POVERTY BAY TURK CLUB

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1351, 4 September 1883, Page 2

POVERTY BAY TURK CLUB

The an ' -cral meeting of the above Club was ncxd in th* Masonic Hotel yesterday afternoon, wh.n .he following gentlemen . were present: Messrs Winter, Pitt, Ferris, Pollen, Aislabie, Dufaur, Bloomfield, Dickson, Cooper, Nolan, Chrisp, Graham, Page, Sunderland, Gannon, Burnand, Smith, Mills, and The minus-h of the previous meeting having been read «ud confirmed, Captain Winter took the chair, and stated the objects of the meeting was to transact general business, to receive the report of the Committee, to consider correspondence, and to elect three committee-men. The report of the Committee was then read —the balance sheet following. Captain Winter then moved that the report and balance sheet as read be adopted, Mr Dufaur thought it would be better that some other member of the Chib, other than the Chairman, should propose the adoption of the report. The Chairman said that he had merely done so in conformity with precedent. It appeared to be the rule in all meetings of that description, according to his knowledge, for the Chairman to move the adoption of reports. Dr. Pollen said it was not the custom in Poverty Bay. Mr Dickson said that in order to save time he would move the adoption of the report. Dr. Pollen seconded the proposition, which was carried. The election of three new members for the Committee being moved. g Mr Aislabie said that he was in favour of new blood being introduced into the Committee, the last two annual meetings had been very tame from a racing point of view, and he trusted the new members, if elected, would try and draw up a more liberal programme. The Club has a balance of £4OO in hand, and was on a very satisfactory financial footingj and he was surprised at the Club charging a qualification fee and a heavy per centage on the stakes by way of nominations and acceptances, instead of abolishing qualification fee and making the nominations and acceptances as low as possible, as is the case with all the leading Racing Clubs in the Colony. He was strongly opposed to the 5 sovs. sweepstakes for starters to go to the second horse ; and considered the outgoing Committee had placed the Club in a very ludicrous position by the way they had framed the Mares Produce Stakes, in which he pointed out that the first horse could only win 50 sovs., whereas the second had a chance of winning 100 sovs. He maintained that owners, in entering their horses, looking principally at what it would cost them to start, and the value of the stakes, and did not give the second money a thought. He was in favor of the annual meeting being held about the 14th or 15th January, so as to catch owners of horses and bookmakers returning from Auckland, and to give them plenty of time to be down in Wellington for the Cup Race run about sth February. He pointed out also the desirability of imposing a 71bs penalty on the horse that won the first day’s Handicap, and stated all interest was lost in the second day’s Handicap last year owing to one horse being thrown in with a very light weight in both events. In conclusion, Mr. Aislabie, although he considered the Committee handicapped to the best of their ability last year, suggested in the face of the few acceptances received, that Mr. Evett be appointed handicapper to the Club, as he now holds that position for the Hawke’s Bay, Wanganui, and Wellington Clubs, and being a thoroughly practical man, would take a great responsibility from the shoulders of the Committee. Mr Mills said that Mr Evett would not come here under £5O. As far as he was concerned he should like to see a competent handicapper engaged. But they had always conducted the Club with a view to economy, and a small Club like the Poverty Bay one could not afford to engage the services of Mr Evett. The Wanganui Club talked about reducing their added money this year. The eleotion was then proceeded with, and Messrs Page and Nolan were appointed scrutineers,

The following gentlemen were balloted for: Messrs Bloomfield, Caulton, Mills, Westrup and Sunderland; and on the scrutineers’ report, Messrs Sunderland, Bloomfield and Westrup were declared elected. Mr Dickson said that he should like to have an expression of opinion as to whether it would not be better to reduce the amount of subscriptions from five guineas to three guineas. He had frequently heard the matter spoken about, and it seemed to be the outside opinion that the Club would be materially benefitted by the reduction. The Chairman remarked that no new law could be mude in this direction, or any of the existing rules altered, except by a resolution of a special general meeting. The question had been thoroughly discussed at the last meeting. •Mr Dickson said another proposition he wished to make was that all the gentlemen present would join him in a drink He did not think that would require a special resolution of a general meeting—(laughter). CORRESPONDENCE, The Secretary next read a letter from Mr John Rolls, asking that the disqualification be removed from the horse Numa. Mr Mills said he never remembered the case being brought before the Committee. The Secretary said the matter had been fully gone into by the whole of the Committee, but Mr Mills was the only one ftbatnb at the time. Mr Ferris proposed that the disqualification be removed. Mr Sunderland said he should like to be guided by the opinion of the Committee. He should like the Committee to inform him whether they considered the parties had been punished sufficiently. Mr Nolan said that as the disqualification had been in force three years, and he considered that sufficient punishment, he would second the motion for the removal. Mr Mills said the case was such a bad one that they should not remove the disqualification at all. He would move as an amendment, that the disqualification be not removed. Mr Dickson seconded the amendment. Mr Nolan said that it was usual to remove a disqualification after sufficient punishment had been inflicted—that was when the disqualification was not made perpetual. He thoug.it three years ample punishment in thia case. Mr Pitt said he did not think it was meant to disqualify Numa for ever, and he thought three years punishment enough. Mr Aislabie wished to know whe * the application was dated from, and was informed from Hastings, Hawke’s Bay. On the amendment being put it was carried. The Secretary next read a letter from Mr Hastings, asking that the disqualification on him and the mare Sylvia be removed. Mr Nolan moved that the disqualification be not removed. Mr Bloomfield seconded the motion, which was carried. A letter was next read from the Dunedin Jockey Club, stating that a disqualification had been passed on Pathfinder (late Joker) and his owner Muffins. Mr Mills proposed that the disqualification be endorsed.

Mr Pitt seconded the motion, which was carried, The Secretary stated that a circular had been .entto the Club from Christchurch treking the Poverty Bay Club to join in an amalgamated union of all the Clubs in the Colony, so that all meetings would be under the same rules, conditions, and weights. The circular also asked that if possible two delegates be sent to assist in the forming of the Union. Mr Dufaur said he would move " That the Poverty Bay Club would cordially join in any measure for the general benefit, but that they could not send delegates. Mr Aislabie seconded the motion, and said that any members could go at their own expense. Mr Pitt moved as an amendment, " That the matter be left to the Committee.” Mr Ratcliffe seconded the amendment, which was carried, Mr Dufaur said that he and all the members oi the Club would like an expression of opinion as to the advisability or reducing the fees generally. Mr Aislabie said the question had been fully discussed before. The nomination fees were surely low enough. These matters should be left to the Committee. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting.