A GOOD YEAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 August 1939, Page 12

A GOOD YEAR

WAIRARAPA RACING CLUB ANNUAL MEETING. REVIEW BY THE PRESIDENT. The financial position of the club was eminently satisfactory, thought this would probably be the last of such results for some time, as the added taxation already imposed and further taxation anticipated would absorb all profits, stated Mr J. W. Card, president of the Wairarapa Racing Club, when speaking at the annual meeting. The totalisator tax paid last year was £8,224, as against £7.034 for the previous year, and £714 wages for the totalisator staff had also to be paid to produce the above taxation. In addition to this, the club paid £1,200 in wages. The cost of providing accommodation for trainers and owners, which was instituted in the depression years, and amounted to £290. was money well spent, and the assistance was very; much appreciated. The credit balance of £1.841 was one of the best experienced, but the club could say farewell to these figures. The 1 per cent reduction off the totalisator tax would mean £878; in addition, Social Security tax on all except members’ subscriptions would cost £6O or £7O. As the club’s profits were from land, the decision of the Government to remove the exemption of £3.000 on unimproved value of land would make the club liable for income tax. The club did not know where it was with taxation. Another concession which might be lost was the 21 per cent rebate on totalisator investments given to smaller clubs for improvements. In respect to increased stand accommodation, the architect to the Wellington Racing Club had drawn up plans, and a sketch plan and outline of costs would be considered by the stewards with a view to providing additional accommodation prior to next meeting. The reserve fund now stood at approximately £7,000. This was Centennial year, and next year would be the club’s jubilee, and to recognise the jubilee the stakes might be made fitting to mark the event. The racecourse trustees had given £lOO for a special cup. He re-

ferred to the excellent services rendered by the secretary and assistants and the stewards.

Mr Campbell Pearce expressed appreciation of Mr Card's interesting explanation of coining taxes and his warning that the club would have to watch its step. They must keep up the reserve. He congratulated Mr Card on the way he had carried out his duties during his first year as president. He also congratulated the secretary on lhe good work he had put in during the year.

Mr .1. F. Thompson congratulated Mr Card on his management last year. Racing clubs and trotting clubs were going to be famous milch cows for the Government. Three new members were elected. A motion moved by Mr H. Lawson that "Any person who shall have been a financial member of the club for 40 years shall ipso facto be elected a life honorary member, and from the date of such election shall not pay any annual subscription’’ was defeated. A further motion (notice of which had been given) was moved by Mr Lawson that "Any person elected a member after January meeting shall pay one-half of the minimum annual subscription for that year.’’ An amendment that the amount should be two-thirds of the annual subscription was carried. ! All the retiring officers were re-elec-ted except Mr D. C. Collins, who did not stand. Mr Percy Tilson was elected a steward in his stead. The officers for the ensuing year are: Patron. Mr Thos Benton; president. Mr I J. W. Card: vice-presidents, Messrs A. C. Pearce and D. H. Riddiford; stewI ards, Messrs R. N. Barton, E. R. W.

Bidwill. W. Howard Booth. D. Cameron. P. Tilson, R. A. Donald. Roy Donald, J. G. Donald. W. J. Martin, E. D. Martin. C. J. ’Nix. J. F. Thompson; auditors Messrs G. W. Sellar and L. H. Smart; hon surgeons. Drs G. S. Sharp, T. D. M. Stout and J. M. Coutts; hon treasurer, Mr H. Lawson; tary, Mr N. C. C. Shepherd. The sum of £8 000 was allocated for stakes for the ensuing year. On the motion of Mr C. J. Nix all members who joined up prior to the first meeting in 1891 were elected life members. Three names were submitted. Messrs William Hodder, Walter Martin and Josiah Tocker. It was mentioned that three employees had a record of 41 years or more with lhe club. Messrs C. R. Skipage, F. E. Marlet, and Frank Bladin. Mr W. Workman and his son. Mr R. Workman, had jointly also completed 41