TARANAKI JOCKEY CLUB.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1917, Page 5

TARANAKI JOCKEY CLUB.

ANNUAL 'MEETING. The annual meeting of the Tamißlk! Jockey Chro wat held in the Soldtas' Club last night, when there 'was a lalge ' ' attendance of members. Mr. L. A. Nolan, chairman of the eosi* mittee, was voted to the chair. I An apology was received from t&6 'president (Hon. 0. Samuel, M.L.C.),wJ» in expressing regret at his Inability to attend, congratulated the club on its .successful season and wished it eqtal [success next year. GHAIRMANIS REPORT.

The chairman, in his report. «*• gratulated the club on having had a record year, and, judging by the at* tendance at the meeting, the intertet taken in the club's affairs augured well for the future success. The net profit for the year was £Bl4 16s lOd, to which could fairly he added ££oo depreciation, which had been written off the tarn fence, number board, etc., and in addition the club had donated a total o£ £1074 to various funds. The committee Imd laid down the policy that dung the war no material improvements wotdd carried out, excepting work of absolute importance, and accordingly during the year no improvements had been effected, save the completion of the earth;* work for tho proposed members' drive and the removal of earth from the centre of the course, which Tpould have the effect of giving an uninterrupted view of the racing. The takings at tha gates and grandstand were £IOB9 5e r and were the highest to date, being an tar crease of £BO on the previous year. Tbia was very satisfactory, as the inaroaso in the gate showed that the club wa» ibep coming more and more popular, and waa holding its position as the metropolitan bodv. The totalisator turnover w«a £Bi,<gfl 10s, as against £72,368 10s far the previous year, an increase of £8761, the net income showing an increase of £738. The club was in a strong financial position, holding a fine freehold propertv of 31 acres, its total assets Detog £1*0,521 9s 3d, whilst the only liability was to the bank—£l7l9 (applause). He mentioned that 14 or 15 of the club's members hrd gone to the front. He made appreciative reference to the work of the stewards and committee, all of whom showed a due appreciation of the responsibility of their positions, and .had helped to mako the meetings the success that they were, and the same applied to the starter and other officials. He spoke in high terms of the work of the secretary (Mr. E. P. Webster), to whose* earnest care and «cal the club's success in the past eight or ten years was largely due. (Appla/use). . He also paid a high tribute to the good work of, and results achieved by, the club's caretaker (Mr. J. Blewman). He then formally moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet. p Mr. A. McL. Thompson seconded the ' adoption of the balancc-slleflt, which was carried. " OFFICIALS, | '&&f y,

Officers were elected as follows:: Pre*ident, Hon. 0. Samuel, M.L.C. (re-elect-ed); vice-president, Mr. Newton King (re-elected); judges, Mr. W. H. Hartgffl (autumn meeting), Mr. J. K. L. Stanford (Cliristmas meeting); hon. treasurer, Mr. W. C. Weston (re-elected); clerk of scales, Mr. A. B. Goldwater , (reelected ); committee, for the thirteeia seats there were twenty-two nominations, the election resulting: Messrs A. Alexander, E. P. Blundell, B. H. Chaney, CI. Fraser, W. Hookham, Newton King, J. McLend, L.'A. Nolan, F. OrbeU, 0. W. Sole, Jas. Hawkins, D. J, Hughes, W. P, Nicnll (elected) • W. C. Phillips, L. B. Webster, C. M.' Leppcr, M. Mills, B. Honeyfleld, A. Lile, C. HoneyfieM, IV iPlumtree and D. Penwarden. Stewards!. There were 18 nominations for 12 vacancies, the election resulting: Messrs A. Alexander, B. H. Chaney, A. H. Halcombe, Newton King, W. L. Newman, L, A. Nolan. A. McL. Thompson, P. Watson, L. B. Webster, F. Orbcll, R. 'H. Kgott, W. Honeyfield (elected), T. Elliott, Bi Linn, A. Lile, J. Hawkins, D. J, Hughes, and W. Buckle; hon. surgeons, Drs Wylie and Fookes; hon. veterinary surgeon, Mr. E. Mason; auditor. Mr. Ji S. S. Medley. , i QENEPvAIi.

Mr. Hawkins suggested that the «lut> should increase its stakes, so as to enable owners to pay their way. The chairman stated that the idea at present was not to increase the states / for the February meeting, but it had been decided to increase the stakes fo* the Christmas meeting to the amount of £2OO for one day. It was hard to say how racing would come off next year, as the Railway Department wa» not assisting with special trains. After the war tiie committee would launch out, but they felt that a policy of caution was advisable during the war, otherwise the stakes would have been increased during the past two or three venrs. In reply to a question, the chairman stated that every licensee in the district was given an opportunity of tendering for the booth. Votes of thanks were accorded the outgoing officers and the chairman.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr. L. A. Nolan was unanimously re-elected chairman of committee. The committee will meet on the third Tuesday in each month.