FOXTON RACING CLUB (INCORP.)

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4488, 7 August 1930, Page 3

FOXTON RACING CLUB (INCORP.)

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Foxton Racing Club (Incorp.) was held in the Racing Club offices last evening, presided over by Mr. DV. E. Barber (President). Also present were Messrs M. E. Perreau, F. Woods, W. T. Jewell, R. Bryant, _M. B. Bergin, S.' Jackson, J. Pur - cell,* C. and M. Arcus, M„ Robinsoiij T. W. Hunt, G. F. Smith, L. Procter, .J. Burr, J. and J. W. Coley, \V. Kirkland, S. Austin, H. and J. Robinson, Bowe, D. iChristie, A. Brook-Taylor, T. Grammar, H. Bond, IT. Simmonds and the secretary (Mr. J. Martin). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs D. R. Ogilvy, C. C. Price and R. Rangihenea. The President extended a welcome to all present and said their attendance at the meeting was very helpful to the Stewards; t MOTION OF SYMPATHY. In moving’ a motion of sympathy to the relatives of their late President (Francis Robinson Esq.), the president referred to Mr. Robinson’s lengthy association with the Club. Deceased had been connected with the Club longer than any other member. He had taken an active part in racing until lux was elected patron of the Club and since then until the time of his death, had scarcely missed a meeting.

The motion was passed in the usual manner.

REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET,

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet (previously published) the President said the Club had had a reasonable year and although the balancesheet disclosed a small deficiency this was offset by reason of the fact that a considerable sum had been spent on improvements at the course. He thought that in carrying out the improvements to the stewards’ stand the stewards had acted wisely as by making arrangements for a counter lunch complimentary' luncheon tickets could be reduced to a. large extent. The Club intended to endeavour to increase its receipts at the forthcoming’ meeting and would endeavour to jbe a little more economical. The course was in good order and reflected credit on the caretaker (Mr. Simpson), lie thought the best proof of this lay in the big percentage of wins recorded by locally trained horses. This was most noticeable at the recent Mnnawatu winter meeting. Mr. Burlier referred to the fact that Mrs. Austin had again donated a cup to be won at the next meeting. This was the third cup Mrs. Austin had presented which showed that she was a, true sport with the interests of the Club at heart. With brief reference to the Budget and proposed racing taxation, Mr, Barber concluded his remarks. The motion was seconded by Mr. R. Bryant and carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The election of officers resulted as follow#}!—i -bi ?

'Patron: J. Whyte Esq. (Tokomaru; president: W. E. Barber Esq.; vice-presidents: Messrs R. Bryant, H. Coley, DV. T. Jewell and C. E. Robinson; stewards: Messrs D. R. Ogilvy, S. R. Austin, H. Robinson; auditor: A. Frasei’, Esq. NOTICES OF MOTION. The President moved that rule 14, ipage 4 after the word “subscription” on the seventh line he altered to read: “The annual subscription shall be £1 1/-, together with an entrance fee of £1 1/- in Ihe ease of new members” Mr. Barber said that his reason for moving the motion was that he considered that the present subscription to the Club was too high and did not encourage new members amongst the younger members of the community. Dir. IT. Bond (Rangiotu) seconded the motion and said lie had unsuccessfully brought, the matter up Iwo years ago. The more members the Oltib had the better the finances. The motion was carried unanimously. LIFE MEMBERS.

8 Mr. JR.. Bryant moved that Meases 11. Golev (Boxton) and G. Hughes (Paekalk'ariki) fee elected life members of the Club. The President seconded the motion and said that everyone realised the great amount of work Mr. 11. Coley had done in the interests of the Cl ufe over a long period of years. With regard to Mr. Hughes, he -was a very 'old member and worthy of the honour. He was now, resident in Paekakariki feut still took a keen • interest in the Idufe. Mr. Bryant said Mr. Hughes had not missed a meeting of the Club tor fifty two years, which, he thought, constituted a record.

Mr. Smith endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers and expressed pleasure at the fact that Mr. Coley was present at the meeting as on the occasion of the last annual meeting he was seriously ill and unable to attend. They were pleased to see him restored to health and strength. -The motion was carried and Mr. Coley returned thanks. SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS. Mr. T. A. Grammar (Bainesse) suggested that in future the closing date of nominations for the Foxton meeting be deferred until after the Palmerston North meeting. If this was done he thought that Foxton nominations would he better as it would enable owners whose horses were not successful at- Palmerston North to race in Foxton. Mr. W<oods endorsed this suggestion'.which - was referred to the stewards for consideration.

NEW MEMBERS. The following new members were elected : Messrs 11. Coley, C. and J. 11. Simmonds, W. MeKegg', T. Saunders and S. Xew-tli. TEN SHILLING TOTE, Mr. T. W. Hunt proposed that a 1.0/- totalisator be installed on the local course. He thought it would be very beneficial to the Club. The president said he had inspected tire 10/- “tote” at Otaki and was perfectly satisfied that its installation on the Foxton course would be a false move. Mr. Hunt said that a lot of Clubs had installed 10/- “totes.” The president considered the installation would mean more outlay -at the course while extra attendants would be required in the totalisator house. He knew of several clubs which were dissatisfied with their installations. Mr. H. Coley supported this statement and said the innovation at Marton had not been a success. Mr. D. Christie said that he had worked in totalisators in and around Dunedin for a number of years and not one of the meetings he had attended had been without a 10/- “tote.” If the innovation was adopted locally all that would be necessary would be the conversion of some of the windows from .Cl to 10/- windows. He considered a trial bv the Foxton Club would ibe a step in the right direction especially as it would cost, nothing.

Thie president said the matter had .been considered before and rejected as an unwise step to take. II was a debatable point as to whether more or less money would be placed on the machine in the event of a 10/- “tote” being adopted.

It was decided to refer the matter to the stewards for farther consideration. WIRING MONEY AND PUBLICATION OF DIVIDENDS.

Mi*. D. Christie referred to the fact, that steps were being taken by a member of the House of Representatives to have legislation passed to legalise the wiring of money to the totalisator and further to legalise the publication of dividends. He thought- the Club should lend its support to both proposals. It was decided to write to the mover of the motions supporting both recommendations and to forward a copy of the resolution in support thereof to the Member for the District. PROPOSED INCREASED TAXATION.

Dir. \Y. T. Jewell made reference (o the proposed increase in taxation and suggested that the Club strongly protest to the Government against any such steps. Dir. It. Bond (Bainesse) said that the proposed increase in taxation would be the means of putting small country clubs out of existence.

It was decided to enter an emphatic protest against the proposed increase in taxation and to forward u copy of the resolution to Mr. J. Linklater, M.P. STAKE MONEY. The president hinted at a possible reduction in stake money in the. near future unless conditions improved. For the past three years, he said, the Foxton Racing Club had spent £2370 annually in this manner. Unless receipts showed a decided improvement, the Club would seriously have to consider a reduction. He was optimistic, however, and anticipated a good meting next year and thought- that an unfortunate set of circumstances had militated against the Club at the lasi meeting. A Hood had occurred, a most unusual thing for January, which, despite every endeavour on the part of the Club to urge upon people that the road via Shannon was open, had kept a lot of patrons away. A slip in the Gorge on Ihe second day had also occurred lint these two things would possibly tml ocelli’ again for many years. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair.