SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1921, Page 3

SPORTING.

t JARANAKI TROTTING CLUB. SECOND ANNUAL AIEETING, The second annual meeting of the Trotting Club was held in r th ® last night, the president (Mr. A. W. We^ st ® r) being In the chair. There was a Sood attendance of members. annual report. The annual report was read as follows: The committee beg to present their second annual report and balance-sheet, the latter showing a balance on last year’s figures ot practically £5O, and represents the loss on the race meeting held on February 5 last. The meeting was highly successful, and under the circumstances the result may be regarded as satisfactory, but it will be apparent to members that without a totalisator permit it is practically impossible to run a meeting without making a loss. . You are all, no doubt, aware that the Racing Commission, in their most excellent and comprehensive report, have recommended this club for a one-day permit, but this has yet to be ratified by Parliament, and there is an element of doubt as to Whether the eommissien’s report will be adopted. We are again greatly indebted to the Jockey Club for generously placing their course and appointments at our disposal for our last meeting, and they have also agreed to do the same tiling for our next meeting, which has been fixed for Friday, February 10, the day In between the Jockey Club’s two days. Your committee are of opinion that this would be a most suitable day. We have yet to get permission from the association to race on this day, having previously applied for vhe following week.

Al our last race meeting wc adopted the yards system of starting instead of the clock, and the result was most satisfactory. Your committee consider that it is high , time that a uniform system of starting was adopted by all clubs. The committee are indebted to the officials of the club, who worked so hard to minimise the loss.

The following gentlemen retire from the committee by rotation: Messrs. Fairbrother, Jones, McLeod, Honeyfield and Wooldridge. Mr. Honeyfleld does not seek re-election.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the president commented on the position of the club, and on the commissioner's report, stating that the thanks of all the clubs in Taranaki were due to the fine report put in by the Taranaki Jockey Club, and that it was mainly owing to that report that the extra <iays were recommended for Taranaki by the commission. He also paid a tribute to the excellent services rendered by Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., in this connection. Air. M. Jones seconded the adoption, which was carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS, The following were re-elected unopposed: [President Mr. A. W. Webster; vice-presidents, Messrs. A. Alexander and W. C. Weston; committee (five required), Messrs. C. Fairhrother, M. Jones, J. McLeod, F. H. Robertson, E. Wooldridge: stewards, Messrs. H. J. S. Brookman, K. Fleming, J. Foreman, W. Honeyfield, Al. Jones, W. McKenzie, J. McLeod, H. Linn, A. R. Standish, L. B. Webster, Dr. E. F. Fookes; hon. treasurer, W, C. Weston. This means the re-election of last year's officers, with the exception that Mr. W. Iloneyfieid, who did not seek re-election, is replaced by Mr. F. H. Robertson. Mr. C. B. Webster was re-elected auditor. The president remarked that it was very creditable that the club had got through two meetings without the totalisator and without any subsidy from a metropolitan body. Mr. S. G. Smith congratulated the president on the statement he had placed before the commission, showing that the club was composed of tnen who were out to foster trotting as a sport and carry it otu on clean lines. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Press, the chairman (Mr. A. W. Webster), the committee, and the secretary (Mr. L. DeC. Morgan). Mr. Ferry suggested that the rules governing the Farmers’ Plate should be amended so as to include genuine amateurs other than farmers. The secretary thanked the committee for assistance given during the year, especially mentioning Messrs. A. W. Webster, W. C. Weston, and S. G. Smith. EGMONT-WANCANUI HUNT CLUB. MEETING TO-AiORROW. Everything points to the Egmont-Wangannl Hunt Club's Steeplechase meeting, which is to be held at Hawera to-morrow, being the most successful in the history of the club. Splendid acceptances have been received, whilst complete arrangements have been made for the conduct of the gathering. Mr. A. Morse lias the course and its appointments in good order, and, given reasonably fine weather, there is certain to be a large attendance and guod racing. NOTES. J. Murphy, junr., in charge of the three-year-olds Ditchley and Spelsbury, arrived at Hawera by the mail train last night, having brought his charges over from Blenheim on Saturday. ,