MASTERTON-OPAKI JOCKEY CLUB.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2256, 29 March 1886, Page 2

MASTERTON-OPAKI JOCKEY CLUB.

Thk half yearly meeting of. tho CM was held in the Club Hutel on Saturday President, Mr Lowes, being in the cm*. The minutes of the last general mooting were confirmed, The Secretary said he was sorry he had not a more satisfactory statement to sub' mit of tho last meeting. They had cleared • themselves and had about £2O to tho good. The receipts from all sources were £2BBIBs, and the expenditure £269 10s lid. The President said the falling off in the receipts was in the gate money, and that of course meant a tos return from the totalisator. The fact was there were too many small meetings. There had been no less than fourteen in as many weeks. In the recess they would have to cousider tho question. They were not bound by any previous arrangement to have so many meetings. If tho Club by altering thi dato or number of meetings considered it would make the success greater, there was no reason why they should not do so. H« was thankful to see the statement was no worse. He thought they woj&Jhave been out of pocket. \tt Mr Hill thought they were to !be' cotgranulated, all things considered. _ The Treasurer's report showed, balance in Bank, £123 ; members' £44; total, £167; against which thoro was an indebtedness for Bundry accounts, £3415s (id; A. Burnett, timber, £66125; rent, £SB 15s; Secretary. £25; total, £lB5 2s 6d. There were some outstanding subscriptions, which, if got in would leave the Club lit credit some £6 or £7. There was every reason to expect -these' subscriptions would be promptly paid up as the season was over. . The Secretary, Mr R. J. Fitton, said In consideration of the result of tho last meeting he would refund his honorarium of £25. The President said it was only due to the Secretary to acknowledge his liborality. Mr G. Dixon moved that the donation of Mr Fitton be accepted with thanks, and that he be constituted a life member. Mr Buick had much pleasure in seconding the proposal. If any man deserved [ to have his services recognised it was Mr Fitton. Ho had worked up the Club, and there wore a lot more improvements wanted yet i v i ' Tho motion was carried unanimjAty, and Mr Fitton returned thanks, ■• The tender of Mr Alex. McKenzie fot * the lease of the racecourse for 12 mouth»» for grazing purposes was accepted, f^ Mr 6. Dixon brought forward tho motion of which he had given due notioe, " That all members be allowed to take in two lady friends to each of the Club's Race Meetings." He thought the club was growing strong enough to allow of that concession to its members. It would also give some extra encouragement to others to join the club, and thus increase their member's roll. Mr Buick had much pleasure In seconding. Mr Hill was inclined to make it compulsory on members to take in two ladies. (Laughter), The permission for membors to take in two ladies was now granted in almost all clubs,

The President said the next thing for consideration was the improvement of the course gallop generally. Mr C. Dixon moral that the improvement of the courso he left in the hands of the Ground Committee, with power to . arrange with the lessee to closeitho ground for a time. Jft Mr Lowes seconded the motion, mth. was carried. ■'•'■> k Mr T. Parsons moved that a voto of kig thanks ho accorded Messrs Buick and W Stewart for sowing the course with grew seed. Carried. The arrangements for tho Champagne Stakes, 1887, and Derby, 1888 wore next discussed, and whether it was advisable to hold another Derby. • Mr Buick was decidedly in favor of abolishing the Derby and substituting* Farmer's Pace, for horses that would carry weight!, and let the farmer ride his own horse. He would like to see the Club encourage the production of hones to carry men not spiders. (Laughter) • Mr -Hill thought they Bhould make tho Derby worth entering for, and add a sweepstake that would induce those outside tho district to make entries.' MrE. Dixon said he would suggest that the Club advertise in the Referee. The President said the advertising had been curtailed on the motion of Mr Dixon, It had evidently been a mistake,-»n| against the interests of the club. W Mr Geo. Dixon moved that the Dettiy be run as usual with £l5O stakes and £5 L sweep, second horse £25. I Mr Parsons seconded the motion whiofc f was carried,-•; . ■ Mr mil moved that tho ehajnpaerta Stakes 1887 be £IOO and £2O, the sanra as this year, seconded by Mr Geo. Dixoh and Carried. . . ■ ; T This concluded &t business. ;'