OHINEMURI JOCKEY CLUB

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4607, 28 September 1923, Page 2

OHINEMURI JOCKEY CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING. A SUCCESSFUL YEAR. There was a very representative gathering of members of the above club at the annual meeting, which took place in the County Chambers last evening. Mr A. D, McGuire occupied the chair. " REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. The annual report and balanceshee was head as follows:— In submitting the annual statement of accounts to July 31, 1923, your Committee congratulates members upon another successful year. As disclosed by the balance-sheet the club has made a substantial profit for the season ; and this, at a time when the majority of clubs, especially country clubs, were feeling the pinch of decreased revenue and heavy taxation, is particularly gratifying. The Chib paid away in Government taxation as a result of its two days’ meeting the sum of £4498 8s ld> which exceeds the amount given in stakes by over £lOOO. Racing clubs are entitled to pay their fair share of the necessary taxation, but there is no doubt that under the present methods small clubs are far too heavily burdened, and . an adjustment and reduction is urgently needed. Racing clubs are also severely handicapped by the excessive rates charged by the Railway Department for the carriage of horses, and this matter’ also requires immediate and united action on the part of clubs. The Government this year introduced a Gaming Bill providing for an increase of 12 in the number of racing days, but the Bill was dropped for this year. Your Committee is strongly of opinion that it an increased number of days is granted by Parliament this club, as the centre of a great and growing district, has substantial claims for a one-day permit for-a spring meeting, and intends to make strong representations to the Government and the Racing Conference to that effect. Your Committee deems it advisable to pursue a prudent policy in the matter of finance, and has set aside £5OO in the Post Office Savings Bank as the start of a fund to redeem the mortgages as they fall due. This amount will be. added to from year to year. It is intended prior to next race meeting to carry out the improvements at the main entrance recommended in Mr Hill’s report, including, if possible, the provision of turnstiles. Messrs Bush, Clarkin Fathers, and Goonan retire from the committee this year, and Messrs Bush, Clarkin, Fathers, Flatt, Goonan, Nicholas and Silcock have been nominated to fill the four vacancies, and therefore a ballot will be necessary, The balance-sheet. set out the assets to be: Property £11,559 2S 7d, Stewards’ Stand £3891 4s 9d, Country Clubs Breeders’ Association £4OO, stock account £8 7s 3d, cash in Post Office £503 0s 3d, cash in Bank £572 16s 9d, cash in hand £7 2s 6d, sundry debtors £243 16s 6d, totalling £17,185 10s 7d. The liabilities showed: Mortgage £3BOO, Patriotic Fund £523 3s Bd, creditor £1 17s 3d, bad debts reserve £59, leaving the capital account at £12,810 9s Bd, The expenditure was as follows: Stakes £3435, auditors £4 4s, insurance £59 18s 4d, levies and donations £96 10s lOd, printing and advertising £B3 9s lOd, salaries and wages £396 14s. couise improvements £B9 8s 4d, interest, rates, and .taxes £431 6s 2d, relit" £l4 Bs, caretaker £lB7. 10s, jockeys’ fees £3 17s 6d, general expenses £240 14s, legal expenses £l2l bad debts written off £9 145,: reserve for" bad debts £5O, depreciation £3OO, Government tax: Totalisator £4048 4s Bd, stakes £343 10s, amusement £lO6 13s sd. - Total, £10,758 3s. The revenue was: Privileges £295 10s, totalisa,tor £7Blo' 2s 3d, gates £ll2O 0s 6d, nominations and acceptances £948, members £lll 6s, stakes tax £343 10s, stabling account .£64" Bs, grazing account £65 6s 3d, leaving a profit of £735 19s lid for the year. Mr Silcock asked what was the nature of the Patriotic Fund. The secretary said that it was governed by a resolution and could only be expended in accordance with the resolution. There was a sum of £lOO for the Nurse Pennell Memorial as soon as the Paeroa Hosiptal was erected. The report and balance-sheet as read was then adopted on the motion of Mr P. Grace, seconded by Mr PVuglar. A number of resolutions with.reference to regulations to the Gaming Act, 1908, were,, on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr A. Bush, pa.?sed in" accordance with the request of the N.Z. Racing Conference. The following members were elected to the committee : Messrs Bush, Clarkin, Fathers, and Flatt ACCOMMODATION FOR MEMBERS Mr; W. Bain asked if the committee could make any facilities for accommodation for members. The chairman said he could only state that up to the present no movement could be made in that direction. It would be a costly building, and he did not think it advisable to admit any more on the stewards’ stand. Mr Bain thought that there was ample room in the bind-cage, and moved that the incoming committee be instructed to make provision for all members to the enclosure and stewards’ stand. Mr Silcock seconded. He thought that during the race there was ample room in the enclosure for the members. There were only 100 members, and it would not be congesting the enclosure. Mr W. Neil said that he would like to see some provision himself, but he had grave doubts if the committee would be within its rights in allowing member,s in the enclosure. Mr Poland said it would be a splendid thing to have accommodation for members, but it would not he possible to allow 100 people in the enclosureIf members could wait for another year he thought that it would be possible to erect a members’ stand. The plans were ready, but the club was

not in a position to expend the money u at present. The approaches were .a ft disgrace, and required immediate atjjjjsv tention. * Mr Bain maintained that should have the privilege of going into the bird-cage. They were all level headed men. . Mr A. Bush thought that the club should confine the stewards’ stand to the purpose for which it was erected. It was well known that" many got on to the stand who were not entitled to be there. Mr Towers said that the stipendiary steward complained last year of the number and personnel of some men who were there. If the resolution was carried he thought that it would incur the displeasure of the stipendiary steward. Mr Poland said that it would be unworkable. Members were not allowed in the bird-cage on any course in New Zealand. Men do get in who have no right to get in. Mr Hill said that a number of members were in last year. Mr Hanna suggested making a members' lawn. 'jqj Mr Neil said that if the resolution . was carried it would not be permissible, Mr Vuglar said he felt that some-* thing should be dope to erect & ten'ii||! porary stand. It would take approximately £3OOO. Mr* Towers thought it was a pity that the plan was not available for members to see what the committee contemplated doing. As soon as funds would permit he was sure that the committee would carry out the wishes of members. . _ The chairman said that the stewards’ stand was practically forced on the club by the stipendiary steward. H’s opinion was that the committee was dodging along and making the most of the funds available. He failed to sec what the committee could do for the present season, Mr Silcock thought that an extension of the stewards’ stand could le made. Mr Poland said it seemed to him a pity t.o put up any temporary building. The committee was working o a plan and should stack to it. Mr Bain thought that .t was disgraceful the treatment members gotThe plan for the grounds as off by Mr Hill, of Auckland, was pro- ' duced and examined by members. Mr Hanna moved that it be a recommendation to the committee that portion of the main stand and a separate lawn be provided for members. Mr P. E. Brenan said that some provision might be made on the stewards’ stand, and suggested that the resolution should be altered to read, “That it be a recommendation to the ensuing committee for members other than the general public to he allowed oh the stewards’ stand if possible.” The resolution was altered in terms of Mr Brenan’s suggestion and ca rried. Mr E. Edwards gave notice to alter the rules so that the positions of Pre- . sident, Vice-president, and Auditor be elected by members of the club. Mr Neil suggested that it would be an improvement to have proxy voting, and gave notice to m ive in that direction. The newly elected members returned thanks for their election and the meeting then terminated.