FOXTON RACING CLUB.

Shannon News, 31 July 1923, Page 3

FOXTON RACING CLUB.

I ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Foxtoi Racing Club was held in the Foxtoi Town Hall supper room last evening the president (Mr J. R. Whyte) pre siding over a very large attendance. The chairman expressed pleasure a 1 the good attendance, and before proceeding with the business referred tc the loss the Club - had sustained b> the deaths of Messrs W. Bock and R. Nimmo. On the motion votes of condolence with the relatives were carried, the members standing in silence as a mark of respect. The report and balance-sheet hav. ing been read, the president, in moving their adoption, congratulated the Club on its strong financial position. The [ past year had been the most interesting in the club’s history, having been its diamond jubilee, which was celebrated by the donation of a cup by the racecourse trustees. Owing to a fire destroying the office of the club and the records it had been impossible to trace the early history, but Mr John Kebbell could remember a race meeting held as far back as St. Patrick’s Day in 1860. They were somewhat unfortunate in having particularly wet weather for their last meeting, and were lucky in making any profit at all. Mr Whyte also touched on the proposed reduction of taxation on racing clubs and pointed out that the abolition of the amuse, ment tax would save the Club about £BO per year. Since last meeting they had widened the straight to the full width of the course. They also pro-

posed to make additions to the birdcage and erect up-to-date offices on their property in Main Street, which members no doubt would appreciate. Regret was expressed at the departure of Mr L. Freeman, who had been an energetic and capable secretary of the Club for three years. He was sure however, that they had a worthy successor in Mr D. Ogilvie. Mr Whyte also congratulated the Club in the honour conferred upon it by the Coun. try Racing Clubs’ Conference, which had elected one of Foxton’s members. Mr W. T. Jewell, as its president. In seconding the motion for the adoption of the report, Mr Jewell touched briefly on matters of finance. He also mentioned that in the Bill before Parliament 40 or 50 new permits were proposed to be issued, but these would go to those clubs which had only one day meetings or those which were in. course of formation. He immediately got into touch with the Minister in charge of the Bill and obtained permission to have the claims of Foxton inserted. Mr Jewell also gave a brief report of the Country Clubs’ Conference. He said one of the important motions carried was that in future all country clubs must race on their own courses or forfeit their totalisator permits. It was also decided that if a permit does fall in such permit belongs to the district in which it has lapsed. Mr Jewell expressed appreciation of the services rendered by Mr Barber, his fellow delegate, who had given very valuable assistance and advice at the Conference. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Patron, Mr Frank Robinson; president, Mr J. H. Whyte; vice-presidents, Messrs W. E. Barber, G. C. Coley, O. R. Robinson, C. E. Robinson (all re. elcted); auditor, Mr A. Fraser (reelected) ; stewards, Messrs J. V. Burr, C. R. Bryant, H. Coley, H. G. Hammond, W. J. Neylon, C. A. Pearson, W. T. Jewell, J. Purcell and A. M. Smith.

In returning thanks for his re-elec-tion, the president said he had thought of retiring, but so many members who had known him since boyhood had waited on him that he had consented to stand once again. He was pleased after so many years of office that he still held the confidence of members. TAXATION REDUCTIONS.

On the motion of Mr W. T. Jewell, seconded by Mr Jackson, it was resolved: "That this annual meeting of the Foxton Racing Club strongly disapproves of the method proposed by Sir George Clifford for the reduction of stakes and dividends, since such a course would not relieve the financial position of clubs in any way. This meeting is emphatically of the opinion that a reduction should be made in the totalisator and amusement taxes, as these are borne directly by clubs and are directly responsible for the difficult financial position in which many country clubs find themselves. Further, that this Club supports the Oamaru Jockey Club in its proposal that in the event of the Government not being prepared to forego the whole of the totalisator and amusement taxes, a graduated tax be imposed on clubs whereby the first £2500 invested on the tote should be exempt from the tax." It was decided that copies of this resolution be sent to members of Parliament. Mr Massey proposed and it was carried: "That it be an instruction to the management committee that when making arrangements for the totalisator the person or persons so appointed should be required to deliver up to the Club all unclaimed dividends.” The caretaker (Mr L. Procter) was voted a bonus of £lO 10/.. On the motion of Mr A. M. Smith, it was decided to write to the Racecourse Trustees thanking them for the donation of the cup, especially mentioning the name of Mr John Kebbell. The following new members were elected: —Messrs Preston, Schultz, J. Coley junr., A. W. Empson, S. Austin, G. Rough, W. Trueman and R. Bowe. Votes of sympathy were passed to Messrs Coley and Bryant, with the expression of hopes for their speedy iecovery.