Page:1930 QLD Royal Commission into Racing Report.djvu/52

 (f) Metropolitan Owners, Trainers, and Jockeys' Association.

This body was formed in July, 1929. Its rules are still in course of preparation. It came into existence as a result of dissatisfaction felt by the great majority of unregistered owners, trainers, and jockeys with the Kedron management.

A committee of nine, with a paid secretary, has been elected to control the business for the succeeding twelve months.

About ninety owners, trainers, and jockeys have expressed an intention to join the Association. Of these, fifty-six have paid the whole or part of the first year's subscription, £1 1s.

The total revenue under this head amounts to about £30. Several levies have also been charged against winning owners.

This body held one meeting of the usual unregistered class on the 15th July, 1929, at Bundamba.

Members gave their services as officials without remuneration. Expenses were kept down by every available means, and great efforts made to make the meeting a success.

The attendance was 477 men and 145 women. Admission charges were—Gentlemen, 10s. ; Ladies, 2s.

A net profit of £143 12s. 5d. resulted.

A second meeting was advertised but, before the set date, the dispute with the Kedron management was adjusted and the meeting abandoned.

No subsequent race meeting has been held, nor does it appear likely that the Association will continue to exist as a body conducting race-meetings.

(g) West Moreton District Amateur Race Club.

This was formed in July, 1926, when a President, several Vice-Presidents, a Chairman, a Secretary, and Treasurer, and eight Committeemen were appointed by the first meeting.

No rules or constitution appear to have been adopted. One book, covering the operations of the club from its formation to 30th June, 1927, has been kept.

This records a considerable number of meetings of members and one committee meeting.

It also contains a register of names of financial members, which shows that one hundred and twenty-two members paid a first subscription of 10s. 6d.

Notwithstanding the appointment of a committee, the members appear to have retained the management of the club in their own hands.

Prior to 30th June, 1927, the club held about six race meetings, at which a total prize money of £286 10s. was distributed.

The last balance-sheet in the book, that as at 30th June, 1927, shows that the club had then a credit balance of £1 8s.

Thereafter the club became practically defunct until, in November, 1929, an effort was made to resuscitate it, by the holding of a meeting, with a prize money of £250 guaranteed by a resident of Thagoona.

This meeting resulted in a loss of about £50, and with it failed the attempt to regalvanise the club.