FOXTON RACING CLUB.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3522, 10 August 1926, Page 2

FOXTON RACING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING,

The annual meeting of members of the Foxton Racing Club was held in the Masonic Hall last night and despite the inclement weather there was an atendance of between" 50 and 60 present. Mr. ,J. R. Whyte (president) said it was very gratifying to see such a large attendance despite the weather, which indicated that members took an enthusiastic interest in the welfare of their club, the work of the executive and the sport of racing generally. It afforded members an opportunity to obtain detailed information and to make helpful suggestions for the consideration of the committee. He regretted to report that the club had sustained the loss by death of one of its most esteemed members in the person of Mr. O. Robinson, who had boon a member and office-bear-er for the past 25 years. The late Mr. Robinson was a member of a family which had been associated with the club for the past fifty years. He was a man of sterling character, upright and honourable, and was held in the highest esteem by all with whom he came in contact.

The President then moved a vote of sympathy with the relatives, which was carried in silence. PRESIDENT’S REVIEW.

In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, the President congratulated the club on a successful year. He said (lie receipts and expenditure for the past four years were as follows: 1923.—Receipts £5455, expenditure £5452, credit £3 ;• 1924—£5263, £5,244, credit £l4; 1925—£5G50, £5,540, credit £135; 192(5—£5,940, £5,400, credit £540. Referring lo the improvements carried out, lie referred to (lie bird cage enclosure, and additions to the stewards’ stand, which would relieve the congestion so apparent in past years, while owners and the public would greatly appreciate the six-furlong straight. These and other im* provements the committee had carried out for the ,convenience of the public and to maintain the club’s reputation of providing the most popular meeting on the coast. The committee had met, on 32 occasions during the year which was an indication of the interest displayed in the club’s welfare and in this connection lie extended to the committee the club’s best thanks.

Mr. D. Christie, in seconding the motion endorsed the President’s remarks. He mentioned the rebate from the Government of £250 in taxation. He asked whether the change re control of gates had been benficial. The Chairman: The 'balancesheet speaks for itself in that connection.

The secretary said the gate receipts were as follows: —1922, £795; 1923, £778; 1924, £7Bl, 1925, 71(5;; 1926, £BBO. Mr. W. T. Jewell said that at 'the annual conference of the New Zealand County Racing Clubs, .an attempt had been made to get the Minister of Internal Affairs to increase the maximum of remission for improvements from £250 to £SOO and the Minister had stated that he would submit the matter to Cabinet for consideration. At present the remission was only granted on permanent improvements carried out by clubs, which did not include painting of buildings and the laying down of tracks to which the remission should apply. Mr. W. E. Barber (chairman of

committee), explained that all matters dealt with by the committee had received careful consideration. So far as the control of gates were concerned, the change was an innovation and the results spoke for themselves. The change had removed a certain amount of worry from the stewards and one man was now responsible to the club for the gates. The report and balance-sheet were unanimously adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected: —Patron, F. Robinson Esq; President, .J. R. Whyte, Esq.; VicePresidents, Messrs. W. E. Barber, R. Bryant, 11. Coley, C. E. Robinson; Stewards, Messrs. M. B. Bergin, W. T. Jewell and J. Purcell; auditor, Mr. Alf. Fraser. NEW MEMBERS. The following new members were proposed:—Messrs Norman H. Nash (Palmerston North), J. P. Brandon (Otaki) and R. Cochrane (Foxton). GENERAL. Mr. W. T. Jewell (President of the United Sports Association), said he had been delegated to convey to the Club the thanks of the Association for the use of the course and grounds, for the motor sports held last October. The event had proved a great success, and competitors expressed the opinion that the course was the best in the Dominion for the purpose. The Association hoped that they might again have the use of the course this year. ( Mr. D. Christie, vice-president of the Association, concurred with Mr. Jewell’s remarks, and stated that the prize-money to be given at this year’s meeting would be the largest stakes for motor sports in the .Dominion. The President, in reply, said that the Club would be pleased to, assist the Association. Mr. W. E. Barber said that the Defence Department fouiid the Racing Club’s grounds suitable for military camps. He considered they did very little damage to the course, and were a source of revenue to the Club and the district generally. Votes of thanks to the officials and chairman concluded the meeting.