POVERTY BAY TURF CLUB.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 225, 2 September 1884, Page 2

POVERTY BAY TURF CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING. < The annual meeting of the Poverty Bay Turf Club was held at the Masonic Hotel last evening. Present: Capt. Winter (in the chair), Messrs. Pitt, Sunderland, Scott, Weston, Page, Beresford, Dufaur, Stevenson, Chrisp, Johnson, Ferris (Secretary), Mills, and others. The Secretary read the minutes of the previous annual meeting which were confirmed. Report. The Secretary then read the following annual report: “ Your committee have again the pleasure of being in the position to bring a satisfactory balance-sheet before you, notwithstanding the liberal amount of added money during last season, viz., £7OO. There remains a balance to the credit of the Club of the sum of £607 9s. 7d., in addition to which there is £49 being payments for Guineas and Produce Stakes, —a total of £657 9s. 7d. The statement of receipts and expenditure compares favorably with that of last year; the working expenses are less by £3B, although a sum of £l5 was paid for use of course which was free the previous year. The nominations, acceptances, &c., are of the same amount within £l. The sale of privileges realised £2O, the grand stand £l5, and totalisator £3l 7s. in excess of previous year, and the members are also slightly in the increase. This must be gratifyii gto the members of the Club, showing as ii does a gradually increasing income each year.

The nominations for Guineas, to be run in season 1886-7, and second payments for a similar race to be run in season 1885-6 are fairly satisfactory. Such however cannot be said for Mares Produce Stakes, there being only seven nominations this year. Your committee would therefore recommend the desirability of doing away with this race next year. You will be aware that a programme for a Spring Meeting has been issued comprising seven events, with £3OO added money. It is estimated that the funds of the Club will be further increased by this course, and as the members will now have three days racing free in each year, it is thought that it will be an inducement for other gentlemen to join the Club.

The Chairman thought they would all agree the report and balance • sheet were satisfactory. This was the first year they had inaugurated a Spring Meeting. He thought it advisable, now the funds of the Club were getting considerable there should be an auditor appointed. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Captain Winter then vacated the Chair in favor of the President, his term of office as Chairman of Committee having expired. Election of Committee. The retiring members were Messrs. Dufaur, McDonald, and Winter. The propositions to fill the vacancies were Messrs. Dufaur, Winter, Murphy, Mills, and Clark ; the result being the return of Messrs. Dufaur, Winter, and Murphy. Alteration of Rule. Mr. Sunderland moved, in accordance with previous notice, that at future meetings the use of proxies be allowed, the particular business for which the proxy was to be used to be stated by the giver. Mr. Mills seconded. The motion was carried. The President said it would take a long time to go through all the rules, and he thought if many alterations were necessary it would be advisable to relegate the matter to a committee. He would propose that they adopt the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club rules, and that a committee be formed to go through and make any necessary alterations.

Mr. Murphy moved “ That a committee of three be appointed to revise the rules.” Mr. Dufaur seconded.—Carried. The following were appointed:—Messrs. Winter, Aislabie, and Pitt. It was resolved that a special general meeting be held on Monday 15th, to receive the committee’s report. New Course. The Chairman then read some correspondence relative to a new course. Mr. Newman offered Mackenzie’s farm on the town side of the Quarry, comprising 100 acres, for £4,000 on terms. Mr. Weston offered to supply a course and appurtenances for £lOO a year for ten years. Mr. Weston explained that he would supply the ground and do all necessary work. The Club would have to fence it, but he would do all the ploughing and sow it down. He could supply ground where they could have nearly twenty chains of a straight run. Captain Winter mentioned that he and others had been over the ground. It was very wet at the present time. Making the course would cost a considerable outlay, but he did not think a good course could be made there as it was too low. Fencing and other necessary work would cost the Club £5OO. He did not think the Club could accept the offer. He would propose that a committee go over the ground and report to a special meeting, giving particulars of cost, &c. The expense, in his opinion, was more than they could afford. Mr. J. R. Scott asked if it was not as suitable as any other ground in the district. Captain Winter thought not. He did not think sufficient fall could be got to drain the ground. It would be advisable to make further enquiries before discussing the question. Mr. Clark thought it useless to entertain the question, as the nature of the ground was very well known. Mr. Scott thought the land as good as any they could get, and would like to hear a report by a practical man. Mr. Dufaur did not see how they could give an opinion on the question. The offer was a liberal one, but they had to look to the interests of the Club. A committee should be asked to report to a future meeting. Mr. Weston would like to see a committee appointed. Mr. Weston proposed a committee of inspection consisting of Messrs. Sunderland, Johnson, Clark, Winter, and Murphy. Mr. Ferris seconded. Mr. Scott proposed as an amendment, “ That a surveyor be employed to take the levels and see whether a course could be made. Mr. Mills seconded. Mr. Stevenson moved that the ground be flagged out by a surveyor. Seconded by Mr. Sunderland.—Carried. The committee to meet at Makaraka on Saturday morning. Extraordinary Business. Mr. Mills asked what the £5 ss. subscriptions would amount to. The Secretary said about £230. The business having been concluded the meeting adjourned.

Annual Balance-sheet. The annual balance-sheet was as follows — Receipts. September 1, 1883. £ s. d. To Balance 480 4 11 Nominations 283 10 0 Sale of privileges 244 8 0 Proceeds of totalisator 88 14 0 Grand stand and gates 95 0 6 Subscriptions 231 0 6 £1,431 16 11 Expenditure. September 1, 1884. By events 636 10 0 Miscellaneous expenses 169 1 4 Breinghan (old account) 6 16 0 Handicapper 20 0 0 Band 22 0 0 Fixed deposit 500 0 0 Bank 77 5 0 Cash in hand 0 4 7 Amount to credit of £1,431 Club. 16 11 By fixed deposit 500 0 0 Interest on same at 6 per cent 30 0 0 Balance in bank 77 5 0 Cash in hand .. 0 4 7 £607 By Payments Guineas. 9 7 Mare’s Produce, &o 49 0 0 £656 9 7