TROTTING CLUB’S GOOD YEAR

Southland Times, Issue 24231, 14 September 1940, Page 10

TROTTING CLUB’S GOOD YEAR

FINANCES IMPROVE AT WINTON

TWO RECORDS SET UP DURING SEASON

The past year had proved very successful, and the finances had improved to the extent of £233/1/7, after making a donation of £lOO to the patriotic fund, said the president (Mr J. O’Shannessy) at the annual meeting of the Winton Trotting Club. There was an attendance of 40 members. The season just concluded had marked, the clubs 25th anniversary as a totalizator club. Good weather had prevailed for the fixture and two records had been established, Willowbank winning the Trotting Club Handicap of two miles in 4.23 2-5 and Rocks Ahead pacing an exhibition mile in 2.5 2-5. These outstanding performances spoke volumes for the track, which, Mr O’Shannessy considered, was one of the best tracks in Southland. The totalizator returns of £13,297 were the highest for the last 12 years, and nominations, acceptance fees and forfeits amounting to £521 were the best for the past 18 years. The main items of expenditure were stakes £1315 and Government taxation £1320. Trotting in Southland was hampered by an insufficiency of permits, remarked the chairman, and it was very unlikely that any relief would be granted for a long time. The war had an unsettling effect upon racing, but clubs had been asked to carry on with their fixtures, said Mr O’Shannessy. The Winton Club was in a very strong financial position, and even showing a loss each year it could carry on for some 'four years before it would have to cry enough. He thought that stakes should- not be reduced this year, and in fact should be maintained as long as possible. As retiring president, he thanked the members and committee for their support and co-operation, and referred to the happy relationships during his 26 years as a member and officebearer of the club. KEEPING UP STAKES

Mr W. G. Clark congratulated the club on its very successful year, which was, in fact, the best year that the club had ever experienced. He knew that the same profit could not be kept up in view of the unsettled conditions, but he was in favour of maintaining the stakes at the same level, and, if possible in later years, of raising them. It must be remembered that there were very many people engaged in racing and dependent upon it for theii livelihood.

Mr W. G. Clark was elected president, and Messrs R. E. Cowie and J. T. Darnhill vice-presidents. For the six annual vacancies on the committee, nine nominations were received, the ballot resulting in the election of Messrs M. Duffy, R. Norman, J. F. Hamilton, J. O’Shannessy, P. Boylen and W. Cahill. Mr H. Earl was elected to fill the extraordinary vacancy on the committee occasioned by the election of Mr J. T. Darnill as a vice-president. Mr O’Shannessy was elected a life member of the club in recognition of his services to the club over a long period of years. Mr Clark said that everyone was agreed that life-member-ship was the highest honour that could be conferred by a club and Mr O’Shannessy had fully earned the recognition. Mr O’Shannessy returned thanks. Eleven new members were elected. Mr P. Boylen suggested that, in the interest of owners, acceptances should be closed after the Gore Trotting Club meeting. It was stated that the short time between the two meetings made this step difficult. Mr J. R. Todd suggested that a loudspeaker system should be used at the fixture, and mentioned its success at the Winton Jockey Club meeting. Mr T. McGillivray, president of the Winton Jockey Club, congratulated the trotting club upon the success of its past season, and referred to the happy relationships between the two clubs. He congratulated Mr Clark upon his election as president, and said he knew that he would ably fill the position. Reference was made by the , chairman to the loss suffered by the club in the deaths during the year of two valued members, Messrs William Hamilton and George Horner. Members stood in silence as a mark of respect.