THE FOXTON RACING CLUB.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2310, 2 August 1921, Page 2

THE FOXTON RACING CLUB.

[Contributed.]

Congratulations to the Foxton Racing Club upon its financial position, and also upon retaining its racing days. If the Club is conducted properly on behalf of the public, there is no neod to fear for its annihilation.. The Club is more distinctly a public institution than the majority of clubs throughout the Dominion. The racecourse property belongs to the public of Foxton —it. is a local reserve set aside for the public, with provision for racing to be held on certain days thereon during the year. It is vested in trustees, who hav.e the right to appoint their successors at the will of the public. The trustees rent the reserve to the Foxton Racing Club, at a peppercorn rental, and as it is within the borough area, the local governing body—the Borough Council —derive revenue by way of rates. So that it will be seen that the public as well as the Club are equally interested in the reserve, and anything of a proprietary nature could not be entertained. It is therefore to the Club’s interest to safeguard the public welfare, and this, I believe, they will do. The footballers have the use of the course, and other public gatherings are held there when necessary, so that people who do not watch the gee-gees run can use the reserve for

other purpose-; of amusement. Still, I think the Mayor <>r a Council representative should be one of the trustet s

I was sorry to see a little feeling cropping up at the annual meeting, between certain sections of members. This should not be, as no one member or official,' or any section of members or officials, lias any proprietary right over the Club. So long as this- democratic principle is observed good feeling and unity of mtrpose should predominate. The annual meeting is the place to lay down the Club policy, and every member lias the right to criticise and express his opinion as to Club affairs,

In respect to the notice of motion re (he annual election of officers, which was defeated, the mover was on sound grounds in applying this democratic principle to the Club, and no one who has given this principle any consideration could find logical objections to it, but the mover failed in opening his ease to clearly define the principle underlying the rule. His opponent hadn’t a leg to stand on so far as argument was concerned, and the vital issue was clouded in “You did; you didn’t,” leaving members in doubt, as many of them had not seen the rule. To my mind, the mover desired to eliminate the danger of bureaucratic rule, which may easily be converted to autocratic rule. As the rule stands, three of the ninestewards retire annually, but are eligible for re-election. This places too much power for too long a period in the hands of the stewards, unless the annual meeting defines their limits. The annual election of stewards creates keener general interest in the Chili, and is in keeping with the Racing Commission’s finding. If is possible that the rule will again come up for consideration, and members will have an opportunity in the meantime to understand its meaning.

‘■Jack” Whyte, (he president, is white by name and nature, and a better sport could not he found anywhere. But why in the name of common sense is it necessary to elect a roan outside the district to this position? The position of president should, in my opinion, be filled by :i local man, who would be present and preside over stewards meetings, and exercise the prerogative due to the office. , On the whole, the Club is to be congratulated upon its splendid showing, and I wish it success during the coming year.