FOXTON RACING CLUB.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2764, 29 July 1924, Page 3

FOXTON RACING CLUB.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

There was an attendance of 72 members at the annual general meeting of the above club, held in the Town Hall supper-room last night, and presided over by Mr J. R. Whyte (president). The chairman briefly welcomed members and said the excellent attendance evinced continued interest in the chib’s welfare. He said the annual meeting afforded members th opportunity of gaining information in connection with the club’s

admnistration generally and afforded. an opportunity to bring forward recommendations for consideration. He apologised for the unavoidable absence of Messrs 0. Robinson and Geo. Coley, two of the club’s stewards, on account of illness, and Mr J. Kebbell, chairman of the Racecourse Trustees. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed. REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET

The chairman, in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet (previously published in this paper) congratulated members on the satisfactory position disclosed. He sajd it was extremely unfortunate, that the club again experienced wet weather on the second day, especially after such fine weather conditions on the opening day. Notwithstanding this setback, everything was very satisfactory and there was no hitch. During the year the club had erected substantial and up-to-date offices in Main St., which not only met a long-felt want but would prove a valuable asset to the club. The bal-ance-sheet called for little comment. The receipts from ail sour=ces were £2OO less than the previous year—the jubilee meeting • of the club. The gates and cards, however, showed a slight increase, but nominations and "acceptances ’gere down by £74 and the totalisalor returns showed a decrease of £74. A pleasing feature however, was the increase in membership fees from £154 to £lO5. Owing to the decrease in the totalisator receipts, there had not been an increase in stakes which had remained at £2,780. The Government bad collected £2,887 in taxation which was more than the club paid in stakes. This excessive taxation, lie said, pressed heavily upon the club and unless some relief was afforded, the club would find its duty very onerous. During i lie past four seasons the totalisator tax amounted to £12,701 and the stakes £12,260. The fact that the Government collected more in taxes than the chib paid in stakes emphasised the iniquity of the existing taxation. Fresh legislation on the subject was promised this session and he hoped it would go through the House. The chairman referred to the regret members would feel at the illness of Messrs O. Robinson and Geo. C. Coley, two of their esteemed members of the executive. The officials had discharged their duties with credit and he paid a tribute to the excellent manner in which the secretary, Mr D 7 Ogilvy, had discharged his duties (applause). The motion was seconded by Mr \y. E. Barber and carried unanimously. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected: Patron: Mr F. Robinson (reelected) ; president: Mr J. R. Whyte (rejected); vice-presidents: Messrs \v. E. Barber, Geo. C. Coley, C. K Robinson and Mr R. Bryant (vice Mr O. Robinson resigned); treasurer, Mr R. Bryant; auditor, Air Alf. Fraser. STEWARDS. A ballot took place for the election of four stewards, from the following nominations: —Messrs C. A. l’earson, W. Neylon, j. Burr, (sitting stewards), Austin, Bergin, S. "Jackson and F. Woods. The result of the voting resulted in the election of Messrs Bergin, 84; Pearson, 81; Austin, 72; and Jackson, 72. The successful candidates briefly returned thanks for the confidence reposed in them. Twenty-three absent voters permits were recorded. VOTES OF SYMPATHY. On the motion of Mr W. T. Jewell, votes of sympathy were passed to Messrs O. Robinson, Geo. C. Coley, and J. Kebbell. The mover paid a graceful tribute to the excellent services these gentlemen bad rendered to the club and expressed the hope that they would soon be restored to thir wonted health. LIFE MEMBER. On the motion of Messrs Pearson and Barber, Mr O. Robinson was elected a life member of the club, the proposer and seconder speaking highly of the services rendered by Mr Robinson to the club for a long period. The motion was carried with applause. NEW MEMBERS. The following were nominated for membership: Messrs R. Hynes, _ 1' • Callahan and A. Smith. AMENDMENT TO RULE. Mr A. N. Smith moved the following motion, due notice of which had been given: “That rule No. 50 be deleted and that Rule No. 12 be amended to read as follows: *No member of the club shall derive any pecuniary gain within the meaning of the Incorporated Societies Act, 1908, from the property or operations of the club. In the event of the winding-up or intended windingup of the club or its dissolution by any means whatever, the funds, property and assets of the club shall be dealt with and disposed of m such mannei for public and charitable purposes or horse racing, or sport, as the club shall from time

to lime resolve or decide. Provided that no member of the Club shall receive or participate in any direct personal benefit (herefrom, but the fact that lie derives from the club pecuniary gain by way of salary as the servant or officer of the club, or derive* pecuniary gain to which he would be equally entitled if he were i"'l. a member of the club, shall not be deemed personal benefit under ibis rune.’” The motion was seconded by Air •Tewell. Tt was explained that this rule was necessary to the license of the club as laid down by the Conference. The motion was earned without further discussion. The usual votes of thanks conclu-i.-d the meeting.