October 12, 1901.] ·
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Mr. MASTER-I take it that there will be no objection to gymkhanas being held next year? I think the question is usually asked at the annual general meeting.
The CHAIRMAN-A resolution is brought forward after the general business of the meeting is over, and I will be pleased if you bring it forward then. The next business is the election of Stewards.
Mr. MASTER-I have several matters to bring forward in connection with the manage- ment of the Club, and I think, if I am in order, may be heard that according to Rule 20 before the Stewards are elected.
The CHAIRMAN (after consulting Rules) Yes, certainly.
fact that the buildings in the Happy Valley | 24th Angust, and the 28th September. underwent a thorough overhaul last winter. Owing to the small number of ponies avail- This work, which was done under the supervi- able to run at the gymkhanas it became very sion of the Club architects, accounts in some difficult to make up satisfactory programmes, measure for the large increase of expenditure and, although the first gymkhana appeared to under the heading of “Upkeep." You will see be a very dull and uninteresting affair, and the "Expenses of the Meeting" havo increased the entries very sparse, the entries for the very much better considerably. Commencing with the item of second and third were "Ticket Inspectors, Clerks, &c," more of these and there were very fair attendances of specta- assistants had to be engaged, and so in other tors. It should be possible next season, with items down to matsheds, more accommodation more ponies in the Colony, to hold a series of being required. Coming to the next heading, successful meetings, but the first of the series that of "Stakes" and "Prizes," you will observe should most certainly be held earlier than the that the Club paid out $12,952.00, half as much month of June. It would be better if the first again as in the previous year, which was a gymkhana meeting was held in the month of record one; and it is a matter for congratula. April and successive ones during the months of tion that the Club's finances were able to stand May, June, July and August, postponements such a strain. Turning to the credit side of taking place in case of the weather being un- the account, I may remark that "Entrance favourable. Owing to the falling off in the Fees" and "Subscriptions" as well as "Entries number of subscribers it is feared that the and Nominations" both show a slight falling balance, after all accounts are paid, will be much off from last year, while, by the sale of tickets, smaller than it used to be some three or four etc., the Club's funds benefitted to the extent years ago. If a larger number of ponies had of $21,171.82, The income from rent of Stands, been running, it would probably have meant &c., amounts to $1,900, a little less than that of increased entrance fees and in all probability a the previous year.
Referring to the sport larger attendance, afforded last meeting, the members and the public had the opportunity of entering animals and seeing them run in two or three different classes, which was brought about by our not being able to obtain China ponies in sufficient numbers and quality to race. We had there- fore to draw up a programme admitting China ponies which had been raced or kept over, devoting the ordinary subscription griffin race to walers subscribed for with that purpose in view, and being still short of a sufficient number of animals to ensure the ordinary number of races filling, a further lot of Australian waler griffins were imported and classified Derby griffins. The running of these different classes of Walers left such an impres- sion on owners generally, that, on finding the atmosphere in the North had not cleared sufficiently to warrant them holding out for the vague chance of a supply of China pony griffins coming down, negotiations were opened with Australia and Singapore with a view to Mr. MASTER then said that what he wanted getting walers all of one class. The Singapore to bring before the notice of the meeting was fender by Mr. Abrams was accepted, and 72 the fact that in his opinion the present rules of galloways were subscribed for; and 71 of these the Club wanted revising and adding to, and animals arrived here on Thursday last, of which that they should have an adequate set of rules 62 have since been passed. When these griffins such as other clubs had. In this connection
Stewards subscribed for, the
he might explain that he was not the writer of approached on the subject of the allotment of the article signed " Veteran" in Friday's Daily races during the coming meeting, when they Press. He had these ideas in his mind for informed the subscribers that certain races some time, and only waited for an opportunity would be set aside for them. In this connection such as the present one to give expression to you will be asked later to vote on a resolution them. The existing rules were passed in 1844, giving the Stewards you elect to-day power to and there had been few additions or alterations formulate a programme for the following since then. He submitted that they ought to year (should it appear to them necessary), have an adequate set of rules such as those which shall be binding on the Stewards obtaining in Indian racing circles and in the elected next year. The awkward bend in Straits Racing Association. The same thing the course which occurs at the three-quarter applied to the registration of colours and the Under the present mile starting post has always been a source of regulation of measurement. dissatisfaction, and it has occurred to some system, in the matter of rules, no one could get in- members that an improvement could be effected formation on a particular point until someone by diverting the course at the five forlong fished out a Ruffs Guide. The Jockey Club of post, across what used to be a garden, on to the England had passed a certain set of rules, and Recreation Ground in the direction of the Lee the Hongkong Jockey Club followed them, but Yuen Sugar Refinery, where a three-quarter everybody did not carry a Ruffs Guide about. mile starting post could be erected, having a Again, if the Jockey Club rules were searched straight lead thence to the Black Rock. The nothing would be found about weight for Stewards have concurred in this suggestion, inches. Last year the waler carried the same and the Clerk of the Course has opened corres- weight with regard to height as the China pony, pondence with the Government on the subject.namely, three pounds per inch, which was all It is estimated that the cost of levelling, cutting | very well for the China pony. Hongkong, in down trees, turfing track and making the addi- tional part of the course (including rails) will come to about $750. With these facts in your possession, you will presently be asked to vote
were
on
were
a resolution empowering the incoming Stewards to proceed with this improvement, providing always the scheme receives Govern ment sanction. With these remarks, I beg to propose that the Report and Accounts be passed. (Applause.)
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There being no questions, the CHAIRMAN moved that the report and accounts as sub- mitted be accepted and passed.
This was duly seconded and carried. Mr. HOUGH, at the request of the Chairman, then read the report of the Gymkhana Com- mittee, which was as follows:
GYMKHANA REPORT,
Three gymkhanas were held during the past season, namely, on the 29th June, the
Mr. MASTER-It is a matter of indifference to me whether I bring it before the meeting now or afterwards, so long as I am permitted to speak.
The CHAIRMAN—Y+8, go on now;
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rules than by continuing in the present happy-go- lucky way. If the meeting was with him, said Mr. Master, he need not enlarge upon the ques- tion nor go into details as to what these rules should be. That could be left to the committee, which might also be asked to follow the Indian rules so far as they were applicable. There was another matter to be referred to the registra- tion of colours. Why should not owners 'If," said Mr. Master, register their colours?
Mr.
I go away for two or three years, I come back and find someone else racing under my colours." One other thing he had almost omitted to mention was that he thought this the wrong time of year to hold the annual general meeting. He was of opinion that it ought to be held within a reasonable time after the annual race meeting. Things were then fresh in members' minds, whereas by waiting till October they were forgotten. He would sug. gest that April or May be the month in which the annual meeting should be held. Master then proposed the following resolution: That a Committee be formed consisting of three stewards and three other members of the Club to revise the existing rules, regulations and bye-laws of the Club, and to add thereto an ade. quate set of rules of racing, such rules to include adequate rules regulating measurement, weight for inches, scale, restriction as to height, annual remeasurement up to six years of age, registra- tion of colours, etc., and that such such revised rules and an adequate set of rules of racing be submitted to an extraordinary general meeting of the members of the Club, convened by the then stewards for such purpose, and to be held before the end of November next. That one of the revised rules do provide for the annual general meeting of the members of the Club being held in the month of April or May, instead of, as at present, during the month of October."
Mr. CRUICKSHANK seconded.
The CHAIRMAN said that whilst personally agreeing with the remarks made by Mr. Master regarding new rules and regulations, he wished to mention that it was not quite correct to say there was not a copy of Rùff's Guide in Hongkong.
Mr. MASTER- Pardon me, I did not say that. I myself am a subscriber to Ruff's Guide. Continuing, the CHAIRMAN said the Hong. kong Club was a subscriber, and he himself
was one.
Mr. Master, further, was wrong in saying the Club had hitherto not had proper rules and regulations, The rules he held in his hand, and the regulations would be seen on the front page of the programme. Whilst the Club had heretofore managed to get on very satisfactorily with these rules and regulations in Ruffa Guide, yet he might say that he was
With of the same opinion as Mr. Master that pro- bably a new set of rules was necessary, regard to the second portion of the resolution, about the meeting in April, he might mention that this matter had had the consideration of the stewards already. A committee was ap- pointed to go into that question, and they came eventually to the conclusion-although the committee never reported, because Mr. May, who was one of the committee, had left the Colony-that it would be better to bave the meeting as they had it now, and he would tell them why. Supposing they had the meeting immediately after the races and they elected stewards, probably, when the next race meeting came round, out of those elected they would not have half of them in the Colony. There was fact, continued Mr. Master, occupied a position a lot of shifting about by people going away, that was unique in the racing world. Last and the stewards of next race meeting would year they imposed a penalty of three pounds be the men elected by the remaining stewards, per inch on walers, whereas in India, where which, he thought, would not be a very satis they had been racing the same class of pony for factory thing to do. If Mr. Master would yea:s and years, the scale was three pounds eliminate the latter portion of his motion, the stewards whom they were about to elect would each quarter of an inch, or twelve pounds an inch. "Now," asked Mr. Master, "do we know go into the questions that had been raised, and more about it here than they do in India? would draw up new rules. What the meeting He had to do was virtually to give an expression of And the same rules apply in the Straits." was going to ask the meeting to pass a opinion, and the stewards would no doubt give Iesolution that the present rules be revised effect to it. (Applause.) and that an adequate set of rules relating to racing matters be added to them. A com- mittee of about five or six-some stewards, some members might be appointed to deal with the whole question, and their proposals could be submitted at an extraordinary general meeting to be held hereafter. The interests of the Club must be better served by having adequate
With regard to the meeting, Mr. MASTER asked if it would meet the case to have two meetings instead of one? The race meeting was held in February, and if anyone had any thing to say concerning it he had to hold his tongue until October. Take, for instance, the matter of the three-quarter-mile post. If the stewards had been able to hold a meeting
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