view raw text
MUNICIPAL RACE TRACK IN ENGLAND. The Brighton England race track, located on the South Downs near Brighton, is owned and operated by the municipal authorities. For many years this race course, one of the most attractive in .England, was run by three trustees. When one died a new member was1 elected by the remaining two and business was continued. For many years no accounting was made. Tlien some, person, curiously inclined. inquired as to the disposition of the trolit of the three race meetings which are held annually: An investigation disclosed the fact that the money had been faithfully deposited in a Brighton bank, where it remained as a sinking fund. When the lxoks were audited It was found that they were In perfect shape and every penny accounted for. What bothered the trustees was what to do .with the monev on hand, which amounted to nearly 00.-000. They had been loyal to their trust, and after several meetings decided to turn it over to the city, .together with the race course, grandstand, and all the buildings thereon. A special, meeting-of the town council was held and the gift was fornrall.. accepted. The surplus in the lank was devoted to the purchase and laying out of Queens Park as a plavgrouud and recreative park, and it was voted to continue the races as an attraction to the town. The money received from the race meetings, amounting to about 5,000. is donated to local charitable institutions, and while the city funds are not augmented by the gift, the city is reaping the bench c 0fThe present" trustees are continued In office and run the race meetings as formerly, but what ar-. rangement will be made at their deaths is puzzling the city authorities of Brighton. Unless some provision is made to elect new trustees on the death of the present ones, the city authorities will not Only own the race track property, but will be compelled to act as a jockey club, receiving entries, arranging races and attending to nil details necessary to run a race meeting. The position is a unique one for the citv authorities, but as a good revenue is derived from the meeting the town council shows no disposition to cross the bridge beforcreaching It. The Brighton races arc among the .chensbert Institutions of England, the first meeting dating back nearly 125 years. It is the popular meeting of nobility when William IV.. as Prince of Wales had Ills summer residence at the royal pavilion at Brighton. ;
