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Set out below is the composition of both the Addington Trotting Course Ltd and Addington Raceway Ltd. Until the 1963-64 season New Brighton was not incuded as it raced at it's own course in New Brighton.

ADDINGTON TROTTING COURSE LTD

NZMTC CPTC

1952-3 C E Hoy D McCormick J Palmer J E W Cross W Milne Shand H H Wauchop

53-54 C E Hoy D McCormick J Palmer J E W Cross W Milne Shand H H Wauchop

54-55 C E Hoy D McCormick J Palmer J E W Cross W Milne Shand H H Wauchop

55-56 C E Hoy D McCormick J Palmer J E W Cross C S Peate H H Wauchop

56-57 C E Hoy D McCormick J Palmer J E W Cross C S Peate H H Wauchop

57-58 C E Hoy D McCormick J Palmer H T Fuller C S Peate H H Wauchop

58-59 C E Hoy D McCormick J Palmer H T Fuller C S Peate H H auchop

59-60 C E Hoy D McCormick J K Davidson H T Fuller C S Peate H H Wauchop

60-61 C E Hoy D McCormick J K Davidson H T Fuller C S Peate H H Wauchop

61-62 C E Hoy D McCormick J K Davidson H T Fuller C S Peate H H Wauchop

62-63 C E Hoy D McCormick J K Davidson H T Fuller H F Butland L S Smart



NZMTC CPTC NBTC

1963-4 J K Davidson C E Hoy H F Butland L S Smart A G Jamieson A E Laing

64-65 J K Davidson C E Hoy H F Butland L S Smart A G Jamieson A E Laing

65-66 J K Davidson R W Saunders H F Butland L S Smart A G Jamieson A E Laing



ADDINGTON RACEWAY LTD



NZMTC CPTC NBTC

1966-7 J K Davidson R W Saunders H F Butland L S Smart A G Jamieson W F Stark

67-68 J K Davidson R W Saunders H F Butland L S Smart A G Jamieson W F Stark

68-69 J K Davidson H M S Dawson H F Butland L S Smart A G Jamieson W F Stark

69-70 J K Davidson H M S Dawson H F Butland L S Smart A G Jamieson W F Stark

70-71 J K Davidson H M S Dawson H F Butland T A Leitch A G Jamieson W F Stark

71-72 J K Davidson H M S Dawson H F Butland T A Leitch J R Hartley W F Stark

72-73 J K Davidson H M S Dawson H F Butland T A Leitch J R Hartley W F Stark

73-74 J K Davidson H M S Dawson S C Cordner T A Leitch J R Hartley B B Woods

74-75 J K Davidson H M S Dawson S C Cordner T A Leitch J R Hartley B B Woods

75-76 J K Davidson H M S Dawson S C Cordner T A Leitch J R Hartley B B Woods

76-77 G W Blaxall H M S Dawson S C Cordner T A Leitch J R Hartley B B Woods

77-78 G W Blaxall H M S Dawson S C Cordner T A Leitch J R Hartley B B Woods

78-79 G W Blaxall H M S Dawson S C Cordner S Andrews J R Hartley B B Woods

79-80 E T McDermott H M S Dawson S C Cordner S Andrews J R Hartley B B Woods

80-81 E T McDermott H M S Dawson S C Cordner W Cuningham J R Hartley B B Woods

81-82 E T McDermott H M S Dawson S C Cordner W Cuningham J R Hartley B B Woods

82-83 D R McCormick H M S Dawson S C Cordner W Cuningham J R Hartley B B Woods

83-84 D R McCormick H M S Dawson S C Cordner W Cuningham J R Hartley B B Woods

84-85 A R Corcoran H M S Dawson R H Duff W Cuningham J R Hartley B B Woods

85-86 A R Corcoran M L Taylor R H Duff W Cuningham J R Hartley B B Woods

86-87 A R Corcoran M L Taylor R H Duff W Cuningham J R Hartley B B Woods

87-88 A R Corcoran M L Taylor R H Duff W Cuningham J R Hartley A F McDonald

NBHRC

88-89 A R Corcoran M L Taylor R H Duff W Cuningham J R Hartley A F McDonald

89-90 A R Corcoran M L Taylor R H Duff W Cuningham J R Hartley A F McDonald

90-91 A R Corcoran M L Taylor R H Duff W Cuningham J R Hartley A F McDonald

91-92 A R Corcoran M L Taylor R H Duff B Hastings J R Hartley A F McDonald

92-93 A R Corcoran M L Taylor P L Doig J F Penney J R Hartley A F McDonald

93-94 A R Corcoran M L Taylor P L Doig J F Penney J R Hartley A F McDonald

94-95 A R Corcoran M L Taylor J L Hughes J F Penney J R Hartley A F McDonald

95-96 A R Corcoran M L Taylor J L Hughes J F Penney J R Hartley A F McDonald

96-97 A R Corcoran M L Taylor J L Hughes J F Penney J R Hartley A F McDonald

97-98 A R Corcoran M L Taylor J L Hughes J F Penney J R Hartley A F McDonald

After that time the functions of A R L were taken over by the Directors of NZMTC.

Following the passing of Notices of Motion by the Members of Canterbury Park and Metropolitan Trotting Clubs in April 1952, the body originally known as Addington Trotting Course Ltd was established to control the Course.

In June 1952 Messrs C E Hoy, D McCormick and J Palmer the Club’s Representatives on the Grounds Committee, were appointed the Club’s Representatives on Addington Trotting Course Ltd thus becoming the first Representatives on the Directorate of the Company. The first meeting of Directors was held on the 11th September 1952, and the Board comprised the three Metropolitan Representatives and three Representatives from the CPTC Messrs J E W Cross, W Milne-Shand and H H Wauchop. Mr Hoy was the Company’s first Chairman.

In February 1953 the Club’s Solicitor, Mr R Twyneham, Submitted a draft of a proposed licence from Addington Trotting Course Ltd setting out the Club’s rights to hold Race Meetings at Addington. This was referred back to the Club’s Solicitor with various queries raised by the Committee. In April of that year, several amendments were made to the lease and a further draft was submitted by the Solicitor who in June was asked to submit the amended draft which he did later in the month for consideration by the Committee. In July the proposed Licence was considered by a sub-committee comprising Messrs C E Hoy, W M Ollivier and C S Thomas and they agreed that it should be discussed with Canterbury Park and both Club’s Solicitors. In February 1954 the Licence to race was not finalized, and in May it was reported that the completion of the Licence had unavoidably been delayed. It was then agreed that it be held over until Mr W M Ollivier returned from overseas. In October it was decided that the question of a “Licence to Race” should be reopened.

Back in March 1953 the capital of Addington Trotting Course Ltd was increased from £36,111 to £225,357 this Club holding 156,016 £1 pound shares or nine thirteenths of the share capital, while Canterbury Park held 69,341 shares. The increase in Capital was necessary to cover the assets taken over from the Clubs by Addington Trotting Course Ltd which were not taken into account when the capital was originally established. The original capital of £36,111 only covered the Club’s cash payment of £25,000 (9/13ths of the Capital) and the Canterbury Park’s goodwill which was estimated at £11,111 (4/13ths). The 9/13 and 4/13 basis related to the number of Racedays each Club conducted.

The Club agreed to a suggestion put forward by the Canterbury Park Committee in May 1955 that a sub-committee of three from each Club confer with the Addington Directors to establish some method of transferring additional funds to the Company. The outcome was a recommendation that 20% of the TAB profit distribution be transferred to Addington Trotting Course Ltd.

Following the loss of the Public Stand by fire and the possible introduction of Night Trotting the question of the New Brighton Trotting Club racing at Addington was discussed informally.

In May 1962 it was decided to appoint an investigating Accountant to go into the assets of Addington Trotting Course Ltd and bring down a report so as to arrive at a realistic basis for negotiations with the New Brighton Trotting Club. In the following month the Accountants Report was received and provided a basis for opening negotiations with the New Brighton Trotting Club. The report was referred to both Canterbury Park and New Brighton without prejudice. In July a further informal meeting was held between the Presidents and Treasurers of the three Clubs, at which S P Godfrey & Co’s Report on the valuation of the Addington shares was discussed. New Brighton was advised that the £1 shares were valued at £1/15/- each, and it would cost them £91,734 to buy into the Company on a 4/17th basis. With their share of the balance of the cost of the new Stand and lighting they would require more than £123,000. Representatives of the Addington Clubs felt this was an unrealistic figure to place before New Brighton as it had been agreed previously by the Representatives of the two Addington Clubs that a realistic basis for negotiations would be to offer New Brighton the right to purchase from the two Clubs 4/17ths of the existing shareholding at £1 per share. The New Brighton Trotting Club was also asked to pay their share of the cost of the lighting. When this offer was made to the New Brighton representatives they were informed that the offer was not subject to any reduction and they were given three months to accept or decline. In September New Brighton advised that, subject to endorsement by their Members, they were prepared to accept the offer to buy into Addington.

In October 1962 the members of the New Brighton Trotting Club endorsed their Committee’s recommendation that shares in Addington Trotting Course Ltd be purchased, that the Club race at Addington and that Day and/or Night Meetings be held. The Club purchased sufficient shares to hold 4/17ths of the Capital, and they paid 4/17ths of the cost of the lighting installation.

In December 1962, at a meeting of Presidents and Treasurers of the three Clubs, the Secretary was instructed to advise the Clubs’ Solicitors that the New Brighton Trotting Club was joining Addington Trotting Course Ltd, and asking that they confer on the re-drafting of the Articles of Association. For the purpose of preparing the draft, the representatives on the Directorate were two from each Club, and one of that number was to be appointed Chairman on rotation. From May 1963 two representatives from the NBTC were invited to attend Directors’ Meetings, up until the Annual Meeting, without voting rights. The NBTC offered to hand over free of charge, any furniture, or other assets that could be used at Addington and a sub-committee was appointed to decide what items were suitable.

In February 1963 at a Special Meeting at Addington Trotting Course Ltd Mr C E Hoy representing the Met and Mr L S Smart representing the CPTC, voted in favour of resolutions altering the Articles of Association to provide for a Building Reserve Fund to be established against the contingency that the Company was unable to secure a satisfactory renewal of the present Lease from the Hospital Board, and also that at any time and for any reason the vacating of the grounds at Addington was necessary. It was also resolved that the Fund be set up for the purchase of lands which were at present held under lease, or upon the erection of amenities on such other lands as may be purchased. In the following month a resolution was passed that the Club seal be affixed to a special resolution altering the Articles of the Company to allow for the inclusion of the New Brighton Trotting Club as a Shareholder in the Addington Trotting Course Ltd.

At this time a Committeeman expressed the view that undue prominence was being given to the words “Raceway” and “Closed-Circuit” in the Club’s advertising, and that less publicity should be given to “Closed-circuit Television” as it was only on trial, although it was put into operation for the 1962 Cup Meeting.

In June 1963 the Solicitor advised that the Memorandum of Mortgage with Commercial Union Group was in hand, and that the Seal of Addington Trotting Course Ltd had been affixed to the documents. In October the Club’s Treasurer Nr C S Thomas reported that he and the Treasurers of the other Clubs recommended a revised financial structure for Addington Trotting Course Ltd whereby the three Clubs would make interest bearing loans to the Company, and it would then be unnecessary to borrow from the Commercial Union Group. The Treasurer was given authority to dispose of investments as and when required to meet the cost of capital expenditure. In October 1963 the Directors decided that in view of the arrangements made for the financing of Capital Works, the Commercial Union Group be advised that the Company would not be calling for loans under the Mortgage, and that it be cancelled and the costs relating to it bourne by Addington. In July 1963 a resolution was passed approving the transfer of shares to the NBTC 16,316 from Canterbury Park and 36,709 from the Met. At the same time the Licence to race between the Company and the New Brighton Trotting Club was completed and signed under Seal. In December 1964 a Report was received from the Addington Trotting Course Ltd Auditors regarding the accumulated Loss & Depreciation, and as a result the Auditors, Hicks & Ainger were asked what was the liability of the Clubs for the deficit of the Company. The Auditors stated that there was no legal obligation for the Clubs to contribute further to cover any losses or deficiency incurred by the Company, as it was a limited liability Company in terms of the Companies Act 1955. The financial position of the Company was sound, in view of the value of the assets and the claiming of full Depreciation was the reason for the accumulated losses. Full Depreciation continued to be claimed, because if it was not, then after six years it would be lost as a claim against future profits.

In October 1965 the Secretary’s suggestion that the name of the Company be changed to Addington Raceway Ltd was agreed to in principle, and in December the Company’s Solicitor was authorized to take the necessary steps to change the name to Addington Raceway Ltd and it February 1966 a Special Resolution under seal was passed by an entry in the Addington Trotting Course Ltd’s Minute Book, authorizing the change of name.

In September 1965 the New Zealand Trotting Conference made an approach to erect an office building on the Addington property, and the Hospital Board was in agreement. The following month Conference advised they were planning to go ahead with the building on a site facing Lincoln Road to the South West of the Taxi entrance on a half acre of land. The NZ Trotting Conference Architects were Colin Lamb & Stewart, and the cost of all necessary alterations to gateways, channel crossings and lighting were met by the Conference as was the cost of having the site surveyed. The Company’s Solicitor drew up an agreement between Addington Trotting Course Ltd and the Conference for the tenure of the land and a Memorandum of Lease was signed under seal in April 1967.

In October 1970 the Trotting Conference was advised that in the event of the Company being able to purchase the Freehold of the Raceway, the Directors would sell that section of land on which the Conference Office was built to them at the unimproved market value if they bought at the time the Company purchased the whole block from the Hospital Board. The Conference paid for its section at the same rate as the whole was purchased by the Company.

In September 1970 acting on the recommendation of the Treasurers of the three Clubs the first office car was purchased for use on the Club’s and Company’s business and for the Secretary’s personal use, and a Toyota Corona was purchased the following month.

In February 1971 the Christchurch Greyhound Racing Club, met the Chairman Mr J K Davidson and the Secretary to discuss the possibility of racing at Addington. In March Mr Davidson reported on the meeting with the deputation from the Greyhound Association, and said that it had been pointed out to them that they would be charged the same basic rental as the Addington Clubs and how difficult it would be to light their track. These points appeared to convince them that Addington was not a suitable venue.

In March 1973 representatives of the Rangiora Trotting Club met the Executive Officers of Addington Raceway when it was agreed that they be charged for the one Meeting only, a rental of one half percent of their turnover.

In October 1974 the interest rate on monies advanced by the Clubs for three projects, the toilets, the upgrading of bars in the Public Stand and the Derby Lodge Complex was increased to 7.5%.

In December 1975 the Club expressed its concern to the Conference about the introduction of Totalisator Permits for Greyhound Racing. If the Dogs were accepted as full partners in the off-course betting system, without any capital contribution to the TAB it could be detrimental to the three Clubs racing at Addington, as well as other Racing and Trotting Clubs. In February 1976 the Trotting Conference advised that the combined Conferences were to meet the Minister of Internal Affairs, and were to impress upon him that any move to allow off-course betting for Greyhound Racing would be opposed, unless the Greyhound Clubs desiring off-course facilities were prepared to pay their share of the capital costs of the TAB.

In June 1977 the Committee agreed to a proposed alteration to the Articles of Association of Addington Raceway Ltd to enable the Chairman to hold office for more than one year in succession to provide a continuity of Chairmanship during periods of change.

In May 1977 it was agreed that temporary accommodation be provided in the office for the staff of the New Zealand Trotting Calendar while the Trotting Conference Building was being extended to house the Calendar and a rental of $400 per annum be charged.

In August 1977 the CPTC suggested that as a further source of income for the Company, advertisements be placed round the track. The Directors referred this to the other two Clubs, and explored the idea through Adamson Dudley who advised that the Company could receive $3,127 per annum from this source. In February 1978 Addington Raceway advised that the other two Clubs had agreed to the signs being displayed, and the Met agreed to abide by the majority decision provided the area around and behind the winning post was kept clear for the Club’s sponsors. As Benson & Hedges, the sponsors for the Inter-Dominion Championships 1979, were unhappy about infield advertising during the Inter-Dominion, Addington Raceway held over track advertising until after the Championships.

In August 1981 the Directors advised that the value of the land on which the NZ Trotting Conference was built was $70,000 and a plan of the area to be sold was submitted to the Waimairi County Council for approval, and the NZTC was advised of this fact. The Conference stated they had received a valuation of $20,837 for the land which it currently leased from the Raceway and requested a meeting of the Conference Executive and the Directors to discuss the difference in valuation. The meeting was held and the matter discussed.

In January 1982 the Company’s valuer advised that the Arbitrators had fixed the value of the land at $23.68 per square metre. In March 1983 the Solicitors reported that the sale of the land to the Trotting Conference had been finalized, at $53,872 less charges. The net amount from the sale was offset against the capital owing on the mortgage to the Hospital Board and was $52,649. The Government Valuation of the property sold to the NZ Trotting Conference was $18,000 for the land and $400,000 for improvements.

In September 1981 it was reported that Addington Raceway was facing two major items of capital works, one being the conversion from gas which was estimated to cost $240,000 and the other being part of the principal payment due to the North Canterbury Hospital Board, namely $150,000. A meeting of the Treasurers of the three Clubs was held to consider various ways of bridging the shortfall such as increasing the rental payments by the Clubs to the Company from 1¾% to 3% of on-course turnover; prepayment of subscriptions for a number of years by not more than 200 members, and the organizing of a national raffle.

In December 1981 the Met agreed to loan $150,000 to Addington Raceway Ltd to be used in making the mortgage payment rather than financing the conversion from gas to electricity. The Club also agreed that the increase in rental to Addington Raceway from 1¾% to 3% starting at the commencement of the 1981-2 season. Following a recommendation from the Joint Treasurers that a national lottery be run, the Club agreed that it be conducted through Mr Peter Ranford with 40,000 tickets at $5 each, with prizes to the value of $80,000. In March it was reported that the Internal Affairs Department had issued a permit to conduct the lottery, and in June it was reported that an interim profit amounting to $10,000 was credited directly to accumulated funds. The total profit from the lottery was $23,968.73.

In August 1982 advice was received that the Waimairi County Council intended to construct a roundabout at the Wrights Road/ Halls Road, Birmingham Drive intersection, and would be taking seven to eight perches of land for the purpose. It was unlikely that the Company would receive any substantial amount in payment for the land, but it was decided that a new hurricane fence be erected on the new boundary line. In the month following it was decided as the fence was being re-aligned the Waimairi County Council be contacted regarding compensation. In February 1983 the new fence line was completed but no reimbursement for the area taken over by the Waimairi County Council had been made.

In August 1983 the Waimairi County Council submitted plans for an extension to the Pump House situated on the Wrights Road Boundary and an offer for the purchase of land for road widening at the corner of Halls and Wrights Roads and Birmingham Drive. The Directors agreed that as the offer of $1,500 was insufficient for the land required for street widening it was declined.

In October however, the Directors agreed to accept the Waimairi County Councils increased offer of $3,500.

At the end of 1982 CPTC approved, in principal, the payment of 3% of their on-course turnover and 30% of their TAB distribution being paid to the Raceway by way of rental for the current year. In the following February the Met asked Addington Raceway Ltd to investigate the basis of rental charges and each Club’s commitment to the Raceway. The NBTC advised that due to their financial position only 20% of the TAB distribution could be paid and their rental remain at 1¾%. The Directors agreed that the basis be 3% of the on-course turnover and 20% of the TAB distribution.

In order to boost the Company’s finances, a proposal was received in January 1983 that an area of land currently used for car parking, could be better utilized by the installation of a display centre to be set up by Decabond. The area proposed covered approx. 2.5 hectares at a suggested rental of $10,000 with the consortium being responsible for all outgoings. The proposal was approved and the Chairman given power to act in negotiating a lease. In February it was reported that Decabond had offered to pay rental of $15,000 per annum and that the conditions raised by Waimairi County Council to the proposed display site could be overcome. A plan of the area was to be prepared by a Registered Surveyor.

In August 1982 the Company had a large debit balance and it was decided to arrange a transfer of 10% of the Met and CPTC 1983/4 TAB distribution to the Company and the NBTC be asked to meet the amount still outstanding. The Clubs were asked to pay 4% of on-course turnover and the basis of calculation reviewed after the Cup Meeting. The Chairman of Directors, Mr H M S Dawson, and Mr Hartley outlined the different methods for calculating the rental charges to be levied on the Clubs. Mr Hartley and Mr McCormick, President of the Met were asked to prepare a budget for the forthcoming year for consideration by the Directors.

Following a report on office expenses and repairs and maintenance it was decided that it be a recommendation to the Clubs that the rental be calculated at 2.5% of on-course turnover and 1.5% of off-course turnover per race day. In December however it was decided that the rental remain at 3% of on-course turnover and in June 1984 the Treasurers of the three Clubs requested that the Company’s Auditors investigate the payment of rental by the Clubs to the Company being on a per meeting basis.

In June 1983 the Decabond Solicitor advised that they had lost their case against the zoning restrictions but intended to appeal the decision.

In July 1984 Mr R Stark of Wrightsons Real Estate was asked to update his report regarding the development and subdivision of the land beyond the motorway and bordering Wrights Road.

In December the Directors decided to proceed with the recommendation that hoardings be sited on the fence along the back straight, twenty along the back straight and a further six starting from the showgrounds bend. The contract would be for three years and the rental $1,000 per annum paid in advance. Maintenance was the responsibility of Addington Raceway Ltd.

In July 1985 Weenick & Thomas reported on their investigations into incorporating a Functions Centre at Addington with particular regard to the adequacy of the fire alarms and emergency lighting. As a result of this investigation a new standby diesel generator with automatic starter was purchased for $22,000. It was also decided on Weenick & Thomas’s recommendation that a Type C fire alarm system at a cost of $9,000 be installed.

In October it was reported that the concept of the Functions Centre which was in fact the upgrading of the Members Restaurant would cost in the vicinity of $120,000 to effect and P Burke & Co had agreed to reimburse the cost of carpeting and drapes. The Committee approved the project and requested that it be proceeded with post haste. Later concern was expressed at the slow progress being made in renovating the Members Luncheon Room as a functions area.


Credit: NZMTC: Historical Notes compiled by D C Parker