RACING CLUB

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 622, 29 August 1933, Page 6

RACING CLUB

annual report EXTRA MEETINGS INDICATE GROWING POPULARITY OF SPORT A SATISFACTORY YEAR Following on the principal fixtures of the annual report of the Rotorua Racing Club which is to be presented . at tlie annual meeting of the club in the Gitxzens' Club this evening at 8 p.m. — • Membership The year opened with a membership of 183. Included in such total are three life members and six honorary positions. New members elected during the year numbered 10, while losses by death, resignations and other causes numbered 14 leaving the actual membership at the close of the year 179; a loss of four. It will be noted~that this year, as in the past, some of the membership , subscriptions have remained unpaid. It is trusted that in the near future the members concerned will awaken to their responsibilities and eomply with the necessary details in this connection. Annual Race Meeting The allotted dates were February 11 and 13. Ideal weather conditions prevailed over the meeting period and notwithstandi'ng the faet that the stakes offered by the club had been eonsiderably reduced from previous years owners and trainers responded handsomely to the meeting. The fields were kept up surprisingly well and this had a beneficial effect on the totalisator returns. An innovation was the win and place betting provided for the public, and the returns show that such was a decidedly popular move and to -the general interest of all concerned.

Meeting Returns The gross returns from the meeting compared rnore than favourably with the previous year and after all disbursements there remains a substantial balance amounting to £969 13s 2d to be carried to the revenue account, against last year's figure of £53 5s lld. The thanks of the executive are extended to stewards and offieials for duties fulfilled in conducting the meeting. Appointments Tlie appointments generally were kept up to their usual standard for race meetings, and the club's caretaker is deserving of special mention for the creditable showing in the grounds and gardens through the period. Maintenance, although it will b? noted was more than last year, has been kept as low as possible. The increaso is oecasioned on account of painting of members' stand and roofing repairs. It may be only fair to mention to the incoming committee that ma:nteiiance again this year in tho matter of painting should be ser'ously considered and elfected if pos•iMe. Finance a-t year's figures are exhibited to yeu for a comparison, and except for the difference in the. meeting profits do not vary a great deal. It will be *; •>- rd ihat aga.nst a debit balance in . '■evnue account last year of £6 ) % 9/1 thrre is a profit this year of v -s "!(i, i'.ji improvoment on last yea: 's figures of £1035 14s lld. After making provision for bad debts of *'67 13s 4d and £380 for depreciar on plant and buildings a profit i ' ; • 1 !'j lOd remains to be car- | riv-.i '•> vqutal account, which at i(l •> -lands at £10.521 11s ld. Your asse's, you will note, amount to £11,387 5s lOd and liabilities £865 14s 9d, against last year £1698 5s 5d., again a very decided improvenient. Taxes paid throughout your last meeting were totalisator tax, £893 14s; dividend tax, £976 15s; stakes tax, £60; amusement tax, £69 4s 5d, a total of £1999 13s 5d. The totalisator tax of 11 per cent. statutory rebate has bee.n obtained, limited' to £250, also a further relief of 1 pcr cent. on totalisator turnover to previous years. This is most helpful and appreciated by all racing clubs.

Racing Dates Your executive has applied for and been granted February 10 and 12, 1934, for its next annual race me ting dates. In addition formal apydication was made for extra racing dates for a spring meeting. Adv" ;e has been published that no furtner racing dates are available for dis.ribution. It is interesting to note that at the recent annual meeting of Ihe Racing Conference the Waipapakr .:ri permit surrendered by that club v. as permanently allotted to the Bay of Plenty Jockey Club. Our congratulations are heartily extended to cur sister club. J The allotment proves 1 ie Rotorua Club's contention that extra racing is recognised to be desired in these quarters. a During the past year Rotorua may -be deemed to have been fairly well served with racing. The newlv formed Rotorua Trotting Club held a nontotalisator meeting and was extended the privilege of the club's course and appointments free of charge. Grateful thanks have been extended for this. On the last day of the racing year, the Rotorua and llay of Plenty Hunt Club, having been granted a totalisator permit, staged a most successful meeting obtaining ti. 3 right to use the club's course, and s xpointments from your executive. As the , meeting was a totalisator one it was agreed between the clubs that a reutal of £50 be paid to the racing cli b This amount is therefore included -u the figures exhibited to you. Future Improvements In last year's report mention was made of the necessity for further stabling accommodation. Movement in respect to this has been delayed pending the finalising of the roading access to the Fenton Street frontage. The borough council has now determined the ultimate road levels so it will be possible for permanent developments on the club's new property to be proceeded with. The present financial arrangements are such that th6 incoming executive will not have any anxiety in this respect. • The retiring members of the executive are Hessrs. W. Galbraith, N. M. Keane, C. R. Tapper, Geo. Urquhart and Dr. S. H. Hay, all of whom art eligible for re-electlon.