programmes. The Band is very kindly giving its services free to assist the Club. The local hotelkeepers, and several wholesale houses, are assisting the Club also with the booths which will be conducted for the benelu ol the Club. No* i will be in charge of j Mr A. Nancekiveli of the Railway hotel, and No. 2 in charge of Mr J. J, Mclntosh of the Red Lion hotel. This ia a practical expression of synx* patjiy to help from the hotelkeepern which is appreciated v.ry much by the members of the O’ub.

Altogether, it will be seen that with the assistance so generous’y given the Westland Racing Club, it should be in a fair way to . have a ' successful meeting. Times are not what they were, but with help all round the aggregate result should be well up to the average, and material assistance afforded the 'Club. The public on their part have given such an earnest of their good wishes, that the attendance at both days’ races should he in keeping with the occasion—the desire to give the Westland. Racing Club a bumper benefit.