GLAMOUR OF BETTING

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1058, 23 August 1930, Page 12

GLAMOUR OF BETTING

SPORT AT A LOW EBB IN HOLLAND TOO MANY RESTRICTIONS Since betting was completely prohibited in Holland, racing has gone down until it is now said to be at a very low ebb. It would seem that almost everywhere sport without betting loses much of its charm. There are now only about a dozen meetings in the whole of Holland in a year, with two or three races a day and only two or three runners in each race. Most of the horses come from Belgium. The decline in racing, of course, has its reflex action where breeding is concerned. Some years ago racing and breeding were more or less nourishing instititutions. Even the par-mutuel has been abolished by law. and this is reported to have sounded the deathknell of racing in Holland as well as that of breeding.

RACING FINANCE ROTORUA’S GOOD YEAR BURDEN OF TAXATION Your committee has pleasure in con- j gratulating the members upon the club j having enjoyed a successful year s • operations, notwithstanding the adverse weather conditions that prevailed through a portion of the race meeting period, states the report presented at last night’s annual meeting of member's of the Ptotorua Placing Club. The year under review (as in the previous year) has not been a severely strenuous one for the committee. The customary meetings were held of the committee and the various sub-com-mittees, namely, legal and finance, grounds and works and emergency committee, met as occasion warranted, and it is pleasing to be able to record that the respective committees were aiive to the responsibilities placed upon them and by their keen attention to duties made the executive business of the club’s year a pleasure to be as- i sociated with. The Balance Sheet Permanent improvements during the year entailed the capital expenditure j of £893 15s 6d, which amount was expended on extension of the totaiisator house, inside bar, new number board, and fencing, etc. The expenditure proved, by the further conveniences, advantages and facilities offered, ; to be well warranted and a decided acquisition. Your club’s last year’s balance sheet show’s capital account over liabilities at £10,017 10s 7d, included in which was the net profit for the year of £ 1,513 Ms 6d. The revenue for the year from all sources amounts to £1,655 16s, against last year’s figures of £2,505 19s. (The reduction in this year’s figures is wholly accounted for by the reduced figures in the meeting account.) Expenditure, apart from the amount previously mentioned in permament improvements, amounted to £583 Bs, as against £557 13s 7d for the previous period. (The slight increase has been occasioned in wages owing to the decision of the committee to appoint a salaried caretaker so as to avail of full-time services in lieu of casual services only as had been rendered in the past under this heading.) There, however, remains a handsome balance of £1,072 8s to be carried to profit and loss account. In addition to cash disbursements, £ 369 2s 9d was written off the club’s buildings and plant, and £45 7s 6d off the club’s books as bad debts. An Appreciable Balance After providing for all commitments, there shows still an appreciable balance to be carried to capital account of £657 17s 9d. The permanent improvements, as previously mentioned, absorbed the sum of £893 15s 6d, and expenditure on plant and equipment £35 3s, payment for the whole of which has been made, leaving the capital account at the end of the financial year standing at £10,675 Ss 4d, included in which are cash assets of £3,150 at short-dated fixed deposit at the Bank of New Zealand, Rotorua, and a credit balance at the club’s bank, the Bank of New Zealand, Rotorua, of £SI 17s 9d, while your only, liabilities are £27 17s 4d. The figures in your club assets have been steadily mounting, as may be noted from the following:—On July 31, 1924, capital account stood at £4,287 Ss 2d. and in a period of six years has increased to £10,675 8s 4d, with liabilities practically nil —a very satisfactory state of affairs. Taxation, £2*866 The taxes* paid throughout the last

meeting were:— £946 3s; receipts and amusement-tax, £B6 14s lOd; stakes-tax, £131; and in addition the public contributed in divi-dend-tax £1,702 13s. making a total taxation paid on the meeting of i £2,866 10s lOd. Against this amount there is a refund of taxes of £250 al- : lowed under certain headings; such conditions the club was able to comply with and the refund was granted accordingly. The question of future taxation for racing clubs and other kindred clubs is at present receiving consideration by the legislators, and it is possible that an increase will be imposed and will have to be faced in future. If so it is trusted that the demand will only be of short duration as even under the present ratio of taxation a large number of the clubs are feeling the strain. Course Improvements The incoming committee will have to seriously consider the question of adequate provision of stabling for racehorses during the race meeting perods: and to cope with the question s'o provide for all future requirements some three to five acres of land are required for reasonable stabling and yarding space. Owing to the limited area available on the club’s present property, the committee is considering the purchase of additional suitable areas, and it is hoped matters may be finalised to a degree that the proposition will be able to be put before you fully at the annual general meeting. The retiring members of the executive are Messrs. C. A. Clarke. F. Goodson, I). Jervis, W. Loffley and L. C. Ryan, all of whom are eligible for renomination. CONVALESCING INJURED HURDLE JOCKEYS H. DULIEU FOR MARTON The successful hurdle jockey, H. Dulieu, was a spectator at today’s meeting of the Pakuranga Hunt at Ellerslie, owing to a broken collarbone received on the last day at Riccarton. However, his absence from the saddle will only be of short duration for he expects to resume riding again at the Marton Spring Meeting today fortnight. Another Ellersiie horseman, E. Stanway, will continue his calling when the Avondale Jockey Club’s meeting comes up for decision. Stanway was very unfortunate at Ellersiie in June, missing the winning ride on King’s Jest in the Great Northern Hurdles through an accident earlier in the day on Sir j Archie.