MEETING OF THE WELLINGTON JOCKEY CLUB.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4774, 11 July 1876, Page 3

MEETING OF THE WELLINGTON JOCKEY CLUB.

The annual-general meeting of the Wellington Jockey Club was held last evening in the Empire Hotel at 8 o'clock. There was a moderate attendance. Mr. George Crawford occupied the chair. The first busiaess before the meeting was to receive the annual report, which was read as follows :

In presenting their annual report, the stewards congratulate the club upon its present position. The club now numbers some seventy members, and may be largely augmented ; and the unusually large number of entries for the various events of last year's meeting, prove the estimation in which the Wellington Jockey Club is held by the racing community of New Zealand generally. The financial position of the club may (taking all things into consideration) be also considered satisfactory, for, as members arc aware, the second day's races of last year's meeting had, through the extreme inclemency of the weather, to bo postponed till the 10th day of December, when a third day's events were added to the programme, with prizes amounting to about £2OO, thereby adding very materially to the expenditure for the year, and the total amount of prize money was £IOSO. The assets nearly counterbalance the liabilities, as per treasurer's statement now on the table. Several alterations and improvements were made during the recess to the grand stand and saddling paddock, and they are now in good order and condition. Somo expense, probably not large, will be necessary to put the course hi good order for the next race meeting, as some of the culverts are entirely rotten and require remaking. The thanks of the club are specially due to Mr. Braithwaite, for the amount of time and valuable assistance rendered to the club by his attention to all matters in connection with preparing the course and taking charge of the grand stand. Mr. Ct. H. Jasksou's connection with the club, m the office of secretary, ceased in the early part of the year, and Mr. J. W. Kerby has been appointed to that office. The stewards now retire from office, but all are eligible for re-election. They recommend that the programme for the next spring meeting should be published without delay, and urge upon members to assist tha stewards by the introduction of new members. The balance-sheet was then read. It showed a balance in the bank of £6 19s. Id. Against this there was an amount owing by the club of £SB 7s. 3d.; and against that again, there were outstanding amounts to the credit of the club amounting to £4S ISs. Mr. George said that an amount of £l3 18s. set down as owing by the club to Mr. Maginity and two other amounts to the extent of £l4 4s. were in dispute, there being some doubt as to who tjave orders for the things on account of which the charges were made. As to £l3 for refreshments charged by Mr. Maginity, Mr. Andrew Young said £l3 would have fed the whole field. The matter was not further discussed. On the motion of Mr. George, seconded by Mr. McDowell, the report and balance-sheet were adopted. debentures. In reply to Mr. Mace, Mr. George said there were a thousand pounds worth of debentures, bearing interest at 10 per cent. election of officers. The election of officers was then proceeded with. According to the rules of the club the president holds his office for life (Mr. Eitzherbert is president) ; therefore the election of vice-presi-dent was the next business. Proposed by Mr. George, seconded by Mr. Bond, and carried, —That Mr. Hunter be vice-president. Proposed by Mr. McDowell, seconded by Mr. Thompson, and carried, —That Mr. Edward Pearce be judge. Mr. George was elected treasurer ; Mr. McDowell, secretary; Mr. Young, starter ; Mr. James Prosser, clerk of course ; Mr. Bromley, clerk of scales. The following gentlemen were elected stewards :—Messrs. Braithwaite, McDowell, Paul, Thompson, G. Crawford, Martin, and Dr. Diver. NEXT RACE MEETING. The meeting then proceeded to the consideration of the programme for the race meeting this year. Mr. George thought that the Cup for 1876 and the Derby for 1876-7 should be advertised; but the date of the meetings being considered of importance, The Secretary announced the dates of meeting at other places, being as follows : Christchurch Race Meeting, 7th, Bth, and 10th November ; Dunedin, 20th November ; Autum Meeting in March ; Auckland, 26th December, and Ist and 2nd January, 1877 ; Wanganui and Nelson, in May. Mr. Young thought the race 3 should be held at a later date than last year, and that the proper time would be the latter end of January or early in February. Mr. Bromley considered there should be an autumn meeting', and that the spring meeting should be earlier than Mr. Young thought. Mr. Crawford suggested that the races should be in January, say on the anniversary day. Mr. McDowell said if an autumn meeting were held the spring meeting should be held in December. Mr. Wallace suggested that the date of the races should be the 23rd and 24th January. The subject was then referred to the stewards. MEETING OF STEWARDS. The stewards met and decided that the meetings should be held on Thursday and Friday, 14th and 15th December. It was resolved that Messrs. Young, Paul, and Thompson be a committee to prepare the programme and advertise the same as soon as possible, the prizes not to exceed £ISOO.