TARANAKI JOCKEY CLUB

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 149, 20 July 1909, Page 3

TARANAKI JOCKEY CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Taranaki Jockey Club was held last night, in the office of the secretary, Mr. E. P. Webster. There was an attendance of twenty-five members. In the absence of the president (Mr. A. Standish), Mr. C. M. Lepper (chairman of the committee) was voted to the chair. ANNUAL REPORT.

The chairman, reviewing the year's work, reported a most successful year, a profit of £1132 15s 7d having resulted after making liberal allowances for depreciation of buildings and plant. At the close of last year the bank overdraft stood at £ 1101. As would be seen oy the balance-sheet presented, at the close, of this year there was a bank balance to credit of £169 3s 3d, the first time in Mr. Lepper's. recollection that the club had occupied such a position. Since the last annual meeting the committee received Mr. Fleetwood's resignation as secretary to the club, which was duly accepted. Mr. Fleetwood was granted a bonus of £SO for his long service to the club. Applications for the vacant position were advertised for, the committee finally selecting Mr. E. P. Webster to fill the position. The committee had doubtless made some mistakes in the past, but he thought no member would find fault with that appointment, ! for Mr. Webster had undoubtedly been proved the right man in the right place. The number of members was 107, which compared favorably with previous years'. The racing at the club's" two meetings was highly satisfactory, the nominations and acceptances showing an increase on the previous year. After thc autumn meeting the committee decided on making improvements to the course. A contract was let to remove a portion of the saddling paddock hill, and for the cutting of a roadway at the Slack of the paddock to enable an entrance te be made for horses, in close proximity to the intended site of the new stables. This work, while doing away with the club's natural grandstand, would reclaim a large area, which would be thrown into a saddling paddock, thus largely improving this portion of the club's property. A contract had also been let for a new stewards' stand at a cost of £790. Plans had also been submitted by the architect for new | stabling accommodation, which when completed should be much appreciated by horse-owners and trainers. It was anticipated that all improvements would be completed before the club's next Christmas meeting. An exchange bad been agreed upon with the Borough Council for certain sections in the borough reserve for an equal of the club's property. A local Bill would be required, and the club's solicitors now bad the matter in hand. When the exchange was effected it would give the lelub necessary land for the purpose of erecting public stands, etc., at any future time, and also giving more complete 1 1 control over, the public attending race ' [ meetings.

The report unci balance-sheet, the latter belli;; withheld from the Press 'by speeial resolution, were unanimously adopted.

ELECTION OP OFFICERS, f ' The following officers were elected:— , President, Mr. W. L. Newman; vicc-pre- ' sident, Mr. Newton King; judge, Mr. \ C. A. Budge; treasurer, Colonel Ellis; ' clerk of the scales, Mr. Ab. Goldwatcr; , stewards, Messrs A. Alexander. W. Birdling, T. Elliot, E. Elliot, X. King, C. M ' Lepper, S. MeGuinness, Hon. 0. Samuel, A. McL. Thomson, F. Watson,'C. H. Weston, H. Linn, and A. K. Standish; committee, Messrs A. K. Blundell, Ab. Goldwater, N. King, C. It Lepper, A. it. Standish, W. Sole, W. C. Weston, L. A. Nolan, J. H. Hempton, A, McL. Thomson, A. Alexander, and L. B. Webster; auditor, Mr. H. Stocker; hoa. Burgeon," Dr. Fookes. LIFE MEMBERS. It was decided to appoint Mr. A. 11. Standish a life member of the club, in recognition of his many years' membership and service to the club. Very eulogistic reference was also made to the very valuable services rendered to the club by Mr. C. A. Budge, as honorary judge and starter at very many of the club's meetings. It was decided to appoint Mr. Budge a life member of the club. (The club had two life members previously, Captain Mace, N.Z.C., and Hon. 0. Samuel, M.L.C.) NOTES. Application for trainers' and jockeys' licenses for the ensuing year must be in the hands of the secretary of the Taranaki Metropolitan Committee (Mr. E. P. Webster) this evening. .Current licenses ' expire on July 31st, and the committee , will not meet again before that date. Applicants,"of course, will be aware of ■ the immediately forthcoming meetings. At last night's meeting it was men- ; tioned that as Mr. A. Cliff was the contractor for buildings on the T.J.C. property, he was ineligible for nomination as a member of the committee. The , club loses an energetic ollieer for the ' nonce.

Mr. C. M. Lepper has been re-elected chairman of the committee.