RACING

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1933, Page 3

RACING

WESTLAND RACING CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING/ The annual meeting of the Westland {Racing Club- wife- held last evening at the Club Rooms. Present, Air J. J. Mclntosh (President) and fifteen- members. ' Apologies were made for absence of Mjessr-s- «\V. E. WUH-mis and W. Jeffries'. In opening the meeting the President expressed pleasure to have the father of the OiUj, -Vtr W. A. Thompson, again midi them add he trusted to see him' present for many years to come The minutes were taken as read and confirmed.

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS. Tile balance sheet and statement of accounts were presented. On the profit and loss account the revenue was: Sub. scriptions, £245 Is 3d ; nominations and acceptances, £395 14s; privileges, £453 11s Cd; totalisator, £1250 3s; rebates, £328 8s sd; miscellaneous, £24 04s 8d; total £2916 2s lOd. Payments : .Stakes £1,650; government taxes (net) £5lO 14s lOd; racecourse maintenance and improvements, £247 12s 8d; general expenses, £547 12s Hd; total £2,926 Os sd. Debit balance for the year: £9 17s 7d. • ■■■■'• Assets arc given at £ 2j192 6s 4d; and liabilities (of which £1,750 is fund-ed)-at £2,985 12 s 4d. ; Members’ subscriptions paid in advance Mere £67 14s 3d ; net proceeds of balls £B9 14s 2d; and'Government rebates under Finance Act- by wav of relief, £328 8s sd. The net debit balance on the' general account at the close of the year was £BO3 12s 4d. —Received and' statements adopted.

EXECUTIVE REPORT. “ Xonv executive begs to submit herewith through the’ Treasurer, the annual balance sheet and statement of accounts. Members will recall that the Club was once again very unfortunate with the weather and both race meetings were' seriously affected through postponements, while' the actual race days were Wet also. The circumstances under which the two meetings were conducted were Very unfavourable; and as a result 'the receipts Were affected seriously. From a revenue point view the year was a' very lean one, practically, all departments showing a decline. The position was met to some extent by an enforced curtailment in the stakes, which, however, in turn, did not conduce to large fields. But t' e necessity for the reduction was undoubted;

The financial position of the Club was saved to a great extent by the liberal rebate on totalisator turn * over from the Government, by members paying subscriptions- in advance, < and" by- the substantial receipts from two benefit balls. Tlie net result is that the profit and loss-account-shows a debit-only of [ibout £lO oil the year’s workings. But current liabilities unfortunately- have been increased by some amounts being held over. Taking- all the circum-sta-n----ccs in to account, however, the result in view of the Very adverse conditions which the Club encountered- may be considered satisfactory and better than at one stase appeared likely. For the result the Club is indebted greatly to all those who assisted so readilv and for the general help extended. Where possible rigid economies had to lie enforced; but all services were given cheerfully' as usual, slid the spirit in which the Club has■ been helped by many well-wishers has been most encouraging, and helped to carry the work through with a fair measure of success. The Licensed Vyctualleis again assisted the Club by donating a handsome trophy which was highly prized by the' winner.

At a recent- meeting; your committee outlined a programme for the coming Christmas {meeting. Tb assist n’n strengthening the' fields- it is proposed to provide seven races each day instead of eight, with very little reduction in tlie aggregate’ total of the stakes. This vi-ill enhance the value to those winning races. A very handsome trophy of a canteen' of cutlery is being donated by J. Buchanan and Coy, of and this will be awarded with thfi stake to the'winner of the principal event at the meeting. In view of the number of hacks being attracted to the Coast, a Hack Cup of 1 mile will be included in the programme, the trophy for which wilt he donated by the Westland Licensed Victuallers to whose, liberality the Club lias been indebted so much in the past. The intention is to make the race meeting as attractive as possible, and it is hoped with favourable weather to enjoy a change of fortune and witness an enjoyable gathering i n keeping with the Club’s old established record. The course and appointments are in general good order, and no special expense is in sight. It should be possible to conduct the nflairs of the Club very economically in. the new season. If any work is undertaken it is suggested that a sports ground might he laid off by improving tlie centre clearing. There seems to be a congestion’on the town reserve where in .the winter months narticulaiiy different games are popular. A serviceable ground at the ra r e course would relieve the pressure, and provide an area where clubs could derive revenue- from gate receipts, with a commodious stand overlooking the placing field. Tf this work were carried out it would popularise the racecourse and assist' in providing extra' revenue to meet the Club’s oligations.,—Doubtless hv utilisin’" the system; of lahoim prevailing a usefulwork could eh can 'ed out . for the general recreation of the com muni tv. Tihe Club has asked Mr O’Brien.,-

M,P.„ to support the, legislation being promoted to amend the" Gaining Act iu the direction asked for by the sport generally for the past .-twenty, years or so. A bill is to be pi'esu-iited tb Parliament -asking- fo r facilities to be restored so that money may be telegraphed to racecourses for investment on- the ■ totalisator, and for the publication of dividends ; as (also' for the ‘‘double”, totalisator . which. Clubs in. .the. centres desire to see restored; -These amendments are reasonable. .and will be appreciated by the public,,and at the s ame time will be .very helpful to the revenue of the State, 'it is . hoped the effort now in hand will be successful. The Club received: so much gfenerous help in the - stringent period .that,- it; i s suggested the annual meeting'might: acknowledge the welcome assistance and. accord th.nks to the Government: , through the Department of Internal ! Affairs for-. indispensible assistance through-, the rebates ■ kindly granted under the Finance Act ; also to the |'(a<:Ues knd gentlemen who (carried through the two benefit balls with such success financially and otherwise; and to the members who have helped with subscriptions -paid in advance. The ready help givteri by the members of the Municipal Band is also a mattei for hearty appreciation.

Members wiill rccafl 'tli’t in June last the Club had'to defend a 'Supreme -Court' action arising out of an accident at- the racecourse some eighteen'months previously. At the- hearing the Club was ably represented by' MeSsr s -C. J. P. Sellers'and J. A. Murdoch', tap'd the verdict of His' Honour was'in favour of Abe Club. Naturally the action occasioned considerable concern, as it has been always the endeavour of the (Club to protect the' public from accident at rage meetings. The tli’nks of the Club' are due t 0 the gentlemen named -for the care with which the defence was prepared'and for the ability w>'h which the defence was conducted, and the position explicitly outlined to the judge, whose verdict was in -favour of the Club. . The members will be grateful . that the case had such- ~a happy issue and the point involved so clearly analysed by His Honour, and which' established such ail important principle for the benefit of the Clubs generally. The New Zealapd Racing Conference h-s taken up the matter, and -all Clubs have been: requested by circular to -notify in their race cards the provisions of. Rule 289 restricting the right of-persons to congregate at the. starting posts.

Members are aware that the .Club adopted Ohe win and place machine for j totalisator investments at the Easter meeting.- Very complete and altogether satisfactory arrangements were made by Mr H. Lynch for the conduct of the totalisator, end as heretofore h;s man- j agement was all that could be desired. | (Every preparation was made for the, probable business, but unfortunately ] due to. the, weather conditions,- first j causing a- postponement, -secondly encountering; a wet .afternoon, the a'-- j tendance was very. restricted,, and the revised . system did not get the trial, hoped for. Mt- i s hoped< better fortune , will -favour the C’ub this- season;, alike ’ in weather, attendance, -end investments. The report of the Stipendiary Steward on the race meetings was very coinpli-. mentary to the Club. Air Card ale, said : '“The-'meeting--was well conducted, the times being kept as scheduled. The totalis-utor was weil managed ofm! prompt in' balancing, and pay.ng ouL The course was in good order- and the appointments adequate- for all requirements.” It is with great' regret' that ; reference must be made to the- passing-of Air John Peake, who was a member and official of- the Club over many years; and. who rendered conscientious and valued service. -Mr -Peake was a very active worker who made light of ahy task; Always llnctlng-: a- pleasure in carrying, out his duties faithfully, J lie regret' at -his- loss, and sympathy with his wife and family were duly conveyed* In appropriate terms' -to the . bereaved. Regret must be expressed } also, at the enforced absence of' Air C. J. P 'Sellers iVho is having-a protracted-stay in hospital. Mr Sellers has been always at his post at race meetings, and . his advice and legal help have beeii given always as required. The meeting will, no- doubt, pa»s a sympathetic motion -and express the hope for ‘his: , speed y' return to'his usual activities, j fni . closing "this report appreciation must be expressed at the manner in' which tlie officers of the Club have carried out' their duties. In the face of very adverse weather conditions, all, were at their posts, and the' commenda-1 tion of the official stewed indicates] the very satisfactory discharge of their j responsibilities. There seems now to he more than a suggestion that general conditions are improving throughout' the Dominion, and the prospects lor this district in'respect, to mining and hjtiling are improving . ir/cjd certainly promising, while stock and produce, prices have an upward tendency which, will be of advantage . to our settlers and farmers. . The improvement; , should ensure busier conditions generally,, and the popular sport of : racing should receive greater patronage and Support. The Club .will be glad to participate in *he hatter times, and members y’ill

look forward hopefully ,to a much better year. It is hoped the Club will continue to be well supposed, and inthat connection it would he pleasing to see the membership increase, and so a-dd to -the stability of this old established. institution.

The,-President -said the thanks of the Club were due to the excellent report to their secretary, Mr . I). J. Evans. The affairs of the Club might be weak, but there were other clubs hr. New -Zealand who were , worse off than we were. ~ He trusted ,the. corning year would prove of a more .favourable nature than the last one. He- moved the reception of the balance sheet-,. seconded

by ; .Air, T, Parry. Supported by AT AleGrego.v, He was siupi'isod At; the debit of £147 owing to the Trotting Chib. Air Houston, said; the amount owing was lor rebate on iota-lisator tax, which had not been paid over for the last two year's. Mr" Whiley supported the motion, lib had been oue of those who. had agreed-.,t0.,.,.the payment but owing to losses sustained it had not worked -at aid. The secretary seated that in the hast three years lip payments had been made by the Trotting Club. Air W. A, Jamieson, . said that the 1 position was not a very satisfactory one. The President said that during; the last three years both Clubs had had. a very bad time'. All 'they could do-, was to work togethe,- for their mutual benefit and hope for - better results. .

Air Whi ley voiced appreciation - of the assistance -rendered the Trotting Club -by the Racing Club, as without the support- of the Racing Club the Trotting Club could not; have ;come into existence. The motion was then agreed to.

Mr ,Ha-11- nominated Air Webb (Arahura), Air -Whiley nominated Air KMorris (Kanieri) .a-nd Air 'Mclntosh nominated Air P. McCormack (Wniho) as new members. Agreed to. It was resolved to -circularise town and country with a view.to increasing the membership. Air Jamieson moved that the nuinbe"' of ladies’ tickets for members be increased to throe. 'Seconded by. Air Rutland and carried. It was also resolved that the -admission fee for ladies be fixed at three shillings. -■ Votes -of thanks were passed for valued services rendered t<* : 'Messrs’’ 0. J. P. Sellers and J. -A. Alurdpe' l , the Wfjs land Licensed Victuallers, tho Alunieipal Band arid’ lady supporters.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The outgoing Ornmniittee, were reelected unopposed. In connection with proposed improvements to the centre of the course that the Committee . meet’, and inspect the site and consider the proposals.

COMMITTEE MEETING

The .'following' officials were appointed :—President: Air J. J. Mclntosh;

Hon. Judge, Air R. Whiley; Hen. Deputy Judge, Mr H. T. Parry: Stewards, Messrs 1 J. J. Mc,Tnto s h -(Chairman). F. McGregor (Deputy Chairman), J. J. Breeze, C. J. P. Sellers ; R. Wh lev. H. Butland, AI. H. Hous+on, A. W. Yarrall, R. Adamson, H. T. Par,rv, F. Fane, W. E.' Williams ; Hori; Surgeons, Drs. E. Teichelman, B. Wilson, Childs and’, Oakey ; Starter. Air G. Reed fP?°carton); Hamlicappe-i", Air \J. Noble (Reefton) ; Time keepers, Alessrs Al. H. Houston. J. Noble and J. J. A!cl n t< ) sh ; Judicial Comufittee, Alessrs; J. J.,McIntosh' seri'-f 1 .. W. E. William's, F. Afn. Gregor, AI: Houston arid R. Whiley; 'Hon.' Clerk of Scales, Air A. W. Yarrall; Deputy Clerk of Scales, Air CJ. PI Sellers ; Gate Steward, Air W. A. Jamieson ; Secretary and Treasurer, Al r D. J. Evans; RVI Cage S-e*ard. Air J.-J. Breeze; Clerk of Course, Air F. Fane ; Tbtal-isator Steward, Air -'E. A'. Stoop.

(The programme for' the Christmas meeting as drawn up with a ‘total stake of £IO7O for the- two days for seven! -races fo r each day. v ... ' •A fetter. was received from the Trotting Association notifying the appointment of three trotting haridicappers for the whole'of New Zealand ar.d n o: ifying charges for services to be rendered;— Received. 7 ' :•- '• • Ft cm J. O’Brien, Al.Pi, promising support to the amending'Gaming Act—(Received. -' ''.- ’ '