HOROWHENUA RACING CLUB.

Shannon News, 12 May 1922, Page 4

HOROWHENUA RACING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual rneeting of the club was held last week. The president (Mr James McLeavey) was m the chair, and there was a representative attendance of, members. ANNUAL REPORT.

The president, in presenting the annual report, congratulated the chib upon showing a profit for the year. In sympathy with the times, the balance was on the small side, but in comparison with other racing clubs, they must consider themselves lucky to come out with a profit. The stakes distributed’ at the last ’meeting were the largest yet offered by the club, namely, £1450, which showed that the club was on the up grade. The stewards for the past, year had had a very strenuous time. ■ No doubt members would remember that the Raciug Commission had recommended that the permit of the club be withdrawn. However, he was pleased to say that the club eventually won the way and the license' was granted. It would be necessary, during the next few months, to effect'more improvements at the course, a matter that could be left with the incoming stewards to deal with. The president stated that he understood that after this year’s racing the Government intended to readjust taxation. It would be absolutely necessary for them to do so, otherwise a great number of the smaller clubs would be doomed; and if they were non-existent the metropolitan clubs would find it very hard to get sufficient horses to compete a! their meetings. The home of the thoroughbred was in the country they were not. bred in the cities. The president -thanked the stewards (or the attention they had given racing matters, also for their regular atteip dance at meetings, and concluded by, wishing the ,club every future i rosperity. •;

In reply to Dr. Gow, the president stated that the club’s position financially was a little better than lastyear. Last year they had a bank balance of £402. It was now £450 odd. The president moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, and referred to the assistance given by the member for the district, Mr Field, and the Mayor, Mr D. W. Matheson, in the retention of the club’s race permit. The president said he wished to again thank the stewards for their good work during the year, and remarked that there would be only one difference in their personnel this year, Mr S. L. Jackson taking the place of Mr A. McLeavey, of Ohau, and he welcomed Mr Jackson as a member of the stewards. He next referred to the heavy taxation that was now imposed on the racing clubs. The Government was taking no less than £l4 10/ out ol every £IOO of revenue. This was a heavy handicap, and looked like killing the goose that laid the golden egg. During the coming year, it would be necessary to carry out. further improvements on the course, this being necessary on the advice oi higher racing authorities. The motion to adopt the report and balance-sheet was then carried.

OFFICIALS. Officials for the year were elected as follows: Patron, Mr W. H. Field, M.P.; president, Mr James McLeavcy; vice-presidents, Messrs. G. Tully, T. Bevan, R. A. McDonald, C. Blenkhorn, and Dr. J. G. Gow; stewards, Messrs. S. L. Jackson, J. W. Procter, L. G. McDonald, F. Nicholson, W. G. ickers, J. Ryder, E. M. Ryder, W. Ryder, G. Watson, F. Davies, C. Day, and M. Winiata; judge, Mr J. Cameron; starter, Mr C. O’Connor; handicapper, Mr H. Coyle; secretary, Mr W. Bull; clerk of course, Mr-W. Tubman; clerk of scales, Mr H. McMillan; timekeeper, Mr Rere Nicholson; course committee, Messrs. J. W. Procter, R. A. McDonald and J. Ryder; tote supervisor, Mr W. G. Talbot.

OTHER BUSINESS. Mr L. Procter (Foxton) stated that he thought it a good idea if club sent out a copy of the balance-sheet to members prior to the annual meeting, because outside members particularly had no idea how the cub stood unless they attended the annual meeting. He moved to this effect, and the motion was carried. Dr. Gow asked what improvements were contemplated by the club this year.

The president replied that they would include a new tote house, outside stand, outside lavatories, and a new railing round the course. The estimated value of the improvements was £ISOO.

Dr. Gow inquired how it was proposed to raise the money. The president replied that the stewards would have to go into that question. Mr J. Bebbington: What improvements will the club be compelled to make?

The president: The Racing Conference ask us to do all I have enumerated. If we can get the money we will do so, but if not we will have to do with the old tote house. The

railing round the course will have to be done. The Conference consists of reasonable men, who will not ask us to carry out the whole programme if we have not- got the money.

Dr. Gow said if the club had to launch out, they would want some guarantee that their license was secure, and that the club was not going to be wiped out. The president thought they could leave that question.in the hands of the stewards to jnquire into. The Government might reduce taxation, and there might be a chance of the club getting another day.

Mr P. Procter considered it would be a good idea to put in an application for another day, as some of the smaller clubs might go out under the heavy taxation.

The president: We ha.ve already done that.

Mr Bebbington asked what position the club was in as regards its permit.

The president said the same as ever, and the secretary added that the permits were only granted from year to year. Mr P. Procter moved a vote of thanks to the officers of the club for their services during the year, and congratulated them on the position ofthe club.

The vote was acknowledged by the president on behalf of the officers. .