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Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1931, Page 4

The Clerk of the "Weather gave very favourable consideration to the local race meeting, and the Westland Racing Club enjoyed what was quite a record fixture. The weather on both days, sandwiched in between rainy, not to say, boisterous days, was very pleasant, and for the concluding day particularly, was extremely kind and certainly saluterious. The 'Club this year emerged from a very difficult period. The disastrous fire in April last left the Club in something of a quandry. Unable to race here last Easter for the want of appointments, a substitute meeting was held at Greymouth in June. In the interim a new stand has risen phoenix-like from the ashes of the old, and quite good appointments wei'e provided for the meeting. To assist the Club, there has been an all round response- and willingness to help. 116th with finance and goods the Club was the recipient of special attention, and so with the confidence created among the members, was able to weather the difficult period. \The assistance from all quarters must have been most helpful to the Club, and the culmination of the effort in the successful meeting just recorded was justification and satisfaction for jt all. I'lie meeting was likewise successful from the racing point of view. Owners responded very liberally to the appeal for help at the benefit meeting. Large fields generally prevailed, and the racing was uniformly excellent. The contests were a compliment to the veteran handicapper, Mr -Noble, who lias served the Club so well over so many years. The general arrangements for the meeting were complete, and tlm racing was conducted with punctuality. The late improvements to the racing track enabled the course to stand up well to the exacting demands made upon it, and as usual, the faithful work of the caretaker was reflected in the sound condition of "the track, despite the late rain. The totalisator turnover and the gate receipts were alike affected )>v the conditions of the times, but not to a serious extent to affect the result of the meeting, and it is expected that the net return to the Club will be a satisfactory credit balance, all things considered in these more difficult days. For that happy result all are to he congratulated. ,and the support of tne public specially appreciated,