TROTTING SPORT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 23 July 1929, Page 9

TROTTING SPORT

NELSON CLUB'S ANNUAL MEETING i REPORT AiND iRXANCiAL ■' STATEMENT ELECTION OK OFFICERS The Nelson Trotting Club held its annual meeting in the institute building last evening with .Mr F. 0. Hamilton, vice-president, in the chair. An apology was received from the, retiring president, Mr 11. Baigent, who was in Wellington. Tin- chairman referred tri the recent death of a. past vice-president of the club, Mr M. P. Webster. Members stood as a mark of respect. ANN PAL REPORT The annual report, was as follows : "Your committee present herewith their report and .statements of account lor the year ended 31st May, 1929. "Kor the second lime, the Jst February date was tried, but the meeting was utterly ruined by the atrocious weather conditions which prevailed. Rain commenced during the first day's racing, but on the second day, worse conditions could scarcely be imagined. Meetings were held in the morning to consider postponement, but under all the circumstances it was decidedto go on, and practically the whole day's programme was carried out in pouring rain. Naturally the" attendance was seriously affected, and consequently the. revenue from the totalisator and'race cards also suffered severely. Given fine weather it is certain that a successful gathering would have resulted. As it was, a most generous and sportsmanlike offer by Mr J. R. Corrigan, the well known Hawera owner, saved the situation. Mr Corrigan Offered to donate half the amount of any stakes he might win on the second day if the meeting was proceeded with, and for his own sake as well as the Club's it is pleasin'g to record that he won four of the eight races, and the Club accordingly benefited to the extent of £l3O. Widespread appreciation of Mr Corrigan's sportsmanship has been expressed all over New Zealand, and a proposal will be put to the annual meeting that he be elected a life member of the club in recognition of his help. The totalisator staff also made a very generous donation out of their wages, and with a substantial addition by the proprietor (Mr .lames) and a further amount from Messrs St ilea and Co.. the total amount of special donations re- ; ceived on account of the Club's bad luck amounted to £162 14s 6d. It is impossible to adequately express the Committee's appreciation of the fine Sportsmanship winch actuated those, concerned in these donations, and we are sure that, all members of the club will feel likewise. With the Government refund on the totalisator tax (which on account of the shrinkage in the totalisator turnover was smaller than usual), your committee are pleased to state that the Club's position, even after allowing depreciation on buildings and plant, is almost identical with that of 12 months ago, which under the circumstances is extremely satisfactory. Rigid economy has been exercised in every possible direction, and the committee feel that the club has now turned the corner, and that better prospects are ahead. Even with the conditions that have existed, and after writing off some £BO in depreciation, the position has improved over that of 3 years ago by about £6O. "It is with great regret that we announce that Mr Baigent, who has occupied the position of president for 16 years out of the last 17, and has always been a- keen and liberal supporter of the. Club, has decided to retire. The loss is a- heavy one for the club, but under all the circumstances we feel that members will agree that Mr Baigent, who is already a life member of the club, is well entitled to a rest. "The club also sustained a great loss by tho recent death of Mr M. P. Webster, a keen member of the committee' for many years and a former vicepresident".

"Attendances at committee meetings were: Messrs Gay and Grant 7. Baigent, Stringer and Moorhouse 6, Louisson, Hamilton, Ruffell, Day, Hogg and West 5, late M. P. Webster 2. , "Messrs Geo. Hogg and Geo. Manson arc the only persons nominated for the offices of president and vice-president respectively, and are therefore declared elected." The report and balance sheet were adopted. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, .Mr Hogg referred to the generous action of Mr J. IL Corrigan and also to the donations received by the club from the proprietor of the totalisator and staff, and Mr Stiles. Votes of thanks were passed to each for donation. ELECTION OP OFFICERS ■ The election of officers ■ for the ensuing year resulted as follows: — President: Mr Geo. Hogg. Vicepresident, Mr C. Mnnson. A ballot for committee resulted : Messrs J. A. Stringer (55 votes), F. O. Hamilton (54), H. F. West (53), A. Grant (51), H. Gay (48). A. Day (39). T. Moorhouse (36), G. Glover (35), W. Sherlock (34) elected ; J. Newman (32), H. Saunders (27), F. ■Mason (27J, E. G- .Moore (21). | A ballot for stewards resulted : Messrs Hamilton (46 votes), Stringer (46), Grant (44), West (42), Gay (36), Moorhouse (36), Glover (35). Newman (34), | Day (29). Sherlock (26) elected; Moore I (24), Merrick (22). Saunders (21). Mason |(19). Hon. Starter: Mr A. Grant. Assistant: Mr H. Guy. Hon. Judge: Mr John Ilagen. Assistant: Mr E. S. Merrick. Handicapper: Mr G. S. Simpson. I Clerk of Course: Mr J. R. Gaukrodger. ! Hon. Clerk of Scales: Mr G. Glover. As- ' sistant: Mr G. Manson. Hon. Auditors : | Messrs Clayden and Greenslade. Hon. j Surgeon : Dr Campbell-Smith. Hon. • Veterinary Surgeon: Mr J. O'Connor. Hon. Birdcage Steward: Mr E. F.' Healy, M.P. lion. Timekeepers: Messrs jN. Kerr, J'. H. Kitchingman and C. I-IL Ruffell (jimr.). Ambulance Steward: Mr 11. F. West. Chief Patrol Steward: -Air E. G. Moore. Ground Committee: Messrs Stringer, Grant and Merrick. Programme Committee: Whole Committee. The chairman mentioned the services rendered the club by the retiring president, who had been president for 16 out of the last 17 years (the odd year Jie was in England). A resolution expressing the Club's thanks and appreciation of Mr Baigent's services was carried with acclamation. Mr G. Hogg, who seconded the resolution, spoke in appreciative terms of what Mr Baigent had done for the Club, as ilid Mr Gay, who expressed sorrow that Mr Baigent had seen lit to relinquish his position. Mr Hamilton in congratulating Mr . Hogg on-his election, remarked on the friendly relations between the .Tockev and Trotting Clubs, and wished the new president a prosperous season. Mr Hogg returned thanks to members for his election. Mr T. P>. Louisson moved that a

resolution expressing appreciation of Mr Hamilton's services as a vice-president of the Club lie recorded. This was seconded and carried by acclamation. Mr HiuniUon returned thanks. After Mr Hamilton had recounted the events leading up to the decision to hold the second (lay of the last meeting, and Mr Corrigan's offer, Mr Corrigan was elected, a life member of the club. Mi' Hogg moved a vote of thanks to Mr H. Baigent for the presentation of a cup to the club for last year's cup race. This was carried by acclamation. The dates for the next meeting are 6th and 7th December. It was decided to discontinue the practice of pinning numbers on drivers' backs. A petition in support of the Claming Bill which will be read in the House of Parliament next Thursday, was handed to members for their signatures. The secretary reported on his attendance at the New Zealand Trotting Association's meeting, and also at a meeting of smaller clubs, at which a suggestion was brought forward for the formation of a Country Trotting Club's Association. The secretary also spoke on the decision at the New Zealand Association's meeting to try a new system of handicapping for one. year. By the new system a, maximum penalty is fixed for each win. A vote of thanks to the honorary officials of the Club was carried by acclamation. A vote of thanks to the Tress, with reference to the support given the sport bv the local paper, was carried.