COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 315, 21 November 1929, Page 1

COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS.

AT RACE MEETING. Are They Profitable? At the annual meeting of the Matamata Racing Club, it was decided to recommend that the incoming committee make a small charge on all complimentary tickets with the exception of those issued to officials of clubs. Mr Price stated that he had attended a meeting of the Country Clubs’ Association, at which a report had been brought down which recommended that complimentary tickets be only issued to officials of racing clubs and to racing men outside the various districts. The Whangarei and Te Aroha clubs opposed the suggestion, however, so it was agreed to issue them, but to cut down the issue to a minimum. As delegate, he explained to the conference that the Matamata club issued some 4000 tickets, but as there was no enclosure the club really gave away nothing more than entrance to the course. He suggested the club make a charge,'if only a small one, on all complimentary tickets issued to other than officials of clubs and racing men. Mr. B. C. Taylor explained that there were two kinds of compliment- , ary tickets, one which gave entrance all round and one on which a charge was made at the gate. He thought the Matamata club had as much to offer as any country club. At Te Aroha, for example, there was certainly a big fence, but the stand would not hold a fifth of the people on the lawn, and they, had not neart/ as good a view as at Matamata. He thought a charge of 2s for men and Is for ladies should be made on all tickets, but those sent to officials of clubs and racing men. Paeroa was the same as Te Aroha, while even at Hamilton the stand would not hold more than a small part of those on the lawn. He felt the Matamata club was losing money by not charging. Tickets came back to Matamata in hundreds, and it was hard on those bearing the burden to see them so used. The “ tote ” might be a big thing, but the gate money was all profit. Mr. Price explained that his remarks had been misunderstood. What he meant by “ nothing to offer ” was that once inside the main gate there was no extra charge at Matamata.

Mr. Geo Johnston: They pay Is to see a football match, and there is no grandstand there. Mr. Davis opposed the suggestion, as he felt it would keep many away. People made up parties for race meetings, and went .in on complimentaries. He had done the same himself in the past many a time, and would not have gone without a ticket. A voice: Two bob never stopped you from going. (Laughter). The chairman (Mr. J. W. Anderson) pointed out that the Hamilton Trotting Club had tried it, and lowered the gate money, and had made money out of the move. Mr. Price: I move it be left to the executive. Mr. Davis: Think it out; Te Aroha built up on complimentaries. Mr. Taylor stated he would second the motion if the mover added “ with a strong recommendation to cut out free complimentaries and substitute a small charge.” This was then agreed to and carried, Mr Davis being the only dissentient.