SOUTH CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2748, 13 January 1882, Page 2

SOUTH CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB.

, a The adjourned annual meeting of the South Canterbury Jockey Club was held at .the Grosvenor hotel last night. Present—Messrs D. Maclean (Chairman), J. Meikle, E. G. Kerr, D. McGuinness, A J.lParsnns, J.W. White, R. Stansell, T. Hall, R. R. Taylor, H. Gardiner and M. De H. Duval.

The Treasurer produced the annual statement of accounts, duly audited. It showed that the total receipts during the year amounted to £1396 14s 9d, and the expenditure, £994 19s 6d, leaving a credit balance of £4Ol 15s 6d in the hands of the Club.

The following report of the Committee was read “ The Committee of the South Canterbury Jockey Club have much pleasure in presenting to the Club the following report at the general meeting, held at the Grosvenor Hotel, Timaru, January 12,1882 “ Two of the most successful day’s racing were held by the Club ou its racecourse during the last year. The last day, though unfortunately very wet, the sport was excellent. The Club also, on the 24th of May, 1881, granted the use of the course to the Grand National Steeplechase Club for the purpose of holding their annual meeting. Two fences were erected on the course by the Steeplechase Club, and ‘being strongly and durably constructed they will be of use to the S.O.J. Club in the future. “ The thanks of the Club are due to Mr Moss Jonas for having presented a cup, of the value of £SO, to be run for at the annual race meeting of the Club and the Committee hope that his generous example will be followed in the, future. During the last year the S.W. end of the Racecourse Reserve has been planted with forest trees. The planting has been most successful, the trees doing well. This will add greatly to the beauty of the course and will afford considerable shelter ; the Committee hope that every year some planting’ will be done by the Club. The lease of the reserve expired on November 1, 1881. The rent hitherto has been £SO per annum. The Committee have relet the reserve to the same tenant, Mr Stevenson, at a rental of £l2O per annum, thus increasing the annual revenue by £7O, and also Mr Stevenson has entered into very satisfactory covenants as, to keeping the course, &c. “ The lawn opposite the Grand Stand has been enlarged by the Committee and laid down in lawn grasses. The cost of enlarging the lawn and planting the trees amounted to £lls.

“ The Club began the year with a credit balance of £45 . Is; and after holding two days’ successful race meeting, and expending £lls in planting, &c., shows at the end of the year, as by the balance sheet presented you to-night, a credit balance of £4Ol 15s 6d. This most satisfactory state of matters is largely due to the exertions and energy displayed by the Honorary Secretary. The Committee hare the greatest pleasure in presenting the balance sheet showing such a good credit balance, as they feel confident from past experience that the next year ought to be as successful as the last, and if it is so the debt now owing on the course of £6OO could in all probability be paid off. “ The Committee cannot look back on the last year’s racing and general business of the Club without great satisfaction. During the last three years the Grand Stand has been built, improvements have been effected, and the financial position of the Club hasbeen thoroughly good. There are several improvements yet to be made, such as stables, &c„ which the Committee hope to see effected.

“ (Sighed) A. St. G. Hameeslev, Chairman of Committee,

“ 12th January, 1882.” It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Hall, seconded by Mr White—“ That the report and balance-sheet be received and adopted." ,The Chairman stated that four members of the Managing Committee retired by ballot. They were Messrs M. Jonas, E. R. Taylor, E. G. Kerr, and R, Stansell.

The retiring members were re-elected. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr R. Stewart fop auditing the accounts of the Club.

Mr Par.; :s oved a vote of thanks to the Committee for the very satisfactory manner in which they had man aged the affairs of the Club during the past year, and in doing so pointed to the highly satisfactory balance-sheet that had been presented. Mr Duval seconded the motion, which was unanimously carried. The Chairman said that some of the members of the Committee must feel guilty of not having done their fair share of work during the past year. The

planting sub-committee had certainly done thd; most work, and the Club wpS specially indebted to Mr Meikle for superintending the planting. Mr Meikle had devoted a large amount of time to the work, and his efforts to beautify the racecourse reserve had been very successful. (Hear, hear.) should more a vote of thanks to Mr Meikle. ~ .

The motion was put and carried- by acclamation.

Mr Meikle said he was very much obliged to the Club for the vote of thanks just passed. If his efforts to improve the appearance of the racecourse reserve had given the Club satisfaction he was quite saitsfied. He shonld always consider it a pleasure to do anything he could to promote the success of the Club.

Mr Hall moved a special vote of thanks to the Hon. Secretary, to whom their success during the past year; was mainly due. Mr White, in a eulogistic speech, seconded the motion, which was carried. A vote of thanks was then passed to the Chairman for presiding and the meeting terminated. . : A special meeting of the Committee will he held in a few days to draw up the programme and fix the date of next race meeting. , . ,'