OHINEMURI JOCKEY CLUB

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4316, 12 September 1921, Page 2

OHINEMURI JOCKEY CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING.

INSIDE -10/- TOTE DISCUSSED.

The annual meeting of the Ohinemuri Jockey Club was held in the County-Council Chambers on Saturday evening. Mr A, McGuire occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance 'of members. Mr Neil tendered an apology for the absence of Mr Shaw, owing to illness. The meeting sympathised with Mr Shaw. SUCCESSFUL YEAR.

The following annual report was presented by the secretary, Mr H, Poland, M.P. Your committee 'has pleasure in submitting the annual report and statement of accounts for the year, which shows the club to be in a flourishing position, and financially very sound. As indicated in the bal-ance-sheet ,the club’s freehold property is valued at £10,867, which is a very conservative value. The 'cash in bank is £2277 Bs, and the only mortgage is one for £BOO on the 12 acres recently purchased from Mr Porrjtt.

The annual races were held on the 12th and 14,th of March last, and proved another record gathering, being .the most successful in the club’s history. The amount paid in stakes this year was £4’585. as against £670 ten years ago. The totalisator turnover was £78,110, being an increase of nearly £lO,OOO over last year, and £67.700 over that of 10 years ago. The gate receipts were £lO3O 12s, as against £573 last year, and, taken al’ round, it can be claimed that the last meeting was a most successful one for the club.

The committee has been for some time anxious to proceed with the comprehensive scheme of improvements laid out by Mr Hill, of Ellerslie, but first the wax’ intervened and then the Government restriction on building permits prevented the erection of the Stewards’ and Members’ stands ; but since last meeting these restrictions have been removed, and the Building Committee has now undertaken the erection of the main part of the stand in time for next race meeting. The ,-timber has been purchased by the Club, and is arriving regularly,. and before the end of September it is hoped to call tenders for the work of erection. It has also been decided to remove the totalisator house some distance back from its present position, and to erect another 20 loose-boxes alongside those already er acted. The Racing Commission visi-ted Paeroa during its tour., and closely inspected the track and the various appointments, and i,t is gratifying to note in their report an entire absence of any criticism of this Club ox* its track or appointments. The Committee applied for. another permit for a one-day meeting in the winter ox* spring, but this lisas not been recommended by the Commission, though the Committee feels it had -much stronger’ claims than several other clubs which were successful in thex - .’ efforts to obtain an extra day’s racing. GENERAL BUSINESS.; The following foui* retiring members of ■ the committee were elected unopposed: Messrs A. McGuire, P. Grace, G. Dean, and T. P. Vuglar.

Mi’ White suggested having a 10s tote inside.

Mr J. Brown said the Te Ai’oha Jockey Clyb had thought it advisable to have a 10s tote inside. It would be more work for the totalisator people, but they were, paid for that work.

The chairman said they had given the matter great consideration. Te Arpha had done away with the 10s machine and had not reverted to it yet. Mr E. Edwards said it would be advisable to either have a 10s tote or improve the facilities for those inside wishing tp 10s machine outside. Other speakers approved of this course, some suggesting that three should be installed. Mr W. J. Towers said there was ho doubt that it was the feeling of the meeting that a 10s tote was required, but stated it had been the experience 7 that less money was put through with inside 10s tote than with £1 machine. However, it may be more* convenience to the public. , Mr. Neil contended that the club had been guided by the totalisato l ' staff, and he hoped there would be a unanimous vote in favour of the recommendation. On the motion of Messrs White and Edwards it was decided to recommend to the commi.ttee the installation of an inside 10s x tote. The secretary, Mr H. Poland, referred to the Country Clubs’ Conference, saying that there was only one club represented that had not obtained an extra day’s racing, and that club was the Ohinemuri club. He said that he was the only one whc. had voted against a resolution that the Racing Commission had done justice to the racing community of New Zealand. He contended that the conference was not in a position to tell whether the Commission had done justice to all the racing community in the Dominion. It was stated that two horses purchased by the Country Club’s Breeders’ Association had shown a profit, which was at present being retained by the Association. Mr White said that something should be done for beautifying the grounds. The secretary said that they must first of all move the buildings before they commenced beautifying the grounds. A fine scheme for beautification and improvements to the course was shown on a plan submitted to the meeting by the secre-

tary. An exceptionally good steeplechase ’course was also suggested on the plan. Mr Edwards thought greater' opportunity could be given to bring more profit to the stock grazing the club’s lands. To improve the property for grazing may be the means of paying for and perhaps increasing the caretaker’s wages. . Mr Eugene Shaw referred to an accident on the course owing to the public being allowed on the course during the week-ends. The presence of a caretaker may obviate further occurrences of this.

Mr Bert Neil wanted to kno.w if a record could he given of all committee men attending the meetings so as to give the members an idea who were attending the meetings. The Chairman: “That can be done.”