P. B. TURF CLUB.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3974, 3 July 1913, Page 3

P. B. TURF CLUB.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. MR. J. W. NOLAN RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT.

The annual general meeting of the Poverty Bay Turf Club was held at the Masonic Hotel yesterday, Mr John Clarke (vice-president) being in the chair. COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The Committee’s report was as follows : “In presenting the annual report and balance sheet for the year ending 31st May the Committee again have pleasure in congratulating the Club on the success that attended its race meetings during,the past year. Both meetings were well attended, and the entries in the various events showed a good advance on the previous year. The stakes paid amounted to £2920, an increase of £595 over the previous year. “On reference to the balance sheet, which slhows a profit of £2SS 14s 6d, it will be seen that the Club occupies a sound position financially, practically the only liability on the 31st May being the bank overdraft, viz., £l4B 3s 9d, asa against £478 16s 3d at the same date last year. “During the year the grandstand has been raised and placed on concrete foundations and the whole of the buildings overhauled and painted and the road leading into the course gravelled, the cost of this work, together with some minor repairs totalling £825 5s lOd, which has been paid out of revenue. “In March last the president, Mr W. Nolan, who has always taken a very great interest in the Club for many years, left on a health recruiting trip to England and expects to be absent about six months. “The lion, treasurer, Mr J. W. Bright, being absent from the district, Mr F. W. Nolan had been appointed by the Committee to act in iiis place. , “The following members of the Committee retire by rotation but are eligible for re-election: —Messrs A. Dewing, R. Sherratt and J. M. Gouldsmith. The thanks of the Committee are due to Mr F. Parker for his services as lion, auditor.” The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, said that he must first apologise for the absence of Mr J. W. Nolan, president, who was absent on a healthrecruiting trip and had made excellent progress towards recovery. He dealt briefly with the report and said that the Club was to be congratulated on the excellent position it was in. Mr J. W. Gouldsmith seconded tlio motion and it was carried. Mr Clarke moved the ro-clection or Mr J. W. Nolan as president, and this was seconded by Mr A. Dewing and carried unanimously. Other officers were elected as follows :—Vice-President, Mr John Clarke; three retiring members of tho committee, re-elected, Messrs A. Dewing, R. Sherratt and J. M. Goldsmith. Mr J. W. Barry said lie would suggest that the incoming _ committee might consider the advisability of putting one trot on the programme of each day’s racing, and ho moved accordingly. There were many people in Gisborne interested in trotting, and as the Trotting Club could not obtain a totalisator, the institution of a trotting event would be exceedingly popular and acceptable. Dr Scott strongly supported the suggestion, and said that the institution of such an event would be catering for a large section of the racing community. Should the Club see fit to eliminate its weakest financial race and support a trot, the Trotting Club would give a guarantee that there would be no financial loss. Mr Barry pointed out that the popularity of trotting was reflected in the very large membership of the Trotting Club—considerably over 100. The President said he was sorry to express an opinion against the two members who had spoken, but to Ins mind it would be a great pity to introduce trotting into the meeting. Mr Barry, in order, to test the feeling of the meeting, moved that it should be a recommendation to the committee tq place a trot on the progamme for the February meeting. Mr Dewing asked if this was a practice adopted by any other clubs throughout New Zealand. The chairman said that at no important meetings. t Mr Goldsmith said it would be a retrograde step. It was pointed out by Mr Hallamore that the Christchurch Racing Club followed the practice, and Mi Barrv said that Timaru and Ashburton and the Forbury Club, Dunedin, also included a trot in their meetMr Lucas seconded the motion, which was lost, only some three voting for it. This concluded the meeting.