SPORTING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 97, 25 August 1915, Page 5

SPORTING.

STRATFORD RACING CLUB. Tin* annual report of the Stratford j itaeini>; Club, to bo presented at the animal meeting of members, which takes place on Tuesday. August 31st. 191 b. in the secretary's office, is now in circulation, and reads as follows; “To the Members.—(lentlenten. —The twenty-fourth annual report and bal-ance-sheet of the Club must be considered highly satisfactory from every point of view. The annual race meeting was held on the Ist and 2nd ol January last in line weather and the attendance ol the general public and the gate receipts were considerably larger than in any former year. The t<>talisator investments were £33.307), as Compared with £3(1.020 for the preceding year. It was obvious that the action of the committee in .enlarging and improving the grandstand, people’s , stand and totalisator house was fully Iwarranted and, as it was. the extra accommodation provided was taxed to the utmost. The race meeting account discloses a nett profit of £14(59 7s 9d, as compared with £17)37 19s lid for 1914. The additions made to stakes, some £39b, more than account for the

difference of £B3 12s 2d. A profit of , £lb(> 6s was made for the Club by its thoroughly experienced and capable ( Karin Committee. The Club is indeed | fortunate in having the use of -Mr S. Pitt’s able services in this department, which shows an annual handsome profit. The general account shows that the cost of operating the Club’s general affairs and property was £717 18s 2d. as compared with ,£l4B 6s 6d. Tills sum. however, includes special and unusual items of expenditure, such as £l2b 4s. donations to War and Relief Funds. During the year considerable property and track improvements have been made, or are' in course of completion, and the expenditure \uider this heading is a good deal heavier than was the case last year. A bad bend in the course is being reduced and when this is completed the course proper will be a great deal safer for horses and riders than at present.. The caretaker lias givjon general satisfaction in the performance of his duties and has Ifept the Club’s property in consistently good 1 order and condition. The thanks of members are due to the various sub-coinulittees set up to deal with work such as tree planting and track*improvements. It has been the policy, pf } the Club for some years past bk plant the. property with syjt^blf\tj.;eej; and shrubs. In view of. the generally unsettled condition of tilings owing to the war. your committee, after mature consideration, decided it highly undesirable to embark upon any schemes of expenditure other than on works which' were, absolutely necessary. For this reason no building Operations have been carried out. and the matter of a new front fence and ornameptal, and permanent front gates jjjid |ljk> .ejection of a new nutnberboard has been indefinitely postponed. 'JTie bank overdrafts therefore* hits not lieon* utilised' to the fullest limit of £4OOO. and stands at present at £2BIB 9s 3d. All members of the committee retire therefijom this year, and nominations for the resulting seven vacancies are required! and also for the offices of President and Vice-President. It will be necessary to appoint an auditor for the ensuing year. Mr T. H. Penn. F.P.A., again offers his services in that capacity.— For the Committee, (Signed) A. W. BUDGE. President.”