 | CLUB HISTORY |
YEAR: 1928
FIRES & THEIR PREVENTION
In November 1928 a fire was put out in the Main Stand and a person who had assisted was given an order from the Club for a pair of new boots as his were severely damaged.
Credit: NZMTC: Historical Notes compiled by D C Parker
YEAR: 1926
FIRES & THEIR PREVENTION
The outside Public Grandstand was burnt down in September 1926 and the origin of the fire remains a mystery. The first sign was at 5:00am and the Caretaker and Fire Brigade were reported to be on the scene promptly. As seems to be the pattern with grandstands of this period the fire quickly gained such a hold that nothing could be done to save the building and a few hours after the outbreak all that remained was a heap of embers. The loss of this stand was a severe blow to the NZMTC almost on the eve of its three day Cup Meeting and also to the Canterbury Park Trotting Club whose most important Meeting was at New Year. The two Clubs received a great deal of sympathy in the loss stand which was much patronized and with the Cup Meeting being in November the opinion was expressed that the public could be inconvenienced very considerably if the weather was unfavourable. The Executives of the Canterbury Park and NZ Metropolitan Clubs met promptly to consider what steps could be taken to replace the stand and to provide accommodation for the outside public. In August 1928 it was minuted that a tender of £8,000 submitted by Hammett and Sons, for the erection of an outside Public Stand was accepted.
Credit: NZMTC: Historical Notes compiled by D C Parker
YEAR: 1923
RICCARTON PROPERTY
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| Plans of the proposed development |
In the NEW ZEALAND REFEREE of 5th February, 1919 it was reported that the Metropolitan Trotting Club had effected the purchase of a large area of land in the Riccarton district covering some eighty seven acres at a cost of £21,000. The new site comprised seventy acres previously owned by Mr T W J Shand, seven acres by Mr W Robinson and two smaller blocks of six acres. The property fronted Riccarton, Blenheim and Wharenui Roads and with the exception of one or two small sections covered the whole block opposite Puriri Street within a stone’s throw of Dean’s Bush and not more than two miles from the city. The article went on to say that the Club’s Addington property, though quite up to the standard of any trotting grounds in Australasia, had the distinct disadvantage of being held only on lease with certain conditions attached which restricted the Club’s scope for expansion. In its desire to cater for the public the Club realized that the appointments at Addington were not ideal an that if the sport continued to advance, as in the past few years, the outside accommodation would be absolutely inadequate.
The new property was served by the Riccarton Tram with the rear of the property being in close proximity to the Addington and Middleton Railway Stations while the Riccarton Railway Station was not more than ¾ of a mile away. The closeness of transport would enable country patrons to be well served in their travelling arrangements.
The article mentioned that the Club’s lease of the Addington Course had only seven years to run and it was anticipated that racing would be in full swing at the new venue before that period elapsed. It was the Club’s intention for the new grounds to be up-to-date in every respect and to take full advantage of the natural beauty of the property and to make its surroundings the most picturesque of any racecourse in New Zealand. Plans for a six furlong track had been drawn up and it was proposed that the work of establishing the new racecourse be treated with the utmost urgency.
At the Annual Meeting held in June 1920 the Chairman stated that all liabilities on the land at Riccarton had been liquidated and the property was now freehold. In November 1922 Mr Hill of Auckland was employed to prepare the layout of the grounds in consultation with Luttrell Brothers. Three months later Mr Hill met the Committee and was asked to furnish a plan and a report as early as possible.
A leading article appeared in the REFEREE of 1st March 1923 and stated
“Although it will probably be a couple of years before the Metropolitan Trotting Club finally removes its headquarters from Addington to its new grounds at Riccarton, the plans for the equipment of the property are now receiving careful consideration. It is impossible for any work to be undertaken at present as the land is leased to tenants whose term of occupancy does not expire until May.
The first work to be undertaken will be the formation of the six furlong grass track which is to be a chain and a half in width with two straights of eleven chains each and the turns being nineteen chains. It need hardly be said that special care will be taken to make this new track provide as perfect a racing surface as possible and by having it put in hand early it will be given a chance to set properly before it is required for racing. The work for laying out the grounds and for providing the necessary equipment will require careful consideration but with expert advice and past experience to guide them the Club’s Executive may be relied upon to provide a trotting ground that will be the last word in general completeness and efficiency. The operations in connection with the Metropolitan Trotting Club’s new grounds belong more or less to the future as plans have not yet been decided upon.”
In May of that year Luttrell Brothers and the Secretary were authorized to deal with the residents and secure their rights over undedicated roads so they could be closed.
Mr Hill’s fee foe planning the layout of the new grounds was 100 guineas.
The following August a deputation of representatives of the Riccarton Borough Council was received by the Committee and the deputation outlined the various works that would be carried out around the property if the Club would consent to join the Borough. The works proposed were to consist of roading and channeling and the Council also undertook to urge the occupiers of the sections in Euston Street to consent to the closing of undeclared roads. In view of the offer made by the Council the Committee decided to join the Borough. In October two Committeemen were authorized to sign a deed petitioning the Government to transfer the Club’s property from the Waimairi County Council to the Riccarton Borough Council.
On Saturday, 28 June 1924 a Commission chaired by Mr E D Mosely, SM, sat in Christchurch to consider whether of not a large area of ground owned by the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club and a small area owned by H Mayne on Riccarton Road should be transferred from the Waimairi County to the Riccarton Borough. The Club now owned 91 acres, 3 roods and 7 perches of the total area of the block which was 92 acres, 2 roods and 1 perch. The District Health Officer said it would be better to transfer the land to the Borough in order that a suitable drainage system could be carried out which was essential with the large crowds that would attend trotting meetings. After hearing evidence from the Secretary of the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club and the Mayor of Riccarton, the Commission reserved its decision.
At the annual meeting of Members the Chairman in referring to the new course said that the grounds had been bought and paid for but the construction of the course and the erection of new buildings would be a very expensive matter and he was not prepared to say when the work would be undertaken. A Member mentioned that reports stated that a trotting course could not be formed on the new property. The Chairman asked the Member where he obtained that information and the Member said it was heard frequently. The Chairman said that the rumour was incorrect.
It was reported in the NEW ZEALAND REFEREE of 31st July 1924 that the Christchurch Presbytery had forwarded through Mr George Witty, MP, to the Minister of Internal Affairs a resolution passed by the Presbytery protesting against the establishment of a trotting course I close proximity to the Riccarton Presbyterian Church. The Hon. R F Bollard, Minister of Internal Affairs, informed Mr Witty that the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club, which up to the present, had been racing on leasehold property at Addington purchased the property referred to three years previously with a view to making a new trotting course and had since disposed of its interests of the leased ground at Addington to the Canterbury Park Trotting Club. The Minister stated that he had no statutory powers to prevent the NZMTC from forming a new racecourse on its property at Riccarton.
In the NEW ZEALAND REFEREE of 7th August 1924 an article stated:
“In connection with the recommendation of the Commission recently announced to add the Metropolitan Trotting Clubs new grounds at Riccarton to the Riccarton Borough the Mayor of Riccarton, Mr A D Ford, when interviewed by a representative of the “REFEREE” stated that the inclusion of the Club’s grounds in the Borough was what his council desired.
Mr Ford said that both Mr Mayne and the Club had petitioned the Governor for the land to be added to the Borough and the Riccarton Council supported the request. Mr Ford said that the Riccarton Council desired to carry out substantial improvements in this locality and to put certain roads in order. The Borough boundary was along the whole eastern side of the property, right along the north side and half way down the western side and most of the roadways and paths were thrown into the Borough originally with the boundary line along the Club’s fence instead of the centre of the road as usual. This threw into the Borough the roads and paths, or most of them, and prevented the Borough from getting the benefit of the rates from the block. When asked as to how the district would be affected by the opening of the land as a trotting track Mr Ford said that the first desires of a Council are always the cutting up of large blocks into building sites and for such sites to be built on. In the present case this of course would not come about and therefore the establishment of a trotting track was as good as the next best thing. If the area had been cut up it would have produced about 78 acres net for rating purposes whereas now the whole 92½ acres would be rateable. As the Riccarton Borough rated on unimproved value it would be seen that the difference between rates on 78 acres and 92½ acres would be a fair sum. Mr Ford stated that the Club’s ground was first class good heavy land out of which a very fine racecourse could be made. There was ample road provision on the east side to lay the necessary tram tracks as well as several cross streets running eastward which would provide numerous outlets for any amount of traffic and thus prevent congestion after the races were over each day. Access could be had from four sides for both vehicles and pedestrians and this should greatly assist in handling large crowds. Mr Ford said he hoped later on to approach the trotting club with a request to allow the centre open space, that is inside the track, to be used by the public for recreation. If this could be done then Riccarton would be provided with a very fine ground which would answer the purposes of a park.”
In August 1924 a sub-committee was set up to go into the question of proceeding with the new grounds and in October of that year they submitted a favourable report on the drainage of the property.
In November the Club agreed to give a strip of land half a chain wide to allow Wharenui Street to be widened. In exchange the Club was to receive the freehold of unformed streets within the property. In June 1925 it was pointed out that the annual report of the Club made no reference to the Committee’s proposal in regard to its Riccarton property and it was suggested that it could be presumed that the question of the removal of the Club’s headquarters to the new ground had been deferred indefinitely. It was mentioned that it would be a costly business to equip the new grounds as an up-to-date trotting course and the Club was proceeding on cautious lines in deferring the work until it has accumulated funds that would justify the undertaking.
In July of that year Mr D McCormick offered three acres adjoining the Club’s property and fronting Blenheim Road and it was agreed to purchase the land for £1,500. In March 1926 the Club’s Solicitor was instructed to communicate with the Riccarton Borough Council regarding the closing of the roads and to ascertain the current position. Letters from the Solicitor regarding this matter were received in April but no information was minuted.
In February 1927 authority was given to terminate Mr Shirley’s position as caretaker if it was deemed necessary and in the middle of that month he was given three months notice.
In April 1928 the Riccarton Borough Council requested the Club to connect their properties to the sewer. Mr F W Freeman, surveyor, was asked to submit a sketch plan showing the subdivision of the Riccarton property similar to that proposed by the late Mr Shand. Later in the month Mr Freeman was asked to prepare complete plans for a subdivision.
In May it was reported in the REFEREE that Mr H Shirley had been appointed caretaker of the Napier Park Racing Club’s course and that he was well known in Canterbury having been caretaker of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s Sockburn grounds for nine years. When Mr French resigned his position as caretaker at the Metropolitan Trotting Club’s grounds at Addington Mr Shirley was his successor and remained there for about four years. The Canterbury Park Club then acquired the Addington grounds and the Metropolitan Trotting Club placed Mr Shirley in charge of its new property on Riccarton Road which he supervised for about four years. As there did not seem much likelihood of the Club racing on its new grounds, and Mr Shirley being anxious to secure a position on a property that was being used as a racecourse, he applied for the Napier Park position and secured the appointment from over 100 applicants. It was reported that during the time Mr Shirley was in charge at Canterbury Park and at Addington his maintenance of the grounds was of great value especially in the provision of good tracks, one of which was grass and the other dirt.
In July 1928 Tonks, Norton & Company and Jones, McCrostie & Company were asked to report on the planned subdivision, the best method of its disposal and to place a value on the sections. A sub-committee was appointed in November to investigate the subdividing of the property with power to act. No record can be found as to the reason for disposing of the Riccarton property but it probably can be assumed that it was a question of finance which lead the Metropolitan Committee to make the decision to dispose of the Riccarton Property. In December 1928 the land agents reported that they were unable to obtain an offer for the selling of the property as a block and it was then decided to ask the surveyor to complete the plans for its subdivision.
In April 1929 the Riccarton Borough Council was pressed to complete the roading works associated with the loan which was raised especially for that purpose, and during that month the subdivision sub-committee reported that 4½ acres at the Blenheim Road end of the property had been offered to the Riccarton Borough Council for a reserve at £500 per acre. The next report minuted was to the affect that in October 1932 four sections were sold.
In August 1934 arrangements made with Tonks, Norton & Co. to collect the rents on the various properties on the Club’s behalf were cancelled and the collecting became the responsibility of the Club’s administration.
In May 1935 the Riccarton Borough Council was requested to proceed with the extension of Wainui Street and in July 1937 it was reported that a block of 78 acres, 3 roods and 17.8 perches was offered to the government for £14,000. As most of this area is now devoted to state housing it can be assumed the Government accepted the offer.
In April 1941 three properties were still owned by the Club. 91 Wainui Street was let to Mr C W Ayers at a weekly rental of £1/6/0 and this property was sold in December 1970 for a net return of $5,744. 95 Wainui Street was let to Miss Henery at £1/2/6 and this property was sold in September 1941 giving a net return to the Club of £793/8/9. The third property at 97 Wainui Street was let to Mrs J Russell at £1/4/0 per week and after she had vacated the property was sold in June 1970 for a net return to the Club of $5,930.
The selling of these properties brought to a close the Club’s ambitious project of establishing its own freehold Racecourse in the Riccarton Borough.
Credit: NZMTC: Historical Notes compiled by D C Parker
YEAR: 1923
FIRES & THEIR PREVENTION
Small fires in the grandstands were not uncommon and in 1923 a claim for £6/6/- was received from a patron whose suit had been damaged in a small fire in the Stewards Stand.
Credit: NZMTC: Historical Notes compiled by D C Parker
YEAR: 1922
CANTERBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB
EXTRACT FROM 1922 BOARD MINUTES
April - The Club withdrew £5,000 from L Manning and Co. and invested £6,000 with the Post Office.
August - Club members to be charged an entrance fee to meetings of £1.
August 30 - The CPTC decided to purchase the buildings at Addington from the NZMTC. The Club applied for permission to transfer its permits to Addington.
October - The Minister of Internal Affairs gave permission to the Canterbury Park and New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Clubs to race at Addington until the Met moved to its new property at Riccarton.
The club decided to change the name of its time honoured Champion Handicap was changed to the Canterbury Park Cup Handicap.
November - The CPTC decided to sell the Sockburn course by auction through Matson & Co.
December - The Club stewards decided to invite the ladies to "afternoon tea in the Steward's Stand".
The judge's box at Sockburn was donated to the New Brighton Club.
Credit: CPTC: Centennial History
YEAR: 1921
CANTERBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB
CPTC Centennial History
February - Mr H Reynolds resigned as starter for the CPTC after 20 years.
March - The Club advertised for a new starter at £15/15/- per day. At the same time the Club confirmed salaries for the New Year at: secretary £200 per annum; clerk, £50, and timekeeper, £4/4/- per day.
April - Mr W Norman was appointed the new starter.
May - The death of Club stalwart, Mr C S Howell was recorded. He attended his last meeting as chairman on March 2 and testimony to his frailness can be seen in a very shakey signature on the minutes. A vote of deep appreciation for Mr Howell's services to the Club for 29 years was recorded.
The course caretaker, Mr H Shirley, resigned. A replacement was advertised for at £200 per annum "with provision for the successful applicant to keep a cow and a horse on the property."
The Club formulated a remit to the Conference calling for no two-year-old races to be run further than one mile.
Mr I Coates was appointed caretaker.
June - A letter was sent to the by-products company complaining about the "filthy stench" which affected the Club's meeting on June 4. The matter was placed in the hands of the CPTC's solicitor to take such action deemed "expedient" to prevent a recurrence of the "dreadful stench".
July - Proposed by Mr I A Holmes, seconded Mr I Hembling that the New Brighton & New Zealand Metropolitan Clubs be approached to see if they would give up a date to the Canterbury Park Trotting Club so that it could "carry on its business as usual" instead of being closed down as recommended by the Commission. Because of the gravity of the situation all work at the Sockburn course was stopped, including work on a new road.
August - A deputation of the Club met the Minister of Internal Affair to refute the recommendation of the Racing Commission to close the Club down.
The North Canterbury Jockey Club was given permission to hold its spring meeting on the Plumpton Park course.
October - The club, still fighting its closure, met with the Premier to discuss the matter.
The Club decided to pay out stakes of £6,600 at its two-day New Year Meeting.
Credit: CPTC: Centennial History
YEAR: 1920
CPTC.
The Club wrote to the owners of the by-products works at Sockburn complaining about the smell from its operations sweeping across the course on race days.
Credit: CPTC: Centennial History
YEAR: 1916
CANTERBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB
CPTC: Centennial History
January - The committee resolved to pay the salary of the Secretary's assistant, Mr H E Goggin, while he was serving at the front.
June - The Club invested £3,000 at call.
October - The CPTC decided that the stake for the Champion Handicap be increased to £1,000.
November - Messrs I Franks, C E Cross, R Derrett and I A Holmes were appointed judiciary stewards to act with the stipendary stewards.
December - An application for membership was declined on the grounds that the person concerned was a member of other clubs.
Credit: Extract from 1916 Board Minutes
YEAR: 1916
FIRES & THEIR PREVENTION
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| The Great Fire of 1916. |
The first major fire occurred during the early afternoon on Cup Day 1916 when the new Stewards and Members Stand which had only been in use for eighteen months was reported to be on fire. At about 1:15pm a Member remarked to a friend that it seemed to be extremely warm and being of an inquiring nature he prodded the floor with his walking stick in several places ceasing his investigations when his stick went through the floor and smoke and flame came out the hole he had made. The officials were notified and several got to work with small hoses from a lead of water provided in the building for emergencies and also with water buckets. Those present on the stand were quietly notified to leave which they did without any undue excitement. More drastic measures were then taken. The flooring was torn up with the object of getting to the seat of the fire and a call was sent out to the Fire Brigade who, however, did not turn up at once as the call was from outside the fire district. Fanned by the Nor’ Wester the fire soon got a strong hold and the heat was so intense that it was not long before the panes of plate glass enclosing the grandstand began to crack and fall. The Brigade by this time, had several leads playing onto the building but one hose was lost when a piece of falling plate glass severed it, rendering it useless. Shortly before 3.00pm the fire had practically burnt itself out, with the roof and all the big iron girders having fallen in leaving only the shell of the lower storey. The bottom portion of the concrete staircase giving access to the top of the building were more or less intact. The crowd forgot the racing for a time but interest in the conflagration soon waned and in a short while the totalisator was again going for the cup and except for the ruins everything looked almost normal. It is believed that the outbreak was due to the fusing of an electric cable in the building. The insurance on the stand, which cost approximately £8,000, was £7,000 and was divided between the Norwich Union, South British, Commercial Union, Royal Exchange, Ocean and National Companies. A request from a man who assisted at the fire for the replacement of his suit which was severely damaged was agreed to by the Committee.
In February 1917 the Architects, Luttrell Brothers, were instructed to prepare plans and specifications for the re-erection of the Stewards and Members Stand and to call tenders immediately. The reconstruction of the stand was completed in time for the start of the 1917/18 season.
Credit: NZMTC: Historical Notes compiled by D C Parker
YEAR: 1915
CANTERBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB
CPTC: Centennial History
August - The CPTC donated £500 to the Patriotic Fund for wounded soldiers.
December - The CPTC was asked to appoint a delegate to a meeting of the Trotting Conference called to consider the appointment of stipendary stewards. Mr R Wallace was appointed and told to point out that from the experience of the Club it was considered this expense was "quite unnecessary".
Credit: Extract from 1915 Board Minutes
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