WAERENGA-A-HIKA JOCKEY CLUB.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1146, 13 September 1882, Page 2

WAERENGA-A-HIKA JOCKEY CLUB.

The annua 1 meetmg of the Waerenga-a-hika Jockey Club was he ] d at tbe Waereuga-a-bika Hotel l ast evening, at 7.30, the business being tbe efec Jon of officers, &c. At tbe appomted hour there was a goodly muster of the patrons of the turf present, and Mr S. C. Caulton was voted to the chair. The Chairman then asked the Hon. Secretary of tbe C’ub to be good enough to read the balance-sheet of receipts and expenditure for tbe past year. MrM. H. Smith sa ; d he would have great pleasure in doinj so, as the result was favorable to the C’uj. He might state that at the commencement of the year they had a balance in hand of £lolss, tbe subscriptions received were £44 ; for the nominations on November 25th, £32 were obtained, and for nominations and acceptance* on December Ist, £5B; for post entries, £l5; and for privileges, £95 ss; making a total of £255. The expenditure was—For sundries, £1 5s 6d; advertising, aud commission on sale of privileges, £5 ss; black ball, 12s ; Harald, £8 ; S. Stevenson, 12s; prize money, £174 15s; hurdles, luncheons, &c., £6 18s 6d; sundries, £4 4s ; leaving a balance of £53 8s to the credit of the Club. Mr Smith said that he had to congratulate the Club on its prosperous condition, and he trusted that they would still continue to maintain their own in the racing community. He was perfectly well aware of the fact that the district of Poverty Bay was in some people's consideration thought a very small place so far as sporting was concerned, but he felt assured that in course of time a different impression would prevail. It was then moved by Mr J. Maynard, seconded by Mr Cooper, and carried unanimously, “ That the balance-sheet, as read by the Secretary, Mr M. H. Smith, be adopted,” ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The Club then proceeded to elect officers for the ensuing year. A. McDonald, Esq., was appointed President, and G. L. Sunderland, Esq., Vice-President. After some discussion it was resolved that Mr W. F. Crawford be appointed Judge. Major Pitt was unanimously elected to hi* old post of “ Starter,” and some present expressed an opinion that they could not have found a better one. Mr Pritchard, as a matter of course, was duly re-elected to the arduous duties appertaining to the Clerk of the Course. The appointment of the Clerk of Scales was then considered. Mr J. Maynard, who had kindly I undertaken the duties during Mr S. C. | Caulton’s illness, was nominated for the '

office, but declined, stating that he had not time to attend to the work. Mr S. C. Caulton was unanimously elected to the office. handicappers. Mr D. Page proposed, and Mr W. Ratcliffe seconded, “ That Messrs E. Devery and R. Austin be re-elected as Hand’cappers. ” Mr Carden thought that Mr P. Breingan might act as handicapper by himself, and he considered he would make a very good one. Captain Fems considered that one handicapper was sufficient. He would propose Mr R. Austin. After some discussion it was carried that Mr R. Austin be appointed handicapper for the Club. ”

Captain Fems then proposed Mr W. Cooper seconded, and it was carried with acclamation, “That Mr Montague H. Smith be requested to cont inue to act as Hon. Secretary to the Club. ” Several members spoke of the very great assistance rendered to the sporting community of Poverty Bay by Mr Smith, and several eulogiums were passed upon him for the active part he had taken in upholding the spirit of the turf. Tbe Stewards appointed for the year were—Messrs A. McKenzie, F. Carden, D. Page, W. Cooper, J. Maynard, E. BfeomfieM. C. D. Berry, C. W. Ferris, G. Bumand, and McDougall. The Working Committee appointed were— Messrs G. Burnand, C. W. Ferris, S. C. Caulton, W. Cooper, J. R. Carden, G. R. Wylij’e, and T. E. R. Bloomfield. Tbe programme for the next meeting was then considered.

It w’as decided that for the Handicap Hurdfe race there should be no top weight, thrt the Hack Hurdles should be a handicap, that tbe Maiden Plate be left as it was. On the question o' the Maiden Plate, several expressions of opinion were given, some of the members considering that it should be competed for sofely by horses bred in the County of Cook district. It was, after some discussion decided to allow the race to be run on the same conditions as the previous year. It was then decided that the top weight in the Boxing Day Handicap be struck out, and the weight should be left to the handicapper. The District Stakes Handicap was formed into a Selling Race. The Ladies’ Purse was allowed to stand as it was, and so was the Hack Flat Race. The Consolation Handicap was transformed into a Forced Handicap Race, but it was resolved that it be optional as to whether hacks or beaten horses shouTd accept; the racing money was maintained at £lO on the casting vote of the chairman, but there is to be no added money, It was then nroposed by Mr W, Ratcliffe, seconded by Mr M. H. Smith and carried, that this olub adopt the rules of the Poverty Lay Club. It was stated that the Waereuga-a-hika Club was not identified in any way with the Makaraka Club; that was only a private club, and also was not in any way connected with the old established Poverty Bay Turf Club. Mr Ratcliffe and Captain Ferris thought if they ran under the same rules as the Poverty Bay Turf Club they could not go far wrong. After doing ample justice to mine host Cooper’s excellent fare, the meeting adjourned.