WOODVILLE JOCKEY CLUB.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 221, 18 August 1937, Page 6

WOODVILLE JOCKEY CLUB.

YEAR IN REVIEW. “Though there may not be cause for elation over the operations of the club for the past year, there is certainly some ground for satisfaction,” 6tates the annual report of the Woodvilie District Jockey Club. “In a wet season, we were wonderfully favoured with weather for both meetings, and this fact, combined with tile improved financial outlook, made for their success. For the February meeting, the stewards increased the stakes by the full amount of the profit from December, and still the meeting more than paid its way. The sale of threo years’ wool at very favourable prices accounts for £387 19s 6d of (he club’s income, and to that extent the improved position at the bank. “Owners and trainers accorded us generous support as usual, which may be takon as indicative that they appreciate that the club is doing its utmost to cater for them, and the stewards will endeavour to justify this ' confidence when framing the programmes for the ensuing year. As mentioned in the last report, the buildings require some attention, more especially in respect of plumbing and painting, and such of this work as is more urgent will certainly receive attention in the near future. The club’s buildings, plant, and general improvements are fairly extensive, and a considerable annual expenditure is entailed in keeping everything in reasonably good order. The tracks are maintained at a high standard at very considerable cost, towards which the fees levied contribute only a comparatively small fraction. The facilities afforded for training also reduce the farming profit. Several outside trainers took advantage of our good tracks for varying periods during the past season.

“Membership has receded a little, the roll of active members being 129, as against 133 last year Considering the low subscription and the privileges afforded, the number should certainly be higher. “Dannevirke meeting.—lt can hardly be said that the weather for this meeting was ideal, but compared with the general weather at that time it was good, and much better than that experienced, for any of the previous three meetings held on the. Woodvilie course. The meeting was a success from every point of view, and with the aid of the Government totalisator refund resulted in a useful sum becoming nvailablo for reduction of the Dannevirke Club’s indebtedness. It is to be hoped this will not have to be encroached upon to moot losses later on.

“Position of the club.—Obviously this has been considerably improved by tho operations of tho past season, but tho club can scarcely bo called wealthy. When the wasting nature of many of its assets, such ns buildings and plant, is considered and the prospective cost of their replacement

the position is not sound from a business point of view, and there should be a reserve, to meet such liabilities. It is true that many other clubs are in a worse position, but tho stewards feel they have a heavy responsibility in administering their trust, and maintaining tho . club in as sound a financial position as vagaries ot weather and fluctuating financial conditions will permit. Traffic control: Every effort has boon made to keep abreast of this growing difficulty, and motorists were urged to use the upper gate and Oxford Road for departure, thus easing the traffic from tho lower gale. With the valuable help of tho traffic inspectors, this worked so well that on the second day of Ihe Dannevirke meeting a full car-paddock wns cleared in 14 minutes of all who wanted to get away. Tho provision by the club of a uniform cap and coat for some of its parking and gate officials was also helpful, as it served tho double purpose of conferring authority on the wearers and distinguishing them to the public. “Mr J. E. Ilcnrys, the doyen of hatidi cappers, after 46 years’ service to this club, has had to tender his resignation on ' account of ill-health. The stewards received it with the utmost regret, as apart