OHINEMURI JOCKEY CLUB

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4481, 18 October 1922, Page 2

OHINEMURI JOCKEY CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Ohjnerauri Jockey Club was held in the Coronation Chambers, Paeroa, on Monday evening last. There was an attendance of 56 members, Mr PGrace, acting chairman, presiding. REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. The report and balance-sheet yrere read as follows :

"As will be seen by the balancesheet in the hands of the Club's operations during the season just ended, resulted in a not unexpected loss of about £320. Owing to the sudden and serious drop in prices of the Dominion’s staple products and the heavy taxation imposed upon clubs the totalisator revenue failed to reach the figures recorded for 1920121 by £1654, the actual drop in the amount passed through the machine being £23,655 10s, and as the stakes given amounted to £2OO more than in the previous year and other expenses of the meeting were necessarily as high as. in 1921, the result was, as already stated, a loss. However, the Club's position is thoroughly sound, and the financial difficulties experienced during the year have been overcome and matters placed on a sound basis for the future.

During the year extensive improvements have been made for the accommodation of the Club’s patrons. The long-deferred stewards’ stand was erected in time for the last race meeting, and the committee received many complimentary references to it from racegoers, particularly from owners, trainers, and jockeys, who greatly appreciated the convenience provided to facilitate the carrying out of their duties. It is undoubtedly the best provincial stand outside Ellerslie. Various other improvements were effected, including the setting back of the totalisator building and the completion of the dividing fence between the inside and outside paddocks ,and altogether the Club’s appointments- were greatly imoved.”

The balance-sheet set out the Club’s liabilities as follows: Mortgage £BOO, temporary loan £4OO, patriotic fund £523 3s Bd, sundry creditors £8 Bs, bad debts reserve £5O, overdraft at Bank of N.Z. £lB5l 6s, capital account at August 1, 1921, £12,395 8s 10d, less profit and loss account £320 19s Id, making a total of £15,707 7s scL< The assets consist of property £11,469 4s lOd, stewards’ stand £3685 5s 10d, Country Clubs’ Breeders’ Association £4OO, sundry debtors £l2l 17s 6d, stock account £22 19s, cash in post office £3 0s 3d, cash in hand.£s. The revenue account for year ending July 31, 1922, showed the expenditure to be: To stakes £4785, auditors £4 4s, insurance £37 2s 10d, levies and donations £93 2s 2d, general expenses £229 18s 9d, printing and advertising £49 16s Id salaries and wages £329 13s, course improvements £329 19s, rates and taxes £133 3s sd, caretaker £l3l ss, bad debts written off £42, reserve- for bad debts £5O, depreciation pf property £lOO, making a total of £6315 4s 3d. The receipts were, shown tp be: Privileges £325 16s 6d, totalisator £3547 19s 6d, gates £876 11s 4d, nominations and acceptances £lllO, rent £49 4s 10d, members-’ tickets £7B 15s, jockeys’ fees £1 18s, accident fees £4; nett loss to capital account £320 19s Id. THE DISCUSSION.. After the adoption of the report and balance-sheet had been moved by the chairman Mr E. Edwards said he thought that the item general expenses £229 was a big amount to lump together.. The seqertary explained that the chief item was for refreshments, lunches, and afternoon teas. Speaking from memory this amounted to £95. The balance was made up of carting, petty cash’, postages, etc. All items had been passed by the committee, and vouchers were obtained for all of them.

Mr J. Barrett thought that all items over £2O should be set out. The present way was not a good system. Mr Silcock did npt think it practicable to itemise the balance-sheet, as there would be only one item over £2O.

The secretary said that he had only followed the custom of previous years, but if members wished, the a?noun:s could be read out from the casih-bopk. Mr J. Barrett asked what amount was received for loose-boxes. The secretary said that boxes were let at £1 each for the meeting.

Mr Edwards thought it would be a good way to set. the total amounts received and show the amount of taxation paid, instead of just showing nett amounts.

Mr Poland said that the items could be ascertained by members themselves. It was the custom to show the nett receipts.

As there were np further questions the report and balance-sheet was adopted. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE. The four retiring members, Messrs Shaw, Towers, Brenan, and Neils were re-elected after a contest. THANKS. In returning thanks for his re-elec-tion Mr W. Neil advocated putting on a hunters’ steeplechase on either of the two days. Hamiltion had adopted that course and he thought that Paeroa should also do it. The other successful and “also started” contestants returned thapks for support accorded them. Mr Towers said he was pleased that there was a contest. It brought the chib members together, and it was at the annual meeting that suggestions for improvements could be made. He liked to see members taking an interest in the Club's affairs. CLUB MEMBERSHIP. Mr J. Martin thought that the membership should be raised Mr J. Barrett asked what the idea was to limit the membership. He thought that the more members -the stronger the Club would be financially. The secretary, in replying, said the limit was 80, and there was quite a number on the waiting list. Mr J. W. Silcock said that the number should be brought up to at least 100, and he gave notice of motion to that effect in writing, to be dealt ivlth

at the first special or general meeting pf the dub.

BIRD-CAGE.

Th!e matter of the danger to the public in bringing horses through the crowd of people to get to the birdcage was'discussed, but no resolution was passed. STEWARDS’ STAND.

The matter of why some members were allowed on the steward’s stand was a sore point with a few of the members present. “How was it that some were admitted and other were not ? Keep all in or all out,” was Mr J. Pennell’s view. Mr J. Barrett thought that there was a good deal of illfeeling. He considered there should be no distinction.

Mr Poland said it was one pf the most difficult things: the committee •had to deal with. Thej’ had always had trouble, and every member of the committee was anxious to allow members all possible privileges. It was the first year, and no doubt improvements would be made. It was the duty of every member to foster the sport and assist the committee and the sport in every way.

In reply to a question the chairman said he thought that the only solution was the erection of a members’ stand. INCORPORATION OF CLUB. The chairman moved, and Mr W. D. Nicholas seconded, that the-Club be incorporated under the “Unclassified Societies Registration Act, 1908.’’ Mr J. L. Hanna explained the course necessary to adopt and the rules that would have to be provided for. -

The motion was put and carried unanimously. CONGRATULATION.

The chairman congratulated the members on their enthusiasm in club matters, and hoped the interest would continue.

A vote of thanks tp the chair terminated the meeting.