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rendered no account whatever of their receipts and disbursements. Matters were consequently drawing to a climax between them and the then Race Committee, inasmuch as at this period,—1848,—the Committee had not sufficient funds to discharge one-half of their obligations, involving the vital principle of winners of races remaining unpaid, the greatest creditor being that noble sportsman, Lord George Bentinck. The death of the Earl of Egremont, one of the principal supporters of the Races, added to their decline, and the Duke of Richmond withdrew his support in favour of Goodwood, which Races had been fixed to take precedence of Brighton, and the withdrawal of the Royal gift of 100 guineas for a gold cup helped forward this result.
At this juncture a movement was made by the Town Commissioners to obtain the Race Stand on behalf of the inhabitants, and a Committee was appointed for that purpose, who took possession of the same, which act was repudiated by the general body at one of their meetings, who threw the responsibility of it on the members of the committee individually,—actions for trespass being served on them by Mr Thomas Attree on behalf of himself and co-trustees; but these proceedings were withdrawn, the amende honorable having been made. The Trustees afterwards offered to sell the interest they held in the same for £400 to the Race Committee. Tbis offer was declined by the existing Race Committee, but afterwards a public meeting was called at which a new Committee was formed, and the subject re-opened, the result being the purchase of the Stand for £380 (the Railway Company contributing £100 towards the amount, irrespective of their annual subscription to the Races of £100), Mr Lewis Slight, jun., acting as Honorary Secretary, and it was evident that unless a great effort was made the sports would have to be abandoned and the beautiful gallop over the breezy downs be lost to the public. |
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