SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1919, Page 7

SPORTING.

AUSTRALIAN TURF. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Auk. 31, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, Aug. 31. The New Zealand liorsos continue to surprlce local critics by their wondeiful gallops. The latest, Spanner, covered five furlongs In 1.1, equalling Biplane's record. D. O'Connor has accepted a retainer to ride for W. G. Stead, of New Zealand, Tha Mnorefleld Handicap resulted: British Arch 1, Sand Bee 2, Barnaway 3. Won by a length. Time, 2:8.

STRATFORD RACING CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Stratford Racing Club was held on Friday evening. There was an attendance of about 130. Mr. W. J. Morrison presided.

..THE REPORT. The annual report stated that the Mtallsator Investments for the past five years had been: 1912 £18,525, 1913 £21,054, 1914 £30,525, 1915 £33,305, 1916 £38,862, 1917 £43,348, 1918 £29,511 (one day only), £1919 £28,903 (one day only.) A profit of £145 la 44 had been made by the Farm Committee, which had done good work. Tho general account showed thai the sum of £1204 Is lOd had been expended out of tho race mooting and farm accounts, and tlie commltlee hud donated £SO to the Copper Trial fund. Owing to the club's progressive policy In the matter of increasing stakes and framing events, they had been favored with a large number of entries from outside the province. As a result of the reduction In racing days there had been a deficit of £172 4s 4d in 1918, and £295 12s 3d during the past year. Tho race meeting account, disclosed a net profit of £967 15s 9d, compared with £973 18s Til for the previous year, and this notwithstanding (hat the stakes had been Increased by £l5O. This was largely the result of the reduction of complimentary tickets to a minimum, and the gate receipts were for that reason £OS4 Is 9d, as compared with £422 7s 9d for 1918. The club's prospects for obtaining »i additional permit were never brighter, and everything possible was being done to .further the club's Interests In this direction. The committee had considered the matter of -,txtenslve course and building improvements as they had outgrown their present facilities. Mr. A. C. Hill, caretaker of tho EllersUe course, had, at the Invitation of tho committee,, visited Stratford and had inspected the club's property and appointments. Mr. Hill had furnished a Tery complete scheme, accompanled by a detailed plan. This arrived too late ■ to be effectively dealt with by jhc ' committee, as large financial considerations' were Involved. Stratford could not lag behind other clubs ar.d something on a large scale Involving heavy expenditure, possibly over a term of years, would have lo be done. It was obvious that tho club would bo greatly aided In its efforts by on additional permit.

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The president said that things might have been very much worse fharf they were. He dealt with circumstances which had an injurious influence on the lust meeting, referring particularly to the Influenza epidemic. Since last meeting certain Improvements absolutely nocesstur had been effected, but while this, had meant heavy expenditure iney were faced with the necessity for new buildings. A new training track hod also been deemed necessary, and the committee had had levels taken. Subsequently they considered that a bigger scheme (recommended by Mr. Hill, of Auckland), than that first contemplated was desirable, whether this scheme could be car' rled out in its entiret> was another matter. This was a matter which the new committee would have to deal with. Representations had been made to the Racing Oonferetrce and the Minister for Internal Affairs in regard to the cranting of further permits for Taranaki, and particularly Stratford, find he believed that the case had been put strongly enough' to: hive some weight. He pointed out that an election was coming on toon, and weed that members should support a candidate who was not averse to horse-racing.

THE DISCUSSION. Mr. Klrkwood said the work of the committee did not lend Itself to adverse criticism, as they had in the circumstances done remarkably well. He did not think they had the facilities they should for training. In regard to the future, he thought they should enlarge their policy. He was quite in favor of Mr. Hill's scheme. The work would havj.to be spread over a nunlbcr Of years, bttt the club could do It from year to year as finances permitted. He congratulated the committee In having made the moat fcfrard movement that had been made during the history of the club. He thought they should be able to increase (heir profits to well over £IOOO. jki club on the West Coast was more entit|H to an additional permit than the Stratford cj'ub. Dealing with opponents of racing, he said thofe was In every community some people who opposed racing simply because it did. not suit them, and they should do their best to counteract the efforts of those people to deprive them of racing, Referring to the financial position, he said that their Income was about £4OOO, and their expenditure £IOOO, They had a bank overdraft of £3500, and If they Increased this by £IOOO and issued debentures for £ 1000, they Would have a good sum u, work on next year.

Mr. .!. R. L. Stanford said tout a nit lo* was shown In the balance-sheet of £29s.Their main sources of revenue were racing itiri farm accounts, from which they derived £llOO, and it coat that to run the club every year. If they had an additional day they would probably make another £9OO, and would have that much more to spend. They had allowed in the balance-sheet for depreciation on buildings to the amount of £448. This was sound business, but all buildings had really Increased in value during the past four years, and were Insurable for a 1 larger amount than previously, ■ so that the loss In this respect was only nominal.

The report and* balance-sheet were adapted. ELECTION OP OFFICERS. Tho following officers were elected:—President, Mr. A. Stewart; vice-president, Mr. M. McDonald; committee, Messrs. J. S. Lyons, F. .1. McDonald, W. flf. Morrison, S. Pitt, V. Smith, ,1. R. L. Stanford, G. E. Wilson.

COURSE IMPROVEMENTS. Mr. W. P. Klrkwood moved his notice of motion: "That this Club approves and confirms the action of the committee with regard to the preparation of a comprehensive scheme and plan of property Improvements, and recommends the Incoming committee to proceed further In the matter, and, In due course to lay Its recommendations dealing: (a) With ah Improvement scheme, and (b) A scheme for financing same before a special general meet-' ing of the club." Mr. Klrkwood said the plan had been propared by Mr. Hill, of Elterslle, and not by an amateuf. There was no man In New Zealand more competent to make a recommendation than Mr. Hill. It was a comprehensive plan, and the chlb should at least commence carrying It out during the year. He did not think there would bo any difficulty In getting Sufficient money. Tho plan provided for two very fine straights, one on the front, and one on the back, with evon curves. Probably next year they could nut down the front atral&nt, ..id the buildings could be moved to the position shown In the plan. The new part could be connected With the present course, and racing could be continued as formerly. They were about five yetars behind the times. Now Plymouth was going in for a big scheme, Mr, Luttrall was preparing a scheme for Hawera, and Opunake were also going In for improvements. Unless Stratford adopted tho scheme proposed they wore going to he left behind. Tho plan provided for a ci/une training track and plough track,' also a comprehensive draining system. He maintained that the track could be made as good as any In Taranaki If sufficient money was aval'able. They should put behind them any Ideas of smallncss. The grandstand was too small, the totallsator accommodation was not sufficient, and a tea kiosk *as badly heeded. The crux of the question was finance, but If the committee did not' arrange- to finance the scheme they were golnß to fall behind.

Mr. McDonald seconded. Mr. Morrison said the scheme was not as cheap and as easy to carry out as appeared. Mr. Hill's' scheme provided for \ vofy fine course, also tho shifting of »very building on the property. Tho shifting of the buildIngs would have to bo done In ono season, and was going to ens! about £20.1101). The raise the money required would mean some hard thinking and sumo hard work. In common with other clubs they wove suffering for the sins of llieir forefather.* Other clubs had had to pay tens of thousands of pounds In reconstruction, and they did not want to have to do that In the future at Stratford. They wonted to start where others left oil and must build for the funlrc. The work had to bo done, but he doubted if It could be done in tho time suggested by Mr. Klrkwood. He could not say that they all agreed with Mr. Hill's scheme, but In less than twelve months the committee would bring down a scheme, and the club would have to take tho responsibility for accepting or reejctlng Itenlvlng to Mr. Klrkwood, the chairman said that the estimate of £20.00(1 for shifting tho buildings was by the committee, and not by competent authorities. Mr. Young said that tho club had nrtt Been the scheme, and they could not be expected to express an opinion on It that night. . Mr. Stewart, said it was Intended that an extraordinary meeting should be cailed to deal wUli the nvltloti, hut Mr. Klrkwood] had hopped In with his notice of motion A member asked how the money was to be raised—-by a Joint and several? The chairman: That Is In the lap of the future. , , Mr, HJcoMttßi Mid Hurt «>■ as tod i&

carrying the motion ns It-mood, tor It simply asked for a report which could be discussed Inter: . ~ Mr: M. McDortold, In supporting the motion, RAtet the absence of n proper training track meant the loss of revenue. At Hawera, GO horses we're- being trained, which meant a Dig After Mr. Klrkwood had replied, the motion was put and carried. RESISTING ELTHAM. A member referred to the action of several members of the club In assisting Eltham to obtain a permit. They had gone so far as to say that If their own course wag not ready In time, Eltham could Use tho Stratford course. Instead of doing this they should have fought, tooth and nail, against ffltham. No racing club could bo formed within ten miles of a metropolitan club, and they hod no right to assist Eltham In getting a permit, and tha assistance of Hnwera should bo sought In opposing It. If Eltham got a permit they could make up their minds that no second permit would be granted to Stratford. (Applause.) GENERAL. Mr I Frederic moved that It he a recommendation to the committee that In fOMM ; ttH« Wllltt' MUU IM *IMH *t ttut tUftttt it,

the committee. .The present not give them BiimYlent time. ~,:' T;h« motion Ittas carried,. .-ks' Jnovrf that qomplftnenlaty tlcffltl be Bent to members of other ciuts urtutth out Tarantkl. Mr. McDonald seconded.—T§» proposal wm. keenly discussed, unit. on btl|| put to the rote, was lost. /., Mr. Hurry Tenn was rc'-appolnted audit**. Mr. Klrkwood brought up the question of permitting country members who could not attend the meeting to vote by proxy, and the chairman aald notice of motion would hafV to be given. , ;!■ Votes of thanks were panel to til* del*- , gates to the Conference, the repwaenteUrea M , the Dlaulct Committee, the roth-lug member* of the rommliteee, and to the honorary ]udt>, • Mr. Stanford.