RACING AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 August 1940, Page 6

RACING AFFAIRS

CARTERTON CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING TODAY. OPERATIONS FOR PAST YEAR. (“Time-Age" Special.) The annual meeting of the Carterton Racing Club was held this morning at Carterton. The president, Mr W. Howard Booth: presided over a good attendance of members. Several apologies for absence were received. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet the president stated that at the annual meeting of the N.Z. Racing Conference, which he attended as a representative of the Wellington Northern district clubs, the Minister of Internal Affairs had stated that the Government would not take action to stop racing until circumstances compelled it. "It is my opinion that we should carry on and use our own common sense in the matter,” said Mr Booth. "It would be a great pity if all sport were discontinued. In England it was stopped but there were so many employed in racing that it was decided to carry on again in a small way, and the same should apply here. Holding a one-day meeting has made the problem of increased membership a difficult one. Our thanks are due to the loyal members who have stood by the club over a long period of years. We have to thank the secretary, Mr J. B. Bairstow, for his splendid services and the way in which he has kept expenses down to a minimum.” “I am sorry if the remarks that I have to make are pessimistic, but they are quite true,” observed Mr Smart in seconding the motion. "It is a matter of regret to me that the balance sheet shows a loss of £165. I attribute part of that to the Government not handing back 1 per cent of the totalisator takings and the loss of the trotting club. Our biggest trouble, however, is the fact that we hold our meeting at a bad time of the year —the autumn. I consider that we should endeavour to race in the spring. Unfortunately we have been going back in the past two years. We also have to remember that the Government tax is a serious problem. There is a possibility that the Government might kill the goose that laid the golden egg in that respect. In some cases the Government has received more money than the owners’ stakes. In the past years we have been paying higher stakes than were required by the regulations. We paid out £2OO more than we received from the totalisator last year. I consider that we will have to put on! our ■thinking caps' in the very near future.”

“AR through the slump years we ke.pt our stake money up although other clubs made reductions," observed Mr Booth. The motion was carried. Members stood in silence as a mark of respect in connection with the deaths of Messrs C. Reid, A. Daysh (life members), A. C. Feist (steward), and A. Krahagen, all keen supporters of the club. It was decided to send letters of sympathy to the relatives. The election of officers resulted as follows: —Patron. Mr J. G. Oates, president, Mr W. Howard Booth; vicepresidents, Messrs L. H. Smart and P. Bain; hon treasurer, Mr P. A. Cole; hon clerk of scales. Mr W. C. Deller; hon timekeeper, Mr E. J. Matson; stewards, Messrs A. O. Abbott, H. J. Brown, W. C. Deller, G. H. Eaton, J. C. Harp, C. Jensen, J. Johnson, R. G. Kemble, E. J. Matson, V. L. Robinson, G. A. Vincent, F. C. Yule; secretary, Mr J. B. Bairstow; trustees, Messrs W. H. Booth, L. H. Smart and P. Bain; hon auditor, Mr H. M. B. Trapp.

The annual report signed by the President, Mr W. Howard Booth, and which was adopted, stated inter alia: — "The profit and loss account shows a loss of £365 Ils 9d after providing for depreciation amounting to £2OO. The annual meeting was held on March 9. when the weather conditions were good, and the attendance fair. The totalisator turnover showed an increase of £866 on the previous year. Mr J. Manuel’s "Sporting Gift,” the winner of the Bunny Memorial, was decorated with The Memorial Ribbon kindly presented by Mrs H. McKay. During the year improvements have been kept down to a minimum. The whole of the club's appointments are in good repair. Your stewards record with deep regret the deaths during the year of Messrs A. Daysh and C. Reid, two of the club's life members, and Mr A. C. Feast. Each of them had been stewards for many years, and had rendered valuable service during the past. Your stewards desire to thank the honorary officials for the manner in which they carried out their duties at the last annual race meeting. All the honorary officials, with the exception of six stewards, retire at this meeting, but are eligible for re-election. The retiring stewards are Messrs H. J. Brown. G. H. Eaton, C. Jensen, J. Johnson, R. G. Kemble and G. A. Vincent.