SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1916, Page 8

SPORTING.

- STRATFORD RACING CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Thursday. The annual meeting of the above dub was held last evening, Mr. W. H. Young presiding over a very large attendance of members. The president, in moving the adoption ot \ the annual report and balance-sheet, said the club had had a prosperous year, and they had reason to be proud of the strides it was making. As suggested at last 'annual meeting, the profits were being devoted to patriotic purposes. The net profits were slightly under £3OO, but the committee proposed to double that amount in the contribution they intended making. Tho club had spent a considerable sum improving the racing track and the committee considered it new work, but the club's auditor thought it otherwise and contended it was a renewal. However, they intended to treat it as new work, and consequently the amount spent on it would bo devoted as part of the profits. Mr. W. J. Morrison, in seconding the motion, said the successful season was partly due to the increased stakes the club was giving, and he was sorry tlieir neighbors had not seen fit to follow in their footsteps. He then referred to the improvements that were needed, which would require a big sum of money to carry out. Mr. J. B. Richards said the club had made good progress since they decided to do away with the guarantors. He did not agree with the suspension of racing owing to the war Why should they retard racing and allow theatres and outdoor sports to continue to go on as \isual? At the same time they sympathised with those who had suffered through the war. The club had progressed by leaps and bounds. The totalisator investments during the. past five years were:—l9l2, £18,525; 1913, £21,TA-, 1914, £30,525; 1915, £33,325; 1910, £3S,BG2. That was a record of which the club might well be proud. , The litakes had increased from £1225 to £2350 during the same period, and the profits from the meetings had risen from £IOOO to £lOlO. The club had also acquired further land. Mr. D. J. Malone said there had been three blots in their appointments—the condition of the .racing track, a general outcry against dangerous bends, dnd the want of an up-to-date number board. The two former had been attended to, the track and bends being now second to none in the Dominion, but the number board was not in keeping with such a progressive club. It might </ost £3OO to erect one, but it would be appreciated by the public New Plymouth and Ha•wera had one each, and they did not put as much money through the machine ■is the Stratford Club did. In the near future they would have to consider the erection of an up-to-date tea kiosk, and the catering arrangements as a whole would have to be attended to. Mr. W. P. Kirkwood was pleased to report an increase in members. More members meant n 'healthy rivalry for jjositions in the club. Dr. Paget and Mr. J. Robson also iipoke. The balance-sheet was then adopted,

The election of officers resulted resulted as follows:—President, Mr. W. H. Young (re-elected); vice-president, Mr. W. J. Morrison (re-elected); committee, Messrs H. E. Abraham. S. Pitt, F. MncIcay, J. K. L. Stanford, W. R. S. Brewer, A. Stewart, and W. P. Kirkwood; audittar. Mr. T. H. Pcnn. The following motions by Dr. ffiaget wore carried:--(1) "That Rule 15 (a) be amended by the deletion of the 31st July as the date upon which the club's books and accounts are to be balanced, and the substitution therefor by the 30th June." (2) "That Rule 15 (b) be amended .by substituting the Ist July to the 30th June as the fiscal year, instead of the Ist August to the 31st July, as at present." A motion that in future the election of new members should take place after the reading, of the minutes was lost. It was decided to donate £7 7s to the A. and P. Association funds. 5t was also decided to donate £SS6 12s Cd to patriotic funds, to be allocated as follows: —Serbian Fund £SO, Belgian Belief Fund £SO, Bed Gross £25, and the balance to the general funds of the Patriotic Committee. It was decided that in future annual reports the attendance of members at committee meetings should be recorded. ■Votes of thanks were passed to: Mrs. Young (for presenting prizes), Mr. J. B. Richards (treasurer), Mr. J. R. L. -Stanford (bon. judge), the Farm Committee, delegates to the Racing Conference, Taranaki Jockey Club, and the secretary.